Page 81 of The Irish Gypsy
He took her hand. "Kathleen, you've beenmarried before. May I speak freely about what happens between manand wife?"
"Do you mean in bed?" she whispered.
He nodded. "Yes, I've had difficulty in thepast. I'm hoping with all my heart that it won't be so with you, mydarling. If we do have trouble along those lines, perhaps not now,but in future years, I beg you never let my dark secret out."
"Charles, everything will be just right,you'll see. We made vows to each other, and no matter what happens,I'll never break mine."
"May I hold you?" he asked humbly.
She ran to him eagerly and he curled up withher in his lap. She smoothed the worry lines from his brow,relaxing against the warmth of him. He took her hands in his andkissed her fingertips, then her wrists. His lips traced a patternup her throat and then quite naturally his lips sought hers. Theirkisses grew bolder. Kitty was pleasantly surprised at how nice hismouth was. It was firm and dry and he made it very plain that headored her. Charles was deliriously happy as he felt the bloodsurge through his veins, giving the lie to the secret fears heharbored. When he left her to her slumber, he had no doubts thateverything would be fine on the night of their weddingreception.
Charles decided to hold the dinner receptionat four, so that it would be over at a reasonable hour. Some of theplanters' parties lasted all night. Of course, they were hugedrinking binges where the women retired and left the men to it. Hewas determined this affair would not degenerate into such a brawland thought a good way of keeping decorum was to make everything asformal as possible. The men would kick, but the women would adoreevery moment. He wanted to dispense with any dancing. For onething, it was too hot for such exertions, but primarily he didn'twant his bride danced off her feet by every loutish planter on theisland. He considered setting up card tables, but rejected the ideaimmediately. They'd never leave once they started gambling. No,he'd have to come up with some sort of entertainment. They'd openup the gardens after dinner so people could stroll about in theevening breezes. Something to keep the men entertained; perhapsnative dancers in their brief costumes. For the ladies, perhapsthose fellows who walked on fire. Then something that bored themall to tears so they would take their departure.
"Collins, I hear your wife has a wonderfulprogram of Italian opera she entertains with at parties?" heremarked to his secretary.
The chef's helpers at Government House hadall come from the island of Martinique, and the kitchens rang witha mixture of French and Creole. Kitty took great pains with themenu, begging Charles' superior advice whenever she was unsure.
"My darling, the best advice I ever received,I'll willingly pass along to you. When in doubt, do nothing! It'sdone wonders for my career," he said with a laugh.
"I'm so ignorant, Charles!" she wailed.
"Why do you suppose I pay the chef suchexorbitant wages? Because he's an expert, so just let him get onwith it. What about your gown?"
"You are just trying to change the subject,and besides, it's a secret. I'm going to impress you immensely withmy taste. My choice has to be impeccable, something in which thegovernor's wife will be the epitome of respectability."
"Respectability is bourgeois," he teased.
"Trust me about the gown. Now, do you thinkclear turtle soup would be acceptable?"
He sighed. "Oh, love, don't you think it's abit warm for soup?"
"Oh, please, Charles, it sounds soelegant!"
"Ah, so that's to be the criterion, is it?Then we should haveratatouille!Does that sound elegantenough for you?"
"Oh, yes, please. What isratatouille?"
"Sweetheart, I'm a beast to tease you so.That means poor stew, bad stuff, a mess."
She laughed with him and he slipped his armsabout her and drew her down onto his knee. "That reminds me of thetime I was invited to dinner in Lancashire--there're someincredibly bad cooks in Lancashire by the way--and believe it ornot, everything they put on the table was..."
"Boiled!" She finished his sentence forhim.
"Exactly! When they brought the dessert itwas a huge congealed mass of boiled treacle pudding. They eat somuch treacle pudding in Lancashire, their feet stick to the floorwhen they walk," he said and laughed.
"Oh, but, Charles, when you're ravenous,nothing gets rid of hunger pains faster."
He looked at her tenderly. "Let's go up andhave a look at our son."
Kitty's gown was eggshell georgette,delicately fluted and pleated. Tiny buttons ran up the back andfrom wrist to elbow. Charles brought her orchids.
"You're so lovely you take my breath away,"he whispered.
"Charles, I'm so nervous about meetingeveryone, I'm terrified of making stupid blunders, and I do so wantyou to be proud of me," she said anxiously.
"Come. Our first guests are starting toarrive. I assure you that you pass muster."
"You go on; I'll be along in a moment,dear."
