Page 82 of Master of Paradise
The trees soon swallowed them from view, butnot before Jennifer, looking from her window, saw the possessivehand Nicholas placed on her sister's breast. As she watched withjealous, vindictive eyes, she knew them for lovers.
That night Amanda suffered Mammy Lou'snightly ministrations with an impatience she was very careful tokeep hidden. She yawned through her unlacing, let heavy eyelashesbrush her cheeks while lying in the bathtub, and pretended to fallasleep in the middle of having her hair brushed. Then, as a worriedfrown creased the old woman's brow, Amanda felt a quick stab ofguilt at the deceit she was practicing on her faithfulnursemaid.
"Mammy, I promise I'm not coming down withanything. I'm just sleepy."
The moment the lamp was turned down and thedoor closed, Amanda flung back the covers, threw on her bed-robe,carefully put the bar down across her door and went out to thebalcony. The night was cold as she moved silently along to the westwing. She was just about to enter when she saw through thejalousies that Samuel was opening a bottle of wine with acorkscrew.
Nicholas, wearing a robe, rubbed his damphair with a towel. She waited long minutes, lifting a very coldfoot from the floor of the gallery, until her husband was at lastalone. Suddenly, she felt shy and couldn't bring herself to enterwithout knocking.
He had the door open in a second, drawing herinto his masculine world. "Come and be warm, love." He sat herbefore the fire, and knelt to rub her feet. He grinned at her."Were you in such a hurry you forgot your slippers?"
"Yes," she admitted breathlessly, and thepretty pink color suffused her cheeks. She ran her fingers throughhis damp, curly hair, and he laughed softly, happy that she couldnot keep her hands from him. He arose and locked the door, pulledthe drapes tightly shut, and poured them a goblet of delicious,smooth Chablis. He stretched his great length before the fire andpulled her down to him. They shared the loving cup, kissing betweensips, tasting the sweet wine on each others' lips.
She heaved a great sigh and lay against hischest. "I wish tonight could last forever. Nicholas, promise me allour tomorrows will be just so."
As he gazed down at her, his heartconstricted as he knew at his heart-root their time could be short."Sweetheart, we must enjoy this moment. Is it not enough that we'vetasted the forbidden fruit?" he teased.
"Don't say that, Nicholas. Adam and Eve werecast out of the Garden of Eden. That couldn't happen to us, couldit?"
"Enough fantasy." He laughed to lighten themood. "This moment is very real. A fire like ours cannot go out, asI'll prove to you more than once tonight." He undressed them bothand they lay naked in the fire's glow.
Amanda lay pliant to his hands and mouth,eager and willing to be taught what would give them pleasure.
Every inch of him responded to her delicatebeauty inviting him to slake all his senses. Whenever she blushed,he almost melted with tenderness for her.
"Come, straddle me. Ride me," he urged.
"You are so big." She reached out curiousfingers to encircle him.
He groaned aloud at her touch. "When youmount me, you can take as much of me, or as little as you desire.You can control it."
Her tawny hair cascaded onto his chest, andher breasts lifted and fell with her movements. The firelightturned the color of her skin to golden flame as they performed whatseemed a pagan rite.
Spent, she lay prone on his muscular body,her lips pressed to the column of his neck.
Nicholas swept her into his arms and carriedher to his bed, knowing all her strength had been expended in theloving. For a time they slumbered, each secure in the knowledgethat she was there in his arms.
Later she awoke to find his lips brushing hereyelids, kissing away the sleep.
The corners of her mouth went up in delightas she knew the power she had over him. She sprang up like a savagelioness and crouched above him, taunting him with her tawny beauty,and he responded wildly, as she wished him to. She playfully bitand scratched him until he mastered her in sweet submission.
Before dawn streaked the sky, he carried herback along the balcony to her own room. He left her with alingering kiss that must suffice until the next time they couldsteal a night together.
Christmas was almost upon them. Paradise wasdecorated with holly and mistletoe, and although their holidayfestivities would be at a minimum this year, there would still be agreat deal of visiting and visitors.
Rafe Collins stepped off the paddle wheelerat the newly built water steps of Paradise. Although he had crossedand recrossed the Atlantic in record time, he was not smiling. Hetold Nicholas the grim tidings. "South Carolina has just secededfrom the Union. The Ordinance of Secession was signed at InstituteHall in Charleston, yesterday, December 20th."
"Jesus Christ it's begun," Nick swore. "Comeand have something to eat, then we'll ride out to the otherplantations and give them the news."
"Everybody in Charleston's acting likecrazies, as if they were celebrating a holiday or a great victory."Rafe shook his head.
"What cargo did you bring back fromEngland?"
"Furniture, silk, tea, and champagne forweddings."
"Damn! Next shipload must be gunpowder,rifles, cannon, any medical supplies like quinine andchloroform."
"You think it'll come to war?" Rafeasked.
