Marrying Mary by Betty Neels

Author:Betty Neels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Treasury
Published: 2011-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

Professor van Rakesma, driving himself home, considered his day and, since there was no human companion to listen to his musings, addressed Richard, sitting beside him. ‘Quite pleasant,’ he observed. ’In fact I rather enjoyed myself. Polly is a delightful child; it is a pity that Mary is so poker-backed.

‘I wonder why she is so cautious with me. Do I inspire you with fright, Richard? Do I behave like an ogre? It is possible that she just doesn’t like me. If I were an unscrupulous man I might be tempted to do something about that...! When we first met I found her attractive; indeed, I went out of my way to get to know her, didn’t I? I wonder why. The instinct to meet a pretty girl again? Possibly.

‘I must be warned that she does not share my interest.’ He frowned. ‘Not that I have any intention of becoming interested.’

To all of which Richard merely rolled his eyes at his master and then went to sleep.

It was after the professor had eaten the dinner that Fred had set before him that he picked up the phone by his chair and dialled a number in Holland.

‘Ilsa? Thank you for your letter. I should have answered your other letters, but letter-writing is rather a luxury. I missed you last time I was home—Pleane is coming to stay with me shortly; I wondered if you would care to come with her. You would be company for each other during the day. She wants to do some shopping and you might be able to keep her from being too extravagant.’

‘Roel, what a lovely idea! I’d love to come. Could you give me some dates? Perhaps Pleane has it all arranged. I’ll go round and see her tomorrow to see if she likes the idea. You’re sure I won’t be a nuisance?’

He frowned. He had forgotten how sugary-sweet Ilsa’s voice was—or perhaps he was comparing it, against his better judgement, with Mary’s sensible, unaffected voice. He said quickly, ‘Of course not, Ilsa; it will be nice to see you again.’ They talked for a few minutes before he rang off with the plea of urgent reports to write.

Not that he did them. He sat in his chair, thinking. It had been a good idea to invite Ilsa. His youngest sister, still in her early twenties, was a darling girl but impulsive; with Ilsa’s company she might be induced to get less carried away by whatever caught her fancy at that moment.

As for Ilsa, he had been aware for some time now that he had only to ask her to marry him to be accepted at once. She had made her feelings almost embarrassingly plain on several occasions. And she was, after all, just the wife he needed—socially acceptable and beautifully dressed, charming, anxious to please. He would see how things turned out when she came. They were old friends, after all; they liked each other, and perhaps liking might deepen into love or at least affection.

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