Page 29 of The Irish Gypsy

The autopsy concluded death was caused by one gunshot to the brain.

Whether self-inflicted or otherwise could not be determined.

Kitty was served with a paper notifying her the inquest would be three days hence.

London was agog with the news.

Reporters from the newspapers waited outside her front door to glean lurid details for their dailies.

Her counsel assured her they would delve into Charles' business affairs and also the state of his health to find a valid reason for his suicide.

A reason must be found, she was assured, so that no suspicions could fall upon her.

He gave her advice on what to say, what to wear, her comportment and so forth.

"It's all so contrived, like staging a play,"

she protested wearily.

"That's exactly how you must think of it. You must catch their sympathy and hold it. You must awaken a desire to protect you, not only in the magistrate, but also in every human being who is there to observe you. They are your audience, your Grace, and they will judge you."

She ached for Patrick. His notes were cold comfort when she needed his physical strength to lean upon.

Her counsel came again the following day.

"We have nothing to go on. The duke's business affairs were above question. His private life has no sordid affairs that would suggest any form of blackmail,"

he said with disappointment.

"I should hope not!"

she snapped.

"His doctor gives him a clean bill of health; no fatal illnesses lurking about. It's really too bad."

"Jeffrey, the man offends me. He wants to walk all over Charles' memory with muddy footprints. I must speak with Patrick,"

she demanded.

"He's absolutely adamant on that point, Kitty. He will not jeopardize your reputation by coming to you,"

said Jeffrey.

"He's right, Kitty; it's not just your reputation that's at stake here, it could be your life! Patrick will have my hide for frightening you this way, but if they don't find just cause for suicide, they could start looking for a motive for murder."

The day before the inquest Charles' doctor came to the house. Counsel met him.

"I've been asked to testify regarding Charles' health. Could I speak with her Grace?"

Counsel said.

"I am in charge of the case, so it would be best to communicate any information you have with me."

"Well, there is one thing I could say that probably would help you, but it's rather indelicate and I'd like her Grace's permission before I divulge such personal matters."

"Speak up, man. What have you got? It may save her from a murder charge!"

"Well, I treated him for impotence."

"That's it! Good man, good man. Nothing like the spice of bedroom details. We'll have them eating out of our hands."

In the back of her mind, Kitty thought that when the day of the inquest arrived, the birth of her child would mercifully prevent her from being there. The day dawned and with it came the realization that the ordeal must be faced. Jeffrey and a much subdued Julia arrived early to accompany her to court. Her counsel was already there, giving her last-minute advice.

"It's not seemly for a lady in your condition to be seen in public. Thankfully, the crinoline will help to disguise your condition. Keep your cloak on at all times. Now, remember to keep your eyes down; you must be meek--a supplicant. The 'tragic widow' is a most sympathetic figure."

"I shall be the pathetic creature you have ordered me to be, even though it goes against the grain,"

she flashed.

As she entered the courtroom, a wave of whispers swept around the room. She was surprised to see the room filled mostly with men. There were some newspaper reporters but largely they were Charles' peers. Her eyes searched the crowd for Patrick. She was surprised when he ignored her and gave his attention to the smartly dressed woman on his right.

The inquest opened with a few words which the coroner addressed to the jury.

"We are here to determine the cause and circumstances of the death of Sir Charles, Drago, ninth Duke of Manchester. Whether it was suicide or whether it was a greater crime."

The first witness, Charles' business secretary, was called and sworn in. He testified that all monies collected for the Port of London were accounted for and that all business matters were in complete order, down to the last detail.

Otis Grant-Stewart testified how he discovered the body, and the results of the autopsy were officially put into the record of the inquest.

Then came a succession of servants, ending with Katie, who testified that they heard the gunshot. Katie perjured herself by claiming she saw her mistress run to the bedroom door after the shot was fired.

Charles' doctor was brought to the stand to testify about the state of his patient's health. When he concluded that it was excellent, a murmur went around the court.

Kitty kept her eyes lowered. She tried to pay attention to every word spoken but she caught her mind drifting over and over again. She wondered when her labor would begin and hoped she had done right engaging a midwife rather than a doctor. Her mind snapped back as her counsel asked Charles' doctor about treating him for impotence. The room was hushed. The doctor was asked to step down. Before she could utter a protest, she heard her name called out and she moved forward as one in a trance.

"I call on Kathleen Drago, Dowager Duchess of Manchester, who will corroborate the testimony just given."

"Repeat after me: I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

She placed her hand upon the Bible and so swore.

Kitty looked about the room at the avid faces. It was the one thing Charles had dreaded. He had made her promise, right after their marriage, never to divulge his secret. She never had, not even to Patrick. She knew she would always carry the burden of guilt for Charles taking his life. She had betrayed him in life, but before Christ she would not betray him in death!

When the question of his impotence was put to her, she stood and threw off the cloak. Her pregnancy was revealed to every eye. Gone was the meek figure. It had been replaced by a fiery woman who spoke with passion.

"That is absolutely ridiculous,"

she said triumphantly.

"We made love almost every night!"

A roar went up in the courtroom and the judge had to bang his gavel repeatedly to bring order. Kitty sat back down. She ignored her counsel and instead turned to the judge and said.

"My husband was cleaning his gun when it went off. It was an accident, pure and simple."

They broke off for lunch at this dramatic point. Patrick did not meet her eyes. She saw him slip from the back of the room with the woman on his arm.

Julia flashed her a pleased look that filled Kitty with dread, but Jeffrey patted her hand.

"Not to worry, that's the judge's wife."

The verdict of accidental death came as a surprise to none after the morning's dramatic testimony. An emotionally drained Kitty went home to await the birth of her child, while Londoners read of th.

"Dragon Lady"

and th.

"Notorious Duchess."