Page 98 of The Irish Gypsy
"You look disgustingly domesticated," shetold Kitty.
"Bring me up to date with what's happening intown," said Kitty.
"Well, let me see," Julia said thoughtfully."Oh, yes, the Duchess of Marlborough is entertaining next week.Have you ever been to Marlborough House in Pall Mall? I'm havingthe most expensive gown made. Oh, yes, and bye the bye, Patrick hasa new interest."
"Just one of his flirts," said Kittylightly.
"Ah, there I beg to differ. This isn't one ofhis whores. On the contrary, quite a respectable young woman, fromwhat I've seen. I do hope something comes of it; he should havebeen married years ago."
"Who is she?" asked Kitty, feeling a sicknessbegin in the pit of her stomach.
"Oh, lady somebody or other. He was aftersome land in Ireland her father owned or something. He doesn'tdiscuss his business with me, you know. Now, what will you bewearing to Marlborough House?" asked Julia avidly.
Later that day Kitty visited her friend LadyDerby and casually brought the conversation around to Patrick."Who's this woman I've heard so much about?"
"Oh, you mean Lady Patricia Cavendish?"
Kitty laughed lightly. "Determined to get herhooks into him, is she?"
"Oh, she isn't like that, Kitty. She's alovely young woman, very well bred. You should see her clothes. I'dlove to know who does them for her."
"Showy female, is she?" asked Kitty, growingangry in spite of herself.
"I certainly wouldn't describe her as showy.Everything she wears is in exquisite taste, you know what I mean.Simple, quiet good taste."
Dammit, what's that supposed to mean? ThatI'm too flamboyant? Well, you've seen nothing yet!
Kitty pored over sketches at the dressmakers'in Bond Street the following day. "No, no, that's so old-fashioned,my grandmother wouldn't be caught in it," Kitty told theFrenchwoman.
"Perhaps this one, your Grace. The crinolinehas a full seventeen yards in it."
"That's the whole point; I heard thecrinoline was on its way out," said Kitty.
"Well, not exactly, but I do have the latestdesign from Paris. It is called the bustle. Veryoutré; thematerial fits the contour of the body and is gathered behind intothe bustle."
Kitty's eyes opened wide as she looked at thesketch. "Oh, yes," she breathed. The shop boasted taffetas, moirésand brocades in shades from apricot through amber, lemon toprimrose and coral to chartreuse. The moment Kitty spied it, sheknew that was the shade that would do the most for her darkcoloring. It was a turquoise as brilliant as the South Seas thatcaressed the white, sandy beaches. She stood absolutely still whilethe material was draped about her. "I want the skirt tighter," shesaid.
The seamstress smoothed it across her hips,"But Your Grace, if I make it tighter, you cannot walk."
"Put a slit up the back," said Kittyrecklessly. "Now the neckline needs to be lowered three more inchesand we'll have a creation worthy of you,madame."
The woman shook her head but pinned theneckline lower as Kitty asked.
"I hate being conventional in my clothes. Ilike to set my own style. See this black velvet? I've always wanteda pair of riding britches made out of such material. I could wearboy's britches, but they are unfeminine. Now, if you fit the velvetacross the rounded contours of my derriere, I think it would bemost fetching! Make me up a pair; I have a fancy for them."
The woman knew immediately she was settingthe trap for some man, so when Kitty glanced at the nightgowns, sheknew instinctively what to suggest. It was a sheer wisp of gossamerembroidered with forget-me-nots.
On the day of the ball, Kitty luxuriated inthe bath for more than an hour, then oiled, perfumed, powdered andpainted. Her curls were swept up to match the bustle with one ortwo artfully arranged in playful disarray. The only jewelry shewore were earrings--aquamarines encrusted with diamonds. Her tinywhalebone corset was laced so tightly that when she put on the gownher breasts swelled over the top like delicious melons. She put onher high heels and practiced walking and turning a full half hourbefore she felt confident to handle the new tight gown.
Charles came in. "You look magnificent! NowI'm sorry I won't be there to see their faces when you walkin."
"There's still time to change your mind," sheurged.
"No, no, I'm off to Southampton tomorrow andI've dozens of customs documents to look over. Off you go; have ahappy time. Enjoy, enjoy!" he admonished.
At Marlborough House, Kitty was on pins andneedles in case Patrick didn't show up. She caused quite a stiramong the guests but seemed hardly aware of the cold glances fromthe women or the hot ones from the men. She spotted him arrivingand immediately relaxed and started to enjoy herself. One glance atthe woman next to him told her that this was the paragon ofbreeding, Lady Patricia Cavendish. Kitty smiled up at LordPalmerston, who immediately responded by asking her to dance.
"Is Charles not here this evening? Then Ishall take advantage of you," he promised suggestively.
