She didn't stop in the sitting room, but went straight through to her bedroom. Patrick noted with cynicism the lack of servants, but he was too consumed with curiosity to hesitate. She startled him with the swiftness of her disrobing. No shy flower, this. Patrick thanked Providence that he hadn't proposed to her before taking the liberty of kissing her. Her body was very pale and fragile-looking, her pubic hair blond and baby-fine. He was still reluctant to defile a "good" girl. Grace deftly took him in her right hand and manipulated his shaft until he was erect and throbbing. He took over then, forcing her back against the pillows. As her passion built, she began to whisper the most obscene words that Patrick had ever heard from a woman's lips. The effect was so erotic both to her partner and herself that she came before him with a great convulsive spasm that forced him to withdraw.
"Don't worry, my love, I'll do it this way." She went on her knees to him and took his shaft into her mouth. Patrick was too far gone to protest. He found it impossible to take the passive role even in oral sex, so he held her head and thrust and plunged violently to reach his climax. Confronted with such a paradox, he was at a complete loss and took refuge in anger.
"My God, you know more tricks than a prostitute from a Soho brothel. A girl with your upbringing should be ashamed. I took a riding crop to my sister when I found her fooling with the stable boys. What the hell has your brother been thinking of to allow you to learn such things?"
She laughed and said, "My brother?" with such contempt and irony that Patrick immediately was aware of their sordid relationship and he was sickened. "My brother started giving me lessons when I was ten," she told him bluntly.
He shook his head in disbelief. "I would have put money on it. You really had me fooled. I thought you a virgin. Grace, I was actually going to ask you to marry me, even though I'm well aware your father has been in financial difficulties. Oh, yes, I knew he was trying to put one over· on me." He laughed at himself. "I'd no idea you were trying to put one over on me, too. Marriage now is out of the question. You do realize that, don't you, Grace?"
"I understand, but oh, God, Father will kill me for losing your backing," she said wretchedly.
"No such thing. I still shall work with your father on this new mill project. It's a very sound investment. Your family's finances soon will turn around for the better. But our personal relationship can't continue. You can tell your father that I'm engaged to another, if you prefer."
"Thank you, Patrick," she said quietly.
"Thank you," he said with a grin, his good humor returning, "thank you for everything!"
After he left the house, he just walked and walked. His ideas about women had just received such a jolt that all his previous thinking had been turned upside down. Grace had looked like a madonna and had turned out to have no morals at all, while Kitty with her bold looks and saucy manners was innocent as a kitten. How blind he had been! He Was so conditioned to believe that an unequal marriage was worse than a loveless marriage. That was ridiculous! He loved Kitty; nay, he adored her. When he got back to London he would go on his knees to her and beg her to marry him. What
At Madame Tussaud's Kitty felt miserable. Simon was egging Terry on to steal one of the waxwork figures and set it in Queen Boadicea's Chariot near Big Ben. Kitty found it childish and couldn't conceal her irritation.
"I know," Simon said. "Why don't I take Kit home and you two stay and enjoy yourselves." Kitty allowed herself to be persuaded. She didn't exactly have a headache, more like a heartache, and she felt miserable. When they reached Cadogen Square
, Julia had gone on her afternoon round of visiting and the house seemed quiet and lonely.
"Simon, to be brutally frank, I'm not up to entertaining you in the drawing room. I want to go to my bedroom and be comfortable," she pleaded, longing to be alone with her thoughts of Patrick.
"Then that's exactly what we will do. I know the very thing to get rid of your headache and lift you out of the doldrums." He winked at her and went over to the wine table and removed two decanters and two glasses. He started up the stairs for all the world like he owned the place and she was the guest. "Come on. Last one up is a coward!"
Simon poured the wine and she sat gazing into the fire, desperately wondering how she would face it when Patrick brought his wife home. "Kit," he said softly, "have you thought any more about my proposal?"
"Oh, Simon, how could you possibly get Cromwell, past the Tussaud guards?" she said impatiently.
"No, Kit, I mean my proposal of marriage."
She looked at him for a long time. How easy it would be to say "yes" and run away from this house and live happily ever after. She found she couldn't lie to him.
"I don't love you, Simon. I like you, but I don't love you," she said honestly. He threw back his head and laughed. His beautiful teeth shone in the firelight.
"Kit, I don't want you to love me. I just want to be friends. The moment I produce a wife to look after me, Mother will depart for Europe and leave us both in peace."
Kitty pondered this for a moment. "But, Simon, you're forgetting Terry."
"I'm not forgetting Terry for one moment. He'll come to Surrey with us. I wouldn't have it any other way! There's plenty of room-beautiful countryside to hunt. I always have bachelor friends staying with me; he'd fit right in. We'll be very informal, Kit. We can do exactly as we damn well please." He said persuasively, "Doesn't the idea of being Lady Crowther appeal?"
"I'd be lying if I said it didn't, but Simon, listen to me. I'll have a friend for a husband, a lovely country house, a home for my brother, freedom to do as I please, money and a title after your uncle dies. But what is in it for you?" she asked pointedly.
"Kit, you are very beautiful. All my friends will be mad about you. You'll make a delightful hostess for me in Surrey and get rid of my mother for me." He plied her with more wine and she looked at him owlishly. "There's a piece of the puzzle missing, Simon. There has to be something else in it for you. All men are selfish," she told him solemnly.
He topped up her wine and said with a laugh, "Kit, you are too shrewd by far. I'm afraid I shall have to confess all and throw myself on your mercy."
"Aha! I knew it," she said triumphantly.
"My uncle makes me an allowance. However, I can't manage on it." He looked her straight in the eye and said, "When I marry, it will double." He lifted his glass to salute her.
Kitty began to laugh, distracted from her ever-present thoughts of her love for Patrick and her sure knowledge that she was about to lose him.
He grinned and said, "I told you I was an amusing devil." Suddenly the door was thrown open and an outraged Julia stood on the threshold.
"Entertaining young men in your bedroom is simply not done in my home, Kitty. What a shameful example you set for Barbara, to compromise yourself in this shocking way."
Simon said smoothly, "I've just asked Miss Rooney to be my wife."
"And I've accepted him," Kitty said imperiously, her face unnaturally flushed from the wine and the things Julia had said.
"Oh, my dear, how lovely. Simon, let me be the first to congratulate you."
Julia was all smiles now. Everything was wonderful. Simon was smiling happily and Kitty thought she was going to faint.
When Simon told his mother that Kitty had agreed to marry him, she nodded her head rapidly, showing her approval. "I know you can't bear to take my advice, but I'm giving it nonetheless. Do it right away before she changes her mind. Go to one of those wedding chapels, The Great Chapel, I think it's called, in Curzon Street
. She's only a poor cousin, you know, and I don't suppose they'd give her a lavish wedding anyway, and you can't possibly afford anything showy. You're in debt up to your eyebrows and the house in Surrey is so heavily mortgaged it's a wonder it doesn't sink through to China."
"For once I think you have the right of it," he agreed thoughtfully.
"The moment you get that certificate in your hand, present it to Lord Crowther's man of busines
s and your new allowance will start. I only hope to God your wife will have sense enough to curb your excesses, Simon."
"If you think that, I'm afraid you don't know me very well," he said in a mocking tone.
"Simon, I don't wish to know you very well," Amelia shuddered delicately.
He bowed to her. "In that case, Mother dear, you may start for the Continent immediately."
"Not until you are legally married and a decent woman is ensconced in your home. If Lord Crowther got wind of your wild behavior, he would cut you out of everything, and then we'd both suffer."
"I'll see to the necessary arrangements today, so stop worrying."
Chapter 14
Two days later Simon picked up Kitty, her brother and Barbara. When the carriage pulled up in Curzon Street
, Simon said, "Kit and I are getting married this afternoon and you can be our witnesses."
"Simon, whatever gave you an idea like this? It doesn't seem quite right to just run off and get married," Kitty protested.
"Kit, you know the O'Reillys will be relieved if they don't have to put on a fancy wedding for us. Besides we made a bargain; don't cry off now."
"Kitty, you daren't do this; Patrick will kick up a hell of a stink!" protested Terry, who was appalled at the thought of Kitty marrying Simon.
"Daren't? Are you implying I must have Patrick's permission before I decide my future?" she demanded.
"Why, you know how Patrick feels about you, Kitty," said her brother.
"How does he feel about you?" demanded Simon.
"He thinks he owns me, but I'm about to prove him wrong."
Barbara cut in, "Nonsense! He's busy with his own marriage plans to Grace Haynsworth. What possible difference can it make to Patrick?"
"True!" said Kitty with a toss of her head. "Well, why are we sitting here? We have a wedding to attend."
It was only when the minister was intoning the words to the marriage service that Kitty came to her senses. He looked more like an undertaker than a man of God. The flowers didn't even look real. The sing-song voice was asking her to pledge away the rest of her life to this young man she hardly knew. She thought wildly, What am I doing here? The day had blank spaces in it for her. Now they were back in Cadogen Square
and she didn't remember one moment of the carriage ride. Simon was speaking. She must make an effort to hear what he was telling her.
"Pack your bags. I'll pick you up in an hour."
The next thing she knew, she was being scolded and congratulated by Julia, "Oh, dear, you don't have anything that vaguely resembles a trousseau. But never mind; when you're Lady Crowther you'll even take precedence over me."
Kitty ignored this patronizing remark and folded her old flannelette nightgown.
"Oh, you must have something a little more alluring than that thing," said Julia. "I'll get one of my silk embroidered ones for you. Now, don't protest, for I insist."
Kitty packed her toilet articles and Julia came back with the nightgown.
"You have no riding habit," said Barbara.
"Oh, dear, I'm a positive ragbag; I never should have consented to this marriage in the first place. I don't know whatever I was thinking of."
"Nonsense, every single girl in the world who marries believes she's just made a dreadful mistake, but by tomorrow you'll feel differently, believe me."
As the tears threatened, Kitty said quickly, "Thank you very much for everything; you've both been very kind to me."
Terrance was waiting below with a small bag that contained his few belongings. He hesitated. "I've written a note for Patrick."
"Oh!" Kitty said, startled.
"I just thanked him for everything and said I didn't want to leave him but I was going with you to take care of you."
"Don't you think Simon will take care of me?" she asked uncertainly.
"I don't know," he answered truthfully.
Simon arrived and good-byes were said. Kitty was relieved to get away, but when she got into the hired carriage she was surprised to find two young men occupying it.
Simon laughed and said, "Isn't it the most marvelous thing? I ran into my two very best friends in the world, Brockington and Madge, and they insist on coming with us so we won't be moped, stuck in the country."
Kitty murmured, "Hello," then added, "Did you say Madge?”
"His name's Talmadge, but you can call him Madge; we all do," said Simon.
"Indeed I won't! Madge is a girl's name! What's your first name?" Kitty smiled.
"Vivian," drawled the tall, thin youth, and the other two became engulfed with laughter, as if this was a most particular piece of wit. Kitty smiled too. "I see. I suppose I'd better stick to Madge then, like everyone else does."
"Oh, by the way, Mother wishes you luck and sends you her keys," said Simon.
"So she's finally cut the leading strings, eh, old boy?" grinned Brockington.
"Completely washed her hands of me. You'll have to play dragon now, Kit." Once again the young men went off into gales of laughter.
"I have a splendidly romantic idea," Madge suggested.
"Why don't we go to The Elms by water?"
"Could we?" demanded Kitty excitedly. "Is The Elms on the river?"
"Of course it is," said Simon. "Tell the driver to take us to the river."
Brockington opened the little connecting door and told the driver, "Westminster 'Bridge."
"What the hell did you tell him that for?" asked Madge disgustedly. "We're much closer to Lambeth Bridge."
"Vauxhall!" put in Simon.
Terry hesitated. "Excuse me, gentlemen, but I believe we're closest to Chelsea Bridge."
"'Course we are," said Brockington. "Are you foxed, Simon?"
"I'll tell you what it is, Brocky," said Simon. "You both got into the sauce before you even met me."
When they arrived at the water stairs, Kitty couldn't believe all the baggage they had among them.
"Wedding presents," Madge winked at her, touching his nose to indicate it was a secret.
They hailed a barge and the waterman held it steady while they all climbed aboard. Kitty was excited by the smell and sounds of the Thames. Simon told the waterman he would show him the dock he wanted when they arrived. "It's between Weybridge and Chertsey."
"Not a bit of it," said Brockington. "It's after Hampton Court
but before Chertsey."
"You're both wrong," insisted Madge. "everyone knows the water stairs are at Richmond, Kingston, Hampton Court
, Wheybridge and Chertsey."
The waterman shook his head as he pulled on the heavy oar, "Yer awl right, mates, so why argue? Westward ho!" he called out.
Kitty was shocked at the shabby condition of The Elms.
There was a beautiful center staircase with three bedrooms upon each side, upstairs. Downstairs there was the kitchen, tiny breakfast room, dining room, lounge and a library gaming room. It was a little gem of a house with mullioned windows, but its furnishings were almost dilapidated. The draperies were faded and rotted from the sunlight. The chairs were all worn and frayed-some covers even hung in tatters -and the carpets in every room were threadbare. Moreover, the whole place needed a thorough cleaning.
Kitty remarked to Terrance, "I'm ashamed to have guests here when it's in this condition, but they don't seem to mind. It makes you wonder what sort of homes they are used to."
Terrance chuckled and said, "Didn't you know they're both lords?"
"Saints preserve us," exclaimed Kitty, astounded.
All the men took themselves off to the stables, so she opened her gifts alone. She was disappointed to discover the wedding presents were a case of wine and a case of brandy.
Simon hadn't even assembled the servants for her to meet, so she went toward the kitchens in search of someone. She found an old woman nodding over a small kitchen fire. "Hello, I'm the new Mrs. Brownlow. Could you ring for the other servants? I'd like to meet my staff."
The old woman looked at her
shrewdly before blurting out, "There's only me and Hobson, me old man. He does the outside work."
"But, Mrs. Hobson, who does the cooking?" asked Kitty.
"I do," said the old woman.
"Then who does the cleaning?" asked Kitty.
The old woman's eyes kindled and she let out a crack of laughter. "Nobody, as ye can plainly see for yourself" "But that's terrible. We must hire some girls from the village," suggested Kitty.
"Girls from around here wouldn't come," she stated flatly.
Kitty was puzzled. "But why not?"
Mrs. Hobson shook her head. "Goings on," she said enigmatically.
"What sort of goings on?" asked Kitty blankly.
"That's for me to know and you to find out, missy," cackled the old girl.
Kitty decided to take a higher hand with this disrespectful servant.
"There will be five of us for dinner: I'll leave the menu in your hands, Mrs. Hobson-after all, I don't want to start interfering on my first day-but let me assure you that if I don't find things to my satisfaction, I shan't hesitate to make some changes round here."
"Well, let me assure you, Mrs. Brownlow, that unless me and my husband get some of the back wages that is owed us, we shan't hesitate to make some changes round here."
Kitty was immediately contrite. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mrs. Hobson. How much does Simon owe you?" she asked bluntly.
"Three months to the day."
"I'll speak to him about it right away," she promised, then silently changed it to tomorrow. She emerged from the kitchen to see Brockington streak up the stairs after Madge, both discarding their clothes in a shockingly abandoned fashion.
"Drunk as lords," Simon joked as he caught the shocked look on her face. "Actually they can't wait to get into their riding breeches and do a bit of hunting. We'll be back for dinner. Amuse yourself."
"Simon, hang on a moment, please. I know we have an understanding that we won't live in each other's pockets, but you haven't even shown me to my room."
"Sorry, Kit," he grumbled, "don't turn into a tiresome female. Just pick any room you fancy. Oh, one word of advice. This lot always uses the rooms to the left of the stairs, so if! were you, I'd take the right."