Page 57 of Master of Paradise
Nicholas said simply, "Lou, you are far toovaluable a servant to waste your time with baking. It's menial, hotwork. I'm expecting my friend Rafe Collins. Would you select andprepare a guest room for him?"
"It be ma pleasure, suh," Mammy Lou said,meek as a lamb.
Nicholas beckoned Mandy into the dining room."For God's sake Amanda, I haven't time to settle domestic disputes.Couldn't you have handled it?" he asked shortly.
Still hurting from last night, and now upsetbecause he had spoken sharply, she flared, "Well, excuse me. I'lljust run along and play on my swing and let you grownups get onwith your business."
Nicholas grasped her wrist in his strongbrown fingers to prevent her departure. "Amanda, I'm sorry Isnapped at you. I had a bad night." He looked at her closely andknew her night had been spent in tears. "I know you're not gettingthe attention a young bride deserves. No second and third daydresses, no wedding trip, no honeymoon visits."
He braced his arms, imprisoning her againstthe wall, an arm on either side of her. "I'll make it all up to yousomeday. I thought you were a good, sensible girl, and it would beenough just to know that we were married."
He was so close, her senses began to swim.She missed half of what he said when she looked into his eyes.Their color held such fascination for her.Turquoise or aqua? Ican never quite decide.She turned her face away so she couldthink more clearly, but there was his strong arm braced against thewall, muscles tanned and bulging. She felt strangely weak becauseof his nearness.
As Nicholas looked down at her lips and sawthem tremble slightly, he wanted to cover her mouth with his untilshe cried out for breath. As her breasts moved up and down witheach breath, her fragrance stole to him, making him almostlight-headed with desire.
"Oh Mandy," he breathed, 'it's a blessing indisguise that I'm busy with the cotton, or you would have more ofmy attention than you could handle." He removed his arm so she wasfree to go.
She looked at him saucily. "You were smoothas silk with Mammy Lou. Do you get your way so easily with allwomen?"
"Always," he promised.
Well I've decided you won't get your waytoo easily with me.She blushed at her daring thoughts.
He called back to her. "We're having a guestdine with us tonight. I know he's dying to meet you."
"Your friend, Rafe Collins, the seacaptain?"
He nodded. "Consult with Samuel about dinner,and look beautiful for me. I've a full day's work ahead of me. Gonow and stop distracting me," he teased.
She went back into the kitchen. "Samuel, I'mso sorry about Mammy interfering in everything. It's just thatshe's done for me for so long, it's hard for her to stop."
"An' what kind o' house servant would she beif'n she didn' want everythin' jest so fo' yo', Miz Mandy?"
This attitude was so completely opposite theone he'd taken in Mammy's presence that Mandy began to laugh. Itwas infectious, and Samuel laughed with her. She decided the bestway to handle him was to ask his advice rather than give himorders. "What will we give Captain Collins for dinner tonight?"
"Cap'n Collins allus brings his own dinner,Miz Mandy."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Lobsters. He allus brings lots an' lots o'lobsters."
Amanda went through her wardrobe twice, threwup her hands in despair, and decided she'd better make friends withher sister again if she wanted something decent to wear.
As usual, Jennifer's room was a hive ofactivity. Petticoats and dresses were strewn everywhere. "I came tosee if you wanted to dine with us tonight. Nicholas has invitedCaptain Collins."
"No. I'm going out. Brandon is taking me tothe Vickers tonight."
"Do you think you should be going to a party,Jenny?"
"It isn't a party, Mandy. We're just diningat the Vickers."
"You know as well as I, it will be one oftheir famous chicken bogs."
"Oh Mandy, I'm so deathly tired of all thismourning. I want to dance and laugh. Please don't tell Mammy;she'll never stop her prating."
As Amanda looked at her sister's pretty blueeyes and blonde curls, she found it hard to believe that Jennywasn't as innocent as herself.She looks gentle as an angel.In face if they were compared with each other, it was Amanda wholooked enticingly wanton with her slanting golden eyes that hintedof unplumbed passion and wilfulness. She looked seductive next toJennifer's Madonna-like sweetness. "I know exactly how you feel. Icame to borrow one of your pretty dresses."
"I was just deciding what I would wear." Shepicked up a crimson taffeta and held it against her, then put itdown quickly. "Even I wouldn't dare wear red."
