Page 9 of The Irish Gypsy
“Help yourself then, Johnny. I’ll just changeinto something a little cooler,” she said suggestively.
Before he had finished his drink, she cameback in a loose wrapper and as she sat down beside him on the sofa,the wrapper fell apart to reveal her long legs. He reached for herand gave her a deep kiss, then reached up and parted the top of herwrapper. “My, you have a fine pair of breasts, Dolly. They alwaysdid excite me.”
She laughed throatily and removed his hands,which were squeezing her painfully. He licked his lips and hisbreathing quickened considerably.
“I think we’d be more comfortable in thebedroom,” she whispered. She took his hand and he trotted after hereagerly. He took off his waistcoat and she knelt in front of himand unbuttoned his shirt and slipped it off. She repressed a smileat the sight of his undervest on such a warm day, and lifted itover his head. She bent to remove his boots and her wrapper againparted to reveal her breasts. Jonathan quickly stripped the wrapperfrom her completely and put his mouth to her nipples. As shedivested him of his pants, she noted that he was indeed ready forbusiness; however, she knew that older men often lost theirerections, so she didn’t want to delay the action with too manypreliminaries. She positioned herself under him and he beganthrusting vigorously. As he did so, his face became an alarmingshade of crimson with overtones of purple, and his breathing becamelabored.
“Johnny, are you all right? Here, why don’tyou lie back and let me on top?”
Patrick had finished his business at themill. Remembering that the Leavers were coming for dinner, hedecided to drop in on Dolly. He slipped his key into the lock andentered quietly. He could hear noises coming from the bedroom, sohe pushed the door open and stopped dead on the threshold. Dolly’sbuttocks were rising and falling rhythmically and Jonathan wasgroaning hoarsely. Patrick looked at them coldly and said, “Father,I see you’ve taken my advice for once.” He paused and lookeddistastefully at Dolly’s opulent flesh. “Dolly, still doing all thework, I see. Don’t let me interrupt you, I’ll let myself out.” Heplaced his key on the table and quietly left. When he got outside,he leaned against the wall and laughed until the tears rolled downhis face.
Patrick opened the front door to greet theLeavers. “Hello, Patrick. Sorry my wife couldn’t come tonight, buther mother’s ill, so she begged to be excused and she sends herregrets.”
“Well, I’m glad you and your son could makeit, James. You’re looking very well.” He shook hands with the twomen. “Ah, here’s Father,” he said, keeping a bland expression onhis face as he looked the older man in the eye. The table wasbeautiful and Julia was at her best, especially in male company.Her wit sparkled and her conversation never lagged.
Patrick was determined to use this visit tohis advantage by letting his father in on the changes he had beenmaking at the mill. If he could get James Leaver on his side, theywould overrule the old man. Barbara sat beside her brother,desperately trying to think of something to add to theconversation. Finally she said, “This soup is delicious.”
Her father glowered at her from across thetable, and Patrick smiled down at her and slipped her hand intohis. She felt better immediately.
Patrick plunged in, “Father has abolishedhalf-time for children at the mill.” Jonathan almost choked on hisgreen peas.
James Leaver looked pleasantly surprised.“That was a courageous thing to do, John; commendable, highlycommendable.”
Before his father could speak, Patrick wenton, “Mind you, it will cost him, but he’s decided to begenerous.”
“Will you have difficulty finding workers toreplace them?” Leaver asked. Patrick answered for his father, “As amatter of fact that’s another generous thing father has done. He’sbrought over all our people from Ireland at his own expense andhe’s giving them jobs at the mill.”
By the time Leaver and his son had finishedcomplimenting Jonathan on his beneficence, O’Reilly realizedPatrick had outmaneuvered him, so he decided to capitulate and baskin everyone’s approval. “Have you changed over your looms yet?”asked young Leaver.
Patrick allowed his father to answer thistime. “Monday morning we start production with theimprovements.”
“Do you think there’ll be any trouble?Remember when James Barlow introduced power looms in his mill? Therepercussions were terrible with the local hand-loom weavers.”
“If there is trouble, I’ll handle it!” saidJonathan darkly.
“Barlows—aren’t they the ones who make thesatin quilts?” asked Julia.
“Oh, Patrick gave me a beautiful pink one,”piped up Barbara, then subsided into blushes.
Everyone smiled at her except her father. Hespoke up quickly, “You two lasses can withdraw and leave us to ourport.” Julia bristled—she hated these customs that gave men theupper hand in all dealings with women, but Barbara was relieved toescape.
When the two girls were alone, Julia said,“Are you packed for London yet?”
“No, I don’t think Papa will allow us to go,”answered Barbara.
“Nonsense! Patrick promised, and he alwaysgets his way, doesn’t he?”
“You mean you do, Julia,” said Barbara, notafraid to be bold now.
Julia spied Kitty and said sharply, “Get mysister’s trunks out and pack for London. Be very careful with herthings. You’re new, aren’t you? Are you sure that you know how topack?”
Kitty answered. “Yes, ma’am,” and right awayJulia sniffed, “Irish!”
“Please, ma’am, can you tell me where thetrunks will be?” asked Kitty.
“My God, Irish, how am I to know? Somewherein the attics, I imagine. You’ll have to ask. You’ve got a tonguein your head, haven’t you?”
Kitty thought,Begod, just as arrogant asthat brother of yours, but then her heart skipped a beat at thethought of him. “When are you leaving for London, ma’am?” askedKitty politely.
