His mouth hardened at her words. "I'll take care of it, Mandy. Don't go messing into such things."
"Cleo belongs to Jennifer now, but I have to take care of the servants now that Mother's gone. They're no better than children."
When Nicholas went back into the smokehouse, he said to Brutus, "Is that your child Cleo's carrying?"
"It shore as hell better be," Brute said with a grin.
"Why didn't you ask me to buy her for you?"
"Brutus's grin widened. "When yo' marry dat Jackson gal, yo' gits Cleo for free."
When Nicholas arrived at the Jackson's for dinner, Bernard was waiting for him. "Come into my office Nick, I've a lot of things to discuss with you. I've told them to put supper back a couple of hours." Bernard poured them each a pony of bourbon. "Make yourself comfortable; this will take awhile."
Nicholas offered his host a cigar, and they both lit up and settled back into leather chairs.
"Had a visitor for the last two days from special committee of Congress. Voices growin' louder about abolition."
"The thing that angers me about abolitionists is they're not opposed on moral grounds. It all boils down to money. The Northern farmers complain they can't sell their crops as cheaply as we do, because they can't complete with slave labor."
"Nicholas, I've always been able to say exactly what was on my mind to you. Truth is, I'm itching to get up to Richmond."
"Couldn't you let Brandon run the plantation?" Nick knew full well that would be unsatisfactory.
"Well, the house will be his anyway, but he's got no more interest in this place than joining a church choir. So, if I did go to Congress, I'd want you to take over the land for me-- work my field hands as if they were yours. Whatever way you want to do it is fine with me. I've seen your methods and I know they work."
"That's very generous of you, Bernard."
"Hold the thanks 'till you've heard all of it. These are excellent cigars by the way. Local tobacco?"
Nicholas shook his head. "Cuban."
"Ah, no wonder they're good." Bernard paused, took a deep breath, and plunged ahead. "Nicholas, I've never made it a secret that I wanted you for my son-in-law. Now that your house is built, I assume you'll be contemplating marriage. You know by now my views on girls marrying too young, and I don't fully approve of Jennifer marrying at only eighteen. But I must be practical and realize she will fly in the face of my objections sooner or later and marry someone. I much prefer that someone be you." He added, "The only trouble with marrying my daughter Nicholas, is you'll have to take on the whole damned family while I selfishly take myself off to Richmond."
"I've no objections Bernard. I'll even find room for Aunt Billie, and Paradise Hill couldn't be managed without Mammy Lou."
"You mean when you marry Jenny, you'll have no objections to her sister making her home with you, and you'll even take the servants?" Bernard looked vastly relieved.
"I have no objections at all to my wife's sister living at Paradise Hill with us. There's only one fly in the ointment, Bernard." Nicholas hesitated. "It's little madam I want. It's not Miss Jennifer, it's Miss Amanda I want for my wife."
The older man looked aghast. "Mandy?" he asked incredulously. "Amanda Virginia is only a girl!"
"Nobody is more aware of that than I, Bernard," he said drily.
"But Jennifer told me you were about to propose to her."
"Not so, Bernard. It's always been Amanda, right from the first day."
Bernard raised his voice. "It's disgusting! You know how I feel about girls marrying too young."
"I do know, Bernard. That's why I've been prepared to wait for her."
The older man sank back into the leather chair, his visions of Richmond dissolving before his eyes. He shook his head. "I had no idea, no idea."
Nicholas finished his bourbon slowly, allowing time for Bernard's disappointment to sink in. He exhaled a cloud of blue smoke so that it masked his eyes. "There's still a way."
Bernard looked up sharply, all attention.
"We could be married in name only. I'll wait until she's eighteen to consummate the marriage."
"She's only sixteen!" Bernard stormed.
"It's not unheard of for a girl to marry at sixteen in this country. I give you my word I wouldn't touch her until she was ready, however long it takes."
"It's out of the question," Bernard said angrily. Then he realized Nicholas deserved a fuller explanation of his objections. "Nick, I married Miss Caroline when she was seventeen. By the time she was twenty, she had three babies and was in that damned chair for the rest of her life. I won't see that happen to Amanda."
"Bernard, I'm not asking for Miss Amanda because I need someone to warm my bed. I have a mistress in Charleston," he added quietly. He finished his bourbon. "Bernard, I pledge to you there will be no children until Amanda is a woman."
Nicholas rose to his full height. "I won't stay for supper, Bernard, but think it over. I know I'm asking a lot, but if you give her to me, I will cherish her forever."
Chapter Eleven
Bernard Jackson slept little that night. After twelve hours of soul searching, he came out on the side of expedience. The thing he worried about now was how he would communicate with his children. He shrank from telling Jennifer that Nicholas had rejected her, nor could he bring himself to discuss the intimacies of marriage with Amanda. As well, he did not want a slanging match with Brandon when his son learned he could have the house, but not the plantation that went with it.
Bernard decided to assemble them en mass rather than individually, and simply place the facts before them. He also asked his sister Billie and Mammy Lou to be present.
Jackson took a belligerent stance before his assembled family. His expression was forbidding and grim, his mouth compressed into liplessness.
"I've asked you all in here because I have some news that will affect the lives of all of you. I should like to be able to speak without any of the rude interruptions you usually make," he said with a quelling glance.
The silence in the room became a tangible thing with a thickness and texture of its own.
"I find that I am needed in Congress at Richmond, and since it is my duty to go, I have no choice but to do my duty. Brandon, I am turning the house over to you. The plantation however will be looked after by Nichols. Mr. Peacock has contracted to marry my daughter and has very generously offered to open his home at Paradise Hill to her sister, and to you too, Billie." He looked at Mammy Lou and added, "Most of the house servants will go along, with Mammy in charge."
He held up his hand to stop Mammy Lou from speaking and continued. "Since Amanda Virginia is only sixteen, the marriage will be in name only. The details haven't been worked out yet, so all your questions will have to wait."
Bernard walked briskly from the room, leaving his family stunned. Finally, the silence was broken by Brandon, who threw back his head and began to laugh. "Your little scheme backfired, Jenny!"
She walked up to him and slapped him hard across the face. She was in a fury and needed to inflict pain.
Aunt Billie nodded and mumbled, "Gentlemen like 'em young."
Mammy looked at Mandy who sat staring. "Dat's put a quietness on you, chile. Lord oh Lord, who woulda thought ma baby gwine be a married lady?"
As soon as Bernard left the room he sent a message to Nicholas that read, "I accept your offer."
The moment Nicholas read the note, he saddled Sunblood and headed over to the Jacksons. Where the boundaries of the two properties came together, he met Mandy coming to look for him. As he dismounted, he could see she was angry. She was off Miss Louise in a flash and flew at him with blazing eyes, her temper high.
"How dare you? How dare you go behind my back and conspire with Father? I might as well be a slave! I have no say in anything. He's peddled me to you, and informed me about it after you've settled everything between you." Her breast heaved with righteous indignation, and Nicholas could hardly tear his eyes from their swelling th
rusts. Her hair flew about her like a wildly tangled mane, while her eyes were so fiery, they almost branded his skin. He had never seen anyone to compare with her loveliness, and it stopped the breath in his throat. She's like a high-strung filly and she needs gentling.
"Father knows, damn him, and you know, damn you, that I took a vow never to marry!"
"Mandy, you know that's ridiculous," he said softly.
"Yes I'm ridiculous! Father made damn good and sure of that. Asking you to marry me. Just so he can be rid of us all."
Nicholas looped his bridle around a small tree and took her firmly by the shoulders.
"Hot damn, let me go!" she spat.
"He asked me to marry Jennifer Joy," Nicholas said low.
She stopped struggling and looked up at him wide-eyed.
"You know I fell in love with you the day I came upon you in the violets. We've always had a silent understanding that I'd have you for my wife."
"Yes, but that's years and years from now!"
Now that Nicholas had her full attention, he continued, "I told Bernard it was you I wanted, not Jennifer. He nearly went mad. Told me you were still a child. I suggested a marriage in name only until you are older."
"No, no, no," she cried, "not until I'm twenty. In four years I may be ready to marry, but even then I'm not sure."
"Don't you think that's asking a lot, Amanda? I've already waited almost four years."
What's the matter with me? I love Nicholas beyond reason. He is my prince, my knight, my perfect godlike Apollo. But now that the moment was upon her, she realized that he was a real flesh and blood man. Tears welled in her eyes and threatened to spill over.
Nicholas did not try to brush them away. He knew she would dash his hands from her the moment he tried to touch her face. I know her so well-- I've observed her minutely for years. "Walk with me while I plead my case," he invited softly.
"You'll never convince me, never!" she flared stubbornly.
He looked down at her from the corner of his eyes and smiled. "Of course I will. It will be the simplest thing in the world."
She set her lips firmly and her jaw took on such a stubborn thrust, he had difficulty hiding his laughter. "First, let me hear your objections to marrying."
"Unmarried girls in the South lead a life of pampered luxury compared to wives. The next few years should be filled with parties and beaus and pretty dresses, enough to last the rest of my life. The moment a girl becomes a wife, her whole life changes. She's weighted down with responsibilities. Eighteen-hour days filled with running a plantation, and looking after the slaves, and before you know it, the babies start coming, and... and... you've seen the married women sitting together at parties. They can't dance or have fun. They all fade and grow old so fast. If I don't marry, that can never happen to me," she said passionately.
"You'd be an old maid spinster and have to live on the charity of some relative, like Aunt Billie does," he pointed out.
Some of the stubbornness left her mouth. "But... but wives have no say in anything. They have to obey their husbands. When you are married, you had better please your man, not please yourself. And men... demand... things," she finished lamely.
"We are to be married in name only. That means I won't be able to demand... things." He smiled.
"I'm still not convinced." She tossed her head triumphantly.
"You will be in about thirty seconds."
"Try me," she challenged.
"Paradise Hill will be yours," he said simply.
Mandy let out her breath slowly, her eyes searching his face for long minutes. Finally, the corners of her mouth went up and the dimples appeared. "Tempted by Paradise, even an angel couldn't resist."
"And you, my love, are far from angelic," he teased. "In fact I need my head examined for taking on an incorrigible, willful child like you. Still, I suppose a good beating will correct most of your faults."
She looked at him seriously to gauge his words. "Would you?"
He gazed down at the enchantress. "If you pushed me too far," he said honestly.
Suddenly she was shy and tongue-tied. "You said Father was shocked. What did you say to change his mind?"
He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. "You already know I had to promise him it would be a marriage in name only-- that I'd wait until you were eighteen before I would consummate the union. Up until a marriage is consummated, it can be annulled, dissolved, if you are very unhappy."
"What does consummate mean exactly?"
"Well, it means I promise not to give you a baby until you are old enough, I suppose." Then he added, "among other things."
"Nicholas, what other things?"
"You know it's fashionable these days for brides to go to Saratoga or White Sulphur Springs on a wedding trip? Well, we won't be able to have our honeymoon for a couple of years."
"Oh Nicholas, I don't mind if you can't afford it."
"Of course I can afford it." He laughed, then went on more patiently. "We can't have a wedding trip yet because a honeymoon is when a man and woman share the same bed and make love."
"You mean I'll have my own room?" she asked carefully.
"Own room? Hell, you'll have to have a whole separate wing, with your sister, your aunt, and Mammy Lou chaperoning like three dragons."
She looked uncertain. "I'll still be Mrs. Nicholas Peacock?"
He nodded. He imagined the feel of her lips beneath his as his eyes lingered on her soft, pink mouth. He tore his gaze away from her as an overwhelming desire came over him to take her and crush her in his arms. He forced his mind to practical matters. "Because you are still in mourning, it will have to be a quiet ceremony with just the family present. We can have the wedding performed either at your father's house or ours, whichever you prefer."
"I'd like to be married at Paradise," she said shyly. "When will it be?"
"That of course will depend upon your father. But I honestly believe he wants to leave for Richmond at the earliest moment possible, so I believe it will be almost immediately."
"Nicholas, are you sure you don't mind my family moving into Paradise?"
"Visiting is a way of life in the South isn't it? I heard of one couple who went visiting their relatives when they got married and didn't leave until their second child was born." He laughed.
"May I have a room overlooking the gardens?"
"Amanda, you may have anything you desire. Let's go now and you can decide exactly just where you want to be, and where you want everyone else to be."
They untied their horses and, side by side, rode to their new home. She rushed into the front hall calling, "Samuel, where are you?"
He seemed to appear from nowhere as usual. "Nicholas and I are going to be married!" she said breathlessly.
Samuel grinned his approval. "Ah allus knowd yo' gwine be Miz Peacock-- ah jest didn' know when."
"Very soon, Samuel. I can't believe it!" She hugged herself and spun around in the hall under the crystal chandelier.
Nicholas grinned, knowing it was Paradise that she desired and not him, not yet. He mounted the staircase and she hurried to catch up to his stride. She ran her hand lovingly up the bannister. "My, Mrs. Peacock, you have the loveliest home in the entire state." After a momentary pause she added, "And the handsomest husband in the country."
Nicholas chuckled, relieved that she had been transformed from an angry hellion to a happy bride-to-be.
When they reached the upper landing, she said, "First, let's pick a room for Jennifer. Which is the prettiest, do you think? Oh yes, this golden room! I only hope it will appease her."
"Is she so very angry?"
"She's mad clean through," she giggled. "And just to keep her that way, let's put Aunt Billie in the next room so they can keep each other company."
"Hideous child," he accused.
She went farther down the east wing to the end and opened the bedchamber door. It was the delicately feminine pale green room, and she knew the moment she stepp
ed inside. "I know I'll be happy here. The windows face the east and I love the morning sun."
"There's a bathing room beside this one, and Mammy Lou can have the room on the other side of it," Nicholas said decisively.
Mandy groaned. "Mammy is like a watchdog. Must I have her so close? She'll even know every time I breathe in and out."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to put up with Mammy for chaperone. We have to observe the conventions whether you like it or not."
"I'm sorry; I didn't realize." She opened the doors and stepped out onto the verandah and he followed her. "The gardens are breathtaking from here."
"I do believe there's roses and wisteria planted below. They should cover this part of the gallery by next spring. In the meantime, that pomegranate tree will shade out the hot sun.
She re-entered the bedroom and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. "Great balls of fire, I look like the wild woman of Borneo." She sighed. "Mammy Lou will never be able to make me look like a respectable married lady. It's hopeless."
She has no idea how erotic and desirable she is with her slanting golden eyes and tempting mouth that drops tantalizing curse words so guilelessly. His flesh rose up and betrayed his need. He was hungry for her, and longed to gather her softness to him, and lay her on the great bed that stretched so temptingly before them. He ruthlessly crushed his desire. "Do you like the furnishings in this room, or would you rather have your own things from home about you?"
"Oh I think it will be lovely to have all new furniture. I have some beautiful linen Mother put away for me, but other than that I'll just bring a few personal items and my clothes."