Page 54 of The Irish Gypsy
"Christ, you're a lucky dog, Savage!" thewinner was told by his companions.
"Fortune favors the bold, so I'm told," thecruel-looking youth retorted. He added with a sneer, "I hope yourwife measures up better than this stuff we're drinking. It tasteslike stallion piss!"
Simon eyed Duke Savage sullenly. Duke wasn'tas far gone in his cups as the others, and although the thought ofKitty whetted his appetite thoroughly, he was shrewd enough torealize Simon would be jealous. Simon would reason that whateverthe Duke and Kitty could enjoy, the Duke and Simon could enjoymore.
Duke Savage also realized Kitty's brotherTerry would present a problem. They all expected Duke to collecthis bet tonight so the rest could get their kicks as voyeurs, butSavage had a better plan. After everyone had left for Londontomorrow, he would double back and take her at his leisure.
Terrance knew better than to act anythingother than indifferent. When the revelers got to the point in theirdrinking where he wouldn't be missed, Terrance slipped away to warnKitty.
"Terry, I thought nothing that Simon didcould shock me anymore, but I was wrong."
"Well, the Duke of Savage is the one who haswon you."
"Terry, he isn't a duke. That's just hisnickname," she answered unhappily.
"Do you know, Kitty, I lie awake at night,planning to kill Simon."
"Oh, God, Terrance, not you too? Promise meyou won't do anything foolish? I'll figure a way to get us out ofall this. Anyway, Duke Savage is a more pressing problem thanSimon. I'll be sure my door is bolted tonight. Come up with me nowand we'll make sure no one's hiding in that hideous wardrobe. Itfrightens me to death. I swear I'll get it moved tomorrow." Shekissed him good night, then firmly threw the bolt and didn't undoit again until after the hour of noon the next day. By this time,all had departed for London and she was left alone with theHobsons. Mr. Hobson had fully recovered as a result of Kitty's'magic' and the couple would gratefully do anything Kittywished.
"Mr. Hobson, I would like you to go over tothe farm and get a couple of those really hefty, strong farm boysfor me. I want that big wardrobe moved out of my bedroom. I don'thave many clothes anyway, and that thing gives me the shivers."
"I'll go over now then and get a couple ofthe lads. You might have to wait until they're finished theirchores."
"I might as well walk over to the farm withyou. We need some eggs," said Mrs. Hobson. "I'll just go and get mybasket."
It was a warm day and as Kitty was getting adrink from the kitchen she heard an unfamiliar step behind her. Shewhirled about to face Duke Savage. In one illuminating second thatseemed suspended in time, his purpose became crystal clear.Pretense would have been ridiculous as she looked at the sensualcurve of his mouth and knew he was already aroused.
"I'm not alone here," lied Kitty.
He cocked an amused eyebrow. "On thecontrary, my dear, I've just seen them leave for the farm. We arecompletely alone."
The air of lust in the room was almosttangible. His face was brazen and knowing with an unmistakableleer. "To pay a gambling debt is a point of honor," he whispered,and a lynx at bay could not have given her a crueler glance.
"Honor?" she mocked. "I'll swear you knowlittle of honor."
"I know much of other things, sweetheart." Hereached out easily to encircle her waist and draw her body upagainst his. As his hand covered her breast, she let out a piercingscream, so he quickly bent his head and cut off the sound bycovering her mouth with his. He did not release her mouth until hethought she might be in danger of suffocation. He then proceeded totell her what he intended to do with her in graphic words, hopingshe would relish the hinted indecencies.
She was trembling now, but feared to fighthim in case she enflamed him to madness. She hoped that by keepingcalm she could postpone the violence that seemed inevitable.
He caressed her breasts and whispered, "I betyou enjoy a good roll in the hay, don't you, sweet? I know Simon'sno bloody use to you. You must be mad for it by now."
Kitty made a desperate effort to break awayfrom him.
"You're not struggling, are you?" He pulledup a straight-backed chair and forced her down upon it none toogently. He took off his neckcloth and bound her wrists to the chairbehind her. "Like a spot of bondage, do you?" he teased.
He was standing behind her and Kittyshuddered with revulsion as she felt him pressing his erectionagainst her back. He came around to face her, his eyes upon hermouth. "With a little cooperation on your part, we can get thefirst thing I want done without untying you or even mussing up yourclothes." His fingers started to unbutton his trousers.
Although Kitty had had no experience of thissort of thing before, she was left in no doubt of his meaning. Sheraised her eyes to his and said very clearly, "Duke Savage, if youput that thing anywhere near my mouth, I promise you I shall biteit off! I'll maul it so badly it will never work again. It willgive me the greatest pleasure to ruin you for life!"
He knew she meant it, and a grudgingadmiration came into his eyes. "Come then, I'll take you up to bed.That way we'll both enjoy it." He lifted her in his arms andstarted for the stairs when Mr. Hobson came in with two younggiants. Duke Savage set her on her feet at once as one of themasked, "Was there something you wanted us to shift, ma'am?"
"Yes, this gentleman. Kindly take him off ourproperty and give him a bloody good beating."
Savage turned pale green. "They wouldn'tdare. I'd press charges!"
"Shut your cake hole!" one of the farmhandssaid bluntly.
"Are you sure that's what you want us to do,ma'am?"
