Rachel Lindsay - Mask of Gold

by Rachel Lindsay

  'On the contrary, I feel much better, or else the pill is working!' His voice was stronger. 'Look at me, Carolyn.'

  'No, my face is all red.'

  He ignored her protests and with unexpected fierceness stood up and pulled her to her feet. His arms held her close and she felt the tremble of his body and his breathing, quick and uneven.

  'There's so much we've got to say,' she whispered.

  'There'll be time enough for that. Right now, there's only one thing I want to do.'

  Without any gentleness his mouth found hers. No longer was he pleading for her understanding; he was a lover demanding a passionate response. It was a deep kiss and seemed to draw the very heart out of her. She struggled for breath, but he would not lift his mouth, and after a moment she twined her arms around his neck and with all her strength pressed her body against his.

  'Carolyn.' He drew back, his face white, his eyes glittering. 'Darling, I'd better go while I still have the strength!'

  'Say it again,' she whispered. 'The bit where you called me darling. You never have before.'

  'I've lots more names,' he said tenderly. 'Darling, dearest, heart of my heart.' He looked into her face. 'Will you still find me strange when I wear my glasses? I'd do without them if I could, but——- '

  'No, you won't. I like you in glasses now. Besides, it's nice to know I'll be the only one who'll be able to get behind the mask!'

  There was a hurried tattoo on the door and a student nurse put her head round it.

  'Sister will be having kittens if you don't get back. Feeding's over and you're to collect the babies.'

  The door closed again and Alvin kissed Carolyn's tilted nose. 'Run along, dearest. This time next year I hope a nurse will be collecting ours!'