Page 15 of The Irish Gypsy
Julia said, "I'll fetch Mrs. Thomson and senda message to father's club."
"You'll do no such thing, Julia. I don't wantthat bloody woman fussing over me--I've got three now! As forFather, he won't be long. Now, Terry, be a good lad and pour mesome brandy."
Kitty darted in, tearing the sheet intostrips. She began to bandage him by wrapping them around his chestand over his left shoulder. When her fingers came into contact withhis bare flesh she lowered her eyes and tried to keep fromblushing. His closeness disturbed her; she couldn't think straightwith his eyes on her. She finished tying the bandage and rose toher feet.
Patrick sipped his second brandy and thefiery liquid spread its fingers across his chest. His head feltimpossibly light. He grinned down at Kitty. "I thought you weregoing to be a great lady with a carriage. How come you're only amaid?"
She looked into his mocking eyes and couldn'tbear the arrogance she saw there. She leaned slightly forward,placed her hand upon his bandaged wound and squeezed cruelly. Hewent white from the pain and only just managed to hang ontoconsciousness.
"If you hurt me, I'll hurt you," she told himsoftly. Desire flamed up in him. He could have taken her rightthere on the floor in spite of his sisters' presence and the awfulpain.
Jonathan O'Reilly came into his son's bedroomlike a pasty ghost. His usual high color had drained away withdread of what he might discover. He began shouting to cover thatfear. Patrick glanced over at Barbara and knew she shouldn't besubject to the harsh words that shortly would be hurled about.
"Julia, take Barbara to her room; she's hadenough excitement for one night."
Jonathan shouted, "Why in hell isn't thedoctor here?"
Patrick kept his voice level. "I don't want adoctor; I don't need a doctor. It's only a scratch."
Kitty immediately covered the crimson bowl ofblood with a towel. She curtsied to Mr. O'Reilly and left theroom.
"We'll get the police. Not only are we goingto put this assassin behind bars, but whoever it was who startedthis business, whoever it was who incited them to thisbehavior...."
Patrick's head ached vilely and his visionblurred slightly, but he pointed an accusing finger at his fatherand shouted, "Goddamn it, that was you!"
The old man's jaw sagged open at thevehemence behind the words.
"I won't have the police involved in this, orthe doctors. I don't want it spread from one end of Bolton to theother. Tomorrow I have to put right what you set wrong. I have totell them that there will be no wage cuts and I have to gain backtheir confidence. Now hear me well, Father, for I'm fatigued. Theytried to kill me because they thought I was you! It's not safe foryou here, and tomorrow you'll take the girls and go down toLondon."
Jonathan O'Reilly sagged visibly he looked atTerry and said quietly, "Let's get this lad into bed."
Kitty returned with a brass scuttle of coalto replenish the fire.
"I'll sit up with you tonight," Jonathan saidfirmly.
"I want everyone out of this roomimmediately. I can't stand another minute of this bloodyhand-wringing. You'll have me buried before morning. Kitty! Fetchme some fresh water before you leave. Good night, Father. He pulledup the covers to his chin and closed his eyes.
Kitty returned with a supply of drinkingwater and a lovely crystal goblet on a silver tray. Patrick's handgripped her wrist firmly and he pulled her toward him. They staredfiercely into each other's eyes for long minutes. His mouth was dryand he couldn't keep his thoughts clear. As he gazed at her, shesaw the arrogance leave his face for the first time since she methim. Her eyes softened, then also her heart. He mumbled thickly, "Idon't think I should be alone." She placed her hand on his feveredbrow and whispered comfortingly, "Neither do I."
Patrick fell into a doze and Kitty curled upin the armchair by the fire. In about an hour he was thrashingabout the bed so wildly that she feared he would open the woundagain. She tried to hold him still but it was impossible. He wasextremely fevered, so she held water to his lips and he drankavidly. She bathed his brow, but still he would not settle, so shebrought a chair over to the bed and sat holding his hand andmurmuring soothing words. Gradually he grew calmer and fell intoanother fitful doze. Another hour passed this way and then he beganto babble and became completely delirious. She stayed with him allnight, giving him water, washing his face and hands and comfortinghim as best she could. She daydreamed that he would fall in lovewith her and ask her to marry him. She had seen the loving,generous way he had with his sisters and longed to be included. Shewas determined to learn all she could and improve herself. Shealready copied the girls' table manners and speech, and decidedthat the first thing she must do was get rid of her Irishbrogue.
The hours wore on and Patrick finally fellinto a more peaceful sleep. In the early hours of the morning shefelt his brow and he seemed to be much less fevered. She put morecoal on the fire, curled up in the chair and fell asleep. She awokebecause she heard someone calling her name. Light filtered into theroom and she blinked quickly and went over to the bed.
"Kitty. Thank you for staying with me. Itcouldn't have been very pleasant."
"Are you feeling better, sir?"
"Yes, thanks to you. Listen, Kitty, when myfamily comes in I want you to tell them I had a very peacefulnight."
"But you didn't, sir," said Kitty.
"I want you to lie for me. Otherwise theywon't go to London."
Jonathan O'Reilly came in wearing a dressinggown, followed by Mrs. Thomson with a breakfast tray. Patrick triedto conceal the distaste he felt for the food before him as hisfather hovered anxiously about the bed.
"How are you feeling, lad?"
"Quite well, everything considered."
