Page 101 of The Irish Gypsy
"I think the brandy will do nicely, Mr.Burke. I don't want to render him unconscious."
"I see, madame," he said solemnly.
"I'm sure you do, Mr. Burke," she saidsaucily, and turned the key that locked the connecting door andslipped it into her pocket.
The next morning Kitty was up with the larks,singing and humming happily. She decided to pick some flowers. Shechose a mass of Michaelmas daisies for Patrick's room and somelate-blooming roses for her own. They filled the air with a headyfragrance. After lunch she put on the black velvet riding pants andwent down to the stables.
"I'd like to ride. Which one would be best?"she asked Terry. He cast her an amused glance. Poor Patrick didn'tstand a chance against the little witch.
"Most of the mares are in foal. You can takeLady Jane here; I don't think she caught the last time I put her tostud. I'll saddle her up for you, but don't go too far. I don'twant to get stuck with Patrick."
"I'll watch for him, but remember I expectyour company at dinner. I want you to stick like glue even if hetries to get rid of you!" she admonished.
Kitty returned from her ride feeling morealive than she had in years. The breeze had brought the roses intoher cheeks and her hair billowed about her shoulders in wilddisarray. She trotted along the fence of the paddock. The horseinside snorted wildly and reared into the air. This sleek blackstallion was Terry's pride and joy and obviously there wassomething wrong. She dismounted quickly and looped the reins overher arm. The stallion's eyes rolled wildly and his scream rent theair. She ran toward the gate and lifted the wood.
"Kitty, no!" a voice thundered. Patrick'shand shot past her and slammed the wood home in the gate. Astableman ran up to them and took away the horse that Kitty hadbeen riding. She looked up at Patrick in confusion.
"The stallion wanted to mount the mare. Hewould have trampled anything that stood in his way."
Terry came running. "Is she all right? ByGod, Patrick, I'd no idea she was so ignorant."
The moment of danger was forgotten as Patrickdrank in the sight of her.
Terry hid a smile as he wondered how manyseconds would elapse before Patrick would have his hands onher.
"Welcome to Windrush," breathed Kitty.
The cooling breeze rustled her silk shirt,and her nipples stood out in clear relief. Patrick's hand stole toher waist and his fingers immediately discerned that she was indeednaked beneath the silk. Terry turned half away, pretending to beunaware of the byplay that was going on.
Kitty easily slipped out of Patrick's graspand took Terry's arm. "Let's take Patrick up to the house and gethim settled."
Patrick said quickly, "We're taking him awayfrom his work, Kitty."
"Nonsense! He's never too busy to welcome aguest," she assured him.
Patrick gave Terry a warning glance, butTerry shrugged helplessly.
"Windrush will steal your heart; you'll neverwant to leave. Don't you love it?" she asked.
"Yes, it's beautiful," he said, never takinghis eyes from her.
"Shall I ring for some tea?" she askedbrightly as they entered the house.
The look of dismay that came over the men'sfaces as the thought of sitting through afternoon tea filled herwith amusement.
"How silly of me," she relented. "You'dprobably much rather have a drink up in your room."
His eyes burned into hers until she loweredher lashes.
"Mr. Burke," Kitty called out to the hoveringservant, "please take Mr. O'Reilly's bags up to his room."
Terry watched her lead Patrick on and hopedshe realized Patrick wasn't one to follow, but would seize commandat the first opportunity. Mr. Burke led the procession and Kittyfollowed. Patrick, coming up behind her on the staircase, couldcontrol his actions no longer. He reached out and caressed herbottom.
She remonstrated, "You trespass, sir!"
"Then lead us not into temptation," he saidirreverently.
Mr. Burke set the bags down and tended thefire. Kitty splashed brandy into a glass and handed it to Patrick.He sipped it impatiently, waiting for the servant to leave, whilethe heat of his eyes roamed over her figure and came to resthungrily on her mouth. The servant turned from the fire toleave.
