Virginia Henley by Enticed Read Free Book Online Page B

his eyes to focus on a point in front of him to keep from passing out. Terry drove like a demon and soon he swept up the driveway to Hey House and helped Patrick up the front steps. Terry put his fingers to his mouth and gave an ear-piercing whistle. Three girls came running.
    “Kitty, get some boiling water and bandages!” Terry shouted.
    Julia cried, “My God, what’s happened?”
    “He’s been stabbed,” said Terry shortly. Barbara screamed.
    Julia said, “Bring him upstairs.”
    Patrick leaned heavily on Terry’s shoulder as he climbed to his bedroom and sank into a wing-backed chair gratefully. Barbara was before him on her knees clutching him, her face blanched so white Patrick feared for her. “Don’t faint, sweetheart. Go and sit quietly over there. Everything will be fine.”
    “My God, look at the blood! Stay still, Patrick, you’re getting it on everything!” cried Julia. “I’ve got to get the doctor.”
    “That’s what I say, miss,” Terry said firmly. “No, Julia love, please. I want to keep it quiet,” gasped Patrick.
    Kitty came in with the bowl of hot water and towels; herheart was in her throat with fear for him. She knelt before him and said to Terry, “Take off his coat and let’s see how bad it is.”
    Patrick looked down into her face and thought he was hallucinating. Tears made her eyelashes spiky. He said, “Well, I’ll be damned—Lady Jane Tut!” Terry eased him out of his coat, and Julia took scissors and cut away the shirt, which now was crimson. Kitty’s heart contracted as her fingers gently washed the ugly wound. Patrick never took his eyes from her. Her lips were slightly parted and her breath quickened. He was so close to her he could see the tiny blue veins in her eyelids and smell the wild heather fragrance of her hair. It was as if he were alone with her; the babble of Julia and Barbara faded away from his consciousness. Her closeness was like an aphrodisiac. His nostrils quivered and his hand went without volition to her curls.
    She sprang up and said, “It’s not going to stop bleeding on its own; we’ll have to bind it tightly. I’ll fetch a clean sheet to tear it into strips,” and she was gone.
    Patrick looked at Terry with recognition. “That’s where I’ve seen you before.”
    Julia said, “I’ll fetch Mrs. Thomson and send a message to father’s club.”
    “You’ll do no such thing, Julia. I don’t want that bloody woman fussing over me—I’ve got three now! As for Father, he won’t be long. Now, Terry, be a good lad and pour me some brandy.”
    Kitty darted in, tearing the sheet into strips. She began to bandage him by wrapping them around his chest and over his left shoulder. When her fingers came into contact with his bare flesh she lowered her eyes and tried to keep from blushing. His closeness disturbed her; she couldn’t think straight with his eyes on her. She finished tying the bandage and rose to her feet. Patrick sipped his second brandy and the fieryliquid spread its fingers across his chest. His head felt impossibly light. He grinned down at Kitty. “I thought you were going to be a great lady with a carriage. How come you’re only a maid?”
    She looked into his mocking eyes and couldn’t bear the arrogance she saw there. She leaned slightly forward, placed her hand upon his bandaged wound and squeezed cruelly. He went white from the pain and only just managed to hang onto consciousness.
    “If you hurt me, I’ll hurt you,” she told him softly. Desire flamed up in him. He could have taken her right there on the floor in spite of his sisters’ presence and the awful pain.
    Jonathan O’Reilly came into his son’s bedroom like a pasty ghost. His usual high color had drained away with dread of what he might discover. He began shouting to cover that fear. Patrick glanced over at Barbara and knew she shouldn’t be subject to the harsh words that shortly would be hurled about.
    “Julia, take Barbara to her room; she’s