Page 54 of Master of Paradise
"I must confess that I did."
"Your house and gardens have no rival inthree counties."
"Ourhouse, Amanda. I'll leave you tosee to your horse. If you'd prefer another stall, just moveher."
She saddled up for herself and rode about theland belonging to her new home. She loved every acre. She hadalways loved this land, but Nicholas had turned a wilderness into athriving plantation and a garden showplace. The ornamental lake nowboasted a small bridge, under which a pair of swans glided withstately elegance. She looked heavenward as a sharp flapping ofwings filled the air. A flight of wild geese had chosen to land ontheir lake for the night. She was thrilled and thought, not for thefirst time, that birds were a lucky omen for her. After all, wasn'tshe a Peacock?"
After her ride she stabled Miss Louise,brushed her, and gave her a generous feeding of oats. "You are mybeautiful girl, and I love you." The filly answered her. Amandalooked down at her wedding ring, and twisted it round and round,hoping she wouldn't awaken and find it had all been a dream.
On the way up to her room, she saw Cleo withan armful of dresses. "Oh Cleo, take the rest of the day off. Don'tyou want to be with Brute?"
"Ah can't Miz Mandy. Miz Jenny clothes are ina terrible mess wid all dis movin'. She want all her dressespressed nice an' fresh."
"Cleo, this is my wedding day and I want youto enjoy being with Brute. Besides, I'm the mistress here now. Runalong, I'll take these dresses to Jenny and explain."
"Oh thank you' Miz Mandy. Ah wants to be withBrute somethin' powerful."
As Mandy went up into the east wing she sawtwo maids come scurrying from Jennifer's room, almost in tears. Shecould hear her sister's voice, shrill and angry. She opened thedoor and stopped on the threshold to admire the room'sprettiness.
"What do you want?" Jennifer demanded.
"I gave Cleo the rest of the day off. She canfinish these tomorrow."
Jennifer's eyes blazed their indignation."How dare you? Little Miss High and Mighty. Countermanding myorders to my own slave. Why, you've even got Mammy treating you asif you're someone special now that you're married to NicholasPeacock. The joke of it is you won't be a proper wife to him for atleast two years yet!"
Though Mandy felt as if she'd been slapped inthe face, she said lightly, "I won't allow even you to spoil thisday for me." She placed the dresses on the bed and left.
Mandy had just removed her riding skirt whenMammy Lou came in. "Did y'all have a nice rest, honey? Ah shoreenjoyed puttin' ma ol' feet up fo' a spell. Let's pick a real purtydress fo' dat husband o'yores. Ah declare, yo' is one luckygal!"
Amanda stood before the wardrobe with dismayclearly etched on her face. "Mammy Lou, my dresses are all so plainand simple."
"Dis here ma favorite."
"Oh please not pink. It will make me looklike a little girl. Maybe the yellow. They all lack something.They're all so childish."
"Verily, verily." Mammy rolled her eyes."Yesterday yo' didn' give a care what covered yore hide. Today yo'wants silk dresses!"
Mandy peered into the mirror. "It's simplyscandalous what the sun has done to my skin. I need some facecream. Oh, I need so many things, it's unbelievable."
"Lordy chile, don' ah scold yo' about de sun'til ma tongue turn blue, an' yo' jest laughin' at ol' Mammy."
Amanda turned her back so that Mammy couldfasten the yellow muslin dress and tie up the sash. "It will takeme hours to get the tangles from my hair."
Mammy rolled her eyes again. "Nevah thoughtah'd live t'see de day yo' combed all de tangles from yo' hair.Easier to get de scissors an' chop 'em out."
"I can't do that. Nicholas loves my longhair. He's always touching it."
"Den yo' better git started wid dat brushfore yo' evah tries to put de comb through it."
It took a whole hour before Amanda wassatisfied with her appearance. Mammy opened the door to a politeknock and almost bristled when she saw it was Samuel. He coollyignored her and bowed to the new mistress. "De masta say supper beserved on de patio, Miz Mandy, if yo' has no objections."
"The patio?" she questioned.
"Ah come t'escort yo' directly ma'am."
"Thank you, Samuel." She smiled at him andhis heart went out to her.
He led her downstairs, through the east wingand out to the back of the house. A large brick patio shaded bypalmetto and a pomegranate tree stretched invitingly beforeher.
