Page 70 of Master of Paradise
Nick grinned and drawled, "You might stinkyourself if you ever did a lick of work. And they aren'tyourladies, they're mine. Ben knows damn well he'd betterwash until he doesn't stink when he drives my carriage."
At the house, Samuel went to prepare hismaster's bath and lay out fresh clothes.
"Lou, tell Miss Jennifer and Miss Amanda ifthey can be ready in half-an-hour, I'll take them to the races.Assure them I won't wait longer."
When his sisters came down the curvedstaircase eager for the outing, Brandon couldn't believe his eyes.He looked from one to the other, comparing them openly, and Amandacame off the clear winner. The girl who always looked as if she'dbeen running wild with the gypsies was elegantly ruffled inexquisite lavender. She wore a straw leghorn, the first time he'dever seen her in a hat, and she carried the most eye-catchingparasol.
Beside her, Jennifer's pale features lookedwashed out, almost drab today. Brandon looked at Nicholas as hedescended, and his eyebrows went up in surprised amusement at thechange in his younger sister. "By God, Mandy, you grew upovernight."
She replied loftily, "Marriage does that foryou."
Brandon slapped his leg and laughed outright."You'd better not say things like that if you don't want to get oldNick into trouble."
When Nicholas got into the carriage, Brandonprotested. "Aren't you going to race Sunblood? He'd beat anythingthose crazy Vickers boys will be racing."
"I know he could, Bran, but Sunblood is mypride and joy. I wouldn't race him in this heat. He's not forracing; I'm going to use him for stud. Far more profitable in theend."
"I wish I had some way of making money,"Jennifer said with passion. "Men don't know how lucky they are.Whenever I need anything I have to ask Daddy."
Nicholas gave each girl a ten dollar goldpiece, and Mandy teased, "Thank you, Daddy." His physical responsewas instant and quite visible he was sure, as he shifted to easethe tight cloth of his breeches. He gave her a warning look and thedimples peeped out.
For once Nicholas was happy to join thegroups of men who invariably gathered together at these affairs,while their ladies were expected to amuse each other. Today thetalk was all about politics. As election day drew closer the menassured themselves that that damned Lincoln with his cockeyedabolitionist sentiments didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell,and if by some remote possibility, he did become President of theUnited States and try to abolish slavery, the very foundation theSouth was built upon, then they would secede.
Nicholas spoke against secession each timethe subject was brought up, but Southern pride and arrogance wereat work, and it almost appeared cowardly not to totally oppose theNorthern point of view. It was being realized and openly discussedfor the first time that if slavery were abolished and all the blackpeople manumitted, Southern planters stood to lose hundreds ofthousands of dollars. The plantations were slave rich and topdollar had been laid out for prime field hands and well-trainedhouse slaves. Manumission would wipe out fortunes overnight.
Jennifer spent the afternoon with BeauHampden and her other friends. His talk was all fire and pride. Hewas ready to fight the damn Yankees. Of course, everyone knew theydidn't have the courageous spirit to fight back if challenged. TheNorth was filled with shopkeepers and immigrants just off theboats.
By the end of the afternoon, however,Jennifer was alarmed. The only thing she owned in the whole worldthat had any value were a half-dozen slaves.Soon perhaps, myslaves will be worthless to me! There's only one way to preventthat happening.
Nicholas noted with amusement mixed slightlywith annoyance that Amanda was surrounded by young admirers allafternoon. She was emerging from the bud, just becoming aware ofher beauty and desirability, and at the same time the young men ofthe county were becoming aware of her allure. They placed herwagers, collected her winnings, covered her loses, and escorted herabout the huge buffet tables. The females gave her speculativelooks and whispered about her.
By the time the purple twilight deepened toindigo they had lost track of Brandon. On the carriage ride back toParadise, Jennifer begged Nicholas to invest some money for her, ifshe could manage to get some together. She placed her hands on hisarm, tugging his sleeve, begging like a supplicant.
Amanda watched her sister touching herhusband so openly, and was wistful that she could not do the same,at least in public.When we are alone tonight, I will touch him,and not just his arm either.She resolved to touch his hair, asher fingers had ached to, and if she could summon the courage,she'd touch his chest-- that lovely broad expanse where she longedto lay her cheek and let her fingers caress.
She blushed and quickly looked away from him.Amanda's thoughts were filled with anticipation of the touch andscent of him, and she only heard the tail end of Nicholas's wordsto her sister. They had come to some agreement, but about exactlywhat, Mandy was in ignorance.
As soon as they arrived home, Samuel handedNicholas a letter. It was from Bernard Jackson in reply to the onehe had written.
My Dear Nicholas:
Let me set your mind at rest about secession.The South is made up of many old and stable regimes, and in spiteof a few hot-headed South-Carolinians, cooler heads will prevail.States like Louisiana and Mississippi will not easily beswayed.
Representation has shifted to the cottonstates of Alabama, Georgia, and Carolina, and with this paritycomes congressional power. The State of Virginia will opposesecession forever, even if every other state cries out for it. Allyou need do is recall how quickly John Brown, the abolitionistbastard was crushed last year by Federal troops under ColonelRobert E. Lee for attempting a slave uprising.
Since I have no time these days to thinkabout the plantation, I am most thankful that I have you to dependupon. I would appreciate it if you would keep an eye on Brandon anddrop me a note regarding any problems that arise with the estate.Give my love to my girls.
Bernard Jackson, Richmond, Virginia.
Nicholas put the letter down and rubbed theside of his nose, deep in thought. If Bernard had written his truefeelings, they contrasted sharply with his own.I too want todeny that anything is wrong, but deep down I have a gut feelingthat this issue is about to erupt like a volcano, and it will besuch an upheaval, it will destroy everything in its path.
Nicholas knew what it was to lose all youheld dear, have it swept from under your feet by forces that youcould not control, and he fiercely resented the thought of ithappening all over again after he had worked so hard for so manyyears to build a dynasty with nothing but his bare hands.
Then he mocked himself for a fool.Theonly moment that's important is this moment. Live for it! Enjoyit!he told himself fiercely. He had worked four long yearstoward tomorrow. He would take his tomorrow and enjoy ittonight!
He went upstairs and poured himself a glassof champagne. He bathed and changed his shirt, and on impulsepicked up the bottle and glass and took it with him to the summerhouse. He unbuttoned his shirt and lay back in the hammock,schooling his mind to patience.
As he swung to and fro, the fragrances of thehot night seduced his senses with their exotic perfumes. It seemedan eternity before she came. He let out a long breath when he sawher approaching the hammock in the deep purple shadows. Nicholasstretched out his arms to her. "Love, let me hold you."
