A Great Beauty

by A. O'Connor

  “I cannot believe this!”

  “I’m the best placed for the role. And I may as well be honest with you, Kitty, I also have been appointed to travel around Ireland giving speeches and meeting everyone at county level to explain and convince the people to make the Treaty a success.”

  “You! Giving public speeches! The man who spent the last number of years hiding in the shadows is now the foghorn for this blasted new country we find ourselves living in!”

  “Foghorn!” Michael repeated the insult incredulously. “You have a vicious tongue on you, Kitty Kiernan, that’s for sure!”

  “And between you going back and forth to London like the mailboat and up and down Ireland like a travelling salesman, when – pray tell – will we ever see each other and actually get married?”

  “All the time! Whenever I’m not in London or travelling around the country!”

  “Glad you can fit me into your diary!” she snapped.

  “There’s nothing stopping you travelling with me,” he said.

  “Attending political rallies in the rain and the snow! No! If my fragile patience didn’t break, then my fragile health would. I’m not a Countess Markievicz or a Lady Lavery – I’m not the political animal you are, Mick, and I never will be!”

  “I don’t want you to change, Kitty. I love you for who you are.”

  “So, is this our life?” she said as she walked around the suite. “A series of hotel rooms – never having a home of our own?”

  “I thought of all people that would suit you, being a hotelier,” he said, causing her mouth to drop open at his cheekiness.

  He grinned at her and despite herself she started to laugh.

  He got up and held her.

  She thumped his shoulder. “To think I could be happily married to Lionel by now!”

  “Ah, I’m sure he’s still waiting for you in the wings – if you hurry you might catch him! If you can get past the queue of women no doubt wanting him!”

  She thumped his shoulder again.

  There was a knock on the door.

  “That will be the sandwiches I ordered – I hope you’re hungry as I ordered a mountain of them!”

  He went to the door and let the porter in.

  As the trolley was wheeled in and Michael chatted to the porter, Kitty sauntered around the room. She stopped at the writing desk and saw the letter he had been writing when she had arrived.

  Dearest Hazel,

  Snow fell all last night and today, leaving the air as cold as the hearts of the friends and colleagues who have turned their backs on me. I wish you were here so I could tell you how bad and depressed I feel. How I long for your comforting words and sweet smile. How I long to be alone with you in your sitting room as we used to be …

  Kitty saw the letter was several pages long.

  “Tea’s up!” said Michael and she quickly turned around to see him pouring the tea.

  “Is anything the matter?” he asked, looking at her.

  “No! No, nothing at all.” She forced a smile and quickly walked towards him.

  CHAPTER 64

  Hazel stood at the window in her sitting room looking impatiently out. She kept looking at her watch and was nearly shaking with excitement. Michael was due to arrive from Dublin and he had written that he was coming straight to see her once he arrived in the city.

  She saw an automobile pull up outside and her heart leapt as she saw Michael get out. She turned and ran out of the room and down the corridor. By the time the doorbell rang, she was already racing down the stairs.

  “It’s alright, Gordon – I’ll get it!” she called as she raced across the hallway and swung open the door.

  Michael was standing there.

  “Michael!” she whispered as he came in and she slammed the door shut.

  They stared at each other a moment before falling into each other’s arms.

  He sat on the couch in her sitting room with his legs stretched out as she sat beside him, holding his hand.

  “That last day in the chamber, the day of the vote – the things they said about me. Cathal Brugha said I had courted publicity, portrayed myself as a romantic figure, basically accused me of being a spy and a traitor.”

  “You must ignore all that, Michael! When the Treaty was passed and you came out on the streets, the people cheered you – did they not?”

  “Yes, they did,” he conceded.

  “Well, that is all that matters! To hell with the detractors! You have brought peace to Ireland and you are loved for that, Michael.”

  He smiled at her. “Why do I always feel strong when you are by my side? I feel I can do anything when you are beside me.”

  “That is because you can do anything!”

  They fell silent, staring into the fire.

  “I see you announced your engagement to Kitty,” she said then.

  “Yes, my hand was forced in the chamber when they made that accusation about me and Princess Mary … I wrote to you about that.”

  “What nonsense! More likely that I would run off with the Pope!” she said, causing Michael to roar with laughter. “Don’t let these things worry you, Michael. As you know I have been putting up with lurid accusations for years – it’s the price we pay for being attractive!”

  Michael threw back his head and roared with the laughter again. “Oh, my darling Hazel, I haven’t laughed like that in weeks – you make me feel young.”

  “That’s because you are young … we both are …” She managed to keep her face from frowning.

  He closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “Sometimes it’s hard to feel young in these trying times.”

  “I saw the photographs of Kitty in the newspapers … she’s a pretty girl,” said Hazel, blinking a couple of times.

  “Yes – all this is taking a heavy toll on her. She’s not really cut out for this type of life – politics.”

  “It’s certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. There has to be a supreme sacrifice if you want to make a difference in politics.” She leaned towards him and whispered, “It has to come before everything else.”

  His eyes had a faraway look. “I just feel at times …”

  “What, Michael?”

  “I feel the enemies that have been chasing me for so long will crowd in on me and catch me and tear me apart … until there is nothing left ...”

  She reached forward and held him tightly. “They’ll have to get through me first, Michael, and I will never let you down.”

  The next night, 5 Cromwell Place was filled with society figures as Hazel hosted a party for Michael.

  “I am so glad to have finally met the legend!” said Clementine Churchill to Hazel. “He’s wonderful, isn’t he?”

  “Quite so!”

  “Too bad he is spoken for! I can see a number of the ladies are taken with him,” said Clementine as she observed a group of women around Michael, listening to his every word.

  “Yes – I had better go rescue him. He’s meant to be making friendships with the ministers – not their wives!” said Hazel as she went over, broke through the coterie and led Michael away.

  CHAPTER 65

  The next couple of months passed by in a flurry of activity.

  Michael travelled to London a lot, meeting with the British cabinet. Hazel was always there waiting for him, organising his meetings, his schedules, driving him around to make sure he got to where he needed to on time. Sometimes he even stayed at 5 Cromwell Place as opposed to the coldness of a hotel. They grew closer and closer.

  When in Ireland, Michael was constantly touring the country, giving speeches, garnering support for the Treaty.

  Kitty had thrust aside the fears and suspicions she’d had after reading that revealing letter from Michael to Lady Lavery. Her instincts told her to be cautious and not do or say anything she might later regret.

  She also tried to hide her resentment at how little time he was giving her. She even attended one speech he gave to an enormous crowd in D
ublin. She marvelled at the thousands of people that were gathered there, all focused on the one figure who stood on a podium, commanding their attention and their emotions as he delivered his words. As she stood there amongst the crowd, she was full of pride and admiration for him. But also fear. She could hardly recognise this impassioned speaker as the tender, teasing man she loved.

  As the words bellowed from his mouth and he shook his fist in the air, Kitty shivered. She saw the people around her become intoxicated by his vigour and enthusiasm. His energy and his words were literally seducing the crowd into cheering and applause. For some reason she felt scared by the crowd’s reaction. It was too ebullient and she was scared of how easily Michael stirred this reaction. Such power would inspire much love but also some hate, Kitty feared.

  Nevertheless, the severe opposition to the treaty did not go away until it was decided to put the decision to the Irish public in a general election. The situation became inflammatory in April when dissidents opposed to the Treaty stormed the Four Courts complex in Dublin and held it under siege. This was Ireland’s principal courts building, located on Inns Quay. The situation was hugely embarrassing, not only for Michael and the fledging Dublin government, but for the British government. The other source of disharmony was the new Irish constitution, many parts of which the British were objecting to.

  With all these issues, Hazel acted as a trusted intermediary. She was somebody both sides knew they could trust to inform them privately what the other party was thinking and how far they could be pushed.

  “The British cabinet thinks the Constitution you have drawn up is too – communist – in nature and tone,” said Hazel one evening at the end of May as she and Michael were enjoying a gin and tonic in the drawing room at 5 Cromwell Place.

  “Communist!”

  “I believe they used the term ‘Bolshevik’.”

  “Ireland is the most conservative country in Europe! We could hardly have a Bolshevik constitution!” declared Michael.

  “Be that as it may be, it will need to be toned down if the British are to accept it. The last thing Britain wants is a Bolshevik neighbour on her doorstep! Especially with the growing power of the Labour Party in Britain. Although I must say I like the look of their leader, Ramsay MacDonald.”

  Michael stood up angrily. “So I change the constitution and prove all my opponents and enemies in Ireland right – that I am merely a puppet of Lloyd George and the British!”

  “Whatever you may be accused of, Michael, the fact is you need Lloyd George and the British now. You need the arms they are supplying you. If they suddenly stopped backing you at this stage and the Treaty collapsed, where would that leave Ireland? The full evacuation of the British troops out of Ireland is not complete – they could halt the evacuation at any minute and claim that, as you can’t bring law and order to Ireland, then they will!”

  “So they expect me to turn my troops, Irish troops, against other Irishmen in order to take back the Four Courts? It would result in civil war!”

  “But you can’t just continue to let those men occupy the Four Courts. They are laughing in your face and the face of the British government!”

  “I can’t turn my men against fellow Irishmen – I can’t!” insisted Michael.

  The next morning, as Hazel drove Michael to Downing Street they discussed the forthcoming election.

  “If you win this election, as you will,” said Hazel as she turned the automobile into Downing Street, “then it will show the people are in support of the Treaty and De Valera and the rest of them will have nowhere to go in their opposition.”

  “They might have nowhere to go – but they still aren’t going to go away!”

  “Anyway, let’s just concentrate on the business at hand and the meeting with Lloyd George today – and getting the new Irish Constitution passed without any further interference from them!”

  “Easier said than done!”

  “Best foot forward!” insisted Hazel as she pulled up to the pavement.

  The policemen outside 10 Downing Street quickly approached and opened the doors of the automobile.

  The usual journalists were gathered on the street.

  “Michael, how are your meetings with the Prime Minister progressing?” called one.

  “Fine, thank you,” said Michael as he and Hazel got out and headed for the door of Number 10.

  “Michael – are you and Lady Lavery having an affair?” called another, causing Michael to stop in his tracks and stare at him.

  Hazel saw Michael’s face turn to anger as he began to make a move towards the journalist. “Michael!” she hissed. “The Prime Minister is waiting!”

  Michael glanced at her, then glared at the offending journalist before turning and, taking Hazel’s arm, quickly heading inside the building.

  The following day Hazel was having lunch at home with John.

  “You are quiet today, Hazel.”

  “Am I?” She snapped back to reality. “Just a bit distracted – thinking over the meetings of the past couple of days.”

  Suddenly the dining-room door swung open and Alice came storming in, waving a newspaper.

  “Alice! Whatever is the matter?” asked Hazel.

  “This! This is what is the matter!” cried Alice as she flung the newspaper down on the table.

  Hazel picked up the newspaper and saw an article about Michael’s visit to Downing Street the previous day.

  The article’s headline read: MICHAEL COLLINS ARRIVES IN DOWNING STREET WITH HIS SWEETHEART

  The article made reference to Hazel so there was no doubt as to who the ‘sweetheart’ was.

  Hazel’s mouth dropped open.

  “What is it?” asked John, reaching over and taking the newspaper.

  “We are disgraced!” cried Alice.

  “Alice, dear, calm down – they will hear you all the way to Buckingham Palace,” said Hazel.

  “It’s libel! I’ll sue!” said John.

  “You’ll do no such thing, John Lavery!” snapped Hazel. “You’ll ignore it as I will.”

  “You’d want to be sure of your facts before you sue, John, as Oscar Wilde found to his cost!” said Alice.

  “And what is that supposed to mean?” demanded Hazel.

  “Well, is there any truth in it? That you are his sweetheart – his lover!”

  “Alice! Young ladies shouldn’t say such things!” admonished Hazel.

  “And married women should not be cavorting around London with young Irishmen! You are a disgrace, Mother!”

  “Alice, I have never been able to control what people say about me – your stepfather understands that.”

  “You could control the opportunities you hand to people to gossip about you! I’ve had to put up with years of innuendo and gossip about you! You’ve encouraged outlandish behaviour from everyone from Charlie Vane-Tempest-Stewart to Shane Leslie, for the sake of your own vanity. But this latest liaison with Michael Collins has now hit the national press – have you no shame?”

  Hazel went to say something, but suddenly found her eyes fill with tears.

  “Excuse me!” she said, rising from the table and, unable to hold back the tears, rushing from the room.

  Alice turned to John, exasperated. “Have you nothing to say on the subject?”

  “No – no, I don’t, Alice,” said John, placing the newspaper on the table. “And neither should you. It’s really none of your business, or anybody else’s for that matter.”

  Alice shook her head. “I don’t understand you! Why do you continually allow her to make a fool out of you?”

  “Hazel has never made a fool out of me. She has never been unfaithful to me, I know that for a fact. She loves me as I love her, and we have had to go through hell to have our life together. Neither of us would do anything to jeopardise that.”

  “But how can you stand these rumours?” she said, snatching up the newspaper and waving it in the air.

  “Because that’s all they are – untr
uths, rumours, gossip. Your mother and I do not care for such things. If we did, we would be over years ago.”

  Alice sat down at the table, trying to understand.

  “Poor Alice!” He smiled at her and patted her hand. “I’ve sometimes wondered is there anything crueller than for a girl to have a beautiful mother. There is so much that is hard for your mother to understand and accept – insecurity, vanity – and the knowledge that one day that beauty will go and the fear that its departure will leave her with nothing … and that is the day the problems will only begin. Charlie, Shane and Michael – all of them and more besides – they are no more to Hazel than water is to a plant. It feeds her self-perception – it validates her as a person.” He smiled kindly at her. “Now I would be very weak indeed if I let that upset me, wouldn’t I?”

  “Oh, John!” Alice suddenly burst into tears. “I’ve always known, but I only realise now just how very kind you are.”

  “Now, now!” he said, taking a handkerchief and dabbing her eyes with it.

  “And how cruel I am!”

  “Not cruel, but perhaps a little harsh. But perhaps you can find it in your heart to give your mother a little kindness with this subject as well? She’s terrified, Alice. She’s getting older and she’s terrified of what that will bring. Don’t you remember a few years ago when she fell into a depression, after the car crash?”

  Alice nodded. “It was a dreadful time.”

  “I always fear it may happen again. So, if she gets a little lift from a silly love poem from Shane Leslie or is made to feel important being Michael Collins’ friend, then what of it? If it keeps out those black moods she is prone to and keeps her the vivacious, wonderful, witty and unique person that we both love so much, then is it not a small price to pay?”

  Alice rose from the table and rushed to John who embraced her and soothed her as she sobbed.