spoke—a direct, unnerving gaze. 'It looks to me as if I shall be on the move before I '
Ruth appeared at that moment, greeting Emma warmly and asking jocularly, 'What's all that about being on the move? I couldn't help overhearing.'
Adam told her.
She laughed, then said, 'You'll probably find some glamorous patient, fall in love at first sight, and I shall be the one on the move!' She added, 'Men are so unpredictable.'
At that Adam scoffed, ' Men unpredictable. I like that! Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady had something to say about women, I seem to remember!'
In that moment both he and Emma recalled their last conversation concerning Judy Meyhew and his subsequent remarks, and he added almost defiantly, 'There's a lot to be said for being a bachelor.'
Ruth stopped herself from exclaiming, 'But not for being a spinster!' Laughing, she drew Emma towards the sitting-room—a spacious room of comfort and chintz, looking just the right setting for a drawing-room comedy. It had French windows leading out on to a small but artistic garden which had an air of being tended and loved.
Emma felt instantly at home. Adam's presence brought emotion near the surface and she was acutely conscious of him, aware that in his home environment he was relaxed and even more attractive, with an easy manner which added to his appeal. The thought of her love for him overwhelmed her as their eyes met and held for a second, and she was afraid of betraying her feelings, thankful that just then Paul Knight arrived and the tension eased.
Emma liked him on sight. He was broad-shouldered and slim, with an open friendly face and a mouth that curved readily into a smile. His eyes were frank and blue, and his whole personality redolent of good-natured understanding. He was, Emma thought, a man on whose shoulder one could cry without embarrassment.
Ruth introduced him and his handshake was firm, his manner making Emma feel very much part of the circle. How strange, she thought: he was in love with Ruth and she with Adam; they had a common bond. Her body heated. Ruth knew how Paul felt; Adam had no idea of her feelings. The possibility appalled her. And yet, were he to love her. . . She dragged her unruly reflections away from him as she talked animatedly to Ruth and discovered that to be out, having a drink before dinner, was a stimulus long denied her. It was the first such occasion since her parents' death. The easy familiarity of Christian names, the happy atmosphere and harmony, brought a sudden lump to her throat. If only Irene could join in. Ruth, with her gaiety and ease of manner, would be such a tonic and Emma felt that she had known her for years.
Paul said, as they sat having their drinks, his manner humorous and challenging, 'I don't suppose you can work miracles by any chance, Emma?' And while he spoke to Emma he looked at Ruth, and Emma followed his gaze.
Emma avoided bringing the subject back to Irene.
'Afraid I have no such ability!' She laughed. 'Do you need miracles?' She thought that it was a silly question, but the atmosphere was such that it was easy to be completely natural and not have to think of anything clever to say.
'If you could persuade Ruth to marry me,' he suggested, and there was almost a boyish eagerness about him as he spoke. 'Everyone knows about me,' he added with a light laugh. 'Adam will give me a reference.'
'Against my better judgement,' Adam quipped, 'since such an event would render me homeless!'
Emma felt a sudden shiver down her spine. She looked at Ruth and said with mock seriousness, 'I've only met Paul for about three-quarters of an hour, but I think you'd be very happy if you married him.'
There was an electric silence when glances were exchanged, and then Ruth's voice rang out, 'You know, Emma, I think you're right—it needed a comparative stranger to make me realise it!'
Paul sat speechless for a second before gasping, 'Say that again!' He put his drink down on the occasional table and
Ruth appeared at that moment, greeting Emma warmly and asking jocularly, 'What's all that about being on the move? I couldn't help overhearing.'
Adam told her.
She laughed, then said, 'You'll probably find some glamorous patient, fall in love at first sight, and I shall be the one on the move!' She added, 'Men are so unpredictable.'
At that Adam scoffed, ' Men unpredictable. I like that! Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady had something to say about women, I seem to remember!'
In that moment both he and Emma recalled their last conversation concerning Judy Meyhew and his subsequent remarks, and he added almost defiantly, 'There's a lot to be said for being a bachelor.'
Ruth stopped herself from exclaiming, 'But not for being a spinster!' Laughing, she drew Emma towards the sitting-room—a spacious room of comfort and chintz, looking just the right setting for a drawing-room comedy. It had French windows leading out on to a small but artistic garden which had an air of being tended and loved.
Emma felt instantly at home. Adam's presence brought emotion near the surface and she was acutely conscious of him, aware that in his home environment he was relaxed and even more attractive, with an easy manner which added to his appeal. The thought of her love for him overwhelmed her as their eyes met and held for a second, and she was afraid of betraying her feelings, thankful that just then Paul Knight arrived and the tension eased.
Emma liked him on sight. He was broad-shouldered and slim, with an open friendly face and a mouth that curved readily into a smile. His eyes were frank and blue, and his whole personality redolent of good-natured understanding. He was, Emma thought, a man on whose shoulder one could cry without embarrassment.
Ruth introduced him and his handshake was firm, his manner making Emma feel very much part of the circle. How strange, she thought: he was in love with Ruth and she with Adam; they had a common bond. Her body heated. Ruth knew how Paul felt; Adam had no idea of her feelings. The possibility appalled her. And yet, were he to love her. . . She dragged her unruly reflections away from him as she talked animatedly to Ruth and discovered that to be out, having a drink before dinner, was a stimulus long denied her. It was the first such occasion since her parents' death. The easy familiarity of Christian names, the happy atmosphere and harmony, brought a sudden lump to her throat. If only Irene could join in. Ruth, with her gaiety and ease of manner, would be such a tonic and Emma felt that she had known her for years.
Paul said, as they sat having their drinks, his manner humorous and challenging, 'I don't suppose you can work miracles by any chance, Emma?' And while he spoke to Emma he looked at Ruth, and Emma followed his gaze.
Emma avoided bringing the subject back to Irene.
'Afraid I have no such ability!' She laughed. 'Do you need miracles?' She thought that it was a silly question, but the atmosphere was such that it was easy to be completely natural and not have to think of anything clever to say.
'If you could persuade Ruth to marry me,' he suggested, and there was almost a boyish eagerness about him as he spoke. 'Everyone knows about me,' he added with a light laugh. 'Adam will give me a reference.'
'Against my better judgement,' Adam quipped, 'since such an event would render me homeless!'
Emma felt a sudden shiver down her spine. She looked at Ruth and said with mock seriousness, 'I've only met Paul for about three-quarters of an hour, but I think you'd be very happy if you married him.'
There was an electric silence when glances were exchanged, and then Ruth's voice rang out, 'You know, Emma, I think you're right—it needed a comparative stranger to make me realise it!'
Paul sat speechless for a second before gasping, 'Say that again!' He put his drink down on the occasional table and
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