Page 45 of The Irish Gypsy
"What makes you think that, Barbara?"
"Fabulous dowry, bleach works and all that.She's wallowing in it," Barbara said and yawned.
"I should have thought he'd prefer someoneprettier than Grace Haynsworth," Kitty said in a small voice.
"And I thought I was na?ve! Patrick willalways have a pretty face tucked away somewhere. Marriage won't puta cramp in his style."
Try as she might, Kitty was unable to fallasleep as she thought about what Barbara had told her. Kitty prayedsilently,Help me to get over this terrible hurt....help me tostop loving him.
Chapter 13
When Patrick arrived at Cadogen Square forthe third consecutive evening at the same time as Simon, Kitty,Terry and Barbara, he shouted at Julia, "For God's sake, they'relike two pairs of Siamese twins! Don't you think Barbara's becomingtoo serious about this Simon Brownlow?"
"Men are so obtuse," said Julia, laughing."Barbara has eyes only for Terrance Rooney, my dear."
"Good God, don't you think you'd better put astop to it then?" he demanded.
"You needn't get your shirt in a knot.Barbara fully realizes un unequal marriage is beyond the Pale, andI assure you it's all very innocent."
"So I suppose that means young Brownlow isdangling after Kitty!" he exploded.
"They're just four children having a littlefun. All they ever do is laugh and play silly jokes and go rackingabout the town sightseeing and wearing off all that vulgar energypeople have before they reach twenty."
He sighed. "I suppose you're right, Julia. Imust be getting old. It's just that I have to go to Bolton again ina couple of days. The Rose Bank project has to be completed beforethey break ground next month. Perhaps I'd better have a word withBarbara before I go, just to be on the safe side."
After breakfast the next morning, Patrickmanaged to get his young sister alone for a few minutes before shewent jaunting off for the day. "Barbara, I want you to behaveyourself while I'm away. Don't go off alone with young Terry.There's safety in numbers, remember, so just stick close to Kittyand you'll be fine." He hesitated, then asked, "By the way, thisSimon chap behaves himself, doesn't he?"
"Oh yes, that's why Kitty likes him so much.He isn't forever sending her mooning looks and touching her andstealing kisses. We're all such good friends," Barbara saidearnestly and Patrick looked relieved.
"Are you planning to get engaged, Patrick?"Barbara was avidly curious.
"To whom, pray, Miss Inquisitive?"
"Grace 'Rose Banks' Haynsworth, of course,"Barbara said, laughing.
"I could do worse," he said,noncommittally.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to Kitty?"she asked tentatively, watching his face closely.
"I've run after Kitty for the last time. Sheknows I'm leaving. She'll have to come to me, not the other wayround," he said finally.
While the girls awaited Simon, who was takingthem to Madame Tussaud's, Barbara said to Kitty, "I managed to wormout of Patrick that he's planning to get engaged on this tripnorth."
Kitty's heart constricted painfully, but shestrived to sound disinterested as she murmured, "Really?"
"I asked him to say good-bye to you, but hesaid you'd have to chase after him this time."
Kitty seethed with indignation, but wasdetermined not to let it show. "Barbara, men are likecarriages--one doesn't have to go chasing after them because therewill be another one along any moment."
Samuel Haynsworth was closeted with hisdaughter in his office. "Now listen to me, Grace. This is our lastchance. Patrick O'Reilly is coming down this weekend and I want tomake absolutely sure of him. He's a genius for ramrodding new ideasthrough, but if I lose him, I'll lose Gardiner and Bazley too. Youknow the bleach works are so debt-ridden that I've come close tobankruptcy."
"That's been entirely due to bad management,Father. It's not your fault."
"It's my fault because I put the wrong peoplein charge. But your brother is out now and that's why I'm sodesperate to get O'Reilly. He's aggressive and hard-nosed withnerves of steel when it comes to taking chances in business. Ifhe's behind it, Rose Banks will be a roaring success, and put anend to our financial woes. The least you can do is help me snarehim!"
"Father, Patrick O'Reilly can have any womanhe wants."
"Exactly! And that's why it's going to takemore than looks and blushes to interest a young stallion like him.A little slap and tickle won't satisfy a lusty man, Grace. Get himinto bed, girl! There's no man breathing who's a match for a womanwith her mind set."
