Page 89 of The Irish Gypsy
Charles was putting glasses of sherry intotheir hands and ushering them into the drawing room. "Here's thebest part. Wait till you see my son. You'll be jealous as the verydevil," he said and laughed, already heading toward the stairs.
"Charles, no!" cried Kitty. "He's having anap and you know how I hate you to disturb him," she pleaded.
"Nonsense; whatever's gotten into you? Youknow I can't resist showing him off to all and sundry." He winkedat Patrick affectionately.
Patrick murmured politely, "I heard you'd hada child."
They stood alone like two protagonists unableto control events that swirled about them. Neither spoke. Themuscles in Patrick's jaw clenched like a lump of iron. Kitty'sbottom lip trembled until she caught it between her teeth. Eachcould feel the heat of the other's anger.
"Here we are. Come and see your UnclePatrick. He's come all the way from America," urged Charles.
Patrick looked up and saw the little boywalking down the stairs dragging a dirty stuffed donkey with itstail missing. His eyes narrowed, puzzled at the child's age. Kitty,thinking her son would be terrified at the dark, forbidding figure,picked him up protectively and Patrick said, "Good God, I thoughthe was a baby."
"Not a baby!" cried Charles Patrick, soundlythumping Patrick with a jam-smeared fist.
Patrick's eyes widened in comprehension as helooked over the black curls into Kitty's eyes.
God help me, he knows!thoughtKitty.
Patrick's face softened as he gazed at thechild with wonder. He finally realized Charles Patrick was usinghis finger to make a sticky jam pattern on his velvet lapel. "Idon't suppose they beat you, but they ought to," he said softly.The boy gave him such a sweet smile that he had to resist theimpulse to take his child in his arms.
Kitty said hurriedly, "Charles, please takehim to bed; it's wicked of us to spoil him like this."
"Come on then, old son. Mother's allstraitlaced disapproval tonight." Charles flashed an apologeticlook at Patrick. "Usually she's off and running at the first madcapsuggestion."
"I remember," said Patrick acidly.
When they were alone again, Patrick said, "Ishall be at Half-Moon Street tomorrow evening. I demand areckoning."
"I shan't come!" she retorted withoutrage.
"I don't believe I heard you correctly," hesaid in a tone so quiet and menacing she felt her blood runcold.
Charles returned. "Well, what do you think ofhim?"
"He's a fine young cockerel, to be sure,"answered Patrick truthfully.
"Stay for dinner. Believe it or not we'reentertaining Julia and Jeffrey tonight," invited Charles.
"Can't be done, Charles. Like nothing better,but there it is, old man," he lied desperately.
"All right, I know you've probably got somany irons in the fire you haven't time for your old friends, butI'm warning you, we'll catch up with you one of these days andspend the whole evening together."
Patrick shot Kitty a meaningful look. "Yes,very soon, the whole evening."
That night at dinner Kitty changed thesubject every time Patrick's name was mentioned. Although shepretended to listen to Julia, her ears strained to catch whatJeffrey and Charles were saying.
"He's sold all three mills. He's finally outof the cotton business for good," said Jeffrey.
"I wonder what he'll invest the money in? Ionly ask because if we followed Patrick's lead, we wouldn’t gowrong," said Charles.
Julia said, "He has vast shipping intereststhese days with that Bolt fellow in Liverpool. I hope he puts themoney into slaves. The profits are unheard of."
Kitty went cold. She put her fork down andpressed her napkin to her lips. When she was able to speak shesaid, "Charles, you don't believe he would do such a thing, doyou?"
"Darling, I can understand your repugnancefor such dealings, but in the past I haven't been above a bit ofslave trade myself; as Julia says, it's very profitable."
She wanted to walk out on them all, butinstead she politely changed the subject. Later Jeffrey put hishand on her arm and said quietly, "She's only speculating, youknow. You don't think for one moment Patrick consults Julia abouthis dealings, do you?"
