Page 47 of The Irish Gypsy
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't, but Simonlisten to me. I'll have a friend for a husband, a lovely countryhouse, a home for my brother, freedom to do as I please, money anda title after your uncle dies, but what is in it for you?" sheasked pointedly.
"Kit, you are very beautiful. All my friendswill be mad about you. You'll make a delightful hostess for me inSurrey and get rid of my mother for me." He plied her with morewine and she looked at him owlishly. "There's a piece of the puzzlemissing, Simon. There has to be something else in it for you. Allmen are selfish," she told him solemnly.
He topped up her wine and said with a laugh,"Kit, you are too shrewd by far. I'm afraid I shall have to confessall and throw myself on your mercy."
"Aha! I knew it," she said triumphantly.
"My uncle makes me an allowance. However, Ican't manage on it." He looked her straight in the eye and said,"When I marry, it will double." He lifted his glass to saluteher.
Kitty began to laugh, distracted from herever-present thoughts of her love for Patrick and her sureknowledge that she was about to lose him.
He grinned. "I told you I was an amusingdevil."
Suddenly the door was thrown open and anoutraged Julia stood on the threshold. "Entertaining young men inyour bedroom is simply not done in my home, Kitty. What a shamefulexample you set for Barbara, to compromise yourself in thisshocking way."
Simon said smoothly, "I've just asked MissRooney to be my wife."
"And I've accepted him," Kitty saidimperiously, her face unnaturally flushed from the wine and thethings Julia had said.
"Oh, my dear, how lovely. Simon, let me bethe first to congratulate you." Julia was all smiles now.Everything was wonderful. Simon was smiling happily and Kittythought she was going to faint.
When Simon told his mother that Kitty hadagreed to marry him, she nodded her head rapidly, showing herapproval. "I know you can't bear to take my advice, but I'm givingit nonetheless. Do it right away before she changes her mind. Go toone of those wedding chapels, The Great Chapel, I think it'scalled, in Curzon Street. She's only a poor cousin, you know, and Idon't suppose they'd give her a lavish wedding anyway, and youcan't possibly afford anything showy. You're in debt up to youreyebrows and the house in Surrey is so heavily mortgaged, it's awonder it doesn't sink through to China."
"For once, I think you have the right of it,"he agreed thoughtfully.
"The moment you get that certificate in yourhand, present it to Lord Crowther's man of business and your newallowance will start. I only hope to God your wife will have senseenough to curb your excesses, Simon."
"If you think that, I'm afraid you don't knowme very well," he said in a mocking tone.
"Simon, I don't wish to know you very well."Amelia shuddered delicately.
He bowed to her. "In that case, Mother dear,you may start for the Continent immediately."
"Not until you are legally married and adecent woman is ensconced in your home. If Lord Crowther got windof your wild behavior, he would cut you out of everything, and thenwe'd both suffer."
"I'll see to the necessary arrangementstoday, so stop worrying."
Chapter 14
Two days later Simon picked up Kitty, herbrother and Barbara. When the carriage pulled up in Curzon Street,Simon said, "Kit and I are getting married this afternoon and youcan be our witnesses."
"Simon, whatever gave you an idea like this?It doesn't seem right to just run off and get married," Kittyprotested.
"Kit, you know the O'Reillys will be relievedif they don't have to put on a fancy wedding for us. Besides wemade a bargain; don't cry off now."
"Kitty, you daren't do this; Patrick willkick up a hell of a stink!" protested Terry, who was appalled atthe thought of Kitty marrying Simon.
"Daren't? Are you implying I must havePatrick's permission before I decide my future?" she demanded.
"Why, you know how Patrick feels about you,Kitty," said her brother.
"How does he feel about you?" demandedSimon.
"He thinks he owns me, but I'm about to provehim wrong."
Barbara cut in, "Nonsense! He's busy with hisown marriage plans to Grace Haynsworth. What possible differencecan it make to Patrick?"
"True!" said Kitty with a toss of her head."Well, why are we sitting here? We have a wedding to attend."
