Page 25 of Master of Paradise
She laughed. "No, of course not. There weresome apples that hadn't been picked, right at the top of the treeand I leaned out too far."
"Climbing trees!" he exploded. "This isexactly why I asked to see you. When Mr. Peacock is here, I wantyou to behave like a normal, decent child. No careening over thecountryside like a hoyden, staying away all hours. No shoutingmatches with Mammy Lou. No embrangles with your sister."
Amanda looked repentant and his voice quietedslightly. "It's a mystification to me how you go from one scrape toanother, in spite of all the prating we do over your behavior andmanners. I hate to say this to you Amanda Virginia, but you areacquiring a reputation as an eccentric child; an oddity. Now if Ihear tell that your sweet mother has recourse to her smelling saltsas a result of your misconduct, I shall deal with youseverely."
Nicholas arrived in time for supper thatfirst evening and brought Samuel with him as his body servant.Samuel soon had the Jackson house servants doing his bidding,fetching towels and hot water for his master's bath; running withheated flatirons, so he could press Nicholas's newly acquired whitesuits and lawn shirts. Every once in a while he would sniff andmutter under his breath, "Cheap slaves is cheap slaves." Nicholaswas not so arrogant. He was extremely grateful to be bathing in aproper bathtub, instead of the outdoor wooden cabinet he used atParadise.
When Miz Caroline was carried into the diningroom, Nicholas bowed formally.
"My dear Mr. Peacock, before the childrenarrive, permit me to express my heartfelt gratitude that you areextending your protection to our all-female household. My mind isvastly relieved. Forgive me if I am indelicate, but all this talkof slave uprisings is most upsetting."
"It is an honor, ma'am. Don't beapprehensive. As soon as it comes dark the patrollers are outlooking for any who shouldn't be abroad."
"It is an apprehension white womanhood liveswith from cradle to grave, Mr. Peacock," she said quitesincerely.
It is impossible for me to argue with thisfrail lady who is such an hospitable hostess."Please call meNicholas," he murmured.
Jennifer arrived, a vision in delicate pink.She sketched him a curtsy that was so brief, it was almost aninsult. She gave him a pert little smile, but her eyes remaineddeliberately cold.
Mandy arrived wearing vivid yellow thatemphasized her dark tawny hair and golden brown skin. She sank intoan elaborate curtsy before Nicholas and her eyes danced warmly.
"I thought you were opposed to the principleof curtsying," he murmured.
"Please don't encourage her, Mr. Peacock,"Jennifer said coolly. "What you think quaint, others finddistinctly peculiar."
One of Mandy's eyelids dropped in a drollwink that brought a smile to his lips.
Aunt Billie floated in like a ship in fullsail and lowered her stern thankfully onto a dining chair.
The meal was a culinary masterpiece of roastpork, baked apples, candied yams, with mounds of fluffy white ricegrown right on the plantation. There were two different flavors ofsucculent gravy.
When Billie helped herself to two helpings ofdesert, Nicholas fancied she indulged herself because of Bernard'sabsent eagle-eye. She still spoke very little, excused herself themoment the meal was over and disappeared as if she had beenspirited away.
The next evening, Miz Caroline did not appearand Nicholas learned that it was one of her 'poorly' days. He notedthe changed behavior at table with a cynical eye. Jennifer Joy wasusing him to practice her coquettish tricks. She was seventeen, butthe flirtatious way she used her body to tease him, made her seemmuch older and worldly-wise.She knows she looks attractivelysaucy in the red dress and wouldn't have dared such a bold color ifher parents were present.
Nick hid his amusement as he recognized theinvitation in her warm little glances.Last night she was cold;tonight she is hot. It's a trick females love to use to keep menoff balance, and it almost always works.
Jenny knew Nicholas had a powerful body thatwould undoubtedly respond, but here in front of her family and theservants, he was only latently dangerous.
Aunt Billie also acted like a differentperson. She began to chatter, quite enjoying this male company thatwas a rarity without the constraining presence of herhalf-brother.
Nicholas motioned for Charles, the headdining-room servant, to refill Aunt Billie's glass with bourbon,and sat back to listen to what revelations she might make.
Only Amanda acted the same as she alwaysdid.
"Would you think me forward if I addressedyou as Nicholas?" Jennifer asked with a provocative sidelongglance.
"Of course not, Miss Jennifer." He took careto be exquisitely polite.
"On Saturday we have been invited to amusicale evening at the Hampden Plantation. Mother is sending ourregrets today because Daddy is unable to accompany us." She smiledat him, and he knew what was coming.
"Everyone will be there and I'll simply dieif we all don't attend. I feel emboldened to ask if you willaccompany us, Nicholas?"
"I would consider it an honor. If it meetswith Miss Caroline's approval," he added.
"Ah have a passing acquaintance with WadeHampden," Billie declared.
"Beau's father?" Jennifer askeddoubtfully.
