Page 76 of Master of Paradise
She watched a muscle clench in his jaw andsaw his lips were white with suppressed fury.
He pointed to the door and uttered one word."Go!"
Mandy's mouth fell open with surprise. As shewas about to protest, he said, "Obey me madam, or I will not beresponsible for my actions."
This was a Nicholas Amanda had never seenbefore and she was relieved to put a safe distance betweenthem.
"Mammy, get in here and tell me what'shappening in my own house." Amanda took the dresses from her armsand sat her down in a bedroom chair.
"Ah don't know, Miz Mandy."
"Mammy, you stop that prevaricating thisminute. You even know when somebody takes a pee!"
"You' stop dat trashy talk an' ah tells yo'.Miz Jennifer dun sold de house servants yore momma left her to deslave buyer, and Masta Nick dun got 'em back."
"Great balls of fire, Mother will be spinningin her grave."
"Sumpin' happen to Miz Jennifer up at datBlackville place dat turn her mind."
"Thank God Nicholas got them back. Cleo ishaving a baby. Didn't Jennifer stop to think what Brute might do toher if she sold his wife and baby?" Amanda shuddered.
Downstairs, Nicholas was doing his best toconvince the servants that it was all a terrible mistake. "MissJennifer did sell you all, but she sold you to me," he said firmly."The slave buyer got you mixed up with some others. I want toassure you that you will never be sold from Paradise." He wouldhave immediately given them their papers and freed them, if hehadn't known from experience that it would fill them withapprehension. They needed the security of Paradise.
"Go to the kitchen and tell Samuel to feedyou, and I'll lock your papers in the safe where nobody but me canever get to them again."
Jennifer Joy realized that she hadunderestimated Nicholas Peacock. After withdrawing from the familyfor a couple of days, she emerged as she always did, her sweet,smiling self, as if nothing had happened. But the days she hadspent in her room had hardened her resolve to get Beau Hampden topropose marriage.I intend to be mistress over a plantation thatis even larger and finer than Paradise.
When Beau arrived the next afternoon with hissister, Julia, they were full of news of a visit to Charleston thatthey made every year at this time, when the Winter Season ofentertaining got underway as a prelude to the glittering Christmasfestivities.
Jennifer knew that in spite of their mourningit was absolutely essential for her to be in Charleston for some ofthe parties that Beau would be attending. That night she wrote aletter to her Aunt Virginia that carried just the right note ofappeal. She drew a picture of lonely plantation life where mourninghad isolated them from their friends and neighbors. She spokelongingly of the happy visits she'd always had at her aunt's houseand conveyed it all with a tone of wistfulness. With her motherdead and her father in Richmond, Jenny knew Virginia's guiltyconscience would prompt an invitation.
When the reply came, it invited both Amandaand Jennifer to stay until the middle of November. Jenny was overthe moon and began packing at once. Amanda wasn't averse tospending a couple of weeks in Charleston, since the atmospherebetween herself and Nicholas had become strained since the night onthe gallery. Amanda brought Virginia's letter to the dinner tablethat night and offered it to Nicholas, wondering what his reactionwould be.
He glanced down the page, then raised hiseyes to her face. "I think it a splendid idea. You'll be able to goshopping for the new clothes I promised you for your birthday." Hiseyes played with hers until her lashes lowered to her cheeks and arosy-hued blush crept over features.
"I have business in Charleston. We can traveldown together in the carriage. I won't stay with you at Virginia's,but I'll keep in touch and when you are ready to come home, we'lltravel back together."
"Promise you'll visit on the day I turnseventeen?"
"Sweetheart, as if I would miss yourbirthday," he assured her.
Jennifer Joy spoke up graciously as if therehad been no bad blood between her and her brother-in-law. "Thankyou, for allowing us to visit Charleston, Nicholas. You are verygenerous. I have to put my money in the bank, that is if there'sany left after I go shopping."
Nicholas said smoothly, "Just charge thethings to me Jennifer. I'm sure the Jackson sisters' extravaganceswon't put too big a strain on my pockets."
The next two days were taken up withpreparations for the trip and packing. Amanda urged Mammy to helpJennifer, and she chose Cleo to assist with her own clothes. Whenthey were alone, Amanda asked, "Does Brutus know that you werealmost sold, Cleo?"
"No Miz Mandy. Ah don't think deres nobodybrave enough t'tell him. Ah gets a misery in ma heart just thinkin''bout bein' separated from him. Yo' shore got yoself one goodman."
Amanda hesitated. "Cleo, is Brute good toyou? I mean... aren't you afraid of him?"
Cleo laughed happily. "Ah's afraid o' him,but dat's what makes it thrillin'. He sure can be fierce, but likea lot o' big men, he can be gentle too."
Nicholas was so vividly with her as Cleospoke of her man, that she could feel his hands on her and smellhis exciting male scent. Amanda felt a compulsion to ask her nextquestion, and felt this was the only woman she could speak of thesethings with. "Cleo, tell me... is it very painful when a man...when he demands his rights?"
Cleo patted her arm. "Honey, yo' got nuthin't'worry about 'till yore all growd up."
"Cleo, I think... I know... he wants me now,"she whispered, "and sometimes... sometimes I want him."
