Page 90 of Master of Paradise
Pamela had been curious in the extreme tomeet the wife Nicholas Peacock had chosen for himself. Now that shehad seen the girl, she could not comprehend how such a mere slip ofa girl with the unruly mane of hair and manners of a hoyden couldattract such a virile man, while he had never responded to her ownclassical beauty. In the brief moment the two females had looked ateach other, their dislike had been immediate and intense.
Jennifer treated Philip and his mother withsuch exaggerated deference, that it made Philip uncomfortable to beaddressed as Lord Peacock, no matter how many times he protested.His mother, however, relished being referred to as Lady Pamela,especially since Nicholas never gave her the title anymore. As aconsequence, Pamela got along splendidly with Jennifer. Sherecognized her own frustrated feelings in the girl where herbrother-in-law was concerned. The two had in common a pruriencebelied by their angelic blonde facades.
Pamela got on amazingly well with Aunt Billiealso, but the meeting with Amanda had been destined to disasterfrom the outset.
Amanda was very excited to have Nicholas backat Paradise. She went alternately hot and cold at the thought ofbeing in his arms again, and when she thought of him making love toher, she was breathless with trembling limbs and aching breasts, asMammy Lou helped her into a pale green lawn fastened with satinribbons. Amanda was saved from Mammy's lecture by Cleo, who wentinto labor, so of course Mammy took charge.
Nicholas and Philip saddled up to tour theplantation, and their horses weren't out of sight before Brandonturned up. He was very dashing in full dress uniform. The SouthCarolina Cavalry was riding to Virginia soon, and he was tying uploose ends before he left.
Brandon had the black twins in tow and triedto discretely turn them over to Jennifer without causing a stir,but Mammy Lou after one glance, knew them for bed wenches. Hands onhips she demanded, "What ah suppose t'do wid dis trashy pair?"
"Oh Mammy, you should be able to find lots ofthings for them to do," Jennifer said, "especially with Cleoindisposed for awhile. They must be trained for something."
Mammy sniffed. "What dey trained fo' ain'tfitten f' white ladies t'know."
Brandon looked appealingly to Amanda.
"I have a dozen things they can help with.Don't worry about them Brandon."They can do laundry in themornings since the extra sheets alone will be mountainous with ourvisitors, and the sultry heat that necessitates clean linen everyday. In the afternoons I can put them to hoeing the potatofields.Of course she didn't mention these chores to Brandon orhe would have objected to his pampered darlings doing menialwork.
That night, Samuel served dinner for seven,with Nicholas at the head of the table, his brother Philip andPamela on either side. Amanda was seated opposite her husband atthe foot of the table, flanked by Jennifer and Brandon. Aunt Billiewas squeezed in between.
Philip was in rare good spirits. He feltalmost reborn since Nicholas had come into his life again. He hadbecome so hopeless and now he was supremely grateful. He roseformally to offer a toast. "To Nicholas Peacock, the most honorableman I know."
Jennifer raised her glass and said sweetly,"Daddy always knew Nicholas was an honorable man. He placed so muchtrust in him. He gave him his little girl when she was leftmotherless. Nicholas pledged his honor as a gentleman to protectAmanda with a marriage in name only."
Nicholas's eyes narrowed into a threat as helooked down the table at Jennifer.
Pamela murmured with interest, "I see. Ithought your bride was a trifle young, Nicholas, but of course Ididn't understand the situation."
Jennifer dared speak again. "He is sohonorable they live in separate wings, and are chaperoned at alltimes."
Philip said the first thing that popped intohis head. "Don't you find that inconvenient?"
Nicholas said angrily, "I find it damnedinconvenient, as a matter of fact. Every time I wish to saysomething to my wife, we have an audience." He glanced down thetable and caught Amanda's golden eyes dancing with secretamusement. His tone softened, "For instance, I want to tell her howproud I am of her for all the work she's done while I've been away.I know the planting was entirely her doing. I want to tell hershe's the most beautiful woman in the entire world." He paused andlooked at each person at the table in turn. "And I want to tell allof you that I adore her."
"Hear, hear!" Philip and Brandon gave alltheir attention to the lovely girl who was rosy with blushes.
The smug look had been wiped from Jennifer'sface, and her mouth was now set in a thin line. She decided themoment their father visited, she would tell him that Nicholas hadbroken his trust and deflowered Mandy.
Mammy Lou announced triumphantly thatParadise had just had its first child born under its roof. "Cleohas a son."
"Oh that's wonderful." Amanda laughed happilyand got up from the table. "I must see how she is and see the baby.Please excuse me?"
Amanda was holding the new baby in her armswhen Nicholas brought Brutus along to Cleo's room. She gave thebaby to his father, who grinned with pride at the fine offspring hehad produced.
"Stay here for a few days with Cleo,"Nicholas urged Brutus.
"Thanks Masta Nick."
"Soon as Brute finishes extendin' de cabin,ah'd sure love t'take de baby an' go live der instead of in de bighouse," Cleo said hopefully.
"Of course you may," Amanda assured her.
Nicholas nodded. "You belong together. Idon't know how you've managed living apart. I know I can't do it."He looked at Amanda, and she said quickly, "I must go to see MissLouise now. Goodnight Cleo."
Nicholas caught up with his wife on the wayto the stables, in the navy blue dusk. "You're going in the wrongdirection, my love," he drawled. The air was humid and heavy withthe perfume of a hundred night-blooming plants that seduced thesenses.
"What do you mean, sir?" she asked playfully,knowing exactly what he meant.
