Unveiled. Part 18

He didn't respond. Turning angrily, he stopped and faced her abruptly. "I'm going back inside. I will see you when I'm ready to go. You can't come in here again-you understand that, don't you?"

Katie nodded, tears in her eyes. There was nothing she could do to stop him. He was a grown man and had to make his own decisions. And she knew he was furious with her for barging into the game and embarra.s.sing him. She saw him reenter the room and close the door.

Technically, if he used the information she gave him, he was cheating. Katie knew that and wondered what he would decide. He needed this win-no one knew that better than she. Still...

She started to go back to the parlor, wiping her eyes with her hands, when the door reopened. Christopher came out and called the servants for his coat. Katie looked at him, but it wasn't until he said their good-byes and called for the carriage that he turned to her and gave her a wry smile.

"I quit the game. I couldn't stay in. It wouldn't have been...gentlemanly."

Katie grinned, then hugged him exuberantly. "I'm so proud of you-you did the right thing."

"Don't remind me. Ever," Christopher said, but Katie could tell that he was trying very hard not to be pleased. "When I think of all that money..."

"Don't think of it," Katie said cheerfully. "After all, I'm getting used to being poor again."

TWENTY.

"I'm sorry, Patrick. I never meant for this to happen." Samuel Riegan twisted his battered felt hat between his hands and stared at the old Irishman, his own face a study in compa.s.sion. Samuel's German accent grew heavier as he spoke, betraying his emotion. "I try to hold off as long as I could. But I got bills to pay." He indicated the house. "I can no longer wait."

"I understand." Patrick sighed, lifting his gnarled hand in resignation. "How long do we have?"

"There is a family who will rent the house and they want to move right in. They already give me money." Samuel displayed a few greenbacks. "I will take care of them. You take your time. You have family."

"I know." Patrick stared at the row house that had been home for so many years. It was odd, but he had thought he would escape this landlordism here, in the new country. But it appeared that for the O'Connors, the streets of America were not paved with gold.

Actually they had been making it until John Sweeney began his demands. True to Patrick's premonition, the fifty dollars was only the beginning of his blackmail. He'd shown up several times since then, asking for a few bills here and there, money that they just couldn't spare. John Sweeney was convinced that Katie "rolled in it," and refused to listen to reason. Patrick couldn't convince him that the man Katie married was broke, and John Sweeney's threats grew worse.

And eventually it caught up to them. Patrick had managed to hide the worst of the situation from Moira and Sean, but in the last few days he knew it was hopeless. Katie had provided what she could, but even her resources were strained. There just didn't seem to be a way out, and today the inevitable struck.

"It'll just take me a day or two to get our things together. We don't have much, anyway."

"No, I know that," Samuel sighed, then dug deep into his pockets. "I don't have a lot, but take this. It may help you get a new start."

Patrick stared at the folded green bills. "Thank you, no. We'll find a way." He hadn't much left but his pride, and he'd be d.a.m.ned if he'd be reduced to charity. "We'll be gone by Sunday. Is that all right?"

"Fine." Samuel watched as Patrick turned and walked back into the house. The Irishman looked ten years older. Cursing, Samuel put on his hat and proceeded to the local tavern to drown his own pain.

Moira was waiting when Patrick reentered the house. Dressed as herself, the Miss Lillie garb discarded beside her like a glittering puddle, she saw the slump of his shoulders and the defeat on his face.

"Is it that bad, Paddy?"

He nodded, then sank down into the old sofa. "We only have two days to get out. I just don't have any more money, Moira. John Sweeney has drained us dry."

"d.a.m.n him to h.e.l.l and back!" Moira said, her eyes flashing. "I knew from the first day I set eyes on that man...didn't I tell you I'd seen a raven that morning? Ah, it boded ill, and now the devil has come home to roost."

"Well, he's going to find the nest empty," Patrick said resolutely. "I've given the matter a lot of thought. If we pack up and leave quietly, he won't be able to trace us. At least we can continue to protect the boy."

Moira nodded. Paddy was so strong and safe; but then, he'd always been so. Somehow he'd take care of them. Gathering up her dress, she stood childlike and trusting before him.

"And where will we go?" It was a question she dreaded asking.

Patrick sighed. "We're going to live with Katie." At Moira's startled expression, he continued softly. "We don't have any other choice."

"My G.o.d, you make me happy."

Katie snuggled in Christopher's arms, loving the way his naked body felt against hers. They were sequestered together like spoons in a drawer, her body curved into his, his leg over hers, holding her close.

They had just made love, and Katie felt that wonderful contentedness that follows s.e.xual bliss. But something else was different, something she almost didn't dare hope. There had been a deepening in their relationship, an understanding that hadn't been there initially. It was something in the way he looked at her, the way he called her name when they made love, even the way he held her now. Yet he never said anything, never committed himself.

Just be happy, Katie. You've waited so long for this.

She could hear her father's ghost and she smiled, pulling Christopher's arm more closely about her. He stroked her hair, playing with the silky black length of it, then he traced the outline of her profile.

"Are you happy?" he questioned softly.

"What do you think?" Katie giggled, unable to resist the urge to tease. "But I would be happier if you had won that card game."

"Don't remind me," Christopher groaned, and Katie laughed playfully.

"What will happen now that the notice will be published?" Katie dreaded the question, but she had to know.

Christopher grinned. "It just so happens that the publisher of the Ledger made a considerable amount of money last week from an investment that I advised he make. In return, he agreed not to print the notice. He just accidentally left out the Scott name."

"I am so proud of you." She turned to look at him, her eyes shining. "You are doing so well at your job. And I know what it took for you to walk away from that game."

She kissed him and he looked at her with that warm expression she was seeing a lot of lately. He grinned, smoothing the hair from her face, then spoke quietly.

"I'm glad we've reestablished you as Katie in the eyes of society. There have been too many lies between us. Maybe now we can really start to build something together. If only we could figure out the money part..."

He talked on for a few moments while Katie struggled within herself. She had to tell him the truth about her son, and now was the perfect opportunity. Even though he hadn't emotionally committed himself to her, she felt it was time. She had to trust that, and had to trust him. Taking a deep breath, she spoke softly, vowing to tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may.

"Christopher, there is something I have to tell you. It's about my past." Katie blushed, feeling the dreaded shame creep up inside of her.

Christopher saw her expression and smiled, gathering her up in his arms. "Your past doesn't matter. Mine neither. Katie, we have a fresh start, we can build our own life together however we want. I don't believe in dwelling on what has been."

"You don't understand." Katie shook her head. Her stomach tightened as she tried to explain. "There is something you need to know..."

"The only thing I need to know is this." Christopher leaned up and kissed her. Katie sighed, wrapping her arms around him as they tumbled into the sheets. He felt so good, so warm and comforting, that she forgot everything but holding him in her arms.

There was a quiet knock on the door, and it was a full minute before Katie, giggling, could disentangle herself. Brushing aside Christopher's teasing hands, she sat up in bed.

"Yes?"

"Kate, it's me. Eunice." The voice on the other side of the door sounded oddly strained. "Do you mind...may I come in?"

"Just a minute." Katie reached for her robe, tossing Christopher an admonishing glance as he groaned and fell back into the covers. Tying the robe securely, she opened the door to his aunt.

"I'm so sorry." Eunice glanced from Katie to Christopher and looked mortified. "I didn't mean to disturb you, but this is important."

"Eunice, what's wrong?" Instantly alarmed, Katie saw that Christopher's aunt looked pale and upset. Something had shaken her. "Here, take a seat."

"No. I have to go back downstairs. I think you should come. In fact, you both should come with me."

"Eunice, you're frightening me. What is wrong?"

Eunice looked at Christopher, then at Katie, her expression guarded.

"We have visitors." She paused, then continued hurriedly, as if unable to think of a polite way to say this. "Katie, your family is downstairs. The O'Connors. It appears that they have come to stay."

The silence that followed Eunice's statement was pregnant with emotion. Katie stared at her, her mouth open, then she shook her head.

"That can't be...it just can't!"

"Come and see for yourself." Eunice turned softly and glanced at her nephew. Her expression changed to concern, and she spoke quickly. "On second thought, maybe you should let Katie handle this-"

"No." Christopher rose and wrapped a sheet around himself. "Kate, I'll be right down. Whatever's the trouble, I'll help you."

He touched her comfortingly beneath her chin, then retreated to his own room for his clothes. Katie felt the pounding of dread as she descended the stairs. Surely it was some horrible joke, or Patrick needed something...there couldn't be something wrong with Sean....

She raced down the steps, her mind leaping with a thousand possibilities. She heard Christopher behind her, and Eunice's whispered explanations. Coming into the parlor, she stood frozen as Patrick sat on a crate like a gnome, quietly smoking a pipe as if there were nothing odd about his appearance. Moira smiled, her lips quivering as she stared at Christopher, her Miss Lillie dress gathered softly around her. But it was Sean that everyone stared at. The little boy was busy examining every nook and cranny of the grand house, and when he heard voices, he turned and ran toward Katie exuberantly.

"Mama!" he cried.

Eunice slumped into a faint.

"Get her some water!" Patrick shouted to Moira, and immediately went to the older woman's side. Katie stood, in a torrent of confusion, her arms around her son, while Christopher and Patrick carried Eunice to the one remaining chair. Moira returned with a gla.s.s and helped the older woman sip the cool liquid.

"What...happened?"

It was Christopher who answered, and his expression changed from disbelief to anger.

"You fainted." Turning to Katie, he stood there looking at her, disillusionment in his eyes. She could see all the warmth disintegrate, replaced by a coldness that made her gasp with fear. Sean clung to her skirts, staring in wonder at the furious young man and his pale aunt.

"Christopher, please. I can explain-"

"There will be time for that later. Aunt Eunice, are you all right?"

"Yes, it was just the shock. Katie, I'm sorry, I just didn't know-"

"No, none of us did." Christopher glared at Katie, fury turning to rage. "It seems there is a lot we don't know, although that shouldn't be a surprise. May I ask one question. What the h.e.l.l is going on here?"

Patrick came forth and extended a rough and callused hand. "I'm Patrick O'Connor, Katie's grandfather. This is her aunt Moira, and Sean you've met." Christopher returned the handshake, and Patrick continued, his voice calm: "I know this has come as a surprise to you, but we're in a bit of trouble and couldn't abide by the formalities."

"What kind of trouble?" Somehow Christopher managed to speak, but Katie could hear the hoa.r.s.e emotion choking him.

"We were evicted." Patrick turned to Katie and nodded apologetically. "I couldn't pay the rent, so Mr. Riegan was forced to give notice. We need some help and a place to stay for a while."

Katie gasped, her hands pressed to her mouth in shock. "But I didn't-"

"I know," Patrick said rea.s.suringly. "I didn't want to cause you any more worry. Lord knows, you've had enough of your own. But I can't continue as I've been. For a lot of reasons, I am forced to depend on your mercy. Mr. Scott, if you don't want us here, say so and we'll go."

Katie saw the fierce pride in her grandfather's eyes. Her own filled with tears and she turned her head, holding her son close, waiting for Christopher's verdict.

"You don't have to leave. I won't have Kate's family in the street," Christopher said quietly, and Moira fell to her knees.

"Bless you, sir! An angel, you are! I knew it from the moment I saw you!"

Patrick slumped, relief overtaking him, while Eunice stared about her, stricken with shock. Christopher turned to leave and Katie disengaged Sean from her robe, then ran after him.

"Christopher, you must listen to me-" He turned, and she winced at the fury in his eyes.

"Katie, I don't want to hear anything you have to say. Not now or ever."

"But I tried to tell you."

"Liar!" He glared at her, then forcibly restrained his anger as the sound of voices reminded him that he could be overheard. "We will talk about this later. I can't right now. I have to go to work, and I need time to think."

"Please..." Katie tried to take his hand, but he withdrew it from her immediately.

"We will talk later. Now I just want you to leave me alone."

His eyes were distant, as if he was so hurt he couldn't bear the pain. He stared at her as if she was a stranger, then he turned as if he couldn't wait to get her out of his sight. Katie crumbled against the steps, sobbing helplessly as he disappeared.

This time the lies had gone too far.

And both of them knew it.

"I'm so sorry, Kate. John Sweeney was blackmailing us, and I couldn't pay anymore. I was afraid he'd get to Sean." Patrick stood beside her in the garden, his hand heavy and comforting on her shoulder. "I had no idea that your husband didn't know about your son."

"It's all right." Katie leaned her cheek against his hand and wiped at her tears. "It's my fault-I really should have found a way to tell him. But it was so hard. And every time I thought of people's reactions, of the way they treated me when they found out, I got more scared."

"I know. It's a d.a.m.nable world, la.s.s. There are no two ways about that." Absently Patrick picked off a dead leaf from the boxwood shrubs, then glanced around the garden. "It needs work," he commented, indicating the overgrown flower beds and neglected lawn. "I could help him with this."

"I'm not sure how much of our a.s.sistance he'll take," Katie said slowly, the anguish in her voice. "Or if he'll forgive me at all."

"He will, Kate. Just give him time. I sense that he's a good man, for all that he is angry now."

"That's not it. You should have seen his face." Katie shuddered as her grandfather embraced her, and the tears flowed freely. "He looked at me as if he didn't know me! The worst part is, he was just starting to trust me. Now..."

"Now you must make him trust you again," Patrick said consolingly. "And there's only one way to do that. If you leave him now, he'll always believe you were nothing but a liar or worse. But if you stay, endure his anger, and see it through, he'll come to know you the way we do. And love you just as much."