Kit Cavendish-Private Nurse

by Margaret Malcolm

  “I can answer that one,” Noel told her promptly. “Wrinch is hand in glove with Ruth. But he doesn’t have her nerve. And besides, he has an inborn liking for running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. He wasn’t taking any chances. If father insisted on seeing the wretched thing, Wrinch was quite prepared to sell Ruth down the river because nominally, at any rate, father is still the boss. So, to cover himself, he brought the report but said nothing to Ruth. When father blew his top, Wrinch lost his head. Well, he had his reward—Ruth ratted on him. But that’s ancient history. What I want to know now is what are you going to do about it?”

  “Nothing,” Kit told him firmly. “For one thing, I’m not convinced that you’re right. And for another, my job is to look after your father. I do wish you’d all remember that and not try to involve me in family squabbles that aren’t my affair.”

  “Well, I suppose I can’t blame you for feeling like that,” Noel admitted. “It’s a sordid enough business, goodness knows. Still, talking to you has at least helped me to see things more clearly. I realize that it’s my job—” he pondered momentarily, then went on with a certain satisfaction “—and though I don’t see any solution yet, I’m pretty certain I’ve got something up my sleeve that might help. And now I suppose I’d better take you back.”

  “Oh, my goodness, yes!” Kit exclaimed, glancing at her watch. “Unless you can do it in ten minutes, I’m going to be terribly late.”

  Noel laughed.

  “Much as I like a bit of speed, I’m afraid I can’t do that. But I’ll do my best. Hold onto your hat!”

  But Kit was almost half an hour late when, breathlessly, she apologized to Nurse Stoke who came out onto the landing to meet her.

  “That’s all right, my dear. I saw who brought you home!” Nurse Stoke said with a coy significance that, to Kit’s annoyance, made her blush. “A proper charmer, that young man!”

  “But, Nurse Stoke, you mustn’t imagine...” Kit protested earnestly.

  Nurse Stoke laughed.

  “Now, you mustn’t mind me teasing! It’s true I’m old enough to be your mother, but I’m no spoilsport. After all, you’re only young once. Besides, I got on nicely with my knitting—practically finished the second sleeve.”

  It was on the tip of Kit’s tongue to ask her if she had said anything to Mr. Baylis about Noel bringing her home, but she decided that the less said the better. She went into Mr. Baylis’s room. He greeted her with a smile and asked if she had enjoyed her outing.

  “I had tea with an old friend—Miss Catchpole,” Kit explained, evading a direct question. “Do you want anything?”

  “Not at the moment.” He looked at her thoughtfully. “I suppose you have a lot of friends around here.”

  “Not as many as I once had,” Kit told him. “You see, a lot of my friends left when they grew up, just as I did.”

  “Yes, there couldn’t have been much around here for youngsters to do five or six years ago,” he commented. “Different now.”

  “Very different,” Kit agreed with an unconscious sigh.

  “You don’t like the change?” he asked with interest.

  “I think one always feels a bit sentimental about the place where one lived as a child,” Kit replied, anxious not to criticize the development in which he had played a part. “And perhaps one rather takes it for granted it’s always going to look the same.”

  “I know what you mean,” Mr. Baylis said as he put down his glasses. “Sometimes I feel guilty about the part I played in having the new town built here. I mean, when one thinks of all that growing land locked up under steel and concrete, it makes you wonder...” he shook his head.

  “But you’ve provided work for hundreds and hundreds of people,” Kit reminded him.

  “That’s what my wife tells me,” Mr. Baylis said, looking more cheerful. “And of course she’s right. What’s more, though there’s not much room for sentiment in business, I’ve always felt I owed a duty to the people who work for me. It’s odd, you know, the way power has changed hands,” he went on reflectively. “In the old days, even to some extent when I was a youngster, it was in the hands of the landed proprietors, people with titles, most likely, and I’ve no doubt they felt it was their job to look after the people on their estate, much the same as I do now. Yet a great many of them have had to sell their land, and here am I, who started out with nothing, taking their place in a way. Yes, it’s certainly odd.”

  He smiled rather doubtfully at Kit as if he was not quite sure of her understanding him and then returned to his book. But somehow Kit was left with the feeling that if only she could work it out, Mr. Baylis had given her the key to the problem that perplexed Noel. But the more she tried to discover what it was, the more it evaded her. So at last she resolved to put the matter aside, though not without wishing that there was someone whose advice and reassurance she could seek. Her father, had he been at hand. Or, even better because he would be able to appreciate her point of view, Jason. But that was not possible in the meantime. Jason was attending a medical conference in Copenhagen and would not be back until the following week. There was nothing to do but wait, for it did not occur to her that had she repeated Mr. Baylis’s remarks to Noel, he might have perceived their significance as she could not.

  A few days later Mr. Baylis brought up the question of Noel entering the firm. He and his wife were alone together at the time as Noel had driven Sue into Minsterbury to do some shopping, and Ruth had told Kit that there was no need for her to stay as she herself would be in all afternoon.

  “If you’re really quite sure...” Kit said doubtfully.

  Nurse Stoke had left and Kit had not expected to have more than an odd hour that day.

  “Quite, thank you, Nurse,” Ruth said crisply, and then, as if she realized she had sounded a little ungracious, added, “You mustn’t be offended, Nurse, when I say that we do enjoy being on our own together. Since I have to be away so much during the week, I do like to make the most of every opportunity.”

  Her face softened into a wistful smile as she spoke, and Kit responded with instant sympathy.

  “Yes, of course you do, Mrs. Baylis,” she agreed. “I’ll prepare the dose of medicine that Mr. Baylis is to take at four o’clock, and that, apart from tea, is all that’s necessary.” She hesitated momentarily. “Oh, there is just one other thing...”

  “Yes, Nurse?” Ruth asked pleasantly.

  “If, by any chance, Mr. Baylis’s condition should worry you at all,” Kit said, choosing her words very carefully, “you’ll find some capsules in the medicine chest. I’ll show you where they are.”

  She did so, and Ruth read the directions carefully.

  “I see. I crumple up a handkerchief, put the capsule into it and break it. Then I hold the handkerchief to my husband’s nose for him to breathe in the vapor. Quite simple ... though naturally, I sincerely hope I won’t have to do it.”

  “Yes, of course,” Kit agreed and went off to change.

  Ruth went back to her husband.

  “I’ve sent Nurse Cavendish out for a few hours,” she told him smilingly. “She’s a nice girl, but I do like it when we’re on our own!”

  He put out his hand and took hers.

  “So do I, my dear, though I feel I’m being selfish. After all, you work all week and then devote your free hours to an invalid. You ought to have more freedom yourself, you know.”

  Ruth rubbed her cheek against his gray hair.

  “You know, at times you really are rather dim, darling,” she said softly. “Hasn’t it dawned on you yet that I’d rather be with you than anywhere else?”

  Mr. Baylis kissed her hand.

  “It is beginning to dawn on me,” he admitted. “Though it still seems a miracle to me.”

  They talked in a desultory way for a time. Then Ruth began to work on a piece of embroidery, and Mr. Baylis went back to his book. Suddenly he looked up.

  “Ruth, has Noel said anything to you about going to work?�
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  “Not recently,” she replied carefully. “And to be quite honest, I’ve had so much on my mind that I’ve rather tended to shelve the matter.”

  “I’m not surprised,” he said tenderly. “You’ve taken on so much—still, it’s time the boy settled down. I think I’ll have a word with him.”

  “Oh—” Ruth’s hands paused in her work. “Just as you like, darling, but I can manage, you know. Things are easier now that I’ve got back into the running of the office.”

  “No, I think it’s my job,” Mr. Baylis replied thoughtfully. “And yon needn’t worry, my dear. I’ve learned my lesson. Whatever attitude Noel takes, I won’t be upset.”

  An hour later, when Noel came into the room to inquire if there was any tea, Mr. Baylis hardly waited for him to sit down before he opened the matter.

  “We’ve been talking about your joining the firm, Noel,” he said eagerly. “How do you feel about it?”

  If Noel was surprised at his father’s question, he gave no indication.

  “Well ... it’s always been understood that I would, of course.” he remarked. “But I think the real question is, how do you feel about it? I mean, do you think you would find it at all embarrassing?” he enlarged, looking directly at Ruth.

  “Why should I?” Ruth asked, looking puzzled.

  “I don’t know,” Noel admitted. “I just thought it was only fair to ask your opinion. You see, father and I decided this years ago, but now that you’re temporarily running things, I think you ought to be consulted.”

  Ruth puckered her smooth forehead in thought.

  “Just what was the plan?” she asked.

  “Well, in good time, when I knew what it was all about, I would become a partner,” Noel explained. “But first of all, we agreed that I must learn everything from the bottom up. That’s about it, isn’t it, father?”

  “That’s it,” Mr. Baylis agreed. “A year in the plant, then a year in the office; and finally, a partnership. It’s the only way when a young man comes into a family business. The people who work for him must feel that he knows at least as much as they do, otherwise they may resent taking orders from him.”

  Ruth nodded in agreement, but made no comment.

  “What is it?” Mr. Baylis asked rather anxiously.

  “Nothing, really, darling,” Ruth said quickly. “Just, what you said about taking orders made me wonder...”

  “Yes?” Noel encouraged, his eyes narrowing.

  “Well, I can’t help wondering if we’re making it difficult for Noel,” she said. “I mean, he’ll receive training and take orders from the very men who will subsequently be expected to work under his orders. And I thought, well, Noel might find it embarrassing to remember that but for them, he wouldn’t know anything. If there was any trouble, I mean, and he had to make it clear who was boss...” Her voice trailed away, and then, with a sigh, she added, “If only he was not going to be absolutely ignorant when he started...”

  “As a matter of fact, I won’t be,” Noel said coolly.

  Two pairs of eyes looked at him in startled surprise.

  “Oh, how’s that?” Mr. Baylis asked.

  “Well, during the last long vacation I spent most of my time in Tom Fleming’s workshops,” Noel explained.

  “You didn’t say anything to me about it,” Mr. Baylis said, frowning slightly. “Nor did Tom, and seeing what old friends we are—”

  “I asked him not to,” Noel explained. “To tell you the truth, father, I wanted to find out for sure that it was really my sort of work, that I’d be able to put something into it that would satisfy you ... and myself.” He paused expectantly.

  “And you came to the conclusion...” Mr. Baylis asked eagerly.

  “It really interests me,” Noel confessed. “And according to Tom, I didn’t do too badly for a raw beginner.”

  “If Tom said that, you’re all right,” Mr. Baylis commented. “Never one to be too free with his praise, old Tom. Well, well, well! You are a dark horse, isn’t he, Ruth?”

  “He certainly is,” Ruth agreed with a deliberate lightness that might well have hidden another emotion. “Well, that being so, when do you want to start?”

  “That’s not for me to say,” Noel said quietly. “As I’ve told you, I’m not quite a novice, but all the same I’ve only had a few weeks’ experience. In fact, just enough to teach me how much more I have to learn. If you think it would be a good idea, father, I’m sure Tom would let me put in a bit more time with him. But there is just one point—no, two—I’d like to make. One is that I’d like a definite limit to be set on the time I spend with Tom.”

  “Fair enough,” Mr. Baylis agreed. “Say, six months?”

  “Suits me,” Noel agreed. “And the other thing is, I don’t think Tom can give me any office training. After all, you and he are rivals, however friendly, and it wouldn’t be fair to him that I have access to his confidential papers. I don’t think you’d like it if the situation was reversed, would you?”

  “I certainly wouldn’t,” Mr. Baylis agreed emphatically. “Right, my boy, then we’ll fix it up with Tom. I’ll drop him a line and ask him to come and see me. I can’t tell you what pleasure you’ve given me—as good as a month at the seaside!”

  “I’m glad,” Noel said, and a look of warm understanding, such as they had not exchanged for a considerable time, passed between father and son. “And how about you, Ruth?” Noel asked. “Does the arrangement satisfy you?”

  “Perfectly,” Ruth said calmly. “I think it’s all very sensible.”

  “No more than that?” Noel sounded disappointed.

  “Oh, from a personal point of view, of course I’m delighted,” Ruth affirmed unhesitatingly. “I’ve been so worried in case you might not want to come into the firm. I mean, knowing how much it means to your father. She gave her husband a warm, tender smile that spoke volumes to him.

  When Noel had gone, Mr. Baylis turned smilingly to his wife. “I can’t tell you what a boost that boy has given me,” he confessed, and chuckled. “Young devil, going off like that on the quiet to find out if he’d like the job! Well, thank goodness he does, and I must tell you, my dear, that few things have given me more pleasure than this. From the first time I held him in my arms, it’s been my ambition to have him as my partner, and now it looks like my dream will be fulfilled!”

  He sighed pleasurably and did not notice Ruth’s lack of response. Suddenly he spoke again.

  “I’ve been wondering. Do you think his willingness to put his head into the collar has anything to do with a girl? I mean, it does alter a man’s point of view when he’s thinking of getting married.”

  “Yes, I suppose so,” Ruth agreed. “Have you any idea who it might be?”

  “Well, I was wondering if it might be Sue,” Mr. Baylis suggested.

  Ruth laughed, her eyes on the door. Noel had not quite shut it when he went out, and Ruth was almost certain she had heard soft footsteps that had paused just outside.

  “Sue?” She laughed again and raised her voice slightly. “My dear, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I hardly think so! They’re always bickering, and though I hate to say it of my own niece, she’s far too colorless to attract Noel, I’m afraid, poor child. No, my idea would be...” She paused and shook her head. “No, it’s too soon to say anything, and it’s only an idea...”

  “Well, you can safely tell me,” Mr. Baylis told her. “It won’t go any farther.”

  “I’ve been wondering about ... Nurse Cavendish,” Ruth confessed. “I’ve really very little to go on, but I do know, from Nurse Stoke, that a few days ago Noel brought her home in his car and that she was almost half an hour late on duty! Do you think that’s anything to go on?”

  “Might be,” Mr. Baylis agreed. “All the same, I’d rather it was Sue. All in the family.”

  “There’s that,” Ruth agreed. “But you know, darling, you can’t force people to fall in love with one another.”

  “No,” Mr. Baylis agreed,
clearly reluctant to give up his idea. “But Noel took Sue into Minsterbury today, didn’t he?”

  “That was because Sue asked him outright if he would,” Ruth explained. “He could hardly get out of it. But ... that’s another thing, Ralph. I don’t think for a moment that Noel has any feelings toward Sue than, oh, those of a cousin, I suppose. But that isn’t to say that she hasn’t...” She shook her head regretfully.

  “You mean she’s in love with him?” Mr. Baylis asked. “Oh dear, that’s a complication, isn’t it?”

  “It certainly is,” Ruth agreed with a sigh. “That’s why I feel that it wouldn’t be kind to do anything that might encourage her to think Noel...”

  “I see what you mean,” Mr. Baylis agreed. “Poor child!”

  “Poor child,” Ruth echoed, her ears straining to hear the sound of the footsteps that crept quietly away along the corridor.

  It frequently surprised and sometimes disturbed Kit that two people living in the same house, as Sue and she did, should see so little of one another. At first she had put it down to an unusual degree of shyness on Sue’s part. Then, after hearing the altercation between Sue and her aunt, she wondered if Sue had been told that she was not to get on friendly terms with Mr. Baylis’s nurse.

  She was essentially a friendly soul, and it irked when Sue avoided her. It was not that she wanted to be on confidential terms, but it would be pleasant, Kit felt, to have an occasional chat with a girl her own age.

  So, more than once, she seized what opportunities were offered to make a remark to Sue that might lead to a brief conversation. But the result was always the same. Sue would stammer a few words in reply and flee.

  But at length, quite by chance, fortune favored Kit. By going past the flower garden into the kitchen garden, one came to a gate in the wall that led to a shortcut across fields to the village. Until now it had been too wet for use, but there had been steady sunshine for several days and Kit decided to take a chance. She put on sturdy walking shoes and set off, and turning a sharp corner where the path curved around a small garden shed, she almost fell over Sue.