Page 82 of The Irish Gypsy
Katie was in the adjoining dressing room withthe baby. His cradle had been moved in earlier. Kitty had moved herthings into the master bedroom, and now that she was alone, shelooked the room over apprehensively. The bed loomed large in thecenter of the room and she wondered how she was going to bringherself to share it with her new husband. The ordeal of the crowdbelow seemed small by comparison, so she took a deep breath andwent down to meet her guests. Charles awaited her at the foot ofthe stairs, smiling encouragement. He took her arm and togetherthey stood in the reception hall. Kitty was amazed when thegentlemen bowed deeply to her and the ladies curtsied and murmureda reverent "Your Grace."
At first the women were dismayed when theysaw how beautiful she was, but when they watched her turn asidetheir husbands' compliments without attempts at flirtation, andwhen she addressed herself almost exclusively to the wives, theyrelaxed and included her in their conversations about servants,children, the weather, the crops and the latest fashions.
The menu she had chosen brought manycompliments as the servants brought in silver platters heaped withdelicacies. The wine flowed into tall goblets and she noted withsurprise that Charles drank only mineral water. She thought shewould do the same, since she was unused to wine and its effects.After dinner the guests wandered into the gardens to get the seabreezes. Kitty sought out Charles. "I have to go up and feed thebaby. Do you think they will miss me for a little while?"
"Of course not, sweetheart. So long as theliquor flows, your guests will be happy. We won't start theentertainment until you come down."
When she was alone she picked up her childand nestled him against her. He nursed hungrily and she gazed atthe robust child with wonder. He looked exactly as Julia's babyhad, with the stamp of O'Reilly all over him. He closed his eyesand his long black lashes made shadows on his cheeks.
She went quietly back into the larger bedroomand poured some scented water from the ewer to bathe her hands andface. She looked toward the baby's room and told herself over andover that she had done the right thing in marrying Charles. Shepicked up the lacy nightgown that had been put ready on the bed andreplaced it in the bureau. Instead she took out a more modest oneof heavy satin and put it on her pillow.
She went back downstairs to the evening'sentertainment. It was all a colorful blur to Kitty. The music, thedancers, the costumes were all a noisy jumble; however, everyoneseemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Everyone came indoorswhen Mrs. Collins was ready to sing, and as Charles had hoped, thecrowd quickly became bored, and after three selections some of theguests began to take their leave.
By ten o'clock the last guest had departed,and Charles took Kitty by the hand and led her upstairs. Katie cameout of the dressing room when she heard them. "The baby is asleep,ma'am."
"Thank you, Katie. I'm sorry you missed allthe merriment. It was very kind of you to stay with him."
As soon as the door was closed Charles pickedup Kitty and swung her into the air. "You were magnificent, mydarling. Everyone loved you! I'd swear you were born to thepurple."
She blushed vividly and murmured, "Please, Imust check on the baby." She hurried into the dressing room andCharles followed her. She stood gazing down at the child and saidwistfully, "He's asleep."
"And you'd rather he was awake? Well, go on,wake him up and say hello."
"Oh, no, I wouldn't disturb him for theworld," she said quietly.
He took her hand and led her back into theirbedroom. He sat down in a large, comfortable armchair but kept holdof her hand. She stood before him with downcast eyes, for all theworld like a virgin to the slaughter.
"The name Drago is Latin for dragon. Do youthink me a dragon, Kathleen?"
"No, I'm not afraid of you, Charles," shesaid very meekly.
"Then you're just apprehensive about thisbusiness of sleeping with me?"
She nodded her head, miserably. He pulled herinto his lap.
"My darling, don't be afraid. I promised tocherish you, and I shall. I'll always be gentle with you. I promisenever to hurt you in any way. Look at me, Kathleen. Ah, that'sbetter. I love you with all my heart." His lips brushed her hairand he held her to his heart.
She was beginning to feel better. His armswere so protective and comforting. "I'm just nervous. I'm sorry I'mbeing so silly."
"It's perfectly understandable. You're not inthe least silly, but I suspect you're worn out from the rabblewe've been entertaining." He sought her lips, and when she didn'tpull away, he was encouraged to kiss and caress her as he hadlonged to do for weeks.
"Now, the first thing we have to do is getyou out of this uncomfortable gown. Turn around, love." She turnedher back to him and he undid all the little buttons down the back."You need something to make you relax. I'll just go down and getyou a glass of wine. Put your nightgown on and slip into bed,sweetheart. I'll be right back."
She had worried so much about undressing infront of another man, but it had been accomplished without anyembarrassment. Her breasts were very large and firm at the moment,and she had no idea how beautifully they were revealed in the satingown. Charles was back before she was in bed, so she quicklyslipped under the covers, but not before he had taken in everydetail.
"Here, darling, this will make you sleep." Heturned the lamps low and undressed quickly. Kitty averted her eyesand drank her wine. "It's delicious. Thank you."
He took the empty glass from her fingers andset it aside. Then he gathered her into his arms and buried hisface in her breasts. "You're incredibly lovely. I've longed to holdyou like this since the first time I saw you."
He kissed her slowly and made love to her sogently it wasn't an ordeal for her after all. Later, when he wasasleep, she half smiled at the complete power she had over him. Shewould have to be very careful never to hurt him. Her heart achedfor betraying Patrick. She closed her eyes to shut out the guiltshe felt.
Charles slipped from the bed early in themorning and came back with a breakfast tray. "Sit up and see whatI've brought you."
"Mmmm, I can smell chocolate."
He took a long envelope from the tray andheld it carefully.
"I want to give you your 'morning gift.'"
