Nurse Ann Wood by Valerie K. Nelson

with a strange deep tenderness in his voice.
    “They ran away,” she repeated, “but Miss Pollard chased after them and came up with them almost as soon as Doctor Lyntrope. She protested very strongly when Doctor Lyntrope insisted on taking them out of her charge.”
    “Charge!” snapped the other young woman. “What sort of charge or control had she over them, letting them run away as she did!”
    Ann answered steadily, “I don’t think this is the time or place for a discussion about that.” She turned her lovely, appealing eyes on Iain Sherrarde.
    “Mr. Sherrarde, I’m making myself responsible for the children.”
    He said frowningly, “You’ve had enough responsibility for tonight. I told you before I left Fountains to get a meal, and then go to bed immediately. You’re supposed to be convalescing yourself, remember.”
    She made a little gesture. “I had to come. It’s wrong for the children to be so unsettled.”
    “I agree about that,” he returned. “Maureen, I didn’t realize that the girl — Miss Pollard — was with the children. I thought you had found them completely unattended.”
    Doctor Lyntrope tossed her auburn head. “That is the second time you’ve questioned my account of what happened, Iain.” Her blue eyes surveyed Ann in a very hostile manner. “I refuse to discuss the matter further. You know my opinion and I think Aunt Mary agrees withme.”
    “Indeed I do, darling,” the older woman said, and looked at Ann as if she were some disturbing stranger.
    “All the same,” Iain Sherrarde came across to Ann, who was standing quite close to the door, “I think Anne is right. Until some final arrangements are made, the children should go back. After all, there is no one here who can care for them properly.”
    “But I’ve told you, Iain, that I can get a really well-trained children’s nurse.”
    “But that isn’t tonight,” he interrupted her with a smile. “Come along, Anne. Those children ought to be in bed by now.”
    Ann turned to say goodnight to the two women, but Mrs. Trederrick merely gave her a cool nod, and Maureen Lyntrope very rudely turned her head away. But their coldness could raise no chill in Ann’s heart. In radiant gladness she went out of the room with Iain, and wanted nothing more. He had changed. He was once again tender and understanding ... the man who had rescued her and told her in the darkness of her bewilderment to “hold on to him.”
    Averil Pollard had the two children in the hall, Guy lolling against her, half asleep, as she pushed his arms into his coat.
    Emma was demure. “We’re coming home because you’ve come for us, Nurse Ann,” she announced graciously.
    “Nurse Auntie Ann,” Guy interposed in sleepy stubbornness.
    “Nurse Ann,” Emma insisted blandly.
    “Uncle Iain, she is Nurse Ann, isn’t she?” And she turned beautiful enquiring eyes upon Mr. Sherrarde.
    “Doctor Iain,” stated Guy triumphantly. “Doctor Iain and Auntie Ann.”
    “Uncle Iain and Nurse Ann,” Emma shouted at the top of her voice.
    Iain looked resigned. “Now we’re in for a shouting match. Do they ever get tired?”
    Ann nodded, smiling, and whipped Guy up into her arms. “Come along, darling. The car is outside.”
    “Here, I say, he’s much too heavy for you, Anne.”
    Iain was bending over her to take the boy, his dark face oddly tender. Emma immediately forgot about the shouting match. “Carry me, Uncle Iain. Please carry me,” she demanded.
    He settled the boy over his shoulder and then bent down to take the girl on his other arm.
    “They’re too heavy.” Ann’s heart was in her eyes, though she was completely unaware of it.
    Iain Sherrarde turned away; the perspiration which broke on his tanned brow had nothing to do with the weight of the two children. Averil Pollard watched them with a slightly cynical air. She’s crazy about him, she reflected. Doesn’t she realize that that Lyntrope woman has got her claws into him? Besides,