Page 86 of Master of Paradise
Her face fell. "But that's as long aseparation as if you joined the army, except... "her voice trailedoff and she didn't say the rest.
"Except, no honors, no glory? Well if yourpride demands it of me, I'm on Confederate business. I'm likelytaking Captain Bullock of the Navy, among other things."
"I'm sorry, Nicholas. I should know you haveenough pride and honor for three men."
He lifted her and kissed her deeply, thenarms entwined, they made their way to the heart of the maze wherethe fountain splashed so invitingly. He whispered, "On my firstnight back from England, I'm going to bring you here and we'llbathe in this secluded spot."
She smiled her secret smile. "Mmm, thatsounds very wanton and sybaritic."
"And what do you know madam of wantons andSybarites?"
"Wait until you return and I'll showyou."
He sat down on the ornamental iron seat andpulled her into his arms. "But in the meantime, my love, in themeantime..."
Chapter Eighteen
While Nicholas was in Charleston, Lincolnproclaimed a blockade of all Southern ports. Nick cursed the Fatesthat hadn't allowed enough time for Rafe Collins and himself tosail before the edict, but it proved advantageous when the price ofcotton hit bottom.
While the Hornet and Rattlesnake had theircotton cargoes loaded, Nicholas took his small boat back up theAshley to pack his bags for England.
The house servants were thrown into panic atreadying the master for an ocean voyage. They were everywhere atonce, and consequently Nicholas and Amanda found it impossible tobe alone. When it came time for him to leave, he ignored thehousehold and took his wife into his arms. "Sweetheart, there's somuch I want to say and so little time to say it."
"Nicholas, we don't need words. I know what'sin your heart."
"Try to manage the place without me. Rememberthat Paradise belongs to you, and remember that I love you."
Nicholas was gone, but his words echoed overand over in her mind. With determination Amanda saddled Sunbloodand rode out over the fields. She saw the vast amount of plantingthat had been left undone, and she knew from the way the weatherwas heating up that there was only about a week left to get in thecotton seed. She had a hasty consultation with Samuel, and togetherthey went to the cabins and spoke to the field hands.
"I want to get my husband's fields plantedfor him. If Samuel brings food out to you in the fields every daythis week, do you think you can finish?" she asked Brute.
"We can try, Miz Peacock. We gits a goodsoakin' rain on dem seeds we plant an' de crop should take forsure."
Amanda searched the dark faces. "Where'sJason?"
Samuel, who had all the information of theplantation at his fingertips said, "Jason workin' upriver at abrick place yore husban' started. He got his wife up der."
A vivid vision of Solange and Nicholas'schild came to her, and she tried to suppress her quick jealousy."We'll go up and fetch him back for a week," she decided quickly."Whereabouts is it?"
"Right on de river where de red clay banksis. Up past Orangeburg."
"We'll go in the boat. Shouldn't take morethan a couple of hours." When Samuel looked uncertain, she assuredhim, "We can manage the boat between us. Nicholas isn't here to doit, Samuel, so we have to."
The brickyard was a busy, fascinating p lace.Jason had the hands of an artisan. He shaped bricks faster than theeye could perceive, and lovely red roof tiles were made simply bylaying clay over logs to shape it, then letting it dry in thesun.
Solange stood outside the cabin with Nicole,and the two young women eyed each other warily. Finally, Amandaapproached Solange and spoke to her softly. "If I take Jason for aweek, will you and your child be all right?"
"Yes ma'am. A little ways back from de river,through dem trees is a whole settlement. They's allus lotsa folksaround."
"That's good." Then Mandy said on impulse,"If anything happened to Nicole, he would never forgive me."
The two women smiled tentatively at eachother before Samuel helped her into the boat.
At sunup the next day, Amanda dressed inplain homespun, sturdy leather shoes and a large sun hat, rode andwalked the fields with the hands, and when Samuel brought the wagonfilled with lunch and later on dinner, she poured water and thencoffee and carried it round to the workers.
Mammy Lou played hell with her, but Mandyfirmly put aside all her objections.
When Jennifer discovered Amanda intended tobe in the fields, she almost had hysterics. "My God, you can'tshame me like that. You are without doubt the most bodacious femaleI've ever encountered. The Hamdens will call off my engagement ifthey hear tell of such!" Jenny screamed and threatened, begged andpleaded, and called upon Mammy Lou to 'do something' all of whichfell on deaf ears.
