Page 52 of Master of Paradise
Bernard was relieved that the hystericaloutcry he was expecting from his favorite child did notmaterialize. After locking herself in her room for twenty-fourhours, Jennifer emerged her sweet, laughing self and joined in thepreparations for the coming wedding with sisterly anticipation anddevotion.
All their friends and neighbors were agogwith the news. The rumors were rife. None linked Jennifer Joy'sname with at of Nicholas, rather they ran along the lines thatBernard Jackson had paid Nicholas Peacock to marry the child. Afterall, they had had enough hints from the bride's own sister that itwas not a love match, and it was to be a marriage in name only. Thewhole thing was a mysticication.
Chapter Twelve
As Nicholas Peacock lay in bed on the morningof his wedding, he laughed at himself.I've fallen into a trapof my own making.He was mad in love with his exquisitebride-to-be, but in order to get her, he'd had to agree to amarriage in name only.How long will I last before that littlepromise is broken?The constant denial had turned his dreamsinto orgies of lust that did nothing to relieve the sexual tensionthat was relentlessly building within his body.I promised twoyears. Judas, it will be a miracle if I last two days!
He could hear Samuel filling his bath, andthe delicious aroma coming from the kitchens told him thatpreparations for the special wedding dinner were already underway.It seemed strange for him to have a day off work. He was alwaysbusy from sunup to well after sundown, if the workload demanded it,so he was at a loss to fill the hours until the wedding partyarrived.
Things were not so quiet over at the JacksonPlantation. It could be said without exaggeration that everythingwas in a state of chaotic flux. Packing had been going on for threedays, and an outside observer would have supposed a journey of athousand miles was being undertaken.
The pecking-order of impatience began withthe head of the household, as it should. Bernard Jackson's temperflayed the house servants who were readying him not only for thewedding, but for his extended trip to Richmond.
Mammy Lou, trotting between Jennifer Joy andAunt Billie tried to delegate responsibility to the house servants.They suddenly turned stubborn as field mules because they werereceiving too many orders from too many directions.
When Jennifer threw a tantrum bordering onhysterics because the slippers she planned to wear had been packed,there was nothing for it but to unpack all her boxes until themissing fugitives were discovered.
Amanda Virginia took in the scenephilosophically and proceeded to pack her own things, and readyherself for her wedding. She was glad of the respite from thechattering horde. She needed a quiet time to herself, and wasrelieved that while they were driving each other to distraction,they were leaving her to her solitude.
Mandy lay supine across the bed with her headhanging over the edge so that her hair flowed like a waterfall tothe carpet. Today had an unreality to it. She couldn't quite graspthat this was her wedding day and Nicholas Peacock was to be herhusband.
She recalled their first meeting as if it hadbeen yesterday.I remember I thought him a god, and uponreflection I wasn't too far off the mark. What Nicholas hasaccomplished in the years he's been here is superhuman. If this isthe measure of a man, most other males compared and measuredagainst him are woefully lacking. He is taller, broader, stronger;his skin more tan, his laugh deeper, and his patience moreforbearing. He's also kind, tolerant, and understanding. The greatmystery is that he wants me, and wants me now.
Mandy examined her feelings for him closelyin this hour left to her before she committed herself to him withvows that would bind her for the rest of her life.There hasalways been an unspoken understanding between us, but that was forsome far-off, almost mythical future that has suddenly materializedinto the here and now.Its immediacy frightened her. If she wasbeing truthful, Nicholas Peacock frightened her. On the surfacethey had been friends, but underneath that surface lay depths shewas afraid to plumb. He was different than other men. Clay Hampdenand Wes Beverly were such everyday, uncomplicated boys, familiar toher and her way of life since childhood.
Nicholas is a man from another world. Hehas qualities that set him apart; qualities that are perhapsdangerous.She finally admitted to herself that the thrilling,forbidden aspect of the whole adventure was what lured herirresistibly. She was ready for any dare, any challenge. She lovedto shock, and anticipated with relish being shocked in return.
In the drawing room at Paradise, the ministerfrom the church in Summerville stood ready. Only the family werepresent. Brandon was groomsman. Nicholas would have preferred toask Rafe Collins, but deferred to the family's state ofmourning.
Aunt Billie was rigged out in a retchingshade of puce, while Mammy Lou stood by with tears in her eyes,wringing her hands.
Samuel had turned the drawing room into abower, filling it with pink and white blossoms. The fireplaceopening was filled with a mass of peonies in varying shades fromshell pink to deepest fuchsia.
Standing beside her sister, Jennifer held herhead unnaturally high. She smiled so long and so brightly that hertop lip stuck to her teeth. She felt nauseated, and knew she wouldloathe the heady smell of peonies for the rest of her life.
Nicholas came forward to meet his bride. Helooked down at her and noticed her pallor. Never had he seen afemale look more innocent and pure. A wave of guilt washed over himas he contemplated Amanda's vulnerability.
She whispered low, "They've stuck me withthis damn white again."
Nicholas laughed with relief as he recognizedthe impish Mandy he loved.
As soon as the minister began the ceremony,and realization came that she was actually being married to thisman, Amanda's heart began to thud uncontrollably until she couldhardly breathe.
"Wilt thou have this woman to thy weddedwife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate ofmatrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, insickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee onlyunto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will."
As his clear response came to her, a look ofawe etched her delicate features. Then she was being asked:
"Wilt thou have this man to thy weddedhusband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estateof matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor andkeep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keepthee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live"
"I will." Her response was as clear and firmas his had been.
"Who giveth this woman to be married to thisman?"
"I do," Bernard Jackson said firmly.
When her father spoke, surprise that he wasactually going through with it arched Mandy's brow. Then Nicholastook her right hand in his. A momentary worry clouded her facebecause her palm was slightly damp, while his hand was firm, warm,and dry. She saw a smile begin at the corners of his eyes as helooked down at her, and her worries melted away.
