Page 62 of The Irish Gypsy
"I think she's coming round," said Charles,rubbing Kitty's hands and looking at her anxiously.
She opened her eyes and looked into his kindface. She could tell he was genuinely worried. "Excuse me, I'm verysorry to be so much trouble. I thought you were Patrick, and thenwhen you turned round I was so surprised to see it was someoneelse, I made a shocking display of myself," Kitty apologized.
"Not so, my dear. We offer our sinceresympathy for the loss of your husband. It's delayed shock. Are youfeeling better now?"
"You are very kind," she whispered.What agentle man, and how strong his hands are.
Barbara gave her the glassful of brandy andsaid, "Oh Kitty, Patrick sailed yesterday. You've missed him, butyou must rest and get well, and he'll be back with us before yourmourning period is even over."
"So Patrick's gone to America again, has he?Then I've missed him too," Charles said regretfully.
Julia, very conscious of Sir Charles Drago'sposition, said, "I had no idea you were in England. Is yourgovernorship of St. Christopher's over?"
"No, I'm afraid I have another year to servebefore I can come home to stay. Unfortunately, I returned becausemy father was dying. We buried him two days ago in Ireland."
"I'm so sorry, Sir Charles," Julia said.
"Oh, Your Grace, that makes you the new Dukeof Manchester!" cried Barbara.
"If you ladies will excuse me, I know you arewishing me at the ends of the earth at this moment. I'll call againtomorrow to see how the lass is," and he gave Kitty a meaningfullook.
As soon as he was gone, Kitty insisted ongetting up. "I'm sorry I was a bother, but I feel perfectly finenow."
"Patrick insisted I put you in his room whenyou arrived, so up you go and stay out of my way until dinner. I'min a wretched mood. I have a million things on my mind, and CharlesDrago has to pick today to pay a call on us. I'll tell you onething, Kitty, I should have married that man who was here todayinstead of that idiot I saddled myself with. I could have been aduchess today--just think of it, a duchess!"
"Julia....about Simon," Kitty began, butJulia held up her hand imperiously.
"Not one word. I don't know what you andPatrick have cooked up between you, and I don't want to know. Thisis Patrick's house, and I have no doubt you'll be mistress of itwhen he returns. Until then, make yourself at home. You know youare one of the family, so I shan't treat you like a guest, but forGod's sake don't involve me in this business about Simon."
"Where's Terry disappeared to?" asked Kittyto change the subject.
Barbara answered, "He's taken his things tothe room over the stables. I told him he would be more comfortablein the house, but he would rather be around the horses than threewomen, I think."
When Kitty was alone in Patrick's room, sheopened his closet and touched all his clothes. She held a velvetcoat sleeve against her cheek and whispered, "Wherever you are atthis moment, my love, I hope you are thinking of me." She gazedinto the mirror that had held his reflection too often, and after afew moments' concentration she conjured up his image so lifelike,she reached out her hand to touch the crisp black tendrils of hair.She could see the blue shadow that appeared on his jawline when hehadn't shaved. Depending on his mood, his mouth could be cruel,arrogant, sensual or curve into an unbelievably sweet smile in atender moment. When she felt tears well up, she quickly turned fromthe mirror. The bed dominated the room, just as Patrick would havedone if he had been there. She realized she felt a sensual pleasurein sleeping in his bed, which provoked thoughts of erotic fantasiesfulfilled and those yet to come.
Chapter 17
Kitty was awakened with flowers from SirCharles Drago, accompanied by a note that begged her to drive outwith him at eleven. When she entered the breakfast room Juliaaccidentally broke her cup and saucer and shouted, "Blasteverything!"
Kitty spoke up quickly, "Sit down. I'll getyou another cup of coffee."
Julia shouted, "Goddamn that man tohell!"
Kitty was at a loss. "Do you mean yourhusband?"
"Yes, God rot him! I think I'm breedingagain. He did it on purpose!"
A housemaid came to see what damage had beendone and to clean up the mess. "Get out! Can't you see I'm having aprivate conversation? Tell them in the kitchen to stop cooking thatbacon immediately. The smell permeates the whole house and makes mefeel sick!"
The maid had barely closed the door whenJulia continued with her tirade. "I told Jeffrey I wasn't havingany more for at least two years. I'm so damned careful! When hedemands to sleep with me I absolutely insist he withdraw."
"Withdraw?" Kitty asked, startled. "You don'tmean withdraw before....before...."
"A fat lot of good it would do after!"shouted Julia.
"Oh, but surely that would be distasteful toyou both, and besides, you would miss all the...."
"Pleasure?" asked Julia sarcastically.
