Page 97 of Master of Paradise
Nicholas scanned the galleries of thegraceful plantation house and thought he glimpsed Amanda on theupper balcony of the West wing. He slung his saddlebags to Ben andascended the outside staircase to the upper gallery three steps ata time in his eagerness. He experienced disappointment when hefound their bedroom empty. Her essence was tangible in the roomfilled with pink roses, and a provocative nightgown laid ready onher pillow.
He stepped out on the gallery to scan thegarden. There it was again-- an illusive glimpse of Amanda overtoward the reflecting lake. He smiled to himself.I'll make surewe finish dinner and come upstairs at the earliest possiblemoment.
Nicholas bathed and changed his clothes, thendescended to the dining room. The head cook who'd been left incharge in Samuel's absence awaited him.
"Masta Nick, de stock of wine is badlydepleted. What we used t'pay ten dollars a bottle fo', dey is nowaskin' one hundred dollars."
"Christ, if prices are going that high, Ishould be running wine past the blockade, rather than guns. Tellthem we'll pay in gold, but at the old prices. They're beginning tocall our paper money shinplasters because that's all it's goodfor."
The family assembled for dinner and becauseof the excessive heat, a cold supper of shrimp on rice,thinly-sliced ham and wild turkey, and platters of strawberries,peaches, grapes and melon were laid on silver salvers at each endof the table.
At the last possible moment, after everyoneelse was seated, Amanda slipped into her place. She smiled slowlyas her husband's eyes devoured her.
She watched him answer Jennifer and Pamela'squestions about Charleston and Nassau, while Aunt Billie satnodding. She listened to him discuss the war's developments withPhilip. The deep bronze of his hands and face contrasted sharplywith his white teeth, as his ready smile spread leisurely acrosshis lips.
His eyes however kept returning to Amanda andhis thoughts could be so easily read by everyone present, he mightas well have shouted across the room.
Not so Amanda. As he looked down the table athis golden-eyed wife, she was almost a mystery to him. Tonight shetempted him, yet seemed remote and unattainable.She is withoutdoubt the loveliest female I've ever encountered in all my travels.Her moods are mercurial, and often her thoughts, if I'm luckyenough to hear them, are mystical.
Jennifer was worrying about what they couldtake to auction at Virginia's Charity Ball, and he solved theproblem quickly.
"I'm afraid there is a food shortagedeveloping in Charleston. Unglamorous as it seems, I think a coupleof hogs would be appreciated more than anything else."
"Lincoln's trying to strangle the South,"Philip informed him. "He's added a Gulf Squadron to the AtlanticSquadron."
Nick nodded. "The blockade is getting tighterdaily. We were fired on this last time. What started as fun, hasturned into a very dangerous game. I think it's about time we gotyou back to England, Philip, before there's no getting out."
Pamela looked alarmed, but remainedsilent.
"Do you think the lawyers will have made anyprogress?" Philip asked.
"They had better, if they want paying."Nicholas added, "By the time we get to England, they will have hadover three months. We'll talk tomorrow and decide if we'll leavenext week."
Nicholas declined a cigar, arose and wentaround the table to Amanda. He pulled back her chair and laid apossessive hand upon her shoulder."Are you ready to go up,darlin'?" he drawled.
"Actually, it's so hot, I've decided to takea long, cool bath," she said low, giving him a sidelong glance."You don't mind amusing yourself for a couple of hours, do youNicholas?"
He was momentarily disconcerted.Does shereally expect me to mark time downstairs after conjuring up thetempting image of a nude bathing scene?He decided to give herenough time to disrobe, then he'd join her for a cozy evening athome.
In the bathroom that adjoined their bedroom,Amanda filled the tub with cool, clear water and put in a few dropsof perfumed oil, whose scent always reminded her of the Far East.She climbed in and took up the huge sponge to trickle the coolwater down her body. She purposely used no soap so the water wouldremain clear, and give Nicholas an unimpeded view of her limbs.Tonight was most important to her and she had planned everydetail.
Within moments Nick came in and sat on theedge of the tub. He bent to claim her lips and she reached up tobrush her lips against his, then moved away quickly to squeeze thesponge and allow the delicious cool water to cascade in rivuletsdown her breasts.
Already aroused and finding it uncomfortable,he moved into the bedroom, leaving the door open. He removed hisboots, jacket, and shirt, then bare-chested and bare-footed hepadded back to her. "How long will you be?"
"Mmm, probably hours," she murmuredlanguidly.
He went back to the bedroom and cleaned thepistols he'd traveled with. He could see her plainly from where hesat, and he was beginning to be annoyed at her delay. He put thepistols into their case, and saw with satisfaction that she wasfinished her sponging.
Next however, she closed her eyes and layback in the cool water.
Suddenly, a suspicion came to him. She wasdeliberately tempting him beyond his endurance. He took up hernightgown and went over to the bath. "I do believe madam, that youare teasing me. He grinned down at her, and she opened her eyeswide to show her innocence. He offered her the nightgown andwhispered, "Come to bed."
She made no effort to accept his invitation,but closed her eyes and murmured, "In a while."
Suddenly she screamed and her eyes flew open.Nicholas had stripped off his breeches and joined her in the tub.As she tried to stand up and quit the water, he chuckled and pulledher into his lap. He bit her ear playfully. "You are acting verymysteriously tonight. What are you up to, my little wanton?"
"Don't you like to play games?" she teased,running her finger around the deep crevice of his navel.
