Page 92 of Master of Paradise
Nicholas seconded her. "I think that's a goodidea. Decide when it's to be and I'll carry the invitations todayto your father, and to Beau at his headquarters in Charleston."
Amanda was dismayed. "You're going back toCharleston today?"
"Honey, I must sell my cargo; it's entirelymade up of military supplies. Probably your father will take it. Ialso have to find Rafe. He should be back, but he may have madeport elsewhere to avoid the patrols. I promise to be back byThursday."
"Then we'll plan the party for Friday. BringDaddy and Beau back with you."
Jennifer agreed happily. They would invitethe whole county and it would make her engagement official. "Aparty will dispel all the gloom and worry of the silly oldwar."
Porter was duly dispatched to all theplantations with the invitations and told to wait for an answer ateach house.
Amanda wanted everything to be special forJennifer, especially since it was her first opportunity to be areal hostess at Paradise.
She and Philip became instant friends. Hefound he could talk to her about his innermost feelings withoutfear of embarrassment. She was a good listener, and when they weretogether she gave him her undivided attention.
He found himself telling her all about whathappened to Nicholas when his father had died, how he had beenturned out without a penny, and how he had miraculously returnedwhen Philip needed his help so desperately.
Amanda promised Philip would be surrounded byadmiring Southern belles at the coming party, but he doubted hewould meet anyone who would capture his heart the way that shehad.
Charleston was overflowing with attachés ofthe army. Military headquarters were at a hotel, and though thestreets were merely busy during the daylight hours, at nightdisorder reigned. Drunken rows and fights broke out nightly, ribaldsongs and disgusting profanity kept the citizens awake, and theplethora of uniforms attracted an increasing number ofprostitutes.
When Nicholas did not return on Thursday aspromised, Jennifer began to panic. However, they arrived on thepaddle-wheeler early Friday afternoon, in high good humor. Beau hadbrought a roulette wheel for what he called 'The Gambling Hall ofParadise', and the men spent two hours setting the thing up so itwas perfectly balanced.
Jennifer was piqued at their tardiness. She'dhad visions of the neighboring plantation owners arriving andfinding an engagement party without a prospective bridegroom. Shewas angered further when Beau began drinking bourbon in the earlyafternoon. When her voice became shrill and petulant, Mandy triedto distract her.
"Let's go up and you can show me what you'rewearing tonight."
Jennifer allowed herself to be persuaded. "Itwill make the Caldwell girls pea-green with envy. It's a dress Igot before we went into that horrid black mourning. It's deep rosecolor with little silver beads sewn all over. The skirt has justyards and yards. What are you wearing, Mandy?"
"That dress I bought in Charleston with thepetal-shaped bodice. It will show off my diamonds perfectly."
"Diamonds?" Jennifer demanded in a shrillvoice.
"Nicholas brought them from England forme."
It was the final straw that ruined Jennifer'sday. She deliberately sought out her father who was relaxing on theverandah with Nicholas and Philip.
Bernard explained, "Atlanta has been chosenas the chief depot for collecting food and supplies for the armybecause its railroads link north, south, east, and west."
"Then no matter which port we reach fromWilmington to Savannah, it would be best to ship the cargo directlyto Atlanta?" Nick asked.
Bernard nodded. "It's going to be amanufacturing center for pistols, rifles, and cannon. Next trip youmake to England, we need designers smuggled through the blockade toset up the machinery to manufacture these guns."
Philip shook his head. "I can't understandwhy Britain has declared neutrality when their interests lie withthe South. Why doesn't Britain smash the blockade to get the cottonit needs?"
Nicholas explained. "If they did that, theNorth would cut off wheat supplies to Britain and she'd starve todeath."
Bernard shook his head. "The South, I'mafraid, placed too much trust in help from Britain. They cannotsupport us openly."
Jennifer thought she saw an opening in theconversation. "Daddy, what would you do if you placed your trust insomeone and he betrayed that trust?" she asked innocently.
Bernard frowned. He knew Jenny was hintingaround at some indiscretion and his mind immediately jumped toBrandon. He cleared his throat and laughed. "Well, I suppose I'dconsider all the circumstances and try not to be toojudgmental."
Nicholas narrowed his eyes in warning toJennifer, but she ignored him and persisted. "But if this personhad promised you something, under oath, then the minute your backwas turned he deliberately deceived you?"
Beau Hampden sauntered in and helped himselfto another bourbon. "Ah'd like permission to take my fiance for astroll in the gardens before our guests begin to arrive."
Bernard replied, "By all means you young 'unsgo and have a few minutes to yourselves. I'd better go up andchange. Doc Caldwell has a habit of arriving at least two hoursbefore everyone else.
