At Odds With Love by Betty Neels

Author:Betty Neels [NEELS, BETTY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General, Fiction, Romance, Love Stories, Large type books
ISBN: 9780263200041
Publisher: Ulverscroft Large Print Books, Limited
Published: 2007-06-14T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

jane opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. Without her shoes she had even further to look up into the professor’s face, but there was nothing in it to indicate if she had dreamt his words—perhaps he was joking. She tried again.

“What did you say?”

“I asked you to marry me.” He smiled gently down at her.

“Believe me, I have given the matter some thought and I consider it to be a most suitable arrangement.”

“Why?”

He didn’t answer her directly.

“We got off to a bad start, didn’t we?

But we suit each other very well, you know. We have much in common and since you have been in the nursing profession you know, none better, the kind of life a medical man leads and would be prepared to put up with delayed meals, sudden departures and long absences. I have an excellent housekeeper in Holland but I need a wife to entertain my friends and fend off too much social life. My work means a great deal to me, Jane, but I need someone to come home to—not, I must emphasise, someone simply agog to go dancing and dining and entertaining but someone who will listen if I need to talk. Does all that sound very selfish to you? “

“No. It’s sensible and honest. Only it wouldn’t do. You aren’t in love with me, are you? Besides, people who marry love each other…”

“No, I’m not in love with you, nor do I love you two different things, I must point out. One falls in and out of love but when one loves that is an entirely different matter, for that lasts through life and beyond and is a rare thing. Putting the romantic aspect on one side, I hope that you will consider the matter. I am in England for the next two weeks and I shall see you as often as possible.” He took her hand in his and she felt its cool firmness.

“Will you come with me now? I have to go home before I go to the hospital. We can lunch together and we won’t say any more about this unless you want to.”

“Even if I … that is, I can’t leave Bessy and Bruno and Percy and Simpkin.”

“Of course not. They can all come too.”

“To Holland?”

“Yes. Bessy will have her country life again and I have no doubt that the cats and Bruno will settle down very well.”

He spoke bracingly and in a matter-of-fact manner which made it all sound easy. She had only to say yes. Julie came in then followed by Ethel with the coffee.

“Sorry I’ve been so long.” She beamed at them both.

“How long are you here for, Nik?”

“Two weeks, most of them here in London. I’m going to take Jane home with me for lunch presently. You won’t mind if we leave the cats here?

Bruno will go with us. “

“Of course I don’t mind. I hope you’ll have some free time so that you can take Jane out and around…”

“I intend to.

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