Page 18 of Master of Paradise
His mouth went very dry as he watched her,hypnotized. Her hands slid down the contours of her body as if shewere making love to herself. Then she opened her legs and slippedlong, dark fingers into her body. She arched her back and thrusther thighs toward him.
"Jesus," he said under his breath, as hebecame aroused in spite of himself. He lifted the covers back in asilent invitation. "Let me do that." He groaned and hoped his soulwould not be damned for what he was about to do.
The morning brought him to DuBose at the bankand the mortgage on his newly acquired lands was arranged.
"Peacock, I'm especially delighted to see youtoday. Did I ever mention Lady Margot Stafford to you? No perhapsnot, but I most certainly mentioned you to her. A true English ladyin every sense of the word, and a most charming and amusinghostess. She is something of a social phenomenon, probably becauseCharlestonions are mad about anything English. Lady Stafford hasinvited me to dine this evening and I urge you to join me."
"Is there a Lord Stafford?" Nick's curiositywas piqued.
"Unfortunately not. The dear lady is awidow."
"It's most kind of you to help me enlarge mysocial circle, sir. I shall be honored to accompany you."
Nicholas went in DuBose's carriage and whenit pulled up before the house on Wentworth Street, he saw that itwas like a mansion on a small scale. It stood three full storieswith screened porches on the lower level, and an open balcony onthe second.
Inside, Lady Margot had managed to create anintimate, warm atmosphere that was welcoming. The sitting anddining rooms had a most comfortable, lived-in appearance, where aman could relax without a servant at his elbow every time he made amove, or without the extreme elegance so often displayed inCharleston homes that encouraged only cool, stilted behavior.
Nicholas was introduced to other guests, butthey receded into the background of his mind as Lady Margotadvanced into the room. She was a willowy redhead with a generousmouth. Her tall figure seemed designed to show off her clothes toperfection. Nick was pleasantly surprised until she stretched outher hand and opened her mouth to speak. Then he was shocked. Heknew instantly that she was no lady, and what's more, she knew thathe knew. Her accent condemned her forever to the working classes ofEngland, but Nicholas saw that the American ear made no distinctionbetween the accents of the English.
Lady Margot and Nicholas exchanged amusedglances. Her eyes played with his, asking him to be silent andpromising a reward for his co-operation.
Afterwards, Nicholas only remembered that thefood was good and the conversation lively, he could never recallwho else he met that evening.
When all had departed, save himself andGabriel DuBose, Lady Margot turned to the banker and in acaptivating voice said, "You don't mind if I persuade Mr. Peacockto stay on for a little while? I am so hungry for news of London,you understand?"
The Frenchman, ever aware of the nuance, leftthem to be private.
She poured Nicholas a bourbon and brought itto him with a little shrug. "I did everything I could think of todissuade Gabriel from bringing you. I knew I was lost the moment Iopened my mouth. Thank you for pretending to swallow 'LadyMargot'.
Nick's eyes crinkled with delight at herfrankness. "I think Maggie would be closer to the mark."
She indicated an overstuffed sofa and theysat quite close, sharing their amusement.
"Please don't think you need explain yourselfto me. My own background wouldn't bear too close a scrutiny, yet Ihave no intention of revealing myself to anyone for anyreason."
"I feel a need for the truth for once," shesaid quietly.
"When under stress, men suppress; womenconfess," he said lightly.
"Well, there really was a Lord Stafford, butI discovered too late he had no intention of marrying me. God, Iwas naive. Almost threw myself in the cut when I found out I waspregnant and he'd have none of me. When I started to show, I gotthe sack from the milliner's shop and thrown out of my digs all inthe same week. I was reduced to stealing the necessities of life,and before I knew it, I was clapped behind bars."
"Newgate?" he asked with quietcompassion.
She nodded. "I was transported. Christ thatvoyage damned near did me in, and I swore if I ever got my feet ondry land, I'd never be a victim again."
"How long were you in servitude?"
"Five years was to pay off my passage. I wasbought by a wealthy plantation owner in Port Royal, close to theGeorgia border. You can guess the rest."
"He seduced you?"
She smiled. "No love, I could tell you that,but it wouldn't be true. He was left a widower; I seduced him. Itwas a very simple matter once there was no wife to get in my way. Iwas so very lucky, really. When he died, he generously left me thishouse."
"So, you brought your child and took LordStafford's name. I think that was ingenious of you."
She smiled seductively, and lifted his glassto sip from it, then gave it back to him.
"Without an income, how do you manage?" heasked pointedly.
