"Not one word. I don't know what you and Patrick have cooked up between you, and I don't want to know. This is Patrick's house, and I have no doubt you'll be mistress of it when he returns. Until then, make yourself at home. You know you are one of the family, so I shan't treat you like a guest, but for God's sake don't involve me in this business about Simon!"
"Where's Terry disappeared to?" asked Kitty to change the subject.
Barbara answered, "He's taken his things to the room over the stables. I told him he would be more comfortable in the house, but he would rather be around the horses than three women, I think."
When Kitty was alone in Patrick's room, she opened his closet and touched all his clothes. She held a velvet coat sleeve against her cheek and whispered, "Wherever you are at this moment, my love, I hope you are thinking of me." She gazed into the mirror that had held his reflection so often, and after a few moments' concentration she conjured up his image so lifelike, she reached out her hand to touch the crisp black tendrils of hair. She could see the blue shadow that appeared on his jawline when he hadn't shaved. Depending on his mood, his mouth could be cruel, arrogant, sensual or curve into an unbelievably sweet smile in a tender moment. When she felt tears well up, she quickly turned
Chapter 17
Kitty was awakened with flowers from Sir Charles Drago, accompanied by a note that begged her to drive out with him at eleven. When she entered the breakfast room Julia accidentally broke her cup and saucer and shouted, "Blast everything!"
Kitty spoke up quickly, "Sit down. I'll get you another cup of coffee."
Julia shouted, "Goddamn that man to hell!"
Kitty, at a loss said, "Do you mean your husband?" "Yes, God rot him! I think I'm breeding again. He did it on purpose!"
A housemaid came to see what damage had been done and to clean up the mess. "Get out! Can't you see I'm having a private conversation? Tell them in the kitchen to stop cooking that bacon immediately. The smell permeates the whole house and makes me feel sick!"
The maid had barely closed the door when Julia continued with her tirade. "I told Jeffrey I wasn't having any more for at least two years. I'm so damned careful! When he demands to sleep with me I absolutely insist he withdraw."
"Withdraw?" asked Kitty, startled. "You don't mean withdraw before . . . before . . ."
"A fat lot of good it would do after!" shouted Julia. "Oh, but surely that would be distasteful to you both, and besides, you would miss all the . . . “
"Pleasure?" asked Julia sarcastically.
Kitty blushed. "For me it was an indescribable joy."
"Then how in the name of God have you escaped getting caught? It only takes once!"
"Once?" echoed Kitty.
"Don't be so bloody obtuse! Whatever method have you been using?" Julia asked curiously.
Kitty was stunned for a moment. "I have to confess I never thought once about becoming pregnant. I'm ashamed of my ignorance," said Kitty.
"That's how men like to keep us! Selfish to the core. They take their pleasure where they find it, then go off merrily about their own pursuits and we are left to bear the fruit!"
A cold hand gripped Kitty's heart. A wave of dizziness swept over her as she though