Page 49 of Master of Paradise
She looked at him seriously to gauge hiswords. "Would you?"
He gazed down at the enchantress. "If youpushed me too far," he said honestly.
Suddenly she was shy and tongue-tied. "Yousaid Father was shocked. What did you say to change his mind?"
He rubbed his thumb across the back of herhand. "You already know I had to promise him it would be a marriagein name only-- that I'd wait until you were eighteen before I wouldconsummate the union. Up until a marriage is consummated, it can beannulled, dissolved, if you are very unhappy."
"What does consummate mean exactly?"
"Well, it means I promise not to give you ababy until you are old enough, I suppose." Then he added, "amongother things."
"Nicholas, what other things?"
"You know it's fashionable these days forbrides to go to Saratoga or White Sulphur Springs on a weddingtrip? Well, we won't be able to have our honeymoon for a couple ofyears."
"Oh Nicholas, I don't mind if you can'tafford it."
"Of course I can afford it." He laughed, thenwent on more patiently. "We can't have a wedding trip yet because ahoneymoon is when a man and woman share the same bed and makelove."
"You mean I'll have my own room?" she askedcarefully.
"Own room? Hell, you'll have to have a wholeseparate wing, with your sister, your aunt, and Mammy Louchaperoning like three dragons."
She looked uncertain. "I'll still be Mrs.Nicholas Peacock?"
He nodded. He imagined the feel of her lipsbeneath his as his eyes lingered on her soft, pink mouth. He torehis gaze away from her as an overwhelming desire came over him totake her and crush her in his arms. He forced his mind to practicalmatters. "Because you are still in mourning, it will have to be aquiet ceremony with just the family present. We can have thewedding performed either at your father's house or ours, whicheveryou prefer."
"I'd like to be married at Paradise," shesaid shyly. "When will it be?"
"That of course will depend upon your father.But I honestly believe he wants to leave for Richmond at theearliest moment possible, so I believe it will be almostimmediately."
"Nicholas, are you sure you don't mind myfamily moving into Paradise?"
"Visiting is a way of life in the South isn'tit? I heard of one couple who went visiting their relatives whenthey got married and didn't leave until their second child wasborn." He laughed.
"May I have a room overlooking thegardens?"
"Amanda, you may have anything you desire.Let's go now and you can decide exactly just where you want to be,and where you want everyone else to be."
They untied their horses and, side by side,rode to their new home. She rushed into the front hall calling,"Samuel, where are you?"
He seemed to appear from nowhere as usual."Nicholas and I are going to be married!" she saidbreathlessly.
Samuel grinned his approval. "Ah allus knowdyo' gwine be Miz Peacock-- ah jest didn' know when."
"Very soon, Samuel. I can't believe it!" Shehugged herself and spun around in the hall under the crystalchandelier.
Nicholas grinned, knowing it was Paradisethat she desired and not him, not yet. He mounted the staircase andshe hurried to catch up to his stride. She ran her hand lovingly upthe bannister. "My, Mrs. Peacock, you have the loveliest home inthe entire state." After a momentary pause she added, "And thehandsomest husband in the country."
Nicholas chuckled, relieved that she had beentransformed from an angry hellion to a happy bride-to-be.
When they reached the upper landing, shesaid, "First, let's pick a room for Jennifer. Which is theprettiest, do you think? Oh yes, this golden room! I only hope itwill appease her."
"Is she so very angry?"
"She's mad clean through," she giggled. "Andjust to keep her that way, let's put Aunt Billie in the next roomso they can keep each other company."
"Hideous child," he accused.
