Page 106 of Master of Paradise
"Of course I will. Come on, let's get it overwith. We'll ride over."
The two girls never got to say their piece.When they arrived at the magnificent plantation house they learnedwith horror that a dispatch had informed Mrs. Hampden that her sonhad been killed as his troop had crossed into Maryland. It informedher that she could take pride in the fact that the Union wasrouted.
The lady sat dazed. Julia Hampden was inhysterics, mainly because she did not know the whereabouts of hernew husband, Ty Caldwell. Clay was angry and couldn't stop theprofanity from spilling out.
Jennifer Joy had enough common decency tokeep her mouth shut about Beau, and the mother and the fiance ofthe dead young cavalry officer clung together as the shock of itall sank in.
Amanda took Clay apart from the women. "Claylove, I'm so very sorry, but you mustn't keep threatening to go andteach those bastards a lesson. Now that this has happened, and yourdaddy's off fighting, don't you realize it would kill your motherif she lost you too? Right now she needs a man's strength, Clay. Iknow it's hard, but it will take more maturity and courage to stayhome and take over here, than it will to go running off and joiningthe Cause."
Later at home, Amanda made Jennifer rest onthe chaise. She poured a measure of corn liquor and urged thepale-lipped girl to drink it straight down.
Jennifer's hand trembled. "Oh Lord God,Mandy, I'm so glad I'm not Beau's wife."
Amanda put her arms about her sister, thendrew back in disbelief as she heard her say, "I'd have to wearhideous black mourning again. Thank heaven I've been saved fromthat."
But Jennifer's troubles were not over. Withina month she sought out Amanda and swore her to secrecy. Shecarefully checked the hallway outside the bedroom door, then closedand locked it. In hushed tones she said, "Cross your heart and hopeto die Mandy, that you will never reveal what I tell you?"
Amanda, fearing the worst, nodded her headand sat down quietly.
"I'm in a fix, Mandy. I'm having a baby."
Amanda's eyes went wide. "Are you sure?"
Jennifer nodded quickly. "This is one thingfor certain sure won't go away if I ignore it."
"Well, we'll just have to give it out thatyou and Beau were secretly married."
"Are you lunatic? I can't have this baby. Whyno man would ever marry me, and Mandy you know the scandal wouldjust kill Daddy!"
Amanda sighed wearily. "Who knows about this,Jenny?"
"Absolutely no one. Not even that nosy MammyLou."
"Jenny honey, I'll bring up the baby with myown. Nicholas is such a good man, I know he'll agree.
"No Mandy! No, no, no! I'm going to get ridof it. You have to help me."
Amanda bit her lip and said slowly, "I thinkyou are wrong Jenny. But in my heart I don't think any woman shouldbe forced to have a child she doesn't want. It has to be yourdecision and nobody else should have a say in it."
"Get something from Old Jessie."
"You'll have to do that yourself."
"I can't-- she mustn't know its for me. Thedarky grapevine is the fastest way to spread gossip across thewhole county."
Nicholas is due home any day. If he hearsof this, he will forbid it.Mandy hoped fervently he would behome this week. On top of Jenny's problem, the cotton was ready tobe picked, and his return would relieve her of the responsibilityof overseeing it. As well, the fields of potatoes and corn she hadplanted at Jackson Plantation needed harvesting. She knew she wouldhave to organize the house servants to help her, as there was noone else to do it. Already she had picked one crop of peas and putthem to dry, and a second crop was ready.
She went out on the balcony to glanceworriedly at the sky. If a storm was coming, she'd never have thecourage to harvest the potatoes. She saw a man coming toward thehouse. "Rafe! Rafe Collins!" she cried happily. She flew down thestairs to meet him, hair flying in disarray.Wherever Rafe is,Nicholas is never far behind.
She saw the pain in his eyes and stopped deadon the bottom stair.
Rafe opened his mouth to speak and closed itagain.
Instinctively she put out her hand to wardoff the evil tidings.
He came and stood before her and reached forher hands. "Mandy, I'm sorry," he said hoarsely. He saw her lovelypink mouth tremble and the golden eyes took on a queer glitter. Shegripped his hands until her nails dug in painfully.
"Tell me!"
