Page 59 of The Irish Gypsy
After their explosion, neither of them couldbear his withdrawal. Her hands clung to him desperately. "Don'tleave me, I may never have you again," she sobbed.
"I'll take you with me in the morning. I'llnot leave you here to brood unnecessarily," he said firmly.
When morning arrived however, fate hadconspired against them, and Mrs. Hobson had come down with anague.
"I can't leave her alone, Patrick. It's bestthis way. All my fears have fled with the sunlight. You go and makethings right with Julia, and as soon as Terry returns, we'll leavefor London, I promise."
They both felt pain at parting. However, bothknew it would be worse to drag it out endlessly. With onepassionate embrace that implied a promise never to be broken, hewas gone.
Chapter 16
Kitty was left in a blissful state of hazyeuphoria. Everywhere she went recalled scenes of Patrick'spresence. She smiled tenderly when she remembered the wholeafternoon they had lain in the tall grasses of the meadow. Eachtime she had kissed Patrick, the corners of his mouth had quivereddeliciously. She kissed him twice as often after this discovery,just for the pleasure of watching her lover's mouth. She hummed apretty song as she made lunch for her and Mrs. Hobson and carriedit to the ailing woman on a tray. "I want you to figure out howmuch you are owed and also what we owe the farm for our food." Theaccounting came close to a hundred pounds and Kitty paid willingly,eager to be rid of the long-standing debts. After lunch, shedecided to have a washday. There was a lot of bed linen as well asher own personal things that must be washed before she could packeverything. She would be ready when Terrance arrived, so therewould be no delay in following Patrick to London. While the washdried she tidied the kitchen and the rest of the house, then packedall her belongings.
Kitty went to bed thoroughly exhausted andfell into a deep sleep. Suddenly, something awakened her. It hadsounded like someone in distress. She could have sworn the criescame from her brother, Terrance. Carefully she got out of bed andremoved from the dresser drawer the pistol Patrick had given her.Her hand tightened upon the gun as she silently moved forward andopened the door. The sight that met her eyes made her stagger backin horror. Three nude men were before her. Brockington held downTerrance while Simon bent over the boy. A motionless tableau etcheditself indelibly upon her mind as she realized what washappening.
"Christ, Brocky, she's got a gun! Take itfrom her!" Simon ordered. She saw Terry's face, the tears of painand rage, and at the same time Brockington launched himself againsther and grabbed for the gun. She either had to let go or squeezethe trigger. She did the latter. Silence filled the chamber afterthe loud report. A surprised look on Simon's face was captured forall time as the bullet entered his head and the wound gaped like athird eye in the middle of his forehead. She thought irreverently,Patrick told me I was going to be a widow soon. I wonder how heknew?
The metallic scent of blood filled hernostrils, but she was nowhere near fainting. Terrance slid out fromunder Simon's dead weight and reached for a dressing gown to coverhis nakedness. He was shaking from head to foot.
"You've murdered him!" screamed Brockingtonas the realization of the situation finally penetrated.
"You caused the gun to go off, you are themurderer, Brockington," she said as calmly as she could. She knewshe had pulled the trigger and she was glad, but she had senseenough to realize that this influential young lord who stood beforeher must be implicated. Kitty still held the gun, now pointingtoward Brockington. He proceeded to be very sick on the carpet.
"Are you all right,acushla?" sheasked Terry softly, compassion almost choking her.
Terry nodded, then blurted, "Only he touchedme." He began to cry again.
"God! Please try to be calm and tie him upfor me. I'll send Mr. Hobson for the doctor."
"Let me get dressed, at least," beggedBrockington, pathetically.
"I caught you naked, and naked you'll remainuntil I'm done with you." She knew this would keep him at adisadvantage, for once he got the upper hand she would just be theservant girl, and he would be the ruthless lord.
"Terry, go along to my room and I'll just seeif I can find you some brandy." Without looking at the corpse shecrossed to a side table and took one of the decanters from it. Asshe passed in front of Brockington, now tied securely to the chair,she threw him a look of contempt.
"I didn't hurt Terry," he pleaded.
"You were waiting your turn," she said withdeadly calm. "I never understood why he married me until thismoment. It was so he could have Terry, wasn't it?"
"Before anyone sees me, please clean thisawful mess," he begged, indicating where he had been sick.
She gave him an incredulous look. "Me? Mop upyour vomit? Not bloody likely!" and she stalked out with thebrandy.
When the elderly country doctor arrived,Kitty took him upstairs and led him into her own bedchamber, whereTerrance was awaiting them. Without any preliminary explanation orbeating about the bush she said, "My young brother has beenassaulted, Doctor. Will you kindly examine him and see if there isanything you can do for him?"
The doctor was shocked. "My dear young lady,is it necessary that you should have been informed of such unsavorygoings on? Kindly leave us and I will attend the patient."
She bit back a cutting retort. After all, shewanted this man on her side. It wasn't too long before the doctoremerged. Once again he hesitated. "I must know, Doctor, I amresponsible for him. Please be plain with me."
"There will be no permanent physical damage,I am glad to say. He is in shock. A couple of days' rest and if youdon't treat him as if he were a leper, he should do very nicely.Who did this thing to him?"
"My husband," she said quietly.
"He should be shot!" he stormed.
"We are in agreement. I'm afraid there'smore, Doctor. Would you come this way?"
They entered the room and Dr. Fieldingstaggered back at the sight before him. "God in Heaven, what'sgoing on here?" he demanded.
