Page 58 of Master of Paradise
"I would." Mandy picked up the rustlinggown.
"Be careful with it. I haven't had a chanceto wear it yet."
A sense of excitement began to build inAmanda. She chose one of Nicholas's new house servants, a prettyyoung girl called Juel to help her get ready. Mandy bathed withlavender-scented soap, then washed her hair and polished her nailswhile it dried.
"Juel, in the bottom drawer of my dressingtable, hidden under some nightgowns, you'll find some hairpins andface power... and rouge," she added boldly.
Juel laid them out for her, giggling at suchdaring.
"Will you please go below and see if CaptainCollins has arrived yet? I don't want to put the dress on untiljust before I go down. Oh, I have an awesome idea. Will you pick meone of those red hibiscus blooms from beside the front door. I'llput it in my hair."
When the girl left, Mandy powdered her faceand applied a small amount of rouge to her cheeks and lips. Thenshe rubbed her finger on the inside of the glass chimney on thebed-lamp. She touched the lamp black to her brows and lashes, thenwashed her hands. She took the brush and began to sweep up the hairfrom the nape of her neck and fasten it on top.
Juel returned and reported that the guest hadjust arrived and was being looked after by Samuel until the masterwent down.
"Would you please help me with this curl? Ican't get it to go right."
Juel took the brush and redid two or threecurls around the back.
"That's lovely. Now help me put on the dresswithout mussing up my hairdo."
A look of dismay clouded her eyes when shesaw her petticoat frills showing above the gown's low-cut neckline."Oh dear, that won't do. I'll have to take off the petticoat."
"But what will yo' wear, Miz Mandy?" Juelasked, puzzled.
"Nothing. I'll just wear my pantaloons andnothing on top. There now, lift the gown over again."
"Oh my!" Juel exclaimed as Mandy's breaststhrust tantalizingly from the crimson taffeta. "Ifn yo' go downlike dat, yo' gonna drive him crazy."
"I hope so." Amanda smiled. "Now if I justpin that hibiscus behind my ear, I'll look exotic as somenight-blooming flower."
"Yo' headin' fer trouble-- ah recognize deroad."
Amanda paused at the top of the staircase.She could see through to the room where the men were laughing. Asshe began to descend, the two men came to the foot of the stairs togreet her. Rafe Collins dark face gazed up at her with raptattention. "Bellisima," he whispered.
Nicholas came up the staircase to her andtook her hand. He called down, "Excuse us Rafe, we'll be downshortly." He ushered her back up the stairs without hesitation.
"Where are we going?"
"To change your dress," he said quietly.
She tried to resist, but realized her effortswere fruitless against his strength.
He took her back into her bedroom and closedthe door. "Take it off and change it for one more suitable," hetold her.
"I will not! How dare you humiliate me thisway?" she demanded.
"Would it not humiliate you to have men gazeat your bare breasts?" he asked quietly.
"They are not bare."
"Damn near," he said shortly. "Take itoff."
"I will not!" she refused angrily.
Nicholas shrugged. "If you won't, then Iwill." Before she could protest further, he spun her about, undidthe gown and was about to pull it off, when she clasped her handsprotectively across her breasts. "Nicholas, please, I'm nakedbeneath this gown."
He turned her to face him. Anger mixed withlust threatened to consume him as his long fingers bit into hernaked shoulders. He gained control and flung open the bedroom door."Lou!" he called loudly, and was thankful when he heard, "Ah'scomin' masta Nick."
