Page 56 of The Irish Gypsy
She bobbed a curtsy and disappeared.
The day had been warm, but as the eveninglengthened into shadow, the air emitted a slight chill, so Patricklit a fire. There was nothing stronger than tea to drink, so afterdinner they sat before the fire and Kitty poured Patrick a cup andhanded it across to him, thinking all the while, if only we coulddo this for the rest of our lives.
"Darling, I have to tell you right away thatwhen Terry found me I was about to leave for Liverpool. My ship wasto sail tomorrow for America."
"Oh, no," she whispered in despair.
"Love, don't be upset. I'll put off thesailing for a week. I've thought of taking you with me. It would beparadise, but too selfish of me. You could come only as my mistresswhile you are still married. That would distress you and leave youopen to gossip and insult. When I come back, we'll be marriedproperly," he said confidently.
"But how can that be?" she asked uncertainly."You don't really mean to kill Simon, do you?"
He avoided answering her directly, as he knewthat was exactly what he would do if Simon stood in their way. Hewaved his hand airily, "There are many ways: divorce,annulment...."
"But....to get an annulment you have to beable to prove....that your marriage never was consummated...."
He stiffened. "My God, Kitty, he didn't touchyou, did he?" he demanded fiercely.
"No, he didn't, but you did!"
He relaxed and laughed at her fears. "Mydarling, you don't suppose I'd let you face the indignity of anexamination, do you? You are so innocent! Money is simply exchangedfor the certificate you would need to obtain the annulment."
"You mean a bribe?" she asked.
"Of course!" He sat back in his chair like ayoung, bronzed god setting the world straight. He was triumphantand high-spirited, and he exuded confidence. Under this man'sprotection, she would never be afraid again.
"I'll be going to Bagatelle Plantation in theCarolinas for their cotton crop, and then on to New York to theHind Food Company offices. Someday I hope to be president of ourAmerican branch. How would you like to live on Millionaires' Row inNew York?"
"I could be happy anywhere with you," shesaid shyly.
"You are my darling little girl, but youmustn't look at me like that or we won't get any further with ourplans."
"How long will you be away, Patrick?"
"That's the devil of it. You can never besure with an ocean voyage, but if I'm lucky I could be back in fourmonths. You can't stay here, of course; you must go to Julia inLondon. I'll explain to her that you will be coming and you musthave no contact whatsoever with Simon. I'll be right back." Hereyes widened in surprise when he returned and held out a gun toher. "It's a Colt .45, recently designed in London. I'll teach youhow to use it."
"I'm not sure I want it, Patrick. Guns arefor killing," she protested.
"It's simply for your protection. My God, howcan I bear to leave you, knowing how vulnerable you will be?" hedemanded.
"If it will make you feel easier, I will keepit by me, of course."
"Darling," he whispered. He set down the gunon the tea table and pulled out a long leather wallet. "I've somemoney for you here. Five hundred pounds is all I have with me, butthat might meet your needs. If not, Julia has a line of credit atone of my banks and I'll instruct her to let you have whatever youneed."
"Five hundred pounds is more than I've everseen in my whole life," Kitty exclaimed.
"It may sound like a lot, but I'll be gonefor months, sweetheart, so you will have to be very careful withit."
She took the bank notes and put them in herreticule. As she moved he thought how slender and delicate herwrists and ankles were. She was so exquisitely fragile, he knew hewould have to exercise an iron will to keep from ravishing her themoment he touched her. Desire almost overpowered him. His need forher was so intense, it was more pain than pleasure.
She stood hesitant in the gathering shadows.Her small foot peeped from the perfumed mystery of her silkenskirts and he was transformed by the spell of her haunting beauty.The next instant she was in his arms. He lifted his hands andinterlaced her hair; his thumbs brushed the velvet of her checks.He lifted her faintly parted mouth to him.
"Darling Kitty," he murmured and she lookedinto his deep blue eyes with apprehension. "I receive you as mine,"he whispered. An ancient unsolved mystery, a fragile, haunting,whispered vow.
"I won't unless you wish it, beloved," heswore, though it took every ounce of willpower he possessed.
"I'm finished with childhood. I want to be awoman," she whispered back.
He lifted her tenderly and carried her up thestairs. One eyebrow, like a raven's wing, went up to question whichher chamber was, and she indicated with her eyes which door toopen. Instinct told him she was far too shy to make the first move,so without hesitation he undid the small lavender buttons of hergown. He drew aside the fabric and kissed her on the curves of herbreasts. She loved the look of adoration on his face as he slippedoff her gown and undergarments and lifted her onto the wide bed.The room was filled with moonlight so he didn't light the candlesout of consideration for her, but he promised himself they wouldmake love with every light blazing before their week was up. Hetook off his tiepin and cuff links and placed them on the table bythe bed next to a little pot of violet-scented face cream. Heundressed quickly and slipped in beside her, gathering her into avery tender embrace. He knew that tonight he held the key toKitty's future enjoyment of her own sexuality. Gently, he drew backthe cover and gazed at her. Her nipples and aureoles were such adeep bronze color, they excited him until the blood pounded in hishead and made him dizzy.
