Page 97 of The Irish Gypsy

Patrick gave his companion a cold stare. Heturned to Charles and asked, "Is her Grace unwell?"

"Patrick, lad, I'm worried to death abouther. She's had the devil's own time of it lately. Buried hergrandfather in Ireland, then dashed home to nurse me withpneumonia. To top it all off, Charles Patrick had a bad bout withbronchitis and she's been up every night for a month."

"Is he out of danger?" asked Patrickworriedly.

"Now, you know she wouldn't be here if hewasn't better," assured Charles.

"Please convey my deepest sympathy to yourwife, Charles," said Patrick, crushing the impulse to run after herand comfort her. "Perhaps she's caught the boy's cold."

"You may be right. I'm going to take her hometo bed."

The muscles in Patrick's jaw clenched as hebit back the jealous retort that almost rose to his lips. He burnedto go to her, but he wouldn't break his bond. He had to be contentwith the knowledge that if she needed him, she would seek himout.

In the powder room Kitty smiled through hertears. "When he presents that dumpy little fat woman as QueenVictoria, I hope she takes him at his word!" She despaired when shelooked in the mirror. "He couldn't have caught me lookingworse!"

Chapter 27

After a week in bed her strength came back.Charles found a tutor for Charles Patrick, and the boy took animmediate liking to him.

"Charles," Kitty said, "Mr. Bromley is alovely young man; he's so easy to talk to."

"Yes, he fits in well. Patrick recommendedhim," he said offhandedly.

"Dammit all, does he have to meddle in ourlives?" she stormed.

"Why, darling, we never see him." He smiledindulgently. "However, I'm well aware you jar on each other'snerves. The air fairly bristles whenever you come face toface."

The following week she and Charles were justcoming out of Humphrey's Print Shop when she spotted Patrick withan entirely different woman on his arm. She quickly took CharlesPatrick's hand and crossed to the other side of the street.

"Kathleen, that was Patrick. You just cut himdead!" said Charles.

"What do you expect when he's out with one ofhis whores?" she demanded hotly.

"Sssh," Charles cautioned as he lookedaskance at the boy.

The following week, when young Charles wasout with his tutor, Patrick was delighted to run into the boy. Heeagerly scanned the dark head and handsome features of his son.Young Charles' friendly curiosity got the better of him as he eyedthe young woman with Patrick. "You must be one of Patrick'swhores!"

Mr. Bromley was aghast. "Forgive him, sir; hehas no idea what the word means."

"But that's what my mother called her,"protested Charlie.

Patrick was at pains to calm the woman. Shewas incensed, for that's exactly what she was.

As collector of customs for the Port ofLondon, Charles was kept busy. Kitty was so proud of hisachievements, but the extra work load kept him away from home longhours, and he traveled constantly among ports.

Kitty knew a great restlessness within her.When she saw Julia, she invited her to come out of London for thehot months. "I'm planning to go to my country place in Kent. Wecould ride every day, and why don't you bring young Jeffrey along?The boys would be great company for each other," enthusedKitty.

"Are you mad? What would I do in the country?I spent too many years in the backwaters of Bolton. London is mywhole life. You go and become a rustic if you wish, but for God'ssake leave me out of your plans."

Kitty laughed. "You make it sound so boring,but it's the loveliest place in the world, except for Ireland, ofcourse."

"Ireland!" Julia said with a shudder.

"How about Barbara, then? Do you think shewill come?"

"Barbara's off visiting a friend in Cornwallor somewhere. I can't keep track of her these days."

When Kitty returned at the end of August,Julia lost no time coming around for afternoon tea.