Page 92 of The Irish Gypsy

"Wouldn't be able to fill it. Too muchcompetition from that moonlit garden. I won't spoil your party withcards, I'm off to bed. Enjoy yourself, darling."

"I'll come up with you for a moment. Theywouldn't miss me if I disappeared altogether," she said andlaughed. "Are you sure you wouldn't like me to stay with you?" sheasked him.

"Kathleen, I'm very sure. I'm going to have abrandy and a cigar. You get back to the rabble and I'll see youtomorrow."

She closed the door on the peaceful scene,and before she reached the staircase, the great noise of the partycame up to meet her. Steadying herself with the banister, shewarned herself not to have any more champagne and descended thestairs. The French doors to the garden stood open invitingly. Atall, masked figure slipped his arm about her and drew her into thenight. She turned her face up to him with a polite refusal on herlips, but before she could utter a word his mouth was upon hersdemanding a response.

"Patrick, whatever are you doing?" she gaspedbreathlessly.

"Abducting you, darling," he whispereddeliciously against her ear.

She pulled back reluctantly, so he quicklylifted her into his arms and strode off into the darkness.

"What are you going to do?" she cried.

"You know," he promised softly.

"Put me down immediately or I'll scream myhead off," she threatened.

He chuckled and said, "You can scream bloodymurder, and who will attend?"

"Why are you doing this?" she cried.

He murmured softly, "Because you tempt me,and I cannot resist."

His carriage was in darkness, but it had adriver waiting. In spite of her struggles, he lifted her insidewith amazingly gentle hands.

"I can't just leave my own party. I'll bemissed! They'll call the police."

"Your guests will think you are upstairs andCharles will think you are downstairs. I'll return you in themorning, and none will be the wiser."

"Why are you doing this to me?" she demandedangrily.

He easily lifted her against him. "Come tome, darling, while I explain."

Her skirt and petticoats twisted behind herand she was trapped against him in a reclining position.

"Tonight was a fantasy for you, pretending tobe that little Gypsy we both knew, wild and free. I'm completingthe daydream where your secret lover comes to steal you away andcarry you off."

She could feel his manhood throbbing throughthe thin material that covered her thighs. Her senses were beingaroused against her will. His voice was coaxing and persuasive."I'll make a bargain with you. Give me one last time, sweetheart,and I give you my oath I'll never bother you again."

She was being swayed against her betterjudgment, but his word was his bond and she knew he would keep itonce he had pledged himself.

"Patrick, let me breathe. I can't thinkcoherently when you are touching me."

"You have the same effect on me, kitten; likeheady wine!"

He allowed her to sit up. She immediatelymissed his warmth and shivered. Wisely he kept his distance. Shemoved toward him of her own free will. "I'm cold," she saidshyly.

He took his cloak from the opposite seat andwrapped her tightly. The carriage stopped and he jumped out andlifted her down.

"You are a devil to bring me here," sheprotested when she saw they were at his house in Half-MoonStreet.

He caught her earlobe between his teeth,,"Then that's another fantasy you can fulfill--bargaining with thedevil for your soul," he said and laughed.

"It's the height of arrogance to bring mehere for a tryst," she said with more anger than she reallyfelt.

He set her down on a velvet couch while helit the gaslight. The light flickered up across his face, soincredibly handsome she had almost forgotten its powerfulattraction. "Stay with me tonight, love. Don't leave," he beggedseriously.