Master Of Paradise (20 page)

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 thrusts. 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!"

"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.

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."

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?"

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 stepped 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."

"I'll buy you new clothes. We'll go on a shopping trip to Charleston."

Mandy laughed. "We can't go alone, and that will mean new clothes for all the women you are inheriting along with me. You don't need to do that, Nicholas."

"It would give me pleasure," he insisted.

She closed her eyes and whispered, "Living here, truly will be like living in Paradise." She opened her eyes and caught an expression on his face she didn't understand. It was so fierce and intense, it frightened her. She put her hand to her throat and stepped back.

He realized he had alarmed her. "Let's go and see your father and get all the details settled."

When Nicholas placed his hand at the small of Mandy's back to urge her into her father's office, Bernard gave a quick frown. Nick immediately overruled his objection. "Our business is centered on Amanda. She should be present."

Bernard poured Nicholas his usual drink. "I've sent a note for my lawyer to come and prepare the papers. There will be a marriage contract spelling out the arrangement exactly. and if you work the land for the two years until Amanda is eighteen and the marriage is consummated , it automatically becomes yours. That's the way I want it, because you value it more than any other would."

When Nicholas nodded his acceptance, Bernard turned to his daughter. "Amanda, I think Saturday would be a good time for the ceremony. That way I can travel up to Richmond and be ready to go to work Monday."

"Yes, Father. Could I be married at Paradise? There are no sad memories connected with it."

"I think that's a fine idea." He hesitated. "I want you to understand fully what the arrangement will be Amanda. Until you are eighteen you will be married to Nicholas in name only. You will live with your sister and your Aunt Billie. You will even have your own household servants."