Ship's Surgeon Read Online Free

time she switched on a light and put on a dress for dinner.
    Dressed, she felt better, but not hungry. She went up to A Deck, knocked lightly at the door of Deva’s stateroom and walked in. Her first thought was how very attractive the spacious room looked in the soft artificial lamplight, and then she became aware of the tall man in uniform. No mistaking that brazen, springy hair, the broad shoulders. He turned from the bed.
    “Oh, Miss Fenley,” he said absently. “Your patient seems to have taken the transition from one cosy nook to another in her stride. I suggest a little steamed fish and warm milk for her supper and a sedative straight after it.”
    “Yes, Doctor. I’ll tell Mrs. Lai.”
    His dark blue stare raked her brocade dress before resting impersonally on the vulnerable hollow of her throat. “You ready for dinner?”
    Why did he look like that? “More or less,” she answered.
    “I have a table to myself—Number Three. I want a talk with you tonight, so you’d better dine there with me. Seven-thirty.”
    “Very well, Doctor.”
    Deva, watching them with her big dark eyes, gave her merry giggle. “This is one who barks, Pattie. Like Dr. Brownfield at the nursing home, but worse, much worse.”
    Pat smiled faintly. “I don’t think Dr. Norton will bark at you, Deva. He’s pleased with you.”
    “But not with you? Because you are not wearing uniform?”
    “Perhaps. Are you sleepy?”
    “Only a little.” The girl looked straight up at the doctor. “You should be good to Pattie. She is much more brave than I.”
    “Hush, Deva...”
    “So Miss Fenley’s brave, is she?” said Bill Norton. “To me, she looks wilted.”
    “No, she is sad, and it is my fault.”
    Pat threw out a hand and said brightly, “Deva has too kind a heart, Dr. Norton. She thinks I’m depressed at leaving England. She’s talked enough for one day.”
    “Talking won’t hurt her.” He leaned back on his heels, regarding Pat, before shifting the glance towards the dark girl in the bed. “What makes you think Miss Fenley is so much braver than you are?”
    Pat said hurriedly, “Deva likes to know all about the people who look after her. She’s questioned md about my background and decided my life is not all it should be.”
    “It’s the little brothers, you see,” said Deva earnestly. “Pattie is unhappy at leaving them.”
    “Oh, little brothers,” Dr. Norton snapped his fingers, as if he had no patience with a woman who was depressed for such a reason. “Don’t question me about my background, child, or I may tell you the shattering truth. Have your supper and sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    He left abruptly. Deva turned a large surprised stare upon Pat. “He is a strange man. His hands are gentle and he is kind. But his voice was different when you came in. Much harder.”
    “Doctors are always professional towards the staff.” In front of patients, Pat might have added. “Would you like me to stay until you’ve had supper?”
    “Please. And, Pattie, please don’t wear the uniform except when we are having exercises. I’ve never seen you look sweet like this. I like it very much.”
    Soon after seven Deva was settled for the night. Pat took a brisk walk round the deck, collected a stole from her cabin and went into the dining-room. Tables shone whitely under a modern artistic ceiling, soft music was being played by a five-piece orchestra which was half hidden by potted palms, and most of the tables were already occupied. Number Three was to the left, close to a pink wall which was scrolled in gilt, and the doctor was already there, smoking and talking to an officer who was seated at the next table. Bill Norton rose and saw her seated, sat down again and gave her another of those cool, clinical looks; this time Pat kept her own gaze quite steady.
    “You’ll certainly know me next time,” she murmured.
    “Have you had a shock?” he asked bluntly.
    Hesitating for only a second, she