Page 47 of Master of Paradise
"I've no objections Bernard. I'll even findroom for Aunt Billie, and Paradise Hill couldn't be managed withoutMammy Lou."
"You mean when you marry Jenny, you'll haveno objections to her sister making her home with you, and you'lleven take the servants?" Bernard looked vastly relieved.
"I have no objections at all to my wife'ssister living at Paradise Hill with us. There's only one fly in theointment, Bernard." Nicholas hesitated. "It's little madam I want.It's not Miss Jennifer, it's Miss Amanda I want for my wife."
The older man looked aghast. "Mandy?" heasked incredulously. "Amanda Virginia is only a girl!"
"Nobody is more aware of that than I,Bernard," he said drily.
"But Jennifer told me you were about topropose to her."
"Not so, Bernard. It's always been Amanda,right from the first day."
Bernard raised his voice. "It's disgusting!You know how I feel about girls marrying too young."
"I do know, Bernard. That's why I've beenprepared to wait for her."
The older man sank back into the leatherchair, his visions of Richmond dissolving before his eyes. He shookhis head. "I had no idea, no idea."
Nicholas finished his bourbon slowly,allowing time for Bernard's disappointment to sink in. He exhaled acloud of blue smoke so that it masked his eyes. "There's still away."
Bernard looked up sharply, all attention.
"We could be married in name only. I'll waituntil she's eighteen to consummate the marriage."
"She's only sixteen!" Bernard stormed.
"It's not unheard of for a girl to marry atsixteen in this country. I give you my word I wouldn't touch heruntil she was ready, however long it takes."
"It's out of the question," Bernard saidangrily. Then he realized Nicholas deserved a fuller explanation ofhis objections. "Nick, I married Miss Caroline when she wasseventeen. By the time she was twenty, she had three babies and wasin that damned chair for the rest of her life. I won't see thathappen to Amanda."
"Bernard, I'm not asking for Miss Amandabecause I need someone to warm my bed. I have a mistress inCharleston," he added quietly. He finished his bourbon. "Bernard, Ipledge to you there will be no children until Amanda is awoman."
Nicholas rose to his full height. "I won'tstay for supper, Bernard, but think it over. I know I'm asking alot, but if you give her to me, I will cherish her forever."
Chapter Eleven
Bernard Jackson slept little that night.After twelve hours of soul searching, he came out on the side ofexpedience. The thing he worried about now was how he wouldcommunicate with his children. He shrank from telling Jennifer thatNicholas had rejected her, nor could he bring himself to discussthe intimacies of marriage with Amanda. As well, he did not want aslanging match with Brandon when his son learned he could have thehouse, but not the plantation that went with it.
Bernard decided to assemble themenmassrather than individually, and simply place the factsbefore them. He also asked his sister Billie and Mammy Lou to bepresent.
Jackson took a belligerent stance before hisassembled family. His expression was forbidding and grim, his mouthcompressed into liplessness.
"I've asked you all in here because I havesome news that will affect the lives of all of you. I should liketo be able to speak without any of the rude interruptions youusually make," he said with a quelling glance.
The silence in the room became a tangiblething with a thickness and texture of its own.
"I find that I am needed in Congress atRichmond, and since it is my duty to go, I have no choice but to domy duty. Brandon, I am turning the house over to you. Theplantation however will be looked after by Nichols. Mr. Peacock hascontracted to marry my daughter and has very generously offered toopen his home at Paradise Hill to her sister, and to you too,Billie." He looked at Mammy Lou and added, "Most of the houseservants will go along, with Mammy in charge."
He held up his hand to stop Mammy Lou fromspeaking and continued. "Since Amanda Virginia is only sixteen, themarriage will be in name only. The details haven't been worked outyet, so all your questions will have to wait."
Bernard walked briskly from the room, leavinghis family stunned. Finally, the silence was broken by Brandon, whothrew back his head and began to laugh. "Your little schemebackfired, Jenny!"
She walked up to him and slapped him hardacross the face. She was in a fury and needed to inflict pain.
Aunt Billie nodded and mumbled, "Gentlemenlike 'em young."
Mammy looked at Mandy who sat staring. "Dat'sput a quietness on you, chile. Lord oh Lord, who woulda thought mababy gwine be a married lady?"
