Nurse Trent's Children by Joyce Dingwell Page A

as I leave at sunset?” he asked.
    She reddened and ignored him. “Though, disliking blancmange as you do, perhaps it would be wiser to wait for a more experienced cook.”
    “I do not dislike it as much as you think. I am prepared to believe that with a butterscotch topping it would be moderately successful. However, not tonight. Tonight we have a Bombe Alaska or a...”
    If you mean you are inviting me to dine with you ... ”
    “I did mean that.”
    “Then it is impossible. The rest of the staff, as I just said, is out.”
    “Quite true, but Elvira will be back by seven, and by then the children will be fed and thinking— o r being persuaded to think—of bed. And you, Miss Trent, will be taking off this becoming but housewifely overall and putting on a party dress. Have you a party dress?”
    “Of course,” murmured Cathy unwillingly, “only ... ”
    “Only?”
    “Only Elvira won’t be back till eleven tonight. She never is on her day off, and I couldn’t leave the children.”
    “Quite creditable of you, though incorrect. You see, Elvira will be back. I called around and instructed her. Not that she needed any instruction. She was delighted for her darling ‘Aunty Cathy’ to have a night out. I might state you’ve made a hit there.”
    Cathy did not answer. She wriggled her chin away from the cupped palms, returned the saucepan to the range and began to stir. After a while, when the mixture had thickened sufficiently, she took it to the table and poured it into a series of molds. “The butterscotch topping goes on when they come out,” she explained elaborately.
    “Cooking class, stage two,” he said dryly. Then he asked, “Well?”
    She knew what he meant and answered, “It’s very kind of you, Dr. Malcolm, but ... ”
    “But you won’t come.”
    “Not unless it is an order. Not unless it is something the board expects me to do. To cooperate with their medical officer, I mean.”
    She had not intended to be so rude. It amazed her that she had spoken in such a forthright way. She had never been like this before. There must be something about this man that brought out the worst in her.
    His face had darkened. Bronzed at any time, he looked almost like an American Indian. Christabel had asked him once if he was one, and he had said, “Yes, I am Big Chief Grizzly Bear, so all you children had better watch out.” Christabel would not have laughed delightedly now, she would have believed him.
    Cathy waited for the withdrawn look, the haughty elevation of brows, the angry exit, but he did not move. Instead he said leisurely and deliberately, “Yes, it is an order. It is something the board expects of you.”
    “I don’t believe you.”
    “No? Then let me inform you that I happen to be one of the board—quite an important member, indeed—and that I expect you to do as I have just asked. Well, Miss Trent, are you convinced?”
    She had not known he was so closely associated with the foundation; she had believed he only served in an honorary medical capacity and then simply because it was obligatory.
    Quietly she said, “If you have anything to discuss with me couldn’t we do it here?”
    “Wouldn’t that be ... safe?” His brow had risen, reminding her once again of that first evening.
    Before she could reply he said briskly, “Enough of these preliminaries. I never was one for preliminaries. When I fall in love it will be at once and for all time, and there will be no time wasted on any dillydally.”
    “Were we discussing falling in love?” Cathy asked it too innocently.
    He looked at her quickly, saw the rebellious light in her blue eyes and answered forcibly, “Good Lord, no.”
    “You needn’t be so unnecessarily downright about it.”
    “What about yourself? Weren’t you unnecessarily downright just now when you declined my invitation?”
    She had the grace to apologize. “I was, and I’m sorry. There’s something about you, Dr. Malcolm ... ”
    He bowed a gracious