Page 13 of Master of Paradise
"Purely and absolutely!" she said withconviction.
Nicholas hid a grin as Samuel rode into view."You'd better put your dress on. This isn't the secluded sylvanglade you thought."
There were the dimples again. She scamperedback up the hill, agile as a fawn, and Nicholas led his horse up tothe top of the escarpment so he could see the view.
"Tabernac! Tabernac!" swore Amanda, her headcaught in the armhole of her dress.
"Hey, stop that cursing," Nicholas admonishedas he assisted her into her dress.
She pulled herself away from him haughtilyand gave him a scathing glance. "What the hellfire does it have todo with you, pray?"
His eyes narrowed. "Whoever has control ofyou, isn't doing a good job."
For a moment he looked so threatening, shefeared him, then quick as a flash she set him straight. "No one hascontrol of me, and no one ever will! I curse in French because mymammy doesn't understand it."
"Your mother may understand more than yoususpect, little madam."
She giggled, her hostility dissolving. "Notmy mother. My mammy! Mammy Lou."
Samuel explained to Amanda, "This genlmunsall de way from England across de seas. Ah ain't explained to himabout no mammies yet."
"Are y'all visiting my father?"
Nick said, "I haven't had the pleasure yet,Miss Jackson, but if your father is the owner of all thiswonderful, uncleared land, then I am about to make hisacquaintance."
She curtsied formally. "Our plantation isacross the river, over that way." She hesitated. "When you visitus, I hope the fact that you are a gentleman of breeding will sealyour lips about my behavior?"
He strove to keep the amusement from hisface. He bowed. "Purely and absolutely."
The first time Nicholas dined at the JacksonPlantation stood out in his memory for years. Bernard Jackson was atrue Southern gentleman whose welcome to his home could not havebeen warmer if Nick had been his own son. That day he realized thatSouthern hospitality was not some myth, but a very real andpleasant way of life. Business could not be discussed beforedining, nor before mere acquaintance developed into friendship.
The invitation to be an overnight guest wasmore like a command that could not be refused without appearingchurlish. Samuel blended smoothly into the multitude of houseservants, and it was understood without a word being spoken thatthe hospitality was also extended to Nick's servant.
Bernard Jackson was a distinguished-lookingman with carefully clipped gray beard and mustache, stillattractive and slim despite his middle years. Nicholas thought helooked more the politician than land owner. He soon learned thathis host had been active in the Congress in Richmond, Virginia, buthad unselfishly decided to spend more time at the plantationbecause of his wife's deteriorating health.
Miz Caroline, as he affectionately referredto his delicate wife, was indeed a frail, faded lady, but withal sosweet and gentle, always deferred to her husband to assure that heappeared intelligent, contented, and uncontradicted. In return shewas lavished with exaggerated gallantry.
Nicholas liked Miz Caroline. He could clearlysee that she had borne her burdens and managed to retain her charmlike a true lady. From herchaise longueshe managed to runa household of more than thirty individuals, both black andwhite.
Upon close inspection the plantation housewas only a log structure. It was the magnificent trees andflowering shrubs that lent it an air of elegance. Inside however,was most surprising. Its furnishings were designed for bothelegance and comfort. It was clear to Nicholas that planters hadsuch prosperity of land, slaves, and money, they could affordanything they desired.
The planters' favorite drink was a pony ofbourbon over sugar and crushed mint. Nicholas found bourbon more tohis taste than the whisky his father had favored. He sipped thecool drink appreciatively and again broached the subject of theland he wished to purchase.
Bernard Jackson waved his arm. "Time aplentyto discuss business tomorrow. We'll ride over the whole place andI'll show you what's for sale, suh. All the uncleared land forcertain sure. Got more than I'll ever need right now. In fact, Imight just sell off some acreage that's already cleared. It plumbdoes my heart good to see ambition in someone as young as you.'Course I have an overseer looks after the field hands andplanting. Had to, bein' away at Richmond. My only son, Brandon,attends Virginia Military College. Don't suppose Brandon will beinterested in expandin' the place none whatsoever. Boy's onlyinterested in ridin' an' shootin'," he said indulgently.
The meal in the dining room was served mostformally, with more servants dancing attendance than Nicholas hadever seen in his life, and he had often dined with royalty. MizCaroline had one slave aptly named Porter, whose sole duty it wasto carry her from bedroom to parlor; from parlor to kitchen; andfrom kitchen to dining room. After she was formally seated, theother family members took their places.
An elderly lady entered and Bernard Jacksonintroduced her. "This is my half-sister Billie, who makes her homewith us now."
Nick's eyes were drawn to her, and it was allhe could do to keep from staring. At kindest she could be describedas suffering fromexcedent de poids,or cruelly as a grossmass of quivering flesh. He held his breath as she lowered herselfonto a Chippendale dining chair. He released the breath when it wasnot smashed into smithereens.
Jennifer Joy made her curtsy next. If a youngwoman could be described as having perfect features, it would beJennifer Joy. She was a vision of loveliness with blonde curlsarranged exquisitely to frame her angelic face, and set off hereyes, which were the blue of a summer sky. She wore a frillyconfection of a dress, embroidered with forget-me-nots. It hadpuffed sleeves and allowed her creamy arms to be displayed in alltheir pale loveliness.
Nicholas found it difficult to guess her age.She was perhaps sixteen or seventeen, just flowering intowomanhood.
Mammy Lou had allowed her to wear her hair upbecause a gentleman was dining with them. Jennifer Joy was justbeginning to feel the heady power a beautiful young belle held overthe opposite sex. She had learned all the nuances of flirtation andpracticed them relentlessly on Nicholas.
Amanda Virginia was seated last. Nicholasgallantly held her chair and she sank to the floor in a gracefulcurtsy. The change was so startling, he could scarce believe whathe saw. She had been scrubbed thoroughly. A strong pair of handshad tamed her wild masses of hair into neat braids, coiled primlyover each ear, and her starched lace collar and cuffs wereimmaculate.
