Page 40 of Master of Paradise
"Be prepared Jennifer. You are going to bevery, very envious."
"Why ever should I be envious, pray tellme?"
"Because someday it is going to be mine."
Jennifer's laughter rippled on the still airas she spurred her mount to a swift gallop, scattering the blackchildren from her path.
In honor of the visit he was about toreceive, Nicholas was not dressed in working clothes, but wasattired in a fashionable cream-colored suit.
Jennifer felt excited and flushed as Nicholasglanced at her with his cool appraising eyes. She felt he could seeright through her, not only through her clothes, but into her verythoughts.
He helped her from her horse, then took itsbridle and led it into an empty stall.
Jennifer was amazed to see the large numberof fine horses housed there. "I had no idea your stable was sovast, Nicholas." She caressed his name so that he would be aware ofher tone and all it implied. "Why these horses look mighty familiarto me. This one is my brother's, and that red beauty belongs to TyCaldwell, and I could never mistake Beau Hampden'sMidnight."
He smiled. "They used to belong to those goodold boys; now I assure you they are legally mine."
She was aware of the young men's fondness forgambling, and Nicholas went up even higher in her estimation. Theypassed the cotton gin and the newly built smokehouses. ThoughJennifer always pretended boredom at the workings of a Plantation,her mind was always keen and quick when it came to assessing thefinancial worth of a prospective suitor.
The moment Jennifer stepped through the doorsof Paradise into the black and white tiled entrance hall, she fellin love. Two staircases curved from the center hall, one leading upinto each wing of the house. The rooms were so light and airy withcross ventilation in every one, they actually felt cool, eventhough the outside temperature was already oppressive.
Jennifer saw everything through possessiveeyes as she decided she would be mistress here and everything wasgoing to be hers.
The dining room was most impressive. It had acrystal chandelier that must hold a hundred candles. The furniture,already in place, was a matched red mahogany Sheraton dining suitewith glass fronted cabinets that held a full service of Wedgwoodporcelain and Venetian crystal. The table was a twenty-foot ovalpolished to a mirrored sheen. The twenty graceful dining chairswere upholstered in elegant gold and white striped brocade.
Behind the formal dining room was a vastkitchen equipped with every newest invention to make a cook's lifeeasier. "When the weather is this hot, the cooking will be done inthe outside kitchen I've had built, so we don't heat up the houseunnecessarily."
Jennifer gave Nicholas a provocative sidelongglance. "Kitchens don't hold much fascination for me, but I'm justdying to see upstairs."
He hid a grin and took her elbow to lead theway. "None of these bedrooms is furnished yet, but don't you thinkthe furniture should be light woods to complement the decor?" Heopened the door to a pastel green room with a pale green Orientalrug. "I think rattan or bamboo would go well in this room. What doyou think?"
"Oh yes," she said breathlessly, amazed thatsomeone so masculine could create a room so delicate.
Another chamber was painted primrose with asolid-colored, dark gold carpet, and a third was tinted eggshellwith a cream and navy-blue flowered rug.
He led her from the east wing to the oppositeside of the house. "I'm in this wing. Mine is the only bedroomthat's furnished. He opened the door slightly and closed it againquickly.
"Not so fast Nicholas. I'm absolutely dyingto see it," she said prettily and pushed past him.
It was a man's room; it left no doubt ofthat. The centerpiece was a huge four-poster made of hand-rubbedpine that sat on a dais. The wardrobe, washstand and desk were allmatching hand-rubbed pine, made by a craftsman who obviously lovedwood. The rug and counterpane were hand-loomed in a natural fiberlinen.
Jennifer tilted her head coquettishly. "Ifeel very wicked. I've never been in a man's bedroom before."
He could clearly see she was in a playfulmood, and she wanted him to banter with her.What would herreaction be if I pulled her down on the bed and made love to her?Would she be outraged and fight me off?Somehow he doubtedit.
Time slowed and almost stopped as the sexualtension built between them.
Jennifer's breath caught in her throat andher mouth went dry with anticipation as she gazed at the powerfulchest and wide shoulders. Her fingers touched the bedcovers in asubtly tempting invitation.How far should I go? Far enough tomake him commit himself, at the very least!
"Your reputation will be in shreds if theservants catch us in here," he said lightly. "Let's go downstairsand have Samuel serve us afternoon tea." He tried not to smile atthe look of disappointment that came over her face.
Jennifer flirted with him through tea andthrough the rest of the afternoon, and it was being brought home toNicholas that Jennifer Joy had had a change of heart where he wasconcerned. His suit would now be perfectly acceptable; naywelcomed. He noted with amusement that the cooler his behavior, thewarmer she became. He had not actually touched her all day, and hespeculated just when, where, and how she would remedy this. Itwasn't until she was ready to leave and he gallantly offered toride home with her. He sent a servant to bring their horses to thefront entrance. As he followed her down the steps, she suddenlytripped and fell daintily back against him. His arms wereready.
She gasped. "Oh, how clumsy I am, Nicholas.I'm afraid I've sprained my ankle." She bravely fought back hertears.
"Let me take you back inside and I'll haveSamuel look at it. He's the closest thing we have to a doctor hereat Paradise."
"Oh no, I couldn't." She blushed. "Mammy willtend me if you will kindly get me home."
