Page 95 of Master of Paradise
Nicholas clapped him on the back and saidruefully, "Your timing was regrettable, but your urgency tells meyou have news."
"Forty-five ships under DuPont took FortBeauregard and Fort Walker. They hold Port Royal secure."
"Damn, that's too close for comfort," Nickswore. "Where's your ship anchored?
"In a cove at the mouth of the Santee.Where's the Rattlesnake?"
"Well-hidden in the Intracoastal Waterway. Ithink we should each do a couple of quick runs to Nassau. Let's getas much cotton out as we can, then in two or three weeks we canpick it up from Nassau and take it to Liverpool."
"I'll bring the Hornet into the Intracoastaland you get word to the planters who still have cotton to get it tous by mule," Rafe said.
"Good idea. Then we can sail inland and leaveby a Georgia port or even sail down to Florida if we encounter theUnion's South Atlantic Squadron."
"I noticed the price of everything inCharleston is skyrocketing. Confederate dollar only buys half whatit did before we went to England."
"Soon, Confederate money will be totallyworthless. For God's sake only accept gold for any goods you manageto get through the blockade."
Rafe grinned. "I was born at night, but itwasn't last night, Nick. After I've eaten, I'll push off. I'll meetyou tomorrow night where the Santee cuts across the inlandwaterway."
Nicholas let out a deep breath of regret ashe went back to the bedroom. He knew it was bad timing for him toleave Paradise.
As Amanda watched him pack his bag she saidimpulsively, "Take me with you!"
He turned in amazement. "Love, I'd never takeyou into danger."
"Then I'll follow you and stowaway," sheteased.
He gripped her shoulders firmly. "Oh God,none of your feminine caprice, promise me!"
She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lipsacross his. "I promise to behave, but only until you return."
He sank into a chair and pulled her onto hisknee. "Here's the combination to the safe. There's gold in there ifyou have any expenses while I'm gone. Amanda, if anything shouldever happen to me, get in touch with my banker, Gabriel DuBose, inCharleston. There should be more than enough for your needs, but ifnot, there's money in England. More money than you could everspend.
"Nicholas, I'm afraid."
"Love, the last thing I wanted to do wasalarm you, but I had to tell you about the money, just in case." Hekissed her eyelids. "Come now, enough gloom. I'm only sailing toNassau, and nothing on earth could keep me from you." His handswere so gentle, so careful with her that she felt precious andcherished.
After Nicholas left, it didn't take Amandalong to make her decision. She went to visit Jessie at the slavecabins. "I want a baby," she told the black woman.
The slave laughed. "Ah never wouldha' knowedthat man have a problem!"
"Oh he hasn't Jessie. It's just that herefuses to get me with child because he thinks I'm too young."
Jessie took some plants and crushed the darkjuice from them. Then she mixed in herbs and spices until she had athickened liquid. "He got powerful control?" she asked, just to besure. "Can he perform two time?"
"Sometimes three," Mandy admitted. Jessiegave her the potion and started to laugh again. "Mix dis in winean' the power be all yores, chile."
Bernard had arranged to take Samuel with himwhen he returned to Charleston. He needed an assistant to help himnegotiate contracts and he knew of no man more capable of makingdeals than Samuel.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Your Aunt Virginia'sbeen working weeks to organize a Charity Ball to raise money forthe cause. She asks that you bring something that can be auctionedat the bazaar. It's to be held two weeks from tomorrow night, but Iwarn you that if Nicholas hasn't returned from Nassau, you must notcome to Charleston alone. It's become a rowdy den of iniquity. Theplace is a disgrace. It's unfit for white ladies to be on thestreets," he told his daughters.
Jennifer was intrigued by her father's wordsand she was still pondering them long after he'd gone. Beau had ledher to believe kicking his heels in Charleston was a deadly dullbusiness, but apparently it wasn't so. She'd find out for herselfby going to the Charity Ball whether Nicholas returned or not.
Jenny sought out Lady Pamela, her new ally.Pamela thanked her for the invitation, but added, "I am in theembarrassing position of having no money. I have to rely on thecharity of others."
"You think I'm any different?" Jennifer askedbitterly. "But now that the men have left and I don't have toanswer to them, I'm going to change all that."
Pamela was intrigued, as Jennifer explained."I intend to travel up to Blackville and sell off fifty or sixtyslaves that are doing nothing but sitting getting corns on theirbacksides and eating their damned heads off."
