Free Doctor Raoul's Romance by Penelope Butler Page B

nothing very difficult. I’d just like a cup of tea, please. May—?”
    Dr. Dubois smiled acquiescence, and nodded to Adrien. She ran down to the kitchen and made the tea herself, despite Jeanne’s offended protests. Gillian should have a proper cup of tea today, Adrien determined, not attenuated French stuff.
    She returned with the tray, to find Gillian chatting excitedly and ceaselessly. Raoul was nodding, soothing, but noncommittal, his hand was resting gently, unobtrusively, upon Gillian’s pulse.
    “Thank you, Adrien. This is lovely.” Gillian was polite, as always. She drank the tea eagerly. Then she said, “Nicky—please may I see Nicky now?”
    “You can see him for a few minutes,” said the doctor. “And then you must go to sleep, like a good girl.”
    “I can’t sleep. I’m far too excited. I feel far too odd.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ll give you something to calm you down. Tm sure you don’t want to miss your beauty sleep.”
    “You know how to get your own way, Doctor. I don’t want to go to sleep at all. But I’ll do it to please you. But I must see Nicky first ... I like your tie, Raoul. You don’t mind my calling you Raoul, do you? It’s a nice name. What do you think Nicky will say when he finds me flirting with you?”
    “You are a beautiful woman, madame. And your husband is a lucky man.”
    Still feeling her pulse, he raised her hand to his lips, humoring her. His eyes flashed a warning to Adrien.
    “Fetch the husband, quickly!” they said. “We’re not out of danger yet.” Just for a moment they were anxious, unguarded. Adrien felt the swift sting of fear.
    She ran downstairs. Nicky was hovering, eagerly, in the hall. “Can I see her now?” he demanded.
    She noticed he had tidied himself up. He had shaved, and his hair was brushed.
    “Yes, she’s asking for you. She’s doing well, Nicholas, there’s no need to be anxious. You’ll find her rather over-excited. Don’t worry about that. It’s a natural reaction to the stimulant.” “Please God, I’m right,” she thought.
    Nicholas ran up the stairs, two at a time.
    Gillian, her eyes unnaturally bright, held out her arms to him. “Darling, at last! I thought you were never coming. But it’s not your fault, I know. They wouldn’t let you. They are dragons, aren’t they?”
    “Darling, how are you feeling?”
    “Oh, not so bad. I’m through the first injection, and Raoul says I’m doing fine. I’ve been flirting with Raoul. You don’t mind, do you, darling Nicky? He is charming, isn’t he? And such a clever doctor.”
    Nicholas held her gently.
    “Darling, I’ve been so anxious,” he muttered.
    “I know. Poor Nicky! But it’s all right, darling. It’s all right now you’re here.”
    Her eyes closed. Nicholas looked up at Raoul Dubois, in sudden panic. But the doctor was smiling.
    “She is asleep, Mr. Renton. The best thing possible. You have succeeded where we failed—to calm her.”
    Nicholas asked, entreaty in his eyes,
    “I may stay with her a little, mayn’t I?”
    “But certainly. We will leave you together.”
    Raoul opened the door for Adrien, and together they went downstairs. Jeanne was hovering, as usual, with refreshments—wine and biscuits. For once Raoul accepted a glass, and poured one for Adrien.
    “You need it,” he said. “You have had an exhausting morning.” He smiled at her. “You are a good nurse, mademoiselle.”
    Adrien did not know how to reply. She turned her glass in her hand, watching the sunlight sparkle on the red wine.
    Raoul said thoughtfully,
    “You know, Nurse Grey, if Mrs. Renton is cured it will be her husband as much as you or I who is responsible. He is the one who gives her the will to live. Without him I do not think she would have the strength to pull through.”
    Adrien said carefully, “He is very devoted to her. They are very much in love.”
    “Yes, one can see that.” He regarded Adrien thoughtfully, as though he was trying to read her thoughts.