Doctor at Villa Ronda Read Online Free PDF Page A

glance over the top of his gold-rimmed spectacles.
    “Is there anyone else you could name as surety?” he asked.
    “No one.” She was not going to involve Patrick either.
    “Then at least you are more honest than your sister,” he snapped drily. “She apparently gave the names of several persons as references, but she did not have their permission.”
    At last it was agreed that as soon as Nicola landed a job, she would tell the lawyers the amount of her salary and they would fix a reasonable monthly sum to pay off Lisa’s debts. The old man impressed on her that he was treating her as leniently as possible because both she and her sister were foreigners.
    Nicola was surprised when she went to the Villa Ronda the following day that Dr. Montal was at home.
    “Sebastian does not attend the hospital on Thursdays,” Adrienne explained, “unless there is a very urgent case for him. But do not be worried. We can enjoy ourselves and keep out of his way.” She gave a mischievous giggle.
    The significance of being invited to Orsola on a Thursday became clear to Nicola only some time later.
    At lunch she was aware of the doctor’s intent scrutiny, while Adrienne kept up a lively conversation. Curiously, the young girl’s English became fractured and stumbling whenever her uncle was present. Was that due to the nervous effect he had on her?
    Certainly when Adrienne encouraged Nicola to practise speaking in Spanish, Nicola’s few words and phrases completely deserted her if she had to reply to Sebastian.
    After their siesta, the two girls bathed in the pool, sunned themselves on the marble edge and drank long iced drinks.
    “Do you like my Uncle Sebastian?” Adrienne asked without warning.
    “I hardly know him, do I?” countered Nicola. “I think he’s very kind and helpful.”
    “ Then you must come here often so that you can get well acquainted.”
    N icola smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid that’s not going to be possible. I’ve decided to stay for a few months in Spain—”
    “ But that is excellent news!”
    “ No, listen. I have to work. I must get a job. I have the vague promise of one, but I must find some English firm who will employ me.”
    A drienne stared, her grey eyes unfathomable, her smooth face immobile. At last she queried, “In Barcelona?”
    “ Probably. It’s a large town with a lot of commerce and industry. I hope to find something suitable.”
    “ We must tell Sebastian about it,” decided Adrienne, but we will wait until we have the aperitif.”
    N icola failed to see why Sebastian must be informed, for her plans would not interest him except where the search for Lisa was concerned.
    I n the early evening the doctor joined the two girls on the balustraded terrace that gave such a breathtaking view over the harbour and coast.
    N icola sipped her sherry, then after a few minutes Sebastian said, “Adrienne, would you leave us, please? I wish to talk with Miss Brettell.”
    C ontrary to Nicola’s expectations, Adrienne rose obediently at once, leaned over her uncle and gave him a light kiss on the side of his head. “Of course, cher Sebastian. I promise not to listen and I will go far away.”
    H e watched her as she walked away, a slight, youthful g irl in a white dress, her long golden hair covering her shoulders. Then he turned towards Nicola and knocked the ash off his cigarette. “Adrienne has told me that you intend to stay here for a time and work.”
    “Yes.” In a vague way, Nicola was disappointed. She had imagined that he had news of Lisa.
    “ What prospects have you?”
    “ The promise of a suitable vacancy at the firm where my sister worked for a time. But I shan’t rely on that. I can go to agencies or look at the advertisements, ” she added hastily.
    “You have definitely left your position in England?” he queried.
    “Oh, yes,” she assured him. “I expected to have a holiday here with Lisa. Then I thought I could decide whether to take over her job