Page 101 of Master of Paradise
Jennifer and Pamela entertained them in thegames room. Aunt Billie joined in the conspiracy, pointing out theyhad the perfect haven where wealthy young officers could beseparated from their money. "We have a roulette wheel and that pairof twins can be installed as fancy wenches in that small chamberjust behind the gaming room."
Lady Pamela contributed her own ideas. "We'llset the fees high for entering this house of pleasure to keep outthe riffraff and common soldiers."
Jennifer avidly agreed. "We could make a lotof money if we sold liquor."
It began as an almost silent conspiracy ofthree women, but very quickly it grew to include the two fieldhands, Gold and Silver, who brought in home brew for theentertainments. Then Old Jessie from the Jackson Plantation agreedto make some of the black wenches available down at the cabins. Thewomen knew they would never run out of customers because when thecavalry moved out they would leave behind the home guard.
When Nicholas and Philip arrived in Londonthey found out with much relief that the law firm they'd retainedhad everything under control. The case was to be settled out ofcourt, and Chetwynd had signed affidavits to relinquish any claimfor all time, in exchange for a written promise they would notprosecute.
Nicholas was made guardian for the estateuntil Philip became twenty-five, with Power of Attorney going toMr. Gardiner of Gardiner & Higgins, the law firm that handledNicholas's money.
Once their business in London was concluded,the two half-brothers traveled on to Kent and Peacock Hall, wherethey dismissed the staff that had worked for Peter Chetwynd. Theyhired new servants and located some who had worked at the Hallwhile their father, Lord Harry, was alive.
Nicholas felt confident that Philip hadmatured enough to fulfill the great position he had inherited. Whenhe took his leave, he said, "I'll be back in a few short weeks.I've put in a request to the government from the Confederacy forcraftsmen and machinists. We need men who can make everything--riding boots, saddles, harness, pistols, rifles, cannon, shells andpowder. We realize we can't import all these things, so we havedecided to open our own factories. Rafe Collins and I will return,probably next month, to transport the men to Georgia."
"Nicko... thanks for everything. I knowwithout your help I would have ended up with nothing."
Nick's easy smile reached all the way to hiseyes. "Philip, if you hadn't given me those golden peacocks, Iwould have ended up with nothing."
Philip shook his head decisively. "No, notyou. Give my love to Amanda. If I found a girl like that, I'd marryher tomorrow."
Nicholas nodded his understanding and wavedgoodbye.Amanda... God that's all I've been thinking of for thepast month. Even the love dreams have begun again.
Chapter Twenty-One
Beau Hampden was in shock. It had taken onlyone hour of full battle to completely reverse every idea he'd everhad about war.
There is no glory, no valor, no honor.Only dirt and blood and death and pain.There was alsofear!Fear so powerful it clutched your guts until your bowels ranfreely. Beau had only one goal, and it consumed him, staying alive.The shock he felt did not recede when they finally routed thebluecoats and tasted victory.If this is victory, what inChrist's name would defeat be like?
When Beau was chosen to dispatch messagesback to Charleston, he was weak with relief. He started drinkinguntil he got rid of his fear, and he decided to stay in that hazycondition permanently.
His mother, brother Clay, and sister Julia,were delirious with happiness to have him home safe for a shorttime, especially since his father and the South Carolina Cavalrywere up in the Blue Ridge Mountains supporting General Lee in hisfirst Northern invasion.
Beau, a veteran of Bull Run, was much soughtafter to be feted, but spent most of his time at Paradise. Thefirst three days Jennifer went willingly into the woods with himwhere they made love, but she suddenly realized that he would nevermarry her so long as she allowed him access to her body whenever hefelt like it. She swiftly changed her tactics and becameinaccessible. Still he came to drink and gamble, bringing otherswith him.
On the night of Jennifer's nineteenthbirthday, she made a plan. Since it was her birthday, she knew shecould persuade Amanda to put in a rare appearance for the eveningsfestivities, so she could get Mammy Lou to make some of Beau'sfavorite dishes. She would make certain she was not along with himfor one moment, then finally she would relent, on condition thatnow she was nineteen they should elope before he went back to joinGeneral Beauregard.
Amanda was happy to dress up and spend theevening downstairs. She had been solitary long enough in herseparate wing of the plantation. She feared that Nicholas shouldhave been home weeks ago, and instead of spending another endlessnight worrying for his safety, she swallowed her distaste forPamela's company and joined in the birthday fun.
As the blue summer twilight finally faded anddusk took over, Beau arrived with half-a-dozen young attachés tothe army whom Amanda had never seen before. She was surprised tofind Aunt Billie dressed to the nines in a green satin gown trimmedwith black lace. When the young men arrived, Billie went into thecard room to stand behind the roulette wheel.
Pamela said to Jennifer, "You stay and enjoya visit with your sister. I'll see that the young men get somerefreshments." She smiled at Amanda and said smoothly, "I thinkyour Southern hospitality one of the finest things I've ever known.It is so generous, so utterly commendable to open your house to thebrave boys who are fighting for the Cause."
Nicholas made a safe berth by slipping theRattlesnake around Edisto Island and up into the Edisto River. Hesaw Bernard in Charleston and arranged for the cargo to betransferred by rail to Augusta, Georgia.
Samuel was relieved to see Nicholas home safeagain. Bernard thanked him for his invaluable help and reluctantlylet him go back to Paradise with Nicholas. The two men rode thepaddle-wheeler up the Ashley to save time getting home.
As Nicholas leaned against the rail of theCharleston Belle watching the churning yellow water flow past, ayoung officer made his acquaintance.
"Evening, sir." He tipped his gray Stetson."Goin' to Paradise?"
Nicholas frowned, wondering who the boy wasand how he knew he lived at Paradise. "Do I know you?" hepuzzled.
"Nope, reckon not. Ah just guessed wherey'all was heading. They say it's the finest house in the wholestate."
Nicholas should have been complimented, butthere was something in the young buck's manner that made himuneasy.Why does he keep winking and grinning in a salaciousmanner?
"It sure has the perfect name for a House ofPleasure!"
