Page 96 of Master of Paradise
Pamela smiled. "I should love to accompanyyou on such a venture. I've always found there is strength injoining forces."
Amanda and Philip strolled back from thestables. "Have you noticed that my father has become quiteattentive to your mother?"
He frowned. "Yes. She always had the knack ofattracting a man. Trouble is she hides her true feelings sosuccessfully, you have no idea if her heart is involved."
"At first, I was shocked that Father wouldlook at another woman only a year after my mother died, but when Ireflect, I realize Mother was an invalid for years, and he wasdevoted to her. I think perhaps it's time he tried to find a littlehappiness for himself."
God help him if Pamela gets her hooks intohim, Philip thought privately.
It turned out that Jenny was saved her tripto Blackville by the arrival of a battered carriage that had seenbetter days. Jeb Sloan got down and wiped the sweat from his faceand neck with a soiled handkerchief. Jennifer hurried toward thecarriage before Amanda could find out who he was.
"Mr. Sloan, I was on my way to Blackvilletomorrow. How strange you should show up today."
"Afternoon Miss. Mr. Jackson here?" he askedshortly.
"My brother has left with his regiment, Mr.Sloan, and left me in charge of things at Blackville." She caughtthe smell of fear about him and asked quickly, "Something's wrong!What has happened?"
"Slaves revolted. Burned down the sheds. Ranoff," he said in short, jerky sentences.
Her eyes widened. "They didn't all run, didthey?"
"No ma'am. I shot some of 'em, and managed tolock up one shed before they got away."
"How many are left?" she cried, trying toassess the magnitude of the loss.
"None. They burnt t'death."
"Oh my God!" She shuddered. "Mr. Sloan, whatabout the runners? What are you doing to get my slaves back?"
"Well ma'am, ah reported them to theauthorities, but they say the patrollers have all joined the army,an' they say there's so many blacks runnin' North, ain't a blamedthing they can do. Ah think ah should report this to yore daddy. Ahallus done bidness with him afore young Mist' Jackson come."
Jennifer was in shock. "Yes, yes. Report itto my father, Mr. Sloan, but I beg that you don't mention thatyou've ever seen me, sir. You'll find him in Charleston, at 39Tradd Street."
Jenny lay on her bed feeling sick. She had nomoney and no hope of getting any in the foreseeable future.Imust get Beau Hampden to marry me without delay, and I must keephim from learning of the loss of the breeding farm.
She had no choice but tell Pamela that thetrip was off, and the whole story came pouring out.
Pamela commiserated with her. "There are manyways for clever women to make money. The trick is to take advantageof opportunities as they present themselves."
A few evenings later when Beau arrived,bringing his fellow officers for a visit to Paradise for a friendlyevening of gambling at the roulette wheel, Pamela hit upon heridea. She explained to Jennifer, "This whole area must be full ofrich young army officers who are looking for pleasurable ways tospend their evenings. If Paradise belonged to me, I should chargethem for drinks and gather in their losses at the gamingtables."
"Nicholas would never allow it," Jennifersaid.
"Nicholas goes to England shortly, does henot?" Pamela asked smoothly.
Chapter Twenty
Amanda was glad she could spend her nights inNicholas's room. It brought her closer to him to be able to see andtouch his familiar belongings. It was so private in this West wingof Paradise. Jennifer and Aunt Billie's rooms were in the East wingover the dining room and card room, and even Philip and Pamela hadguest rooms in the East wing. The house servants were quartered inthe rear of the East wing, and it almost made it seem like twoseparate houses; one for her and one for the others.
While Jennifer and Pamela were planning theirwardrobes for the all import Charity Ball in Charleston, Amandaplanned only for her husband's return. Each morning she filledtheir chamber with roses on the chance he would arrive that day.She carefully tasted every wine that Samuel had stocked in thecooling cellar to select one that best suited her purpose.Champagne and Chablis were unsuitable, as any additive would bedetected instantly.
Finally, she selected a rich red Madeira thathad been aged for thirty years and carried the stone bottle to themaster bedchamber. She decanted it carefully into a crystal bottleand mixed in all of the potion that Jessie had given her.
She sorted through her silk and lacenightgowns to choose the one that would tempt a man beyond hisendurance, and settled on the wisp of whiteness that bared oneshoulder. It's transparency left nothing to the imagination.
Nicholas made three speedy trips to Nassau inten days and set a record. The navigator of the Rattlesnake was aFlorida man who had known the waterways since childhood. Theyeasily dodged the Union patrols until they were out in open sea,where the ship's speed and low gray profile left any pursuers milesbehind.
On his return Nicholas left the ship anchoredat Murrel's Inlet and arrived home that evening on horseback. Ithad been one of those unbelievably hot summer days where even thewind felt like a hot furnace. He stabled the newly acquired roan inthe stall next to Sunblood. His eyes sought out the new colt and headmired the rich color of its coat. His wife had named it Sungoldbecause of that color.
