Page 96 of The Irish Gypsy
The doctor finally declared that the childwas out of danger and that Charles was also improving. The doctorsaid reassuringly, "Medicine is the practice of keeping the patiententertained while we let nature heal. I think the boy is at thestage where he needs to be amused."
Kitty tirelessly read to him, played cardgames and cut out paper dolls. She made his and hers falsemoustaches, and another one when he insisted the dog must beincluded. She unstuck the black cardboard from her top lip withdismay as she realized the date.
"Katie!" she screeched at the top of herlungs. "My God, why didn't someone remind me of the ball?" demandedKitty.
"I thought you'd given up any idea ofattending; you must be worn out."
"But I'm the patroness of this affair; I mustattend! Good heavens, I never ordered a dress or anything."
She flung the wardrobe doors wide. "I haven'teven looked at these dresses since last summer. Oh, they've been sosadly neglected. That pale green one is a favorite, and thislavender, but look how they are soiled. Where are all the clothes Itook to Ireland last autumn? Don't tell me they're still in mytrunks! Good God, things should be run better than this; the placemust have over a score of servants and yet there's none to keep myclothes in order."
"How about this lovely apricot satin?" askedKatie.
Kitty slipped it over her head and it felloff her shoulders and gaped back and front. "It was always loose onme, but I've lost weight, I suppose, and now it hangs like a sack.The gold lace on this one is actually tarnished; the same with thissilver tissue."
"What about this wine brocade? I don'tremember you ever wearing it."
"Oh, I suppose it will do, Katie. I thinkperhaps I was too preoccupied with clothes and my appearance.Somehow this winter has put things in a new light. I was a socialbutterfly, so vain I had to outdo everyone."
"Excuse me, ma'am, but what about yourhair?"
"Good God, it hasn't been dressed in ages.I've grown so used to just twisting it into a bun. It's so wild ifI let it free. I'll just roll it into a chignon and wear one ofthose nets over it. See if you can find me one that matches thedress."
She looked at herself in the mirror with acritical eye. Her throat was scratchy and there was a spot in herchest that burned like fire. She thought ruefully:The Gypsy'sshowing; I'm as sallow as a guinea.
In the carriage she wished she'd made adifferent selection of dresses. What she first thought was a richwine, she now realized was a hideous maroon. When she glancedacross at Charles, thoughts of herself took flight. "Do you thinkyou should have come tonight, Charles?"
"It's my turn to look after you, my pet. Youlook completely done in to me," he said tenderly.
She did not dare tell how she really felt,for she knew he would have the carriage turned aroundimmediately.
They arrived at the Banqueting House atWhitehall Palace amid a crush of people. As she traversed theballroom, graciously acknowledging greetings, the room becamestifling. Her chest was on fire and for a moment she thought shemight faint. Julia sailed up to her with Jeffrey quietly followingin her wake.
"Oh, Julia, you look magnificent," said Kittysincerely. Julia was gowned in purple velvet with bishop sleeves.She looked down at Kitty. "Too bad I can't return the compliment;you look a positive dowd."
Kitty's lips twitched in amusement. "Well,it's not easy for a scullery maid to look like a duchess."
"We can't stand together; we clash horribly,"said Julia.
"We always did," bantered Kitty.
"Don't look now, but we've just been invadedby the Americans," said Julia.
Kitty glanced across the room. Patrick had abeautiful blonde on each arm. The younger woman, no more thaneighteen, wore an exquisitely designed rose pink crinoline. Everycurl was in place, and her fair skin glowed as she lookedadmiringly up at her escort. The older woman was slimmer but justas beautiful. She wore a most sophisticated black silk. Kittymurmured, "I wonder which one he's after?"
Probably servicing them both at the same timeif I know Patrick," sneered Julia.
Jeffrey spoke up immediately, "That's adisgusting thing to say, Julia."
She laughed lightly. "Oh, you know my littlejokes. I love my brother very much, in spite of his taste inwomen." She looked pointedly at Kitty.
Kitty was dismayed to see Patrick bringingthe younger lady over to introduce her. He bowed stiffly beforeKitty and said, "May I present Her Grace, the Duchess ofManchester, Miss Amanda Astor."
The girl's laughter trilled out. "Oh, Patrickstop!" She turned to Kitty and said, "Patrick thinks I'm sogullible, I'll believe anything he tells me."
There was a stunned silence for a moment asthe people around them couldn't quite believe what they'd heard.Kitty's lip trembled for a moment, but she caught it between herteeth and said softly, "I thank you sincerely for coming tonight,and I welcome you to England. I hope you are graciously receivedwherever you go."
She turned to Charles and said, "Pleaseexcuse me," and fled to the ladies' room.
