Page 13 of Master of Paradise

By Spring, twice as many acres at Paradise were either drained or cleared for cotton planting. The new gin mill stood beside the stables, and a long row of a dozen sturdy cabins housed Nicholas Peacock's men.

At the same time as the cotton seed was planted, Nicholas had hundreds of camellia cuttings he had begged, borrowed, and stolen from every garden in the county. He had laid out the ground work for a maze modeled after the one he had seen at Hampton Court, only this one would be designed with camellia bushes.

This year Nick eschewed tobacco so he could increase the size of his cotton crop. Last year cotton brought twelve cents a pound and there's every indication the price will rise this year. He was glad he'd cut out the middlemen when selling his bales, but often mused about how much a pound he could get if he shipped his own cotton to Liverpool.

When Nicholas went into Charleston after the planting season was over, he made the acquaintance of a captain in the American Merchant Marine. Their speedy clipper ships dominated the seas, carrying the cream of the world's commerce. Through this connection, he met both captains and owners of vessels whose trade route was Charleston--Nassau--Liverpool. He became friendly with Rafe Collins who owned three clippers and was having another one built for him in England.

When Nick visited Maggie, he spoke of Rafe.

"We became fast friends almost from the moment we met. We recognized that we shared similar qualities."

"Personal magnetism?"

she teased lightly, sitting up in bed. She was always pleased that Nicholas didn't mind conversing after they'd made love.

"A sense of humor. Rafe is a product of an explosive mixed marriage. His mother was Spanish and his father Irish. He's hot-tempered, but as quick to cool down as he is to flare up."

"Does he have the impossibly handsome looks of both nationalities?"

"Ah yes. He's a devil with the ladies. They can't resist his sooty black lashes and the blue shadow that covers his chin no matter how often he shaves."

"A good friend with ships will certainly be an asset for you."

Nicholas agreed.

"I've contracted with Rafe for this year's cotton crop, along with the money left from last year's crop, for a half-interest in two of his vessels. The minute the sails are finished being sewn on the new ship, we'll load it with a cargo of furniture from the finest English craftsmen."

"There is a huge demand for Sheraton and Chippendale desks, dining furniture, wine tables, and hall stands. Southern ladies are partial to pieces made from mahogany, cherry, or rosewood."

"I've promised myself that when we harvest next year's cotton, I'll sail with it so I can have the satisfaction of selling my own bales to the merchants in Liverpool."

"You have big plans, Nick. I hope they come to fruition. A cargo of fine silks, crystal, and wines would bring a fortune in Charleston."

At last the house on Paradise Hill was begun, and Nicholas worked night and day to accomplish his dreams.

Summer brought the gossips a feast of delicious tidbits to pass around and digest because of three events concerning the Jacksons.

Brandon was sent home from his military college in Virginia, and it almost wrecked the plans that had been underway for weeks for Jennifer Joy's eighteenth birthday party.

Before he went home, Brandon stopped at Paradise to unload his conscience on Nick and recruit him an an ally. He smoothed his long blonde mustache nervously.

"The thing is Nick, there's not a damned bit of use my giving Father the lie for he can always tell. Besides, there's not many things you get sent down for. Stealing, cheating on examinations, and having a female in your bed. Well hell, I couldn't hold my head up in the county if folks thought I stole or cheated. The place thrives on gossip."

Nicholas was amused.

"Isn't it a bit ironic? You got sent up there for having a female in your bed."

"See what I mean about gossip? Every family knows every iota of business of every other family hereabouts. It's the slaves' grapevine you know. Can't keep their tongues from white folks' affairs. Brandon missed the double entendre of his own words. His body servant, Jim, who had been at school with him, stood by grinning.

"Seems to me it's a fool thing to get sent down over. Couldn't you talk your way out of it with your commanding officer?"

"Not very well. It was his daughter, I'm afraid."

Nick's eyebrows rose.

"Well, I've always found the best way is to face up to trouble. Get it over with. Like grasping a thistle, if you're firm it doesn't hurt, but if you go at it gingerly, it will prick hell out of you. Tell your father privately. There's big doings tonight-- it's Jenny's birthday party."

"God Almighty, I clean forgot. That will divert attention from me. Would you consider going early, then I can arrive with you?"

he asked anxiously.

Nick nodded.

"If Bernard plays hellfire, I'll plead your case."

Brandon turned to Jim.

"Go on home. No need to wait for me, I'll be along with Nicholas."

"That's like sending your calling card."

Brandon grinned.

"True. If Jim shows up, they know I can't be far behind. Take the edge off the shock."

When the two friends arrived in the late afternoon, Brandon saw he had made a tactical error. His Father had been forewarned. He was all prepared and awaiting him. The house servants rolled their eyes at him, proving their knowledge, but Nicholas realized the ladies had no idea.

"Why Nicholas Peacock, whatever are you doin' here? My heavens, it can't be time for my guests to arrive,"

Jennifer said panic stricken.

"All is well. I came early to see if I could be of help."

"There must be a million things to do. Ask Charles. Where's Mother?"

She fluttered about helplessly.

"I brought you this, Jennifer."

Nick handed her a bolt of finest damask linen.

"It's for your hope chest. I had Captain Collins bring it on his last voyage."

"Ohh,"

she breathed, fingering the heavily embossed material.

"It's beautiful. Thank you, Nicholas. I'll give it to Mammy Lou to put away for me. Please forgive me, but I must dash."

He heard Amanda's voice behind him.

"It will take four maids and two hours to prepare her for the party."

She put her head to one side.

"You think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. Actually you put our Jenny in a moral quandary just now."

"How so?"

he puzzled.

"Young ladies are not supposed to take gifts from gentlemen unless it's candy or flowers. How often I've heard that little drill. All other gifts must be politely refused. Fast girls accept gifts. Men try to take liberties with fast girls. Jenny should have refused the damask. Either she's too acquisitive to refuse beautiful presents... or she wants you to take liberties."

Mandy's hand flew to her mouth.

"Oh, I forgot, Mother will be on pins. I'm supposed to be finding Porter to carry her downstairs."

"I saw him up the driveway as I rode in. I think he's stringing fancy lanterns in the trees. I'll go upstairs and get her."

"Good. Mother has a particularly soft spot for you."

Miss Caroline's sitting room was upstairs over her husband's office. The door was ajar and Nicholas could see her in her chair out on the wide verandah. He went toward her and suddenly stopped as he heard angry voices floating up from below. She was so engrossed in the conversation,that she was totally unaware of him.

Nick heard Brandon's voice as he shouted incredulously.

"Abstain? I should abstain? You're nothing but a hypocrite! I suppose you've abstained since mother's been in that damned chair of hers? I suppose that woman you keep in Virginia is a figment of my imagination?"

"That's different,"

roared his father.

My God, she shouldn't be hearing this. Nicholas coughed loudly.

"Good afternoon Miss Caroline, I've come to lift you downstairs."

The easy grin was in place, his warm eyes looked frankly into hers as if he was unaware of anything untoward.

White-faced, she said tightly.

"Give me a few moments, Nicholas."

When her composure returned quickly, he thought, she knew before this; she just wasn't aware that Brandon knew.

She smiled and asked lightly.

"Tell me Nicholas, whatever shall I tell our guests about Brandon's untimely return from the Academy?"

"Virginia isn't the only state with good schools. Simply tell them he's transferring to the University in Charleston so that he can be closer to home."

He added softly.

"It doesn't really matter what you tell them, Miss Caroline, they'll think whatever they want to think anyway."

"You are probably right, my dear boy. You think so differently than we here in the South. Here, appearances are everything. We even deceive ourselves, I'm afraid."

She sighed.

"Take me down now. The moment they hear me coming, the menfolk will hush up their disgusting shouting match so that I won't hear a breath of scandal, and of course I shall pretend ignorance."

As Nicholas carried her chair down the stairs, the library door opened and Brandon moved up the steps quickly to help him.

"Brandon, darlin', how lovely of you to come home for Jenny's party,"

she said sweetly.

He bent to kiss her cheek.

"Mother, I hope you've been well."

"Why, I'm just bloomin', now that y'all are here."

Only Nicholas seemed aware of the terrible strain on her.

"Set me down in the dining room so I can inspect the buffet. Be a darlin' Nicholas, and send Mammy Lou and Cleo to me."

The house had been transformed. Baskets of flowers banked the walls of the large front sitting room. The spacious entrance hall had had the carpet and furniture removed for dancing. The musicians arrived and set up their music and instruments beside the piano.

With amusement, Nicholas began to count the number of servants that paraded from kitchen to dining room. He had just reached a count of fourteen when Bernard invited him into his office for a drink.

Jackson splashed a generous pony of bourbon for Nicholas and one for himself and drink it down.

"God Almighty, I needed that. Did you know the reason that young devil's been sent down from school?"

he demanded hotly.

Nicholas nodded.

"Did you know when you raise your voice it can be heard upstairs in Miss Caroline's room?"

"My God, no! You don't mean she heard all the things I accused him of?"

"Worse. She heard all the things he accused you of,"

he said quietly.

The older man looked so ashen, Nick poured him another drink.

"I went up to get her, and I know she heard what I heard. If it's any consolation, she only seemed worried what to tell the guests about Brandon. I suggested she tell them he was transferring to the University of Charleston so that he could be closer to home."

Bernard gave him a tight smile.

"Now if only you could think of some plausible excuse for me."

"Say nothing, Bernard. He who excuses himself, accuses himself. Perhaps she didn't believe Brandon's words."

"I wouldn't hurt her for the world."

Bernard shook his head.

"Go to her now and receive your guests together. That will please her."

Bernard thought for the hundredth time how easy Nicholas was to talk to. There need be no pretense between them, no strain. As he left his office, his mask fell in place again as he sought Miss Caroline.

Brandon put his arm through Nick's so he would not be overheard by anyone.

"Let's get a breath of air. Walk with me to the stables."

Amanda came up and took hold of Nick's other arm.

Brandon said quickly.

"Run along Mandy, we're speaking of men's affairs."

"Affairs! My God, Brandon, you made a pun, and here I thought you were witless,"

she said cruelly, but Nick laughed in spite of the cruelty.

"A little gal her age shouldn't know of such things. It's disgusting."

"Don't worry, Brandon,"

she said sweetly.

"rumor has it most men are disgusting."

"Not me, dammit. You!"

he shouted

She looked wide-eyed at Nicholas.

"Now you know where I pick up my bad language.

"You little bitch. You deliberately bait me."

"Because you always rise to the bait like a damn trout,"

she said laughing.

Nicholas frowned at her. She knows she's overstepping the bounds of propriety, as usual. If someone doesn't put a curb on her soon, she'll be out of control.

"Mandy, go back to the house. The stable is no place for a party dress. I'll see you in a little while."

He spoke so sharply, she was hurt.

Nicholas, who let her do as she pleased and say whatever she fancied was suddenly acting as strict as the others.

The words 'I'll see you in a little while' stung her vanity.

That's what he thinks, she thought savagely, needing to inflict him with the same pain he had given her.

You may make time for 'the child' later, but 'the child' won't make time for you!

Brandon grimaced at Nick.

"Father fired up as if I'd set a match to gunpowder. Still, your advice was good. I feel better now that I made a clean breast of it."

"You and Mandy are a good pair. Neither of you has an ounce of discretion. Your mother overheard the accusations you hurled at Bernard.

"Good God! How did she react?"

"Fortunately for you, she didn't seem to believe it."

"Thank God. Let's hope she thinks I was referring to a wench."

"Would that make a difference?"

Nicholas asked, at a loss.

"She's a white lady. She isn't going to mind a black girl."

Nick looked at Brandon in amazement.

"Good God, you've a lot to learn about women."

"I'm trying my best."

Brandon grinned.

"By the way, your presence is going to be explained by saying you're transferring to Charleston."

"Like hell, I am,"

Brandon laughed.

"Then you'll learn to be a planter?"

Nick asked.

"I'm allergic to cotton."

He grinned.

"Nick, all the old boys will be here tonight. Do you suppose we dare get a game going?"

"I don't think the ladies would appreciate the cursing and drunkenness that go on at one of our poker games."

"Well, perhaps it would be a mite tricky seeing it's a birthday ball, but if you think there won't be any drunkenness, you're in for a surprise.

By midnight, half the men will be so liquored up, the fighting alone will be better than whatever entertainment is planned.

In fact, I think I'll take bets on how many fist-fights will break out."

The carriages were starting to arrive, so Nicholas made his way back up to the house just in time to greet Dr.

and Mrs.

Caldwell.

Their two daughters, Romeda and Lorena had come in the carriage with their parents, while Ty had ridden his new hunter.

Nick eyed it closely and decided it was certainly worth a wager or two.

Jennifer Joy stood at the entrance to greet her guests.

The girls squealed over Jenny's exquisite party dress.

It was pale green organdy with dark green velvet ribbons.

The guests carried their dressed in large boxes and rushed upstairs to complete their toilets.

Before the long blue twilight began to dim, Nicholas had made the acquaintance of all his friends' sisters.

He met so many young women of marriageable age, he couldn't keep them straight.

He didn't know if he was dancing with Julia Hampden or Blanche Davis, but he did know that each belle, whether it was Laurel Beverly or Sarah Vickers appraised him as if he were a stud horse, albeit they did it with blushes and giggles from behind their fans.

Obviously he met with their approval and he had a difficult time extracting himself politely from the scheming little games and verbal entanglements they used to ensnare him.

Whenever Nicholas found himself in a large company, he felt almost as if he stood aside and observed his fellowmen.

It was nothing new, for in England he had found himself doing the same.

Here, people grouped together into distinct camps.

The married ladies sat together exchanging gossip about children, servants, and accouchements.

If a male had overheard their conversations, the ladies would have been mortified.

The older men gathered and discussed crops and politics; exclusive male topics that were almost forbidden to women.

Only the young people mixed to flirt and dance and laugh, but even this group kept segregating-- the girls regrouping to whisper what this boy had said or what that one had done; and the young men kept going outside to indulge in everything from hundred-proof bourbon to home-brewed corn whisky.

Amanda had sworn that after Nicholas Peacock's rebuff, she would not speak to him again that evening, but all that was soon forgotten as she found herself arguing with young Clay Hampden and a tipsy Ty Caldwell over the fine points of his new hunter.

"Well hell, it'll beat anything in the Jackson stables,"

Clay argued.

"Hah! Brandon's hunter would make it look like dog meat,"

Mandy boasted.

"Would you like to put money on it?"

demanded Ty, his pride stung.

"Yes! Ten dollars. I'll race you tomorrow at seven. Our stables to yours."

Mandy had a pretty shrewd idea what Ty's head would feel like at seven in the morning.

Clay held out his hand.

"I'll hold the bets. Where's your money Amanda Jackson?"

"Wait right there,"

she ordered, and made a beeline for Nicholas.

"Hello brat, are you enjoying yourself?"

"Let me have ten dollars, Nicholas. You're the only one I can ask,"

she stated bluntly.

"Am I allowed to ask what you want it for?"

"No!"

she said emphatically.

"How can I resist when you sweet-talk me so?"

he said sarcastically, reaching into his pocket. He was alerted and intended to find out what she was up to.

Jennifer Joy whirled past in a daring waltz, and Mandy saw Nick's eyes follow her sister.

"She's stolen my favorite green. She did it on purpose because she knows I have a passion for it, and they've stuck me with this damned white again."

"You look divine in white."

He touched her cheek tenderly.

"Like a goddess."

"Goddesses don't wear all these silly frills."

"Perhaps not. I should love to see you in a white silk Grecian style gown."

"The kind that leaves one shoulder bare? Your imagination is as dramatic as mine."

She put her head on one side.

"Perhaps worse?"

"It knows no bounds,"

he said wickedly.

She took the money and whispered.

"I'll pay you back tomorrow."

He decided that next time Ty Caldwell stepped outside, he would go and have a quiet word with him.

Suddenly, Jennifer was in front of him, and he knew that she also wanted something from him.

"I thought I'd rescue you from my baby sister. She can be such a pest, Nicholas."

"You only come to me when you want something. You are more alike than you think. You both want all your own way,"

he said with a grin.

"You are ungallant, sir."

She slapped his arm playfully with her fan.

"How can you compare me with the little horror of the county?"

"The only difference between you is that you use sugar to get what you want. Mandy uses vinegar."

"I see you are far too clever for me to cozen, so I'll ask straight out. Come with me while I ask Daddy if we can go on dancing past midnight."

He offered her his arm and escorted her over to Bernard.

"Why darlin' that's up to your mother. I think we can carry on 'till about two o'clock, if your mother is up to it,"

he beamed.

She turned to Nicholas.

"I could have done that part myself. It's Mother I need your influence with."

"And as soon as you've used me, you'll be off in Beau Hamden's arms without a backward glance,"

he teased.

"You, Nicholas Peacock, know far too much of what goes on in a female's head."

After Miss Caroline reluctantly agreed to let the dancing carry on until two o'clock, Nick whispered.

"You owe me one dance now. I'll be back to collect it presently."

He followed Ty outside and allowed himself to be persuaded into sharing a drink with him. He took a gamble and said.

"Mandy shared your secret with me."

"About the horse race tomorrow morning?"

Ty was swaying on his feet.

Nicholas was furious. He guessed instantly that she herself would race Ty.

"She won't be there, Ty. Just having you on for a joke."

"Little minx."

Brandon ran up from the stables.

"Nick, come quick. King Vickers and his brother are having a hell of a fight. You know what King's like when he's liquored up!"

Nicholas arrived in time to hear Duke Vickers say.

"You son-of-a-bitch, King. You knew I was saving that little Dulcie for my next bed wench, and now she's knocked up an' you did it deliberate!"

"Christ Almighty, it wasn't me. You're blind as a bat, Duke. Your body servant, Nate's been screwin' her for weeks,"

King shouted.

"That true, Nate?"

Duke Vickers shouted into the shadows under the trees.

"Naw suh, Marse Duke Ah knowed yo' had yo' eye on Dulcie."

"She was virgin, King, 'til you busted her, you son-of-a-bitch. Now ah'm going' to kill you!"

King's temper flared out of control and before anyone could prevent it, he'd pulled a pistol and shot his brother. The ball went into Duke's shoulder.

"Go get Doc Caldwell,"

Brandon said to Nicholas.

"I told you this would be a fun night, didn't I?"

Nicholas tried to be as quick and discreet as possible as he spoke to the doctor. But every lady present knew there was trouble and that probably someone had been wounded. Parties meant liquor, and liquor meant fighting and often shooting.

"Take him upstairs to your garconnier. I'll have to dig the ball out and I'll need good light and clean dressings,"

directed Dr. Caldwell.

"I'll take you up the back way."

Brandon half lifted the fainting Duke Vickers.

"Nick, go back inside and assure the ladies that all is well."

All anxiously scanned Nick's face when he returned to the house, so he smiled reassuringly and asked Jennifer for the dance she had promised him.

"I made no such promise,"

she told him archly.

"but if you'll tell me what happened out there..."

"That will cost you more than a dance, my sweet."

Her lashes swept down at his words, but she went willingly enough into his arms.

"Someone said it was the Vickers' boys,"

she whispered.

"What were they fighting over?"

"Can't you guess?"

He stalled as his mind sought desperately for a topic that was far removed from bed wenches.

"Was it a girl?"

she asked breathlessly.

He danced her out into the verandah where their conversation couldn't be overheard.

"Was it me?"

she asked hopefully.

He stopped dancing and looked down at her eager, upturned face. He decided to give her something else to think about. With his arms still holding her, he lifted her up and bent his head to capture her lips. He held her against his body's hardness while his lips explored the pink mouth he held captive. He set her back down on her feet and dared her to slap him.

She did better than that. She verbally cut him down to size.

"Why Nicky dear, I've been kissed by a dozen other men tonight and I thought I was saving the best 'till last. What a disappointment!"

"You are a little bitch,"

he growled. He took her roughly in his arms and kissed her savagely.

Unknown to them, Amanda saw them and fled from the party, blinded by quick, hot tears.

As the party was breaking up around two o'clock, Mammy Lou approached Nicholas reluctantly.

"Marse Nick, ah's worried sick. Ma baby gone off somewheres an' ah can't find her."

"Did she go up to bed?"

"Naw suh. Ah's searched everywhich room. Ah had Cleo search too, an' Charles searched outside. Ah can't tell Miz Caroline her baby run off in de middle of de night. It kill her certain sure."

"I'll find her, Lou. Don't you worry. You look after Miss Caroline and don't let on about Mandy."

"Lawd Gawd, what happen now?"

cried Mammy as she saw a small knot of people gathered about Miss Caroline.

"She's had a bad spell,"

Bernard said. See if Dr. Caldwell has left yet."

The doctor returned from his carriage to the house. After a quick examination, he said briskly.

"Let's get her upstairs to bed. It's all been to much for her, I'm afraid."

Bernard picked his wife up out of her chair and carried her carefully up the stairs.

Jennifer followed, pale as death, and Mammy panted after, wringing her hands with alarm.

Nicholas went outside and made a quick search of the stables and the out-buildings.

He called Mandy's name, but there was no answering response.

He knew then she had gone to her favorite place on Paradise Hill, and he set out with grim determination to find her, and shake some sense into her silly head.

Running off in the middle of the night is such a dangerous, childish thing to do.

His footsteps quickened as he left Jackson land behind for his own acres.

He called her name, but there was no response.

Nicholas was filled with apprehension, a feeling quite alien to him.

Where in hell would he begin to look, he wondered wildly.

Then he saw the white dress in the purple shadows of the trees. She was on the edge of the riverbank, her knees drawn up under her chin, one hand trailing in the black water.

He knew without a doubt that she had heard him calling and had chosen to ignore him.

Anger flared within him, while at the same time the relief he felt at finding her safe, almost overwhelmed him.

"God damn it, you deserve a beating for this!"

he exploded.

She didn't move. She acted as if she hadn't heard him, which only goaded him to a fresh outburst.

"Look at me, Mandy! This running wild without thought or care for others must cease. What an irresponsible, childish thing to do. Don't you have any comprehension of what could happen to you going off alone in the dark?"

he demanded. When he still received no response from her, he grasped her by the shoulders and roughly lifted her to her feet.

As she lifted a tear-stained face to him, her plight pierced his heart. He gathered her to him.

"My honeysuckle, my little lamb, what is it?"

he soothed.

"Nicholas,"

she whispered, heartbroken.

"why do you treat me like a child?"

Very gently he took her chin in his fingers and lifted her face so they could look into each other's eyes.

"Listen to me very carefully and I will explain. I treat you as a little girl because you are a little girl in everyone's eyes, save mine. To me you are ageless, wiser and older than time, but in reality you are fifteen. Try to understand that my only salvation is in treating you as a child. If I did not, I would be lost. You know how I feel about you without my putting it into words."

"But if you love me, why did you kiss Jennifer?"

He said lightly.

"Men kiss lots of girls they don't love. Come now, your mother has been taken ill, and we must get you home."

She was stricken.

"Oh, God no! What have I done?"

Her body began to tremble with fear for her mother.

"I don't mean to be wicked-- why do I always hurt her?"

"Mandy, no. Get these ideas out of your head. It was a debacle from the start. Brandon being expelled, Jennifer insisting on this birthday ball, King Vickers shooting his brother, as well as certain things between your parents you know nothing of. These brought on your mother's collapse. Only Mammy Lou knows you were missing, and she had enough good sense to come to me about it."

A single tear slipped down her cheek, and he brushed it away with his thumb. His lips brushed her temple.

"Come, we'll hold hands around the dark corners then your fears and apprehensions will scatter before our courage."

She gave him a tremulous smile and put her hand trustingly in his.

In a quiet, firm voice he added.

"One more thing. I forbid you to race Ty Caldwell."

She gave him a swift, guilty glance, then the dimples peeped out.

Caroline Jackson had suffered a stroke that summer night, and during the next year her condition deteriorated monthly. Her sister Virginia, who had married into one of the wealthiest families in Charleston, came to stay for a lengthy visit, then took her nieces back home with her for a month in an effort to lighten the burden the Jacksons were experiencing. Virginia was married to a man whose famous ancestor had signed the Declaration of Independence, but more importantly to Virginia, had built the beautiful Greek revival mansion in which she was now fortunate enough to reside.

Amanda Virginia had been named after this aunt, much to the older woman's chagrin. She was a social snob of the first water, who pushed her own daughters relentlessly to cultivate only those who had 'connections'. Mandy's unconventional behavior appalled her and after a month she was relieved to pack the girl off home. Jennifer Joy was another matter altogether. Why had they named the wrong child after her?