Page 27 of The Irish Gypsy
"Don't be squeamish, man," urged Patrick."You'll have to put up with all the disadvantages of marriage, soyou might as well enjoy its advantages."
"How many acres?" asked Sir Charles.
"Fifty acres planted in Sauvignon and fiftyin Merlot. They produce a full-bodied redpremier grand cru.I also think champagne is the coming thing here in London. Soon itwill be as popular as it is in Paris. Especially if we keep theprices outrageous," added Patrick.
The acquisition of the château wasaccomplished without Patrick having to set foot outside London.
Kitty's youthful vitality soon reasserteditself; however, she was troubled in her mind. She wished she couldhave gone to her grandfather for advice and understanding. Shedreaded a confrontation with Patrick and knew that so long as theywere both under the same roof, meeting would be inevitable. She wasglad that the drudging tasks of housework had been replaced by thelighter tasks of nursing and realized that it was a step up on thesocial scale. The doctor was pleased with O'Reilly's improvementbut was very strict with regard to his diet and absolutely forbadehim intoxicants. He was allowed out of bed a few hours a day now,and he spent these complaining bitterly to anyone who would listenWhen Kitty brought him a bowl of clear soup, he pulled his face andbegan another tirade.
"I'd rather be dead than live on gruel forthe rest of my life! Bloody doctors! No smoking, no drinking, butdid you ever see one who practiced what he preached?Fornicators!"
Kitty said thoughtfully, "I wonder what yourown doctor would say? The one in Bolton, I mean. He might suggestthat we feed you up to get your old strength back."
"Do you think so? Kitty, try to smuggle mesomething more substantial from the kitchen, there's a goodlass."
"Well, it's very difficult with that chefdown there and then there's always that butler poking his nose intoeverything. Now, if it were your housekeeper in Bolton, Mrs.Thomson, I wouldn't have any trouble at all," she said sweetly. Shesaw the wheels begin to turn. She had planted the seeds ofsuggestion, all she had to do was wait until they took root.
Another week passed in which O'Reilly seemedto have returned to normal, except for tiring easily. He called hischildren together for a conference. "I've been thinking, and I'vedecided I'd be much happier in me own home, in me own bed," hesaid, coming straight to the point.
Julia looked alarmed. "But, Father, we can'treturn to Bolton now. It's less than a month to the wedding."
"Now, who said anything aboutusgoingback? I'm talking aboutme.You can manage without me at thewedding. Patrick can give you away and then fetch Barbara home toBolton after the wedding."
Secretly, Julia was relieved. She was ashamedof her father, and if his presence were removed, her social lifewould be vastly improved.
Patrick questioned, "Are you sure you will bewell enough for the journey?"
"I'm fit as a fiddle, or will be once I getback on me own midden. I'll take young Kitty with me. She's a goodlass and pleasant to look at."
Patrick's mouth tightened. "I'll get you anurse, Father."
"Keep your nurses--I'll take Kitty, thankyou. We deal very well together," Jonathan said firmly.
"I'll send her brother along with you then,but I have my doubts about such a long coach ride. It will take atleast twenty-eight hours from London to Bolton and even allowing anovernight stop in Leicester, that's at least two fourteen-hour dayson the road. I think you should go by rail. These new locomotivescut the traveling time in half. If I get you settled in a railwaycarriage first thing in the morning, you'd be home by nightfall.What do you say?"
Jonathan stroked his chin reflectively."Well, I wouldn't say 'no'." He tried to veil the look ofexcitement that sprang to his eyes at the thought of trying outthis new method of transportation.
"Good. I'll arrange your tickets. When wouldyou like to go?" asked Patrick.
"Tomorrow," Jonathan answered without anyhesitation whatsoever.
Late that night all Patrick's thoughtscentered on Kitty. He had kept away from the house during thedaylight hours because being under the same roof as the temptingbeauty played hell with his peace of mind, to say nothing of thephysical effect she had on him. His inventive mind built onefantasy on top of another relentlessly and he knew he was besottedwith the beautiful little baggage.
A dozen times he'd almost gone to her room inthe dead of night. Her exotic beauty lured him like the moon lureda lunar tide. The one taste he'd had merely whetted his appetite sothat each night he felt more ravenous than the last. He was in onehell of a state. He'd tried easing his hunger with other women, butsoon knew the only cure for what ailed him was Kitty....Kitty!
Perhaps it was for the best that she wasgoing back north. At least he'd be able to concentrate on businessagain. But he felt so reluctant about letting her go. He wanted herback at Half-Moon Street as his exclusive property, but shepretended she'd have none of him and he'd be damned if he'd go downon his knees to beg her!
On the other side of the house Kitty layawake thinking of Patrick O'Reilly. In spite of his wickedness hewas the only man she would ever want. If he'd ask her to marry him,she'd say yes in a flash, but fat bloody change there was of that.He just wanted her for his fancy piece and she was relieved she wasleaving for Bolton before she gave in to temptation. She dashed atear away before it dared to form and wrapped her arms about heraching breasts. Then she sighed and gave herself up to her dreams,which with any luck, would fly her to Patrick's waiting arms.
On the station platform Kitty was rathernervous of the huge iron monster, chugging out clouds of dirtysmoke, ashes and cinders. The noise was a clattering assault on theeardrums and everything was confusion and disorder as baggage wasloaded before the passengers. Kitty carried a lap robe for overO'Reilly's knees and a wicker lunch basket of food. Suddenly, acinder blew into her eye and she let out a little scream and triedto rub it away.
"Don't do that," Patrick commanded. He tookout a white linen handkerchief and lifted her face without so muchas a by-your-leave and extracted the foreign body. The moment hetouched her, Kitty began to tremble. As he looked into her eyes,she blushed a deep pink and lowered her eyelashes. "Look at me," heordered. Her eyelashes fluttered upward momentarily and he saidlow, "Do you forgive me?"
She caught her lip between her teeth butcould not speak, so she shook her head vehemently.
"To hell with you then!" he saidsavagely.
Soon the dirty buildings fell away and theywere traveling through green hills and then fields of golden ripewheat, dotted with red poppies. Farmers were haymaking and thescenes were so peaceful that Kitty fell into a sort of daydream. Ina way she had hated to leave the excitement of London, and shehadn't enjoyed saying her farewells to the girls last night.Barbara, bless her, almost had been in tears. Julia was so full ofthe wedding, of course, she could think of nothing else. Kitty,realizing the next time she saw Julia, she would be a marriedwoman, felt it her duty to forewarn her of what to expect fromJeffrey. She broached the subject by asking, "Julia, aren't youjust a little bit afraid of marriage?"
