Page 48 of Master of Paradise
As soon as Bernard left the room he sent amessage to Nicholas that read, "I accept your offer."
The moment Nicholas read the note, he saddledSunblood and headed over to the Jacksons. Where the boundaries ofthe two properties came together, he met Mandy coming to look forhim. As he dismounted, he could see she was angry. She was off MissLouise in a flash and flew at him with blazing eyes, her temperhigh.
"How dare you? How dare you go behind my backand conspire with Father? I might as well be a slave! I have no sayin anything. He's peddled me to you, and informed me about it afteryou've settled everything between you." Her breast heaved withrighteous indignation, and Nicholas could hardly tear his eyes fromtheir swelling thrusts. Her hair flew about her like a wildlytangled mane, while her eyes were so fiery, they almost branded hisskin. He had never seen anyone to compare with her loveliness, andit stopped the breath in his throat.She's like a high-strungfilly and she needs gentling.
"Father knows, damn him, and you know,damn you, that I took a vow never to marry!"
"Mandy, you know that's ridiculous," he saidsoftly.
"Yes I'm ridiculous! Father made damn goodand sure of that. Asking you to marry me. Just so he can be rid ofus all."
Nicholas looped his bridle around a smalltree and took her firmly by the shoulders.
"Hot damn, let me go!" she spat.
"He asked me to marry Jennifer Joy," Nicholassaid low.
She stopped struggling and looked up at himwide-eyed.
"You know I fell in love with you the day Icame upon you in the violets. We've always had a silentunderstanding that I'd have you for my wife."
"Yes, but that's years and years fromnow!"
Now that Nicholas had her full attention, hecontinued, "I told Bernard it was you I wanted, not Jennifer. Henearly went mad. Told me you were still a child. I suggested amarriage in name only until you are older."
"No, no, no," she cried, "not until I'mtwenty. In four years I may be ready to marry, but even then I'mnot sure."
"Don't you think that's asking a lot, Amanda?I've already waited almost four years."
What's the matter with me? I love Nicholasbeyond reason. He is my prince, my knight, my perfect godlikeApollo.But now that the moment was upon her, she realized thathe was a real flesh and blood man. Tears welled in her eyes andthreatened to spill over.
Nicholas did not try to brush them away. Heknew she would dash his hands from her the moment he tried to touchher face.I know her so well-- I've observed her minutely foryears."Walk with me while I plead my case," he invitedsoftly.
"You'll never convince me, never!" she flaredstubbornly.
He looked down at her from the corner of hiseyes and smiled. "Of course I will. It will be the simplest thingin the world."
She set her lips firmly and her jaw took onsuch a stubborn thrust, he had difficulty hiding his laughter."First, let me hear your objections to marrying."
"Unmarried girls in the South lead a life ofpampered luxury compared to wives. The next few years should befilled with parties and beaus and pretty dresses, enough to lastthe rest of my life. The moment a girl becomes a wife, her wholelife changes. She's weighted down with responsibilities.Eighteen-hour days filled with running a plantation, and lookingafter the slaves, and before you know it, the babies start coming,and... and... you've seen the married women sitting together atparties. They can't dance or have fun. They all fade and grow oldso fast. If I don't marry, that can never happen to me," she saidpassionately.
"You'd be an old maid spinster and have tolive on the charity of some relative, like Aunt Billie does," hepointed out.
Some of the stubbornness left her mouth."But... but wives have no say in anything. They have to obey theirhusbands. When you are married, you had better please your man, notplease yourself. And men... demand... things," she finishedlamely.
"We are to be married in name only. Thatmeans I won't be able to demand... things." He smiled.
"I'm still not convinced." She tossed herhead triumphantly.
"You will be in about thirty seconds."
"Try me," she challenged.
"Paradise Hill will be yours," he saidsimply.
Mandy let out her breath slowly, her eyessearching his face for long minutes. Finally, the corners of hermouth went up and the dimples appeared. "Tempted by Paradise, evenan angel couldn't resist."
"And you, my love, are far from angelic," heteased. "In fact I need my head examined for taking on anincorrigible, willful child like you. Still, I suppose a goodbeating will correct most of your faults."
