Master Of Paradise

  Nicholas said, "Why don't you put your feet up for awhile Lou? You've been working since daybreak."

  Mammy Lou's mouth fell open. This was the first time in her recollection anyone had cared how she felt. Nicholas was the only one who had ever referred to her as anything but Mammy. She was a woman with a name, and Nicholas acknowledged it.

  Amanda shooed the servants from her bedroom. She removed the white dress, washed her hands and face, and slipped into a cream linen riding skirt. She ran her brush through her hair quickly, not bothering with a mirror. As she descended the curved staircase that led from the east wing, she saw that Nicholas was going downstairs also, from the west wing. Gone was the white suit. He now wore a cool shirt and serviceable riding breeches.

  "Hello darlin', off on an adventure?" he called across to her.

  "I'm going to see if Miss Louise likes your stables." She noticed that he no longer had the clipped British accent he had had when they first met, but a pleasant slow drawl. I love the way he said Hello Darlin' like it was a caress.

  When they reached the bottom, he asked, "Amanda Virginia Peacock-- does it sound strange to you?"

  She shook her head. "It seems right and natural," she assured him. Mandy wasn't really ready to be a wife, but the sudden thought that someone else might have caught him for her husband and ended up at Paradise made her weak at the knees. Suddenly she was very, very glad that they were legally married and had exchanged vows that would bind them forever.

  Before they reached the stables, Nicholas paused in the shade of an oak and took her hand. "I never want you to regret this day, Amanda." He brushed a tress of long dark hair back from her shoulder and it curled possessively around his fingers.

  "I hope you never have regrets, Nicholas."

  If you only knew. I'm already regretting the promises I made to your father. The texture of her hair was like satin between his fingers.

  She laughed self-consciously. "I'm a married woman, yet I'm not old enough to wear my hair up."

  "When you put your hair up for the first time, I want the pleasure of taking it down." Damn, I must stop touching her and saying these intimate things that spring to my lips the moment I'm near her. He had imagined his desire for her was a thing of the future that could be controlled, not this immediately, demanding need that set his blood on fire. Nicholas stepped away from her. "I'm putting in new water steps at the river. I'm having a boat built for us to sail back and forth to Charleston. If you sail with the tide, it only takes an hour, whereas it takes almost three on horseback."

  "It once took us five hours by carriage. It was a nightmare of a trip."

  "Would you believe that yesterday the paddle-wheeler that goes up and down the Ashley stopped at our landing so the people could tour our beautiful gardens?"

  "Did you let them?"

  "I must confess that I did."

  "Your house and gardens have no rival in three counties."

  "Our house, Amanda. I'll leave you to see to your horse. If you'd prefer another stall, just move her."

  She saddled up for herself and rode about the land belonging to her new home. She loved every acre. She had always loved this land, but Nicholas had turned a wilderness into a thriving plantation and a garden showplace. The ornamental lake now boasted a small bridge, under which a pair of swans glided with stately elegance. She looked heavenward as a sharp flapping of wings filled the air. A flight of wild geese had chosen to land on their lake for the night. She was thrilled and thought, not for the first time, that birds were a lucky omen for her. After all, wasn't she a Peacock?"

  After her ride she stabled Miss Louise, brushed her, and gave her a generous feeding of oats. "You are my beautiful girl, and I love you." The filly answered her. Amanda looked down at her wedding ring, and twisted it round and round, hoping she wouldn't awaken and find it had all been a dream.

  On the way up to her room, she saw Cleo with an armful of dresses. "Oh Cleo, take the rest of the day off. Don't you want to be with Brute?"

  "Ah can't Miz Mandy. Miz Jenny clothes are in a terrible mess wid all dis movin'. She want all her dresses pressed nice an' fresh."

  "Cleo, this is my wedding day and I want you to enjoy being with Brute. Besides, I'm the mistress here now. Run along, I'll take these dresses to Jenny and explain."

  "Oh thank you' Miz Mandy. Ah wants to be with Brute somethin' powerful."

  As Mandy went up into the east wing she saw two maids come scurrying from Jennifer's room, almost in tears. She could hear her sister's voice, shrill and angry. She opened the door and stopped on the threshold to admire the room's prettiness.

  "What do you want?" Jennifer demanded.

  "I gave Cleo the rest of the day off. She can finish these tomorrow."

  Jennifer's eyes blazed their indignation. "How dare you? Little Miss High and Mighty. Countermanding my orders to my own slave. Why, you've even got Mammy treating you as if you're someone special now that you're married to Nicholas Peacock. The joke of it is you won't be a proper wife to him for at least two years yet!"

  Though Mandy felt as if she'd been slapped in the face, she said lightly, "I won't allow even you to spoil this day for me." She placed the dresses on the bed and left.

  Mandy had just removed her riding skirt when Mammy Lou came in. "Did y'all have a nice rest, honey? Ah shore enjoyed puttin' ma ol' feet up fo' a spell. Let's pick a real purty dress fo' dat husband o'yores. Ah declare, yo' is one lucky gal!"

  Amanda stood before the wardrobe with dismay clearly etched on her face. "Mammy Lou, my dresses are all so plain and simple."

  "Dis here ma favorite."

  "Oh please not pink. It will make me look like a little girl. Maybe the yellow. They all lack something. They're all so childish."

  "Verily, verily." Mammy rolled her eyes. "Yesterday yo' didn' give a care what covered yore hide. Today yo' wants silk dresses!"

  Mandy peered into the mirror. "It's simply scandalous what the sun has done to my skin. I need some face cream. Oh, I need so many things, it's unbelievable."

  "Lordy chile, don' ah scold yo' about de sun 'til ma tongue turn blue, an' yo' jest laughin' at ol' Mammy."

  Amanda turned her back so that Mammy could fasten the yellow muslin dress and tie up the sash. "It will take me hours to get the tangles from my hair."

  Mammy rolled her eyes again. "Nevah thought ah'd live t'see de day yo' combed all de tangles from yo' hair. Easier to get de scissors an' chop 'em out."

  "I can't do that. Nicholas loves my long hair. He's always touching it."

  "Den yo' better git started wid dat brush fore yo' evah tries to put de comb through it."

  It took a whole hour before Amanda was satisfied with her appearance. Mammy opened the door to a polite knock and almost bristled when she saw it was Samuel. He coolly ignored her and bowed to the new mistress. "De masta say supper be served on de patio, Miz Mandy, if yo' has no objections."

  "The patio?" she questioned.

  "Ah come t'escort yo' directly ma'am."

  "Thank you, Samuel." She smiled at him and his heart went out to her.

  He led her downstairs, through the east wing and out to the back of the house. A large brick patio shaded by palmetto and a pomegranate tree stretched invitingly before her.

  Samuel said, "Ah'll escort Aunt Billie and Miz Jennifer directly." In his way he was giving the couple a moment of privacy before their chaperones arrived.

  Nicholas arose to meet her. "I thought it might be cooler to dine out here tonight."

  "I've never dined outside in the evening. Won't we be eaten alive?"

  "No. We burn these torches made of pine knots dipped in tar. It keeps the mosquitoes away. Even during the sunny hours, this is a nice cool spot." He indicated a hammock strung between two trees. "I had that hung out here, but never found time to use it. Perhaps you'll get some enjoyment from it."

  Mandy admired the rattan furniture with its deep, soft cushions in a cool green and white pattern.

  It s
eemed to Nicholas that Samuel returned much too quickly with Aunt Billie on his arm. "Miz Jennifer send her regrets an' begs t'be excused. I'll see she gits a tray upstairs."

  When Nicholas raised his brows, Amanda explained, "She's recuperating from a battle of wills."

  "Who won?"

  "I'm delighted to admit that I did. A small disagreement regarding Cleo's duties. As mistress of the house I soon straightened it out.

  Nicholas hid a smile and seated Aunt Billie. He poured her a double bourbon, straight up, and saw her rolls of flesh jiggle with silent laughter. She was used to pleasing men and giving them what they wanted. She would oblige Nicholas and doze in her chair as soon as she had eaten her fill, executing her role as chaperone with the least pain to all.

  The food laid out was cold, eliminating the need for servants. There was sliced ham and turkey, salad, and platters of fruit. Strawberries, three different types of melon, and chunks of fresh pineapple made a colorful centerpiece.

  To cover a momentary shyness, Amanda said, "I saw wild geese landing on the lake this afternoon."

  "Really? That's early. The geese don't usually arrive from Canada until the cotton has been shipped. I haven't finished ginning it yet. Amanda, there's such a busy time coming up, I hope you won't be lonely here."

  "Of course not. I know how busy you are, especially now that you're looking after both plantations."

  "If you want to go somewhere in the carriage, we'll get Ben to drive you. He's the youngest field hand, your own age I think. He won't frighten you."

  "Thank you, but actually I won't be receiving invitations for at least six months because of our mourning. I thought I'd make a herb garden like the one you told me you had in England. I've been learning all about herbs and their healing powers from Jessie. It's a fascinating subject to study."

  "Jessie? Is she one of the house servants you brought?"

  "No. Jessie lives in one of our slave cabins. She's married to one of father's field hands. All the women know so much about medicine and healing. I want to learn everything I can."

  "A herb garden is a wonderful idea. You can use some of these bricks," he pointed to the patio floor. "They're made right here at Paradise by Jason. He's a wonder with bricks and tile. I'll get him to lay out the brick walks and make you two or three dozen squares where you can plant your herbs. Just remember to keep the peacocks out of it." He laughed.

  "I can't take Ben and Jason, you'll need all your hands to get the cotton baled.

  "I have to keep you busy so you don't get into mischief," he said with a grin.

  "I'll find diversions," she replied mysteriously.

  "Speaking of diversions, I'm having a swing put up for you on that big live oak by the rose garden."

  "A swing?" she challenged, wondering if here serious. "Nicholas, you persist in treating me like a little girl."

  "Nonsense. Why even an old man like myself can still enjoy the fun of a swing." He pictured her laughing in the moonlight with her hair floating out behind her. How am I going to keep away from her tonight? I want to lift her in my arms and carry her up the staircase. But he knew if he began to kiss her, he would be begging her to stay with him. He took a deep breath and said huskily, "Would you like a glass of wine-- a nightcap?"

  "No thank you. I couldn't manage another thing. I think I'll go up now. It's been a long day, but a very happy one, Nicholas."

  I can't bear to part with her. "Come on then, time for an old married woman like you to go up to bed. You must be worn out."

  She glanced over at Aunt Billie and raised an eyebrow.

  "Samuel will see that she gets upstairs."

  Amanda hummed as she prepared for bed. I'm going to enjoy being Mrs. Nicholas Peacock excessively. This bedroom furniture is so beautiful. It must be hand-painted cypress. She ran her fingers over the pale green wood decorated with cabbage roses and tiny wood violets. The wardrobe and dressing table matched the bed that had a curved foot and headboard designed in the shape of a sleigh.

  Two maids came in to hang up her clothes and close the shutters, then Mammy Lou arrived to turn down her bed and tuck her in, as she had every night of her life. Finally, she got into bed and Mammy turned the lamp down low and said goodnight.

  I don't even feel drowsy. Her thoughts chased each other, all of them centering about Nicholas. The house was quiet now. I've been in bed almost two hours and I'm still wide awake. Mandy had hoped against hope that her husband would come to say goodnight to her, and she felt disappointed. Then on an impulse she decided she'd go and say goodnight to him. She slipped from bed and put on her dressing gown. Softly, she opened her door and closed it gently so none would hear her.

  She moved quietly down the hall out of the east wing and made her way into the west wing. She hesitated only a moment with her hand on the doorknob, then turned the handle and slipped inside. The room was empty. Nicholas hadn't yet retired.

  She moved swiftly out of the west wing with the intent of going downstairs to seek him out, when suddenly she paused as her sister's voice came to her clearly.

  "How could you do this to me?" Jennifer demanded.

  "What is it I'm supposed to have done?" Nicholas drawled.

  "You know very well. You led me on with kisses and promises, taking advantage of my innocence. Naturally I assumed you intended marriage."

  An ice cold hand closed about Mandy's heart as she waited for her husband to answer the accusation.

  "Jennifer Joy, I don't intend playing games with you. Let's put our cards on the table and speak plainly. I didn't take advantage of your innocence. You lost that long ago."

  "How dare you insinuate such a thing?" she cried.

  "Jenny, I saw you in the woods one day with Beau Hampden."

  "We were just out riding," she flared.

  "Jennifer, I saw you naked with him. I saw you making love, and while the thought of it has often made me desire you, it did not make me desire you for my wife."

  Mandy had heard enough. She ran back to her room, shocked beyond belief. Would Jennifer really do those things? What is between her and Nicholas? What secrets do they share? Fiercely, she dashed the tears from her eyes and got back into bed. Jennifer had managed to cast a dark shadow across her day after all.

  When Nicholas reached the top of the stairs, he paused as if undecided about something. He turned into the west wing reluctantly and left his bride to her slumber without disturbing her.

  While Mandy quietly soaked her pillow before falling into an exhausted sleep, Nicholas fared no better. He was usually a good sleeper, but for once he found the heat oppressive as he restlessly turned from side to side, then savagely threw off the covers in a futile attempt to cool his hot blood.

  If this was the result of spending the evening with Amanda, then he knew his only salvation would be to avoid her as much as possible. He would observe the formalities, keep a cool distance between them at all times, and never, ever, be alone with her.

  As the hour topped midnight and slipped down the slope toward morning, he drifted down, down into slumber. He could hear her siren song calling to him, and he was helpless as she beckoned him to Paradise.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The next morning Amanda Virginia bathed her swollen eyes and chided herself. Hadn't she realized that other females would throw themselves at Nicholas? I must be the envy of every girl in the county, yes and half the women too, married ones included. Great balls of fire, he is so handsome, just looking at him makes me want to swoon. It's obvious Jennifer made a play for him. I know she plays dirty too and would try to compromise him. That must have been what happened. It was probably the first rejection Jenny ever received, and if I know my sister she'll keep trying. Amanda decided to keep a very close eye on Jennifer and Nicholas. If Jenny was promiscuous, Mandy realized she'd be stiff competition for a sixteen-year-old virgin.

  Amanda went downstairs, determined to begin learning everything about running the household. When she entered the kitchen, she unkn
owingly walked into a hornet's nest. Mammy Lou was standing in the center of the room, feet firmly planted, hands on hips. Mandy recognized it as her most stubborn position, from which she could never be made to back down.

  Samuel stood erect, nostrils flaring, his head at a proud angle, his icy glare chilling everyone in the room. Between them stood a young black girl, terrified.

  "Ah has overseen bakin' of de bread evry mornin' for over twenty years. Ah don' intend t'relinquish dat duty now, yo' triflin' black varmint!"

  "Woman, yore black skull mus' be so thick, yo' don' hear what ah's tellin' yo', so ah'll explain one mo' time. Masta Nick bought Sarah here jist fo' the express purpose o' bakin' on dis here plantation, so stand aside yo' interferin ol' bat an' let her git on wid it."

  "Ma mistresses have eaten bread prepared de same way every day o' der lives. A handful o' cornmeal in de dough makes all de diffrence in de world. Also any fool knows yo' don' grease de pans wid butter, cause it burns!"

  "Servants at Paradise are not about t'take orders from any but me, woman, so depart dis kitchen before I knocks yo' on yo' fat, black ass!"

  Mandy waited only long enough to see Mammy Lou pick up a rolling pin. She ran from the kitchen and out through the dining room. She ran into Nicholas who had been in the fields for the last two hours and had come in for breakfast.

  "Oh Nicholas, thank God you're here. Samuel and Mammy are killing each other in the kitchen."

  A slight frown creased his brow, and he followed her out to the kitchen.

  Samuel spoke up instantly. "Mammy is interferin' in de breadmakin', suh."

  Nicholas said simply, "Lou, you are far too valuable a servant to waste your time with baking. It's menial, hot work. I'm expecting my friend Rafe Collins. Would you select and prepare a guest room for him?"