Page 75 of The Irish Gypsy
Kitty followed him into the spacious entrancehall. Her knees felt weak and she began to tremble from the longwalk in the heat. At that moment a tall, striking figure appearedat the top of the stairs and paused dramatically to gaze down uponher. Jacquine descended the stairs slowly, never taking her eyesfrom the beautiful girl who waited below. A presentiment clutchedat her so strongly that by the time her feet touched the bottomstep she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who she was. She extendedher hand smoothly, a smile upon her lips. "How do you do. I'mJacquine LeCoq. Can I help you?"
"How do you do. I'm Kitty Rooney. I'm lookingfor Mr. Patrick O'Reilly, and I'm afraid this is the only address Ihave for him in America."
"Ah, yes. The moment I saw you I knew youwere looking for Patrick. I'm afraid he's left for the North onbusiness, but do not worry your head, my dear, he will return toBagatelle."
"Oh dear. I'm sorry to be a nuisance,madame.I've traveled all the way from England, and to betruthful I'm at a loss to know what I should do next," said Kitty,her heart tumbling with her disappointment.
"Allow me to extend the hospitality ofBagatelle. You are most welcome here. It gets lonely, as you canimagine. Come into the salon. You must be exhausted."
Kitty smiled her thanks and followed Jacquineinto the deliciously cool room.
"Topaz, bring a palmetto fan," she orderedthe black girl standing in the corner.
"Thank you. I'm not used to this heat," saidKitty.
"Tell Ebony to prepare two juleps with lotsof ice," Jacquine ordered.
"Thank you," murmured Kitty, sinking backinto a peacock chair. Her mind sought desperately to put things inorder. This woman who was so friendly and hospitable on the surfacehad the hardest mouth Kitty had ever seen. The corners turned downand deep lines of what?...discontent? ran downward to the jaw.
"Patrick would be very angry with me if Ididn't take the best care of you, I'm sure. I propose that you resttoday. Bathe, lie down for a good sleep. I'll have a tray sent upso you needn't come downstairs at all this evening. Tomorrow wewill talk. You can decide whether you will wait here for Patrick'sreturn, or go north and try to locate him at his place of business,n'est-ce pas?"
"You are very kind,madame.The drinkwas delicious; I've never had ice before."
"Wherever have you been--the convent? How oldare you, fifteen?"
"I'm twenty-one," lied Kitty, her eyessparkling with anger.
"Ah, perhaps....but certainly hotheaded!"Jacquine said and laughed. "Topaz, take this lady upstairs and gether settled."
When they were out of earshot, Jacquinesummoned Ebony. "Have one of the gardeners dig a grave. Under themagnolias where my husband is buried will do nicely, thankyou."
Ebony knew better than to question her. Shewas a woman of bizarre caprices. All he had to do was make sure itwasn't for him. All else was superfluous.
Kitty took off her pretty green dress andhung it in the wardrobe. She lay on the bed without even washing."You must know Patrick. When did he leave?"
Topaz looked frightened. "The mistress getsmad if I gossip about white folks."
Kitty closed her eyes, trying to come to adecision. Her money was gone. The logical thing was to stay andawait Patrick's return, but she was filled with a vague, unnamedanxiety.
Jacquine ordered a horse saddled. When shereturned, she had vented a good deal of her frustrated anger by theliberal use of her riding crop.
It was not Topaz, but the butler who broughtup a tray to Kitty's room. The food was delicious and for the firsttime in weeks it didn't produce the nausea that had been plaguingher. After she had eaten she felt a good deal better. She bathedfrom head to toe and brushed the tangles from her hair. The mirrorshowed it to be a mass of frizzy curls from the humid air, and herskin had a deep, healthy tan. She wished Patrick could see her, forshe knew she looked extremely pretty.
Tomorrow, after a good night's rest, shewould have to face that formidable opponent. She did not doubt fora moment that Jacquine was her opponent in an important game, withPatrick the prize. She knew a great plantation like this would be atemptation to a man with Patrick's ambition, but she believed thatdeep down he would abhor slavery and all it stood for.
Ebony lit the candles so his mistress was nolonger sitting in the dark, then said, "Madame,Mr. Simmonsand another gentleman would like a word with you."
She put down her glass. "I'll see them in myoffice."
Her overseer said, "Miz LeCoq, ma'am, here'sMr. Logan. I got hold of him as soon as I could."
"You may leave us, Simmons. I am capable ofhandling the affairs of this plantation without male advice."
"As you wish, ma'am," He nodded and left.
"Well, Logan, have you seen him?"
"Yes, they've got him secured at thecompound. I'll admit he's a fine specimen." His eyes narrowed,"What's wrong with him?"
