Free To Please the Doctor by Marjorie Moore Page B

hastily.
    “ No. I like it. ” He belted his mackintosh more firmly at the waist, then, following Jill ’ s lead, crossed over the road until they walked the wide, paved promenade. “ Sure you are warm enough? ”
    His question was barely audible as his words were carried away by a fresh gust of wind, and certainly not sufficiently clear for Jill to perceive whether they were prompted by consideration for her welfare or whether they might not have carried some note of criticism. Either way she found herself suddenly unduly conscious of her sheer silk stockings and the smart tailored coat which moulded the slim lines of her figure; admittedly they had been well chosen for dinner in an hotel, but scarcely the ideal garments for an evening ’ s tramp on a windswept promenade.
    “ I ’ m very warm, thanks. ” Jill lifted her head that her words might reach her companion, and beneath the glow of a lamp the shadowed violet of her eyes was emphasized against the pink glow of her cheeks. She pushed back the tangled curls of her hair from her forehead before continuing. “ I ’ m just loving this—the wind is invigorating, heady like wine. ”
    “ You aren ’ t suitably dressed, you ’ ll get cold. Haven ’ t you a scarf or something? ”
    Jill shook her head. “ I forgot...” She broke off and her laugh was carried away by the wind, but a provocative dimple still showed in her cheeks. “ I mean I didn ’ t know I ’ d be walking back. I only made up my mind at the last moment, the idea of fresh air and exercise was irr e sist i ble. ”
    Placing an arm firmly beneath Jill ’ s elbow, he led her towards one of the small glass enclosed shelters along the sea front. “ Come in here for a moment and fix this over your head. ” Before Jill could stop him he had pulled a spotted silk handkerchief from his neck. “ At least this will keep your head protected, ” he announced, handing it to her.
    “ But what about you? ” Jill demurred, making no move to accept the proffered scarf.
    “ I don ’ t need it. ” As Jill still made no move to accept, he placed it in her hand, and she knew further protest would be useless. “ Thanks, that will certainly be much more comfortable. ” The sudden shelter from the wind made speech easier, and taking ad v antage of the temporary lull, Jill added: “ I feel that I am being a nuisance—just because Harriet suggested you take me back. You don ’ t have to, you know. I don ’ t mind one bit walking alone; in fact, I ’ m enjoying it so much that I ’ d like to venture a little further along the front before returning, so please don ’ t bother with me. You get straight back and I ’ ll find my own way home. ”
    “ I ’ ll come along just the same. You see I, too, feel like exercise. ” He leaned forward and retied the knotted scarf at Jill ’ s chin. “ The bow you made is most becoming, but I ’ m afraid it wouldn ’ t hold a moment in this gale. ”
    Jill was uncomfortably conscious of his hands as they brushed against her chin. His face, as he stooped, was almost level with hers, and the kindly expression of concern in his blue eyes caught her entirely unaware. It was so unexpected, as indeed had been the gentle touch of his fingers at her throat, that she was filled with a momentary sense or embarrassment. “ Thanks, I ’ m sure that ’ s firmer. ” She turned her head away as she spoke and busied herself quite unnecessarily with the fastening of her bag.
    “ Let me put that in my pocket, it will be easier walking with your hands free. ” Without awaiting a reply he took the bag from Jill ’ s hand and slipped it in the capacious pocket of his mackintosh. “ Ready? ” Again he placed his hand beneath her arm as they emerged from the shelter. “ Would you like to try and get as far as the jetty? It won ’ t take long, then we can strike back, inland, over the fields. ”
    “ I ’ d love to. ” Jill found herself shouting again to make her voice