Page 38 of Master of Paradise
"That isn't true! The house has only takenjust over a year. He's been working on the gardens for yearsthough. There's a camellia maze patterned exactly on the one atHampton Court, in England. Oh, and I forgot to mention the yews.He's been growing them for years too, and now they are matureenough to cut into shapes. It's called a topiary garden. Nicholashasn't decided how to clip them yet, but I thought it would beunique to cut them into the shape of chess pieces."
"Mandy, how you do run on and on aboutNicholas Peacock. I suppose I'll have to promise to go seeeverything, just to hush you up. Now, do tell me if you've heardanything of Beau Hampden's comings and goings."
Mandy did not tell her that Romeda Caldwellhad jumped into the spot vacated by Jennifer during her absence,and had been seen about everywhere with Beau. "I told him you werecoming home today," Mandy said truthfully.
"That's mighty strange. You'd think agentleman would welcome me home after I've been gone two wholemonths. I shan't forgive him, no, not if he goes on bended knee,"she declared. "Oh Daddy, I meant to tell you. I was actuallyashamed of Fanny in Charleston."
"Whatever did she do, honey?" he asked inalarm.
"Do? That's just the point. In Charlestonit's fashionable to have a French maid who is trained inhairdressing. I felt positively dowdy half the time. I'd like youto buy me a new maid, just for myself, Daddy."
He smiled at her, glad that he could providewhatever she desired. "I expect we can arrange that without toomuch difficulty."
After lunch the next day, when Beau Hampdenstill had not put in an appearance, Jennifer decided she had waitedin too long. She had her mare saddled up and took off for pointsunknown. Amanda grinned. "Whatever am I to tell the spurned suitorif he arrives?"
Jennifer tossed her head. "You can tell himto go whistle up a hollow stump, you fifteen-year-old horror!"
"Sixteen-year-old horror," Mandycorrected.
In a fit of pique, Jennifer turned her horsein at the new driveway that led up to Paradise. She rode up thecathedral-like avenue of live-oak, draped with ethereal strands ofmoss. The sight that met her eyes stopped her in the middle of thedrive. The white-pillared house was utterly lovely. The gardenswere so magnificent, they lent an aura of splendor. Jennifer wasstunned and more than a little angry at herself for not discoveringall this earlier.
Nicholas saw her ride up, and went out togreet her. "What a delightful surprise, Miss Jennifer. Welcome toParadise."
She looked at him for a moment to see if hiswords were ironic, but he seemed sincere. She could never quite besure with Nicholas. Often he said things with multiple meanings,but said them so blandly, one could hardly take offense.
"Why, Nicholas Peacock, I am absolutelyspeechless at all you have accomplished, and I see no reason for usto be so formal. We have been neighbors and more for years."
As he looked up at her, she held out her armsto him and he lifted her from her horse. She managed to brushagainst his body, while at the same time making it seem as if hehad initiated the intimacy. He kept his face straight. "You lookvery beautiful today in your Charleston finery."
"Why how observant you are to notice my newhabit. When I arrived in Charleston I was mortified to see howbehind our fashions are."
Her feet touched the ground and he lookeddown at her. "I don't believe that, Jenny. No one in Charlestoncould hold a candle to you."
She smiled her thanks prettily. "I have comefor the grand tour."
"The paint inside is wet and it smells abit," he said reluctantly. "Why don't you come tomorrow and I'llshow you through the house. Today I'll show you the gardens."
The azaleas were brilliant and gave off aheady fragrance as Nicholas squired her about the gardens, proudlypointing out unique touches. "These yews are to be clipped into atopiary garden as soon as I decide on a theme."
"Why don't you fashion them in the shape ofchessmen?" Jennifer suggested.
"That's brilliant. Why didn't I think ofthat? I drained this water off some of my land into an ornamentalreflecting lake. It isn't finished yet, but there's to be afootbridge arching over it, and I think we'll get a pair of muteswans, the ones with the lovely s-curved necks, to complete theidyll."
"Nicholas, I am very, very impressed.Wherever did you get the idea for such a garden?"
"My father, Lord Peacock, had a penchant forgardens. He had an Italian garden that was the envy ofEngland."
Jennifer's mouth opened slightly. "LordPeacock? Your father is a lord?" she asked incredulously.
"Was, I'm afraid. He died before I came toAmerica."
"Does that not make you the present LordPeacock?" she asked breathlessly.
"I'm afraid not. The honor belongs to mybrother," he said without explanation.
"Your brother is Lord Peacock?" she asked asif she were listening to a fairytale. "A living, breathinglord?"
"He was the last time I saw him," Nick saidwryly.
