Page 60 of Master of Paradise
"Not impossible by any stretch of theimagination. If you hadn't just gotten married, you'd have noexcuse not to take the cotton."
Nicholas laughed. "By God, if you're right,it means our cotton could be there in just over twenty days fromnow. It's ready to go. It can be on our ship in Charlestontomorrow."
"Do you know what all the talk is about inCharleston? They say we should secede from the United States."
"Secede?" asked Nicholas. "Why?"
"The North is hell-bent on abolition of theslaves, and where the devil would that leave the South?"
"South Carolina would never be fool enough tosecede. Hellfire, if one state did it, it would have a dominoeffect. The other Southern states would follow suit, and it wouldpit the North against the South," Nicholas pointed out.
Rafe shrugged. "Charleston can talk of naughtelse."
Amanda spoke up. "Write to Father inRichmond. He should know what's going on."
"I will, by God. Bernard went up to thecapitol to voice opposition to abolition and higher taxation."
Rafe shrugged again and smiled. "Well onething is certain-- any rumors that threaten the supply of cottongetting to England will send the price soaring, so we stand to makea lot of money out of it."
"In the short term, yes," Nick saidquickly.
"What do you mean?"
Nicholas glanced at Amanda, then saidlightly, "Not a thing. We're letting our imagination run away withus. Rational minds will prevail, never fear. Rumors of secessionwill soon die down and fade away."
Amanda sensed the two men would be able todiscuss these things more comfortably if she were not present."I've had a delightful evening, but I'm ready to go upstairs. I'msure you gentlemen won't object if I leave you to your owndevices.
"Goodnight Miss Amanda. You made my evening adelight."
"Goodnight Mr. Collins. I hope to see youtomorrow before you leave. I'd like you to bemyfriend aswell as my husband's."
Nicholas walked with her to the foot of thestairs. "You made quite a conquest tonight," he murmured.
"Didn't I?" she teased.
"Do you mean to tell me you knew the effectyou were having on Rafe?" he demanded.
"I was talking about you," she whispered.
At breakfast, Nicholas told Amanda he wouldbe leaving for Charleston in the late afternoon. "I'll leave Jasonat Paradise so he can begin the brickwork for your herbgarden."
This gave Amanda an idea. She knew wherequite a few herbs grew wild, and she would go out this morning todig some up to replant in her kitchen garden. There was catnip,chicory, and over by the waterfall was some wild spearmint.
When Nicholas came in for midday meal, Amandawas nowhere to be found. "Lou, where did Mandy go?"
"Lawsy, Masta Nick, she don' tell ol' Mammywhat tricks she git up to."
"Lou, let's not always assume she's up tosomething," he cautioned.
"Now suh, 'ceptin' she usually is. Dese ol'bones cain't keep up wiv her-- she like quicksilver!"
"Well, tell them to serve lunch. I'm sureshe'll be back soon. The last thing she would want would be for usto keep track of her every move."
The cotton bales were loaded onto theflatboats and the flotilla was ready to go with the next tide.Nicholas came in to change his clothes and pick up his overnightbag. He and Rafe would ride to Charleston along the riverbank tokeep an eye on the awesome amount of cotton they weretransporting.
When Samuel informed him that Miss Amanda hadnot yet returned, he was slightly annoyed at the necessity to lookfor her and cause delay. He went to the stables to see if MissLouise was missing. The horse was in her stall, but Old Joe toldhim if he was looking for his wife, she had gone to the woods andtaken young Ben with her.
Nicholas frowned.She's been away forhours. She knew I was leaving this afternoon, why did she gomissing for most of the day?
