Page 39 of Master of Paradise
"You are a dark horse, Nicholas Peacock! Whatother secrets have you that I know nothing of?" she askedplayfully.
"If I answered that, you'd slap my face." Hegrinned. "Come and I'll show you the maze modeled after the one atHampton Court. Let's see if you can find your way in and then outagain." He followed her as she turned this way and that, going thewrong way, retracing her steps with giggles and finally arriving atthe center.
"There is to be a fountain here at this spot,and a loveseat of course."
She stepped close to him. "It... is...very..."
"Secluded? Romantic?"
She reached up to brush a fallen petal fromhis shoulder and Nicholas reached for her and kissed her, as shehad intended that he should.
"I... I'd better go," she murmuredbreathlessly. Suddenly she was shy as a girl with her first beau.Jennifer could have kicked herself. She had been so engrossed inher own affairs, it was as if she'd been wearing a pair of horseblinders, and they had suddenly been removed. Nicholas Peacock hadalways been dangerously attractive to her, and she thought she wasbeing wise by keeping away from him. How easy it would have been tolet him tempt her into love games. But he was the deadly dangeroustype that ruined reputations, and Jennifer wanted a splendidmarriage.
She suddenly realized that she could achievethe splendid marriage and at the same time snare this beautifulmale animal for her husband. She became fluttery as a new bride andnervous lest this magnificent catch of a man, who must have a dozencaps set for him, should somehow slip through her fingers.
"Daddy, Daddy, I must talk with you."Jennifer was in a fever of excitement.
"What is it, Princess?"
"Not here. Let's be private."
"We'll use my office. Now what's all thisabout?" he asked indulgently.
"Why didn't you tell me Nicholas Peacock wasthe son of a lord?" she demanded.
"He asked me not to bandy it about. He's veryclose-mouthed about his past, before he came to this country."
"But surely you could have told me!" sheinsisted.
"Actually, sweetheart, I thought youknew."
"Have you seen his house on ParadiseHill?"
"Of course I've seen it. I was wondering whenmy little sleeping beauty was going to awaken and see what's underher little old nose."
"Daddy, I think I'm in love!" As in thefairytale, she mused that she had indeed been awakened by theprince's kiss.
Bernard chuckled. "Then everything is as itshould be."
"Whatever do you mean?" she askedhopefully.
"Nicholas has made no secret of his desire tobecome my son-in-law one day. Now that the house is completed, I'mcertain he will wish to marry. I would have no objection, providinga nice long engagement came first."
"Oh Daddy, can you speak to him?" shepleaded.
"I rather think Nicholas is a man who cannotbe led about by the nose. Why don't we give him a little time?Meanwhile miss, it wouldn't hurt you to give him a littleattention. You've had no time for him in the past," he pointedout.
Amanda sat with her mother. She had beenreading Elizabeth Barrett Browning to her, as she was far toodebilitated to read for herself. Amanda's voice usually soothed hermother and helped her drift off to sleep. Caroline lay with hereyes on her youngest child, and when Mandy looked up, she saw hermother was trying to tell her something. She bent close to catchthe words.
"When the time comes, Amanda, follow yourheart."
Mandy felt a lump in her throat. Her mother'swords had been prompted by the love words she had read. She hid thedismay she felt.Mother is telling me she won't be here to seeme safely married.Amanda dropped her eyes to the book and readuntil her mother slept. Then she tiptoed from the room.
Jennifer Joy arose early enough to startleeveryone. She ate breakfast with the family, made light frivolousconversation, and even smiled twice at Amanda. Granted, the nexttwo hours were spent rigging herself out in another new ridingdress with a high lace stock at the throat, so in actuality she wasready for the day's events no earlier than usual.
By this time Amanda had already returned fromher daily ritual of visiting Paradise, and the sisters met at thedoor to the stables. Jennifer looked so fetching, Amanda cocked herhead and said, "He doesn't stand a chance, whoever he is."
"What a perfectly terrible thing to say. As amatter of fact I have decided to take your advice. Today I am goingto see inside the house on Paradise Hill.
