Page 31 of The Irish Gypsy
"Well, Jonathan then. Go on, try."
"All right, Jonathan."
"That's it, love. Now you go and get yourcloak and I'll order the carriage for you." He patted her knee in afatherly fashion.
Kitty's head was in a whirl. All that shecould think of was that she would be Patrick's stepmother. If sheagreed to this marriage it would put her out of Patrick's reach,and at the same time be a subtle revenge. She would have a lovelyhome and an easy life. Jonathan O'Reilly had always treated herkindly. He was quite old, but hadn't her grandfather pointed outwhat an advantage that could be? He obviously just wantedcompanionship because he was lonely. She probably could have herown bedroom, as Julia intended to do.
When Kitty arrived at the little shabbyhouse, she asked the driver to wait for her. Inside she found hergrandfather bathing the children before a meager fire as Ada satnearby, huddled pathetically. Kitty noted her swollen body. "Isyour time near, Ada?"
"I've another month to go yet, bless you, butit moves about so much, I swear it's got four arms and fourlegs."
One of the children started crying fromhunger and Kitty felt guilty that she had life so easy these days.She quickly felt in her dress pocket and came up with the twohalf-crowns she had won from Jonathan at dominoes. She pressed themoney into Ada's palm, but she shook her head. "Give them to yourgrandad. My husband would have them off me for drink before youcould say Jack Robinson," Ada said pathetically.
"I have some news. Jonathan O'Reilly hasasked me to marry him and I'm so confused I don't know what to do."She appealed to her Grandad.
He looked at her for a few minutes, thenshook his head. "Nay, lass, you must decide your own future. Iwon't advise you either way."
Ada got to her feet very deliberately andtook Kitty's hand. Ada spoke earnestly. "He might not advise you,but I will. You'd have to be daft to refuse to wed a millowner.That's riches beyond your wildest dreams! No worries about whereyour next stick of firewood is coming from, or mouthful of bread.You're bound to outlive him and be left a rich widow. Rememberthis: All men are selfish and have violent tempers and know how tomake a woman miserable, so you might as well marry one with money.All cats are gray in the dark, if you know what I mean."
Kitty looked at the poverty-strickensurroundings and made up her mind.
It was getting late as the carriage made itshomeward journey. A thought crept into Kitty's brain which shecouldn't dispel. When Patrick brought Barbara home and learned thatKitty had agreed to marry his father, there was always the chancethat he could not bear such a thing to happen and would demand thatshe marry him instead.
At Hey House silence greeted her and sherealized everyone had gone to bed. She lit a candle in the fronthall to guide her up the stairs and as she moved quietly pastJonathan's bedroom, the door opened and a voice asked, "Is thatyou, Kitty?"
"Yes, Mr.....yes, Jonathan. I'm late becauseI stayed to help put the children to bed," she apologized.
"Come in, lass, I'm that impatient for youranswer. I've been waiting hours."
He had a robe over his nightshirt, but Kittyhad seen him in this state of undress many times while she had beennursing him. She set down her candle on a table by the window andsaid shyly, "I've decided to become your wife."
"Sweetheart!" he cried and enveloped her in asmothering bear hug.
"Please, please, I can't breathe," she cried,horrified, but his mouth came down on hers, suffocating her evenfurther. His mouth was soft and flaccid and she shuddered withdistaste. His hands took hold of her buttocks and squeezed andpressed her against his hardening member. She gasped and tried topull away, but he was a robust old man with much more strength thanshe had dreamed possible. "No, no, I beg you, Mr. O'Reilly, youmust stop!"
He was very excited and tried begging her."Don't deny me, sweetheart. Just let me put it in."
"No, no, let me go!" she implored, repelledby his crudeness.
"Don't fight me, Kitty," he begged. "Can'tyou understand how I need you?"
He had her on the bed now, his great bulk ontop of her. It was like a nightmare. Kitty couldn't believe thatthis was happening to her. She had thought that nothing could beworse than Patrick's ravishing, but he was so physically attractiveand his touch had made her quiver, while this assault only made hershudder. His face hung above hers. The mouth with the unnaturallift at the corner leered down at her, as his hands grappled withher long skirts to raise them above her waist.
"Hurry! I can't wait much longer! Open yourlegs!"
Her fear turned to fury. She spat full in hisface. Now he came on like an angry bull. His ham-like fist tore herdrawers off and he hoisted his nightshirt to facilitate hisentrance. His pubic hair was sparse and bristled against her softskin. He lunged against her, but she was so small, only the tip ofhis weapon entered. He raised himself up to make another plunge andKitty was off the bed like a shot. With amazing swiftness he was atthe door before her, barring her way. She ran to the window andpanted, "I'll scream the house down!"
"No one would dare come into my bedroom,screams or no screams,"
"I'll shout 'fire!'" she threatened.
"But there is no fire."
She grabbed up the candlestick. "There isnow!" She set the curtains ablaze and as he rushed forward with hiswater jug, she ran from the room and straight out into the night.She ran about four miles altogether until she stood outside Ada'sdoor, taking in great gulps of air before she finally found thecourage to knock. Her grandfather answered the door. He had beentalking to Terry.
"What's the matter, Kitty?" Terry asked as hejumped up and ran to her.
"What happened, child?" asked hergrandfather.
