Page 46 of Master of Paradise
"Well, the sooner you get us married off, thesooner you'll be able to go up to Richmond, where you're needed sodesperately," she cleverly point out.
"I'll sound him out about getting married.Run along and let me think it all through now."
After breakfast the next morning, Bernardsaid goodbye to Gerrard Johnson. "Tell Calhoun I can't make anypromises, but that I'll be there when I can."
"Good man, Jackson. We'll put out the redcarpet for you."
Mandy rode over to Paradise Plantation early.She found Nicholas in the smoke house working alongside Brutus. Shebeckoned Nick outside, as casually as she could.
He smiled down at her. "You've got mecurious. What's up?"
"Has Brute said anything to you about ourCleo?"
"No. Should he have?"
"He's got her in a fix and Mammy Lou isplaying hell. Would you be willing to buy her for Brute?"
"Honey, you shouldn't know about such things.Your father will skin me alive one of these days."
"Would you buy her?" she persisted.
"I would, if he wants her."
"Well you'd better find out quick and speakto Daddy before Mammy gets rid of the child that's coming."
His mouth hardened at her words. "I'll takecare of it, Mandy. Don't go messing into such things."
"Cleo belongs to Jennifer now, but I have totake care of the servants now that Mother's gone. They're no betterthan children."
When Nicholas went back into the smokehouse,he said to Brutus, "Is that your child Cleo's carrying?"
"It shore as hell better be," Brute said witha grin.
"Why didn't you ask me to buy her foryou?"
"Brutus's grin widened. "When yo' marry datJackson gal, yo' gits Cleo for free."
When Nicholas arrived at the Jackson's fordinner, Bernard was waiting for him. "Come into my office Nick,I've a lot of things to discuss with you. I've told them to putsupper back a couple of hours." Bernard poured them each a pony ofbourbon. "Make yourself comfortable; this will take awhile."
Nicholas offered his host a cigar, and theyboth lit up and settled back into leather chairs.
"Had a visitor for the last two days fromspecial committee of Congress. Voices growin' louder aboutabolition."
"The thing that angers me about abolitionistsis they're not opposed on moral grounds. It all boils down tomoney. The Northern farmers complain they can't sell their crops ascheaply as we do, because they can't complete with slavelabor."
"Nicholas, I've always been able to sayexactly what was on my mind to you. Truth is, I'm itching to get upto Richmond."
"Couldn't you let Brandon run theplantation?" Nick knew full well that would be unsatisfactory.
"Well, the house will be his anyway, but he'sgot no more interest in this place than joining a church choir. So,if I did go to Congress, I'd want you to take over the land forme-- work my field hands as if they were yours. Whatever way youwant to do it is fine with me. I've seen your methods and I knowthey work."
"That's very generous of you, Bernard."
"Hold the thanks 'till you've heard all ofit. These are excellent cigars by the way. Local tobacco?"
Nicholas shook his head. "Cuban."
"Ah, no wonder they're good." Bernard paused,took a deep breath, and plunged ahead. "Nicholas, I've never madeit a secret that I wanted you for my son-in-law. Now that yourhouse is built, I assume you'll be contemplating marriage. You knowby now my views on girls marrying too young, and I don't fullyapprove of Jennifer marrying at only eighteen. But I must bepractical and realize she will fly in the face of my objectionssooner or later and marry someone. I much prefer that someone beyou." He added, "The only trouble with marrying my daughterNicholas, is you'll have to take on the whole damned family while Iselfishly take myself off to Richmond."
