Cassandra by Chance

Author:Betty Neels [NEELS, BETTY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

THE X-rays were quickly done, but the get together in the radiologist's office afterwards went on for some time. Cassandra had been feeling a little lost until Jan arrived. He had crossed the room to her side as soon as he had seen her. "Mijnheer sent for me," he explained. "I am to take coffee here."

She glanced over to where Benedict stood talking to the radiologist and several other men—colleagues at the hospital, she guessed, for they all wore the same conventional suits, the same elegant ties.

"That was nice of him," she murmured. "He wants you to share in his good news."

Jan's dark eyes rested upon hers for a moment, but before he could speak he was summoned by Benedict's quiet "Jan?" and left her with an apologetic smile. She watched him being introduced to the other men and thought how like Mijnheer van Manfeld to give credit where credit was due-she deliberately called him that to herself; it would help to prise her loose from the silly situation she had allowed herself to get into. Nevertheless, when he turned his head and said "Cassandra?" she went to him at once, to be introduced in her turn. But presently she slipped to the edge of the circle of people around him and Jan joined her with her coffee cup in his hand, remarking, "It is all so strange, is it not, Miss Cassandra, but it is a wonderful hour for Mijnheer."

She sipped her coffee. "Yes, it is. How proud you must be of your part in getting him well again." She looked at Benedict, standing with downbent head, listening to someone or other. "Thank you, Jan," she said softly.

"Do not thank me, I am only glad that I could at last repay some of the kindness I have received from Mijnheer. He needed my help, just as he needs the love you give him, Miss Cassandra."

She stared at his dark, elderly face, the blood leaving her own and then rushing back to flood it from her chin to the roots of her neat hair. She whispered, "Oh, Jan, he doesn't know? He mustn't-how did you…? I thought I'd been so careful…'

He gave her a slow reassuring smile. "Do not worry, it is not to be seen, only to be felt, you understand. It is a secret which I share with you, and I am proud to do that." He sighed. "If things had been different, I would have had a daughter of just your age, Miss Cassandra."

She forgot her own miserable embarrassment in the sadness of his face. "I've often wondered. Would you tell me about her one day?"

He nodded. "I should like that. 1 do not talk of it, you understand, only Mijnheer knows, but I should like to tell you too, about her and my wife…' He broke off as Benedict called: "Jan, come here a moment, will you? There's something…and where's Cassandra?" He turned his head sharply, frowning.

"I'm here," she told him quietly, "with Jan," and

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