Page 23 of Master of Paradise
"Closest to it I've ever found," Nicholassaid with a grin. He gave his men the signal to start bringing thebales on board, then after the custom's officer departed, hepitched in himself, toting the bales up the gangplank.
When they were finished he would havepreferred to send them straight back upriver to Paradise, but heknew they deserved rest and recreation. Since he was about toindulge himself for a couple of days, he could not deny them. Hetook them into a waterfront tavern and paid for two days food andboard. Then he gave them each the price of a woman. "Brute, I'mcounting on you to keep these boys in line. Try and keep fightingto a minimum. Stay close so you don't get picked up by the patrol,"he warned.
"I'll stop 'em runnin' Mast' Nick, but whostop me?". He winked.
Nicholas showed his trust in them byshrugging. "You can go back to Paradise, or you can go to Hell!" Heheard their laughter as his steps led him away in the direction ofTradd Street. He took Jason with him. He could act as body servantin Samuel's absence, but Nicholas took him for another reason.Solange had taken a fancy to the mulatto the first time she hadseen him, and on subsequent visits a relationship had developedbetween the pair that Nicholas encouraged.
Nick hummed a tune as he ran up the bricksteps to his house. It was the last day of September and hemarveled at the intense heat.It would be a cool autumn day inEngland.He hadn't had time to visit Charleston in almost threemonths, and he blinked uncertainly as his eyes took in Solange'srounded belly.
She was happy to see Nicholas, but all hersmiles were reserved for Jason, so Nick took himself upstairs for acooling bath and a change of clothes. By the look of things, thetwo downstairs had some talking to do.
When he came downstairs the young couple werewaiting to speak to him. Solange spoke first. "Ah would like yourpermission to marry."
Nicholas, trying for a light tone said,"You're free Solange, you don't need my permission. It's Jason herewho needs my permission, and by the looks of things I have nochoice."
They did not respond with laughter.
Solange said quietly, "Jason ain't the fathero' ma chile."
Nick's mouth went dry. It couldn't be. They'donly been together that one time-- the night he'd bought her.Nothing had come out of that night, no desire for a liaison, noteven a lingering romantic feeling. It had just happened. A singleisolated incident. Just sequence and consequence.
Jason spoke up quickly, "Ah be a good fatherto the chile."
Nicholas looked at him bleakly. "Don't youmind?" he asked hoarsely.
Jason shook his head. "If she carryin'another black man's chile, ah kill her. Yore chile is different,Mast' Nick."
"Good God in Heaven, tell me how," Nick said,feeling the crushing weight of responsibility.
Jason explained. "When a black woman has awhite man's chile, it sets her above the rest. She gets respect. Itsets her apart-- marks her as special."
Nicholas shook his head. "Forgive me,Solange. I never meant for this to happen, believe me."
Solange said simply, "Ah prayed ah would haveyore chile. It a great honor. But ah don't love you, ah loves Jasonand we wants to be married."
"If you wish to marry, you have my blessing.I will always provide well for my child. I think you are better offhere Solange, for the time being. This winter we'll have time tostart building Jason a large cabin at the plantation, so that youcan be together."
Nicholas didn't go to the Planters Inn atChurch and Queen Street. Instead he found himself knockingimploringly on Lady Margot's front door.
Her smile was eager and welcoming when shesaw the magnificent figure of Nicholas on her doorstep.
He hesitated, which was most unlike him."Maggie, I'm sorry to barge in unannounced, but I need someone totalk to."
"Darling Nick, it's my pleasure. Do come inand tell me whatever is wrong." She took his hand and led him intothe drawing room. She poured him bourbon and branchwater and joinedhim on the love seat.
"I've done something shocking," he said.
She put her fingers to his lips, "Ssh, thedrink first," she soothed.
He drained the glass and set it aside. Thesilence stretched out and the room was filled with the heavy, slowticking of a grandfather clock. Finally she said, "Did something gowrong with the crop? Did you lose money at the CottonExchange?"
He laughed shortly. "No, no. This has nothingto do with business. Everything has gone extremely well in thatdirection."
"Start at the beginning," she prompted.
"Yes. Well. There's not that much to tellreally. The day I bought my slaves, I purchased a black girl."
Her eyebrows went up.
