Nurse Trudie is Engaged by Marjorie Norrell

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

Yet he could not resist exchanging glances with the other woman who sat opposite to him and whose green eyes appeared to see into his very soul, to know his reasons for these gestures, informing him mockingly how futile they were. Cutting his chicken with meticulous precision, Philip tried for the hundredth time to analyze the attraction she undoubtedly held for him. The main thing, he was certain, was her amazing vitality when she wanted to do anything, or have someone else moving for and with her, and the equally amazing indolence when she relaxed.

“She’s like one of the big cats at the zoo,” he thought and was aware that the suggestion was a compliment to Veronica. “When she moves, when she wants something, she’s quick, alert ... vibrant with a zest for living. When she’s relaxed she almost purrs.”

He stopped his thoughts abruptly. He had realized already that such a person would drive him mad if he had much to do with her; she and he had little or nothing in common. His tastes and ideas were Trudie’s; his way of life more akin to hers than to that of any other woman he had met. And yet, he reflected wryly, how could he judge? Trudie and Veronica were practically the only two people of the opposite sex he had had anything to do with, apart from his work.

He glanced at Ursula. Cool, competent and serene, she was talking to Geoff about his own ideas on the project at Arcpo, and Philip could see plainly that her interest and enthusiasm were aroused. Already she was outlining plans and schemes and in a brief lull in the conversation he heard her say, “I think we should interest Herr Mazo in this. I shall be seeing him next week—”

The remainder was lost as general conversation broke out again, but Philip repressed a sigh. That was what Geoff needed: someone to listen while he expounded his theories, someone clever enough to pick out the essential points that could be further developed, to see ahead and who knew the right people to see.

“And what I need,” he told himself, “or thought I needed—and Dora must have thought so too since the idea was hers in the first instance—was a nice “safe” engagement to someone like Trudie. And now I have it I’m not satisfied. I don’t want Veronica, and I don’t suppose she’s the least bit interested in me, except as another scalp to hang on her belt! And yet...”

He shut his mind to that thought. Not even mentally would he admit to the almost violent attraction he felt toward this stranger, an attraction such as he had read about in some long-forgotten novel but had never believed existed outside the author’s mind. Now he knew it could be a very real thing, threat to the well-being or peace of mind of an ordinary individual, and he had not the faintest idea of how to fight against it. Yet he knew he must, or find himself destroyed.

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