Page 102 of Master of Paradise
Nicholas stiffened and his eyes turned a coldice blue. "Someone has been pulling your leg, son. I own Paradise.If I were you, I'd turn around and go back downriver." He turned tosearch for Samuel and beckoned him over. "I think we may have anunpleasant task awaiting us at home," he said grimly.
The two men strode toward the gangplank asthe riverboat pulled alongside Paradise's water steps.
Amanda had just poured the last of theScupernong wine into three crystal goblets. Mammy Lou and Mandyraised their glasses to Jennifer in a private birthday toast whenNicholas strode into the room.
Lou's face beamed her welcome. "Nicholas!"Amanda cried out joyfully, but Jennifer jumped guiltily to her feetso fast, her wine glass smashed to the floor.
Without a word, he strode to the card roomand flung open the door. The noise level was high, so he simplytook out his pistol and fired a shot into the air.
Amanda rushed forward thinking he had gonemad.
All eyes were centered upon the man with thegun, and the hushed silence could be felt-- it had a texture of itsown.
"Everyone in this room will leave my homeimmediately." His icy tone brooked no refusal.
The young men threw down their chips, pickedup their hats, and departed without further urgings.
There was a dangerous quality about Nicholasthat Amanda had barely glimpsed before. Her mouth had gone dry, andher lips trembled.
Nicholas looked from Jennifer to Aunt Billieto Pamela, and said with a sneer, "Apparently ladies and whores aresisters under the skin." His eyes traveled to the center door ofthe games room, behind which a raucous could be heard in thesilence.
He walked over and threw it open.
Beau Hampden stood naked. The black twins,Sugar and Candy were trussed to the posts of a bed.
Jennifer's face contorted into a grotesque,horrified mask. "Shoot him!" she screamed.
Beau, drink-sodden, bowed to the assembly andswayed on his feet.
"Get out," Nicholas said quietly, "and takeher with you." He jerked his head in Jennifer's direction.
"I'd die first!" Jennifer cried.
Nicholas gave her a level look. "Then you'dbetter get back home to the Jackson Plantation because I won't haveyou here." He looked at Aunt Billie and Pamela and said withself-mockery, "Knowing what I do about each of you ladies, I guessI had it coming. Billie, if you want to run a whorehouse, be goodenough to open one in Charleston, will you?" he asked, almostpolitely.
His eyes finally turned to Pamela. He did notneed to say any words to convey his hatred.
"I'm going." She went swiftly to gather herthings.
He spoke quietly to Mammy Lou and Samuel."You would do me a great service if you would help these peoplepack and lock the doors when everyone has departed. Lou, see tothose twins for me."
Finally, he gave his full attention toAmanda. "Since this seems to be a brothel, I should get my choice.Upstairs!" he ordered.
Mandy stood trembling beside the bed as shewatched him enter their chamber and lock the door. Her lovely dreamof Nicholas's homecoming had turned into a hideous nightmare.Downstairs she had been bewildered, shocked, and frightened by theevents that had unfolded before her eyes. Realization of herhusband's suspicions had finally dawned on her, then he had thrownopen the door on Beau Hampden and his suspicions had beenproven.
As Nicholas advanced toward her, words diedin her throat. She swayed. "I'm going to faint," she whispered.
He pulled her roughly into his arms. "I'llmake you faint before I've done with you." He shook her. "Youpromised you'd pay me back for Solange and Maggie. Is this how youretaliate?" he demanded.
"Nicholas, let me explain!"
"Did you let me explain at Virginia's fancyball? No ma-am you did not! You turned deaf ears to my pleading.Did your hard little heart relent toward me for one moment? Noma'am, not even the night before I sailed to England. You hadkisses to spare for Philip, but none for me."
"You spied on me!" Amanda was outraged.
"By Christ I have to spy on you. You need akeeper. If you're not with the bloody voodoo woman, you're drowningyourself in the Ashley, or selling your favors to Johnny Rebs!"
His accusations so outrageous, yet containinga grain of truth, made her giggle. "Or publicly brawling with yourmistress," she said with mischief.
