Page 62 of Master of Paradise
"Use your imagination." Jenny rolled her eyesat Mandy's ignorance. She changed the subject and said in a tonethat dared her sister to object, "I've invited Beau for suppertonight."
"That's lovely Jenny. If there's somethingspecial you'd like, just ask Samuel. He's definitely the voice ofauthority around here. If Nicholas doesn't get back, I could send amessage to Brandon and ask him to join us."
"For heaven's sake, we don't need our brotherhere just because I have a gentleman caller. You're a married ladynow-- you are all the chaperone we will need."
"Of course, you are right. I must learn totake responsibility as the mistress here."
In Charleston, Nicholas attended a politicalmeeting at the Society Hall on Broad Street. He was alarmed at themood of the men who attended. Raised voices were loud and angry,and when the call went up for South Carolina to secede from theUnion of the United States there were no cool voices to prevail andadvise a more cautious solution.
He walked back to the house on Tradd Street,mulling over the things he'd heard at the meeting. Solange andJason were married now. She remained at the house in Charleston andJason spent time with her only when he accompanied Nicholas to thecity.
Before Nicholas retired, he sent off a letterto Bernard, appraising him of the mood in Charleston and asking himwhat the talk was in Richmond. Sleep was a long time coming, butthe moment he slipped over the edge into its silken bonds, Amandawas there again beckoning, retreating, advancing, refusing,promising, withholding, begging, forbidding, until she drove him totake her by force.
Nicholas shot up from the pillows wide awake.He knew not if he was glad or sorry that it had only been a dream,but every detail stayed with him to haunt him for the remainder ofthe night.
The following day the city was like a steambath. The air hung hot, wet, and heavy, with not even the hint of asea-breeze ruffling up from the harbor. Nicholas let himself inwith his own key at Maggie's house on Wentworth Street. The day'slight was beginning to fade and he couldn't be sure if her smilewelcomed him as he peered into the dim sitting room. He feltstifled and removed his coat, murmuring, "You don't mind, doyou?"
"By all means, don't stand on ceremony withme," she said in a brittle voice.
Instantly wary, he wondered how she couldpossibly have heard the news of his marriage. She made no attemptto come into his arms, nor offer him a kiss of welcome.
"I haven't seen you or heard from you in solong, I assumed it was over!"
So, she's determined to be difficult.He decided against saying he'd been busy with the cotton becauseshe was well aware of the demands on the time of a planter. He tookout his cigar case and selected a cheroot, waiting for her to spitout all the things that were sticking in her craw.
"You've obviously been so besotted with yourchild bride, you couldn't even find time to drop me a note."
He blew out the blue smoke and watched itspiral lazily toward the ceiling.
"Well, say something, damn you!"
"What is there to say?" he drawled. "Seemsyou already know all my business."
"I was at a social gathering with VirginiaHeyward, your bride's aunt. She flung your name about like you werethe prize catch of the Season. Said her niece must have bewitchedyou since she hadn't come out yet, and wasn't even old enough toattend balls or cotillions."
He murmured, "In the South, gossip is a wayof life."
"Especially when men revel in giving thegossips fodder for their gristmills. Rumor has it the marriage isin name only, but I'm not quite that gullible. That's simply adevice to mask the situation with a cloak of respectability," sheflung.
The silence stretched between them as hegauged her true feelings. Was she deeply hurt by his actions, orwas she giving him a hard time because she had a particularly highbill she needed paying.
"Well?" she demanded. "Have you slept withher or not?"
Nicholas ground out his cigar and saidcurtly, "I have no intention of discussing my wife with mymistress." The insult was like a slap.
"You bastard!" she spat.
Ironically, that's one name I can'tdeny.He looked at her and said quietly, "The trouble with amistress is, as the expense increases, the pleasure diminishes." Heput his key on the table and picked up his coat to depart.
She gasped. Then called after him, "Nick,don't go!"
He stopped in the doorway with his back toher.
She flew across the room to him. "I'm sorrydarling, I've been going insane with jealousy. I didn't know if I'dever see you again."
He turned to face her. "Maggie, when I'mfinished with you, I'll be man enough to tell you so. Give mecredit for some character."
She slipped her arms about his neck andlooked up at him pleadingly. "I can't help being jealous of a girlhalf my age."
