Page 91 of The Irish Gypsy
"You have such dangerous weapons you can useagainst me. I can't leave Charles and come to you. He's such a fineperson and he's been so good to me. He dotes on Charles Patrick; itwould kill him to deprive him of the boy. I couldn't be thatcruel."
"Believe me, kitten, you are quite capable ofcruelty," he said pointedly.
"Patrick, I love you with all my heart andsoul, and I'm so guilty about it, but I never could leaveCharles."
A look of triumph came into his eyes. Hetipped up her chin with his fingers. "I'm content for now. You'dbetter leave; you're completely aware of how much you arouse me,and I'll curse myself for a fool the moment you're through thatdoorway."
The next morning she received a basket oftiger lilies. The card read: Somewhere, Somehow, Someway,Someday!
Chapter 25
Kitty had trouble sleeping. She tossed andturned, banishing dark night thoughts. Her nerves seemed to be onedge to a point where she wanted to scream. There were nights whenshe was so jumpy her skin felt too tight for her body. At socialfunctions, she spent more time in the card room than on the dancefloor. Gambling was becoming an obsession with her. Charles waswise enough to realize that things usually ran their course beforethey stopped, but he did keep an eye on her. They were having whatappeared to be a cozy afternoon tea together when Charles Patrickfell from the last two stairs.
"Take those damned things off immediately!"shouted Kitty.
"Whatever's wrong, sweetheart?" askedCharles, who'd never heard her raise her voice to the childbefore.
"He's always got those damned riding boots ofyours on. It's the third time he's fallen down the stairs thisweek. If you fall down one more time, those damned boots go on theback of the fire! All he ever talks about is the horse you'vepromised. He'll break his neck!"
"Charlie, go upstairs and take the boots off.I'll try to coax Mummy out of her bad mood. Now what is it,Kathleen? Come and talk to me--we've always talked things outbefore. You know you can tell me anything."
"I've been gambling and losing. I lost thoselovely earrings you bought me, and worse still, I came within ahairsbreadth of losing that country cottage in Kent you gave melast month, and I haven't even seen it yet. I don't like myselfvery much these days, Charles. I don't know what's the matter withme."
"I do," he said simply. He patted the couchbeside him. Slowly she went to him and sat down. He put his armabout her and hugged her reassuringly. "You're young and beautifuland bursting with life. You’re not being fulfilled and it's makingyou restless."
"I don't understand, Charles. What do youmean?"
"You're young and I'm not. I can't satisfyyou in bed. The fires of my blood have died out, but yours are justbeginning to burn. No, don't look so shocked, darling, it'sperfectly true. I'm a realist and I knew it would happen one day.You need a lover. I'm not so selfish as to deny you such diversion.I only ask that you be discreet."
She looked at him with wide eyes. "Do youmean you wouldn't mind?"
"I shall mind like the very devil, so be sureto keep me in ignorance."
"Oh, Charles, you can always make melaugh."
"And a good thing, too. You were sulky as abear with a sore arse. That child probably is crying his eyes outupstairs," he teased.
"You lie through your teeth. You know I can'tdampen his high spirits."
Her words were punctuated by a loud clatter.She ran to pick her son up, and he protested, "It isn't the ridingboots, Mummy, it's that damned beeswax the bloody servants keeppolishing the stairs with."
"He has a salty vocabulary for someone whohasn't reached his third birthday. Speaking of birthdays, you'reabout to celebrate one shortly. Why don't we give a costumeball?"
Kitty was wise enough to take the suggestionher chef offered for the buffet-style supper. Charles had refusedall blandishments to get him to wear a costume. He wore his darkevening clothes and told Kitty, "If anyone objects, you can tellthem I'm supposed to be Beau Brummell."
Most of the ladies went all out with rathergrand costumes. There were many Marie Antoinettes, and manymedieval ladies, each one in a steeple headdress. Julia,resplendent in red wig, made a magnificent Elizabeth and contrastedwell with Kitty's authentic Gypsy dress. Everyone wore masks, so ittook a few minutes to recognize some people. Kitty was surprised tofind the man in the common seaman's striped jersey was none otherthan the Prime Minister. She winked at him. "Always predicted youwould amount to nothing--glad to see you've fallen far below myexpectations."
Charles found her sparring with Julia. "Youare audacious to dress as a Gypsy girl, Kitty. I think it'sdemeaning to the duke."
Kitty laughed as she tipped back her thirdglass of champagne. "Careful what you eat, Julia; we cooked one ortwo hedgehogs this morning."
"It's midnight and there's no sign of anyoneleaving. I think it's been an unqualified success, darling," saidCharles.
"The masks definitely allow people to havemore fun. Everyone still will be here at breakfast time," she saidhappily.
"I think I'll go up now. I'll slip awayquietly so people won't get the idea we want them to leave," hesaid.
"There's no fear of that. This lot will seethe dawn arrive. Why don't you open up a card room?" shesuggested.
