Page 21 of Master of Paradise
Stuart Beverly, a dreamy looking youth withdark romantic eyes and soft brown curls sat worshipfully at herfeet while Beau Hampden lounged against one of the pillars. AsNicholas brought Jennifer's hand to his lips, he clearly heard herquick intake of breath, as if his great physical power struck herlike a blow. To cover her momentary fluster she said, "I declare, Ican't imagine what's happened to those drinks I sent for. Y'allwill think we have slothy servants."
Beau drawled, "A buggy whip sprys 'em up.What do you say Nick?"
"Anybody would be spry if they were beingwhipped-- you included, Beau," he said smoothly.
This brought a snicker from Stuart and agiggle from Jennifer. As Beau gave him a look that clearly wishedhim in hell, Nicholas offered, "I'll go and see what the hold up onthe drinks is all about."
On his way through to the vast kitchens, hecould hear Mammy Lou's voice raised in an argument. "All ah'ssayin', Miz Mandy, is yo' should go out on dat porch an' observewhat yore sister does."
Amanda stamped her foot. "I've watched her'till I'm cross-eyed. Only a moron would be taken in by her stupidact. She smiles over that damned fan and promises exciting thingswith her eyes, so they'll try to get her alone. She keeps themdangling like damned open-mouthed trout on the end of her line withhermaybesandperhapses. She's in her glory when herbeaus beg and plead and coax for her favors."
"Amanda Virginia Jackson, shut yo' mouth wivdat cussin'. Folkses think yo' a low-life!" Mammy shouted.
"Wild horses couldn't drag me out to thatverandah. Shesimpers!" Mandy shouted back. "Her beau'sshould have seen her this morning sitting with buttermilk on herface to bleach her freckles."
Nicholas poked his head through the kitchendoorway. "Excuse me ladies, but I have been sent to find out whathappened to the refreshments."
"Nicholas!" Mandy cried, delirious withhappiness. He was her only ally in a houseful of enemies. OnlyNicholas understand her motives and her ideas. He could almost readher thoughts, and there was a definite meeting of minds betweenthem; something she had never achieved with anyone else. Of coursewhen she did something outrageous, his lips tightened and his browlowered in disapproval, but he never preached at her, never evernagged her to death like other people.
Amanda was now fourteen, long-legged as acolt. "Let's go out to the porch where it's cool."
Mammy stood, hands on hips, dumfounded thatMandy had argued for an hour about going out to the porch and now,in a flash, she changed her mind completely. "Dat chile one bigmystery to me," she complained loudly.
Nick's eyes traveled from one sister to theother. Jennifer Joy had posed herself as if sitting for herportrait. She had carefully selected the right background, the mostflattering dress color for her golden hair, and was at work sayingjust the right things.She looks like a china doll.
Mandy perched on the porch rail, the edges ofher pantaloons showing, her hair a mass of tangles and kiss curls.Her dark mysterious eyes with their golden lights fastened upon hersister, gave away none of her thoughts, until Jenny gushed, "OhBeau, you say the cleverest things!" Then Jennifer gave Nicholas asidelong glance to see if the attention she gave Beau angered him,as she hoped it would. Then Mandy's eyes rolled heavenward, andNicholas could read the thoughts so plainly written there.
Their eyes met in amusement, and suddenly theothers present were aware that Nicholas and Mandy were sharingsecrets.
To Nicholas, Mandy so unselfconscious, wasutterly lovely, utterly captivating, and utterly desirable. Hestood up abruptly as Cleo appeared with a tray of cool drinks. "Icame early, hoping to speak with Mr. Jackson."
"They started picking today. Daddy hasn'tcome in from the fields yet," Mandy said.
Jennifer made a little moue of distaste. "I'msure I don't know why he has to go to the fields when he paysothers to do it for him."
"He always goes the first day," Amandapointed out.
Nicholas grinned tauntingly. "I won't just bethere; I'm picking tomorrow."
Everyone save Amanda looked deeplyshocked.
Nick continued wickedly, "Does that mean youwon't receive me anymore, Miss Jennifer?"
"Why, Mr. Peacock... Nicholas, I hope I haveprettier manners than that," she said, angling for acompliment.
"Prettiest manners in the whole of Carolina.Purely and absolutely," he replied solemnly.
Mandy whooped and threw her legs up, almostgoing backwards over the rail.
Nicholas bowed. "I'll go and give mycompliments to your mother."
When he departed, Jennifer looked daggers atAmanda, but she still kept up the façade in front of Stuart andBeau. "Mandy, honey, don't you think you should tidy up beforesupper, seeing we have such handsome guests tonight? I declare yourhair makes you look like you were brought up by wolves."
Amanda looked intently at Jennifer's hair fora full minute, and her sister thought she was about to blurt outthat she had used something to lighten the color.If she opensher mouth I'll die,thought Jenny,I'll simply die.
Mandy left without a word.
When Bernard arrived home he saw Nick andinvited him into his office. Jackson's face was burnt red frombeing in the sun all day. "When do you start?"
