Page 68 of Master of Paradise
He gave her an intense look. "I cherish mywife so much, she is to be envied, not pitied. I think Amanda wascloser to the mark when she mentioned jealousy."
Jennifer's lips compressed with her own envy.She said petulantly, "By the way, I shall be going to visit thefarm in Blackville next week after all. Brandon has agreed toescort me."
"That is acceptable, Jennifer," he saidquietly, giving his permission.
Jennifer was livid with him.Damn him tohellfire.Nicholas didn't jump to her bait like the other menshe knew. She was a past master at the nuance of the sidelongglance, the tempting half-smile, flirting with her fan, but hedidn't respond to her smiles, just as her tears didn't reduce himto apologizing and begging her forgiveness.
She vowed to bring him low, no matter howlong it took. She knew instinctively how to defeat an enemy.Revenge has four simple steps. First, make a friend of him;second, gain his confidence; third, maneuver him into a vulnerableposition; and fourth, annihilate him."Excuse me, I mustfreshen up before I go to the Beverlys."
Alone with Billie, Nicholas said, "For awell-bred young lady, her morals are deplorable."
Aunt Billie cackled. "No woman is moral whenthe chips are down, take it from me. Morals are the first thing togo out the window."
Nicholas chuckled. "So, you think women areall sisters under the skin, do you Billie?"
"Human nature is human nature." She noddedsagely.
"How can I argue with such profundity?" heasked with a smile.
When Amanda went up to her room, she found along-stemmed rosebud on her pillow. She caught her breath andwondered if it was an invitation. She inhaled its delicatefragrance deeply, and opened the door that led out to the balcony.She leaned against the railing and searched the shadows of thegarden. There! Was that the glow from his cigar, or merely afirefly signaling an invitation to its mate? She was very still fora moment, then suddenly she knew beyond the shadow of a doubt thathe awaited her. Her heart lifted and sang.
She bathed her hands and face withrose-scented water and slipped out into the garden. She floated onbutterfly wings to the gazebo and climbed its steps. Her heart sankas she saw that it was empty, then it soared again, as he arosefrom a wicker chair.
"Nicholas." She was breathless.
"Sweetheart, I see you understood myinvitation." He cupped her elbows and gazed down at the face thathaunted him.
"When two people are attuned to each other,they don't need words," she breathed softly.
"Thank God for this Indian summer. I hope itlasts into December. I want us to meet here every night, Amanda.Promise me you'll come?"
"I promise," she said shyly, hoping the spellwould not be broken.
His hands slipped up her arms as he drew hercloser. Her vision was blocked from everything beyond his wideshoulders. He wore no jacket and her eyes lingered on the open neckof his shirt, where the strong, brown column of his neckdisappeared beneath the fine material.
He bent his lips to her ear and whispered,"Each time I looked at you today, I was overwhelmed by the desireto kiss you... like this." His hands cupped her face and lifted itto receive his kiss. His lips took hers softly, tasting all hersweetness.
Her head was filled with the scent of him andwhen he released her mouth, she swayed toward him, intoxicated byhis male strength. She had never known the bliss of being heldcaptive against a powerful man's chest, arms wrapped about eachother, mouths fused.
His arms tightened and his mouth possessedhers again. She could feel his hard body, and she drew back,alarmed at his intensity.
He murmured, "Don't let me hurt you."
She didn't know if she was relieved ordisappointed when he took her hand and led her from the summerhouse. With fingers entwined they strolled to the end of the rosegarden to where the swing hung invitingly. He stood behind it andheld the ropes steady. She laughed and sat down, but before hebegan to push her, he bent over and dropped a kiss on her hair. Sheleaned her head back to gaze up at him. "Do you want to play...like children?"
His voice was husky. "I want to play likeAdam and Eve."
She protested, "They were... " then shestopped, shyly.
"Say it," he urged.
"Naked," she whispered.
The silence enveloped them as the word hungbetween them. Finally he said, "That's what I want us to be."
"Hush Nicholas, you mustn't say suchthings."
"I will say such things, and we will do suchthings," he assured her firmly. "But not yet, not tonight. Notuntil you have lost your shyness with me, and I've shown you how tobe a little wanton." He began to push her, sending her higher andhigher until her toes touched the high branches.
