Nurse Carol's Secret by Nerina Hilliard

Author:Nerina Hilliard [Hilliard, Nerina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER VII

AFTER the Festa, Lorenzito settled down to its usual state of semi-perpetual gaiety. Ashamed of the strange cowardice which had almost made her give way to the black thoughts in her mind, Morgana again reminded herself of her resolve not to spend the time left to her in regrets and recriminations.

Nesta was resting on the couch in the lounge, while Morgana sat at her side, alternately reading and trying to stop her thoughts wandering too often to Felipe. The sound of a car engine gave her something else to occupy her mind and she rose to her feet, banishing thought of Felipe from her, but it refused to be banished very far and she was conscious of a queer nostalgic yearning as she saw, through the window, the man who came towards them, the. sun gleaming on his thick dark hair.

"Bom dias, senhoras," he greeted them when Therese showed him in.

"Good morning, Felipe," Nesta replied, while Morgana muttered something indistinctly, still embarrassingly conscious of the last time they had met. "You will take chocolate with us?"

He thanked her, but refused, on the explanation that he had to return to the Palacio almost immediately for a luncheon engagement. He then glanced from one to the other of them and enquired of Nesta:

"Your time is not planned three days hence?"

Nesta shook her head and Felipe's dark glance turned to Morgana. "And you, Miss Carol? Your day is not planned?"

Morgana wondered just where all this was leading, but she shook her head nevertheless.

"I have the care of Miss Broughton, naturally," she said guardedly, "but beyond that, it is not planned."

"That is well." His glance went back to Nesta. "I had offered to drive Miss Carol inland. I hope that you also will be able to accompany us."

Too late Morgana remembered, and she could have bitten out her unwary tongue for giving him such an opportunity. If she had realized in time his object in calling, she could perhaps have thought up some excuse, although it would have been depriving Nesta of a diversion which she definitely needed. On that thought she was glad that she had not time to think up an excuse.

"I should love to come." Nesta accepted without hesitation. "I am sure that Morgana would also," she added glibly, knowing quite well the feelings of her young nurse towards the dark, very attractive man.

Apparently Felipe did also. There was only half-concealed amusement in his voice as he remarked, "I think you will find it interesting, Miss Carol."

"How do you know that I will find it interesting?" Morgana retorted, stung as usual by his cool assurance.

"But of course you will, senhorita," Felipe replied blandly. "Is it not your intention to delve below the surface of Juamasa? One cannot get to know the island without proceeding to the hinterland."

Morgana accepted defeat. "I should be glad to accept, senhor," she said in a tight voice that tried hard not to reveal its reluctance.

"It is a pleasure." The aloof, courteous voice gave no evidence of triumph.

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