Page 79 of The Irish Gypsy
"No!" said Kitty. "I want it just the way itis, stained and filthy!"
She sank against the pillows and looked abouther at the light furniture. The bedroom suite was made from bamboo.Kitty could sense the exquisite taste of these furnishings when shecompared them to the heavy, dark pieces of Victorian furniture shehad always seen in England.
Charles came through the doorway with a trayin his hands. Before she could protest he appealed to hergenerosity. "Please don't banish me to dine alone another evening;I swear I'll run mad if you do. I promise not to force any foodupon you. However, if there's anything on the tray you fancy, I'lllook the other way while you help yourself." Without anyembarrassment, he perched on the side of her bed as if they hadlived together for years. He got her to try the matoutou of crab,the chicken with coconut, and mangoes simmered in wine andcinnamon. "Well, what do you think?" he prompted.
She laughed and said, "It's all far too rich,you know."
"Kathleen, you are so refreshing. My guestsfill my ears with flattering compliments for my cuisine here atGovernment House, but now that you've brought it to my attention,they are rather indigestible messes!'
Kitty laughed, then daintily covered ayawn.
"You're tired; I'll leave you now. Goodnight, my dear. I am so delighted to have you here."
When she was alone, she couldn't dispelthoughts of Patrick. Since the first moment she had seen him, shehad been determined to marry him, and because of that she had madea mess of her life. First, her disastrous marriage, then her flightacross the ocean when she learned she was carrying his child. Hehadn't wanted her on her terms, but she had to admit he'd beenhonest and warned her that he would marry someone who would atleast bring him a bleach works. Well, he'd be getting a plantationnow, but at the thought of the woman who went with it, her bloodran cold. God help him! Well, she had gambled and she had lost, butat least she had the best part of him. Her hand slid over the moundthe child inside her made. Her love for this baby was fierce andprotective. She was bitter against Patrick and she hated theFrenchwoman, but she had to be honest with herself. She could nothate Patrick, because she loved him.
The next few days blurred together for Kitty,with lots of bed rest and exotic food. Charles had found a newpurpose in life. The months that were left of his governorship hadstretched endlessly before him, but now he couldn't leave hisoffice fast enough each day. As soon as he got rid of each visitor,his thoughts returned to Kitty. He imagined he knew the panic shemust have felt when she discovered she was with child by a husbandwho was in his grave. A hypocritical society would point a shamefulfinger at a young widow growing large with child, and she had fledrather than face the gossip. He had a hammock slung between twoshade trees in the garden and often watched her swing lazily with adeep contentment.
His footsteps quickened as he left his officeand hurried down the corridor toward the sitting room. He discernedtears in her eyes. "My dear, please don't cry." He took her handand gently led her to a settee. "I know you must grieve unbearablyfor your young husband, especially when you think about his child,whom he never will be able to see, but it does no good to dwell onthese things."
Kitty was speechless for a moment. Then sherealized Charles thought her child was a result of her marriage. Itwas a perfectly natural assumption. How shocked he would be if heknew the truth, she thought. "I didn't mean to greet you withtears, Charles." She arose but kept hold of his hand. "Come and seewhat's for dinner. I've been giving instructions all theafternoon."
They were served roast fowl. "You've no ideahow strangely they looked at me in the kitchen when I insisted itshould be cooked without all that oil and garlic."
"I know exactly what you mean. We have suchbeautiful fresh fish available, but instead of poaching it orbroiling it, they disguise it with such rich sauces, my palate wasruined in no time."
"We are going to have fruit salad made withbananas and what's that other fruit called that's yellow andtangy?"
"Pineapple, I think you mean."
"Yes, pineapple! Isn't that a delightfulname?"
He looked at her for a long moment."Kathleen, you are beautiful. I'd quite begun to hate this place,but it seems to suit you very well; you're positively blooming.What do you like about St. Kitts?"
"Oh, it's so different, Charles. Forinstance, look at this beautiful white batiste dress. The materialis so delicate. I adore wearing white; it's such a contrast fromthe dark clothes we wear at home. The colors here are so brilliant.I remember when I saw Lancashire for the first time, everything wasblack." She laughed as she went on. "The food is unusual, thenative people are delightful and I've been trying to learnFrench."
He poured her some rum and she held up herhand and said, "Just asoupçon," and they both laughed.
"I'm looking forward to exploring the islandand seeing the volcano"--she lowered her eyes--"of course, I meanafter the baby is born."
"I want to talk to you about that, Kathleen.Come into the garden with me." He placed a shawl about her and ledher into the fragrant evening. "I think we'd better let my doctorhave a look at you. I don't mean to alarm you, but I think the timeis drawing near."
"I'm not alarmed, Charles. I'm frightened ofthe pain, of course, but I want this baby so much, I can hardlybear to wait."
"Kathleen, I want to give this child myname."
"Oh, Charles, I realize how difficult it mustbe for you. Everyone you know must be whispering about me beinghere, but it's too big a sacrifice just for propriety's sake."
"Sacrifice? What are you talking about? It'smy dearest wish to make you my wife. You're the most desirablewoman I've ever known; you tempt me every time I look at you."
"Marriage is out of the question. I wouldn'tbe a suitable wife for a man in your position. Here, where life isso relaxed, the romantic atmosphere has lulled you into thinking itwould be like this, but just stop and consider what it would belike in England. I wouldn't be accepted; I'd be beyond the pale.You are a duke!"
He threw back his head and laughed. "Howinnocent you are. English society is completely hypocritical--onceyou possess the title of duchess they'll fall over each otherbeating a path to your door."
"Charles, I couldn't bear it if you thoughtI'd been trying to maneuver you into a proposal."
"I know full well that isn't so; in fact, myage probably makes me distasteful to you. I know you can't love me,especially when you've had a handsome young husband, but I'dcherish you all my days, and I'm looking forward to having thechild almost as much as you are. I've wanted a son for many yearsand thought it impossible until now. Think about it; don't say no.I won't plague you anymore tonight. After the doctor has a look atyou, we'll talk again."
Chapter 22
