Page 119 of Master of Paradise
As he looked at her, she seemed for all theworld like a child about to confess some naughtiness.
"It was... sort of... an engagement party forPhilip and I... sort of," she faltered.
"What?" he thundered, throwing back thecovers and vaulting from the bed. He towered over her. "You weregoing to marry Philip?" He was filled with anger, and jealousy, andincredulity. "While I rotted in prison, the only thing that kept mealive was the thought of coming home to you!"
He ran his fingers wildly through his hairand shouted, "Now I find you've fallen in love with Philip. Damnyou to hell, Amanda. By God, I should give you that beating I oncepromised you. You faithless little bitch!"
"Nicholas Peacock, how dare you speak to meso?" she demanded hotly, her hands on her hips. "You're not backfive minutes but you're ranting and raving like a deceived husband,which you most certainly are not, sir, despite the lecherousadvances of Rafe Collins! And I most certainly did not fall in lovewith Philip even though he loves me!"
As he listened to her he began to laugh. "OhMandy, you are the most maddening creature in the world. Youprovoke me until I am insane with jealousy. Is there no end to yourconquests? Tell me truthfully now, and I promise to listen withoutlosing my temper. Why were you marrying Philip?"
"Because he promised to make Nicholas hisheir, and that would help make up for what you had been cheated outof."
He held out his arms and she yieldedwillingly, eagerly. He murmured against her lips, "I can see myrival for your heart is not Philip, but Nicholas."
The dimples peeped out as he lifted her intobed. She whispered, "Hold me, only hold me and everything will beperfect."
Much later as she lay in his arms, warm anddrowsy from the loving, he asked, "Mandy, what do you want to do?Do you want to stay in England? We'll go anywhere you like. Myfather left me enough money to start again anywhere in theworld."
She looked up into his eyes. "I know it willnever be the same in the South, but let's go home and pick up thepieces. We are the Peacocks of Paradise."
"You know that's what I want to do. I longfor our Carolina sunshine, but is it what you want Mandy. Are yousure, love?"
She smiled into the darkness. "Purely andabsolutely."
The End
