This might account for much that puzzled her .sx " Mollie , there's no sense in stalling when we both know our own minds .sx I've had girls before but never the real thing until now .sx I've been waiting for you darling .sx Thank God I found you in time .sx . " Again the premonition shook her .sx What did he mean ?sx " I've been waiting for you too , " she said shyly .sx " It's so simple really , isn't it ?sx " Either you were one of the lucky ones and met your fate , or you weren't- and didn't .sx The world was a different place because she and Nigel had met .sx She drew a steadying breath , realising how near they had come to missing each other .sx If he'd gone to America they might never have met .sx Somewhere across the world he would have roamed about seeking her- while she would have stayed home , doing the job nearest to her , but empty and unhappy .sx The thought brought the misty feeling back to her eyes .sx They were lucky .sx " You feel as I do , so it couldn't be better , " he whispered .sx " Let's get out of here when I can do more than talk .sx " Mollie followed him , bemused with happiness .sx She moved on a cloud , floating effortlessly out to the car .sx They got in without a word , and he drove on , careless of direction , intent only on getting her alone .sx " Now .sx " He slammed on the brake , drew into a lay-by .sx " Darling girl .sx . " They were in a leafy lane , hedges high about them , the evening closing in slowly .sx It had not rained after all .sx She turned to him , her face showing her love and understanding .sx " Nigel- I love you .sx " " I know .sx I feel it here .sx " He touched his broad chest , before drawing her into his arms .sx She trembled at his touch , realising his complete domination over her will .sx She had read of such things happening to others , but this was her first experience and she was unafraid .sx His cheek rested against hers , he held her close , and for the moment was content .sx " I love you .sx Thank God I found you in time .sx " She touched his face gently with her lips .sx " It's wonderful .sx I didn't know it would be like this .sx " " I did- with the right girl .sx We must be married at once , Mollie .sx I can't stand anything else .sx You must agree .sx " Could any promise made before this moment really count ?sx She subdued the rising uneasiness , wanting to promise Nigel anything he demanded .sx As if he read her thoughts he said :sx " Your guardians haven't a hope of holding you to a promise made before we met .sx I'll talk them round .sx They can't withhold permission once we're determined .sx " She laughed softly against his ear .sx " It's remotely possible that they won't be swept off their feet as I have been .sx . " " You'll make a fight for it , won't you ?sx " The words were an intimate whisper , and seemed to carry them forward more than anything yet .sx " Yes .sx Oh , I will .sx I will .sx " " I want us to belong from the first possible moment .sx " " So do I. " She wondered at herself , but no other answer was possible .sx " I'm spineless- I'd no idea it took one this way .sx " Perhaps it wasn't always so .sx Perhaps other men were not as fascinating as Nigel , with his Viking appeal .sx She studied him quietly , seeing the strength in his face , that backed his handsomeness .sx He began to kiss her mouth , deliberately trying to rouse her , experiencing the first thrill of her being as she responded .sx He was quick to follow this with a more intimate embrace .sx " I'm the first , " he mused against her soft lips .sx " The very first .sx I can tell- and I'm glad .sx I wanted to be first- with the one woman .sx You've never been kissed before .sx " " Not this way .sx Just cousins and things .sx " " Things ?sx " He pretended a brief jealousy .sx " Games- relatives- and things .sx . " " Not one of them kissed you so- and so- and so .sx . " " No .sx " She breathed lightly , because it seemed impossible to draw a long breath .sx " Oh , please , Nigel .sx . " His increasing passion was almost more than she could bear just then , yet she wanted to respond , to be to him what he obviously wanted her to be .sx In the confines of the little car it was difficult to cast off a feeling of apprehension .sx She grew tense , wishing she had more experience .sx When was it time to call a halt ?sx Perhaps it was all new to him , also , so she must go carefully .sx Her last wish was to hurt him , or to harm this wonderful feeling they shared .sx " You- you are going too fast for me , Nigel .sx " " Don't you like me to hold you ?sx " " Yes , but .sx . " " You'll get used to it , adorable baby .sx I'm glad you're not ready with all the answers .sx I always hoped for a girl like you .sx Most of them drive a chap too far .sx " She realised that in spite of his words , he did place a brake on himself in some way and she felt considerably relieved .sx He leaned away , considering her , his eyes teasing .sx She felt shy again , gauche and young .sx " You'll have to make an honest man of me soon , darling .sx Let's make plans .sx Definitely before I go to America !sx We both want that .sx " " I may not be able to travel with you .sx " " I can scarcely bear to leave you behind even for a few weeks .sx " " You're too impatient .sx Let's just be engaged for a few months .sx " It would be so pleasant knowing that he loved her and was waiting for her , and they would have time to make a proper start to their life together .sx " No .sx That's not enough .sx You know it too , but I forgive you because you don't realise what it means to me .sx We must be married , Mollie .sx " " Well- won't it be worse if we're married- and then I can't get out to you for months ?sx There is all the business of the passport , and visa , you know what it's like .sx " " I could fly back every weekend .sx " She laughed shakenly .sx " You're in love .sx " " Yes , I am in love ; be gentle with me , sweet Mollie .sx " The appeal touched her heart .sx He drew her back into his embrace .sx She knew then that he was too big a man to conceal his feelings from her .sx His simplicity sprang from his strength of character , and was not weakness as she had first thought .sx " You will come to see the family at the weekend .sx I'll make all necessary plans .sx They'll know I mean to marry you .sx " " They may feel that I'm unsuitable .sx " " It doesn't matter .sx It's what I want that counts now .sx I'm not a boy .sx " " You must meet my guardians too , " she whispered .sx " If that's what you want me to do , but it doesn't make any difference .sx I'll raise heaven and earth to get you .sx We've time if I start moving tomorrow .sx We'll treat the trip to America as a honeymoon .sx " " I should have thought that in this scientific age you'd be flying to America ?sx " " No .sx My chief is doing so , but I'm taking out some special gear that we'll need over there .sx I must see to the loading and unloading , for some of the instruments are fantastically sensitive .sx Whether we reach the moon or not depends entirely on my efforts- alone and unaided !sx " He laughed at her crestfallen expression .sx " I love to tease you darling .sx Actually I'll manage so much better with you along .sx " " I hope it's the right thing to do .sx Could it be a stumbling block in your career later on ?sx " " Our marriage ?sx No .sx . but you may rue the day you ever met me .sx " She put both hands to his face .sx " I'll never do that , Nigel .sx I'll always understand .sx Men have jobs that take them out of a woman's sphere sometimes .sx I'll not be jealous of your work .sx At least I hope I won't .sx " They sat for an hour , bemused by their happiness , feeling that all things were possible .sx The tremendous difficulties ahead began to dissolve beneath their sanguine hopes .sx Night was closing in when Nigel thrust both hands through his thick hair and sat erect .sx He pressed the self-starter grimly .sx " We'll call it a day .sx I must see Terence tonight and tell him our news .sx I must also be in London before breakfast .sx Don't forget your promise to spend next weekend with me at home .sx " She sat back , knowing that he was leading and she must follow .sx She felt depressed when she remembered the promise made to her guardians .sx Would they understand that this feeling for Nigel was something she had not foreseen ?sx " Are you regretting anything ?sx " Nigel said , as he drew up in front of the stone steps leading to the main hall of the college .sx " Wait- we didn't say goodbye .sx " It was a stormy , protracted farewell , which bewildered her .sx Nothing could possibly be as important as this .sx He opened the car door for her , following quickly on to the steps .sx " I'll see you in , darling .sx " " It really isn't necessary .sx . " Yet it was comforting to know herself protected .sx She went up the steps ahead of him .sx The door opened before they reached it .sx Terence stood looking down at them .sx His expression was cold , utterly unreadable .sx He was not in the least like Nigel then .sx He was wearing a navy double-breasted suit and looked formal and stiff to her .sx Some of the stiffness was in his bearing , and she realised in surprise that he was angry- very angry .sx For an instant she hesitated .sx She felt that Nigel was momentarily startled too .sx They'd both forgotten about Terence .sx " So there you are .sx " Terence spoke first , through set lips .sx " I might have known you'd be together .sx You could have given me a hint , Nigel .sx " " None of your business- was it ?sx " Nigel said .sx Mollie glanced from one to the other in keen dismay .sx It was to Terence that she made her appeal .sx Why was he so angry ?sx " Please , Terence .sx . " His cold smile did not reach his eyes .sx " All right .sx " She looked back at Nigel , seeing his mocking smile as if he appreciated Terence's temper .sx There was a tiny silence , which she did not try to break .sx " Now you're here you can give me a lift back , Nigel .sx " Terence was trying to recover lost ground , but finding it difficult .sx Mollie was so unprepared for this open antagonism between the two men that she did not know how to cope .sx Dismay held her silent and uncomfortable .sx Had they quarrelled earlier in the day ?sx She thought Terence looked white and wondered why he was there , as if awaiting them .sx " Don't be in such a hurry to push me off , " Nigel drawled as if amused .sx " It may interest you to know that Mollie and I are engaged- we'll make it official as from next weekend .sx We are to be married as soon after that as I can manage it- any objections , old man ?sx " The silence was quite terrifying to Mollie as she looked up at Terence .sx What was wrong ?sx She had not known either of them long enough to guess at the source of the trouble , and she had certainly not been guilty of flirting with either of them .sx Terence made an effort to answer the challenge .sx He was a more slender man than Nigel , but still stood about six feet tall .sx He felt mechanically in his pocket for a cigarette , and they waited as he lighted it .sx " Congratulations , " he said , puffing out a cloud of smoke .sx Nigel grinned and waved a hand in an airy salute , evidently knowing that he could not at that moment expect more from his brother .sx " Thank you .sx " Had Terence expected this would happen , and had tried to save his brother from committing himself ?sx Nigel had hinted that she was not the first girl in his life , and she realised with a fresh pang that he had seemed thoroughly experienced in the way he'd tried to rouse her .sx " Aren't you going to kiss your future sister-in-law ?sx " Nigel said .sx " I'll claim that privilege on the wedding day .sx " Terence turned away .sx Nigel stared hard at him , not too pleased , but for once bereft of words .sx