Page 15 of Master of Paradise

Jennifer Joy's very best friend in Charleston, Sue Ann Winwood, had just been married, and as maid of honor Jennifer had spent two months helping the bride-to-be prepare for the nuptials.

Jennifer was now in a fever to marry, even though her father had said she may not until she was twenty.

She would have to get around him on this point, as she always managed to do.

Though she had been entertained frequently and lavishly in Charleston, she was glad to be back home, close to all her beaus.

On her first night back, at supper, she wanted to hear all the news of her friends, but Amanda had only one topic of conversation.

"Nicholas Peacock's house is almost finished. The painters are there now, and then he will be ready to furnish. It's so exciting, Jenny. It is so lovely, it takes my breath away."

"That place?"

Jenny said lightly.

"He's been building it for years; it will never be finished."

"That isn't true! The house has only taken just over a year. He's been working on the gardens for years though. There's a camellia maze patterned exactly on the one at Hampton Court, in England. Oh, and I forgot to mention the yews. He's been growing them for years too, and now they are mature enough to cut into shapes. It's called a topiary garden. Nicholas hasn't decided how to clip them yet, but I thought it would be unique to cut them into the shape of chess pieces."

"Mandy, how you do run on and on about Nicholas Peacock. I suppose I'll have to promise to go see everything, just to hush you up. Now, do tell me if you've heard anything of Beau Hampden's comings and goings."

Mandy did not tell her that Romeda Caldwell had jumped into the spot vacated by Jennifer during her absence, and had been seen about everywhere with Beau.

"I told him you were coming home today,"

Mandy said truthfully.

"That's mighty strange. You'd think a gentleman would welcome me home after I've been gone two whole months. I shan't forgive him, no, not if he goes on bended knee,"

she declared.

"Oh Daddy, I meant to tell you. I was actually ashamed of Fanny in Charleston."

"Whatever did she do, honey?"

he asked in alarm.

"Do? That's just the point. In Charleston it's fashionable to have a French maid who is trained in hairdressing. I felt positively dowdy half the time. I'd like you to buy me a new maid, just for myself, Daddy."

He smiled at her, glad that he could provide whatever she desired.

"I expect we can arrange that without too much difficulty."

After lunch the next day, when Beau Hampden still had not put in an appearance, Jennifer decided she had waited in too long. She had her mare saddled up and took off for points unknown. Amanda grinned.

"Whatever am I to tell the spurned suitor if he arrives?"

Jennifer tossed her head.

"You can tell him to go whistle up a hollow stump, you fifteen-year-old horror!"

"Sixteen-year-old horror,"

Mandy corrected.

In a fit of pique, Jennifer turned her horse in at the new driveway that led up to Paradise. She rode up the cathedral-like avenue of live-oak, draped with ethereal strands of moss. The sight that met her eyes stopped her in the middle of the drive. The white-pillared house was utterly lovely. The gardens were so magnificent, they lent an aura of splendor. Jennifer was stunned and more than a little angry at herself for not discovering all this earlier.

Nicholas saw her ride up, and went out to greet her.

"What a delightful surprise, Miss Jennifer. Welcome to Paradise."

She looked at him for a moment to see if his words were ironic, but he seemed sincere. She could never quite be sure with Nicholas. Often he said things with multiple meanings, but said them so blandly, one could hardly take offense.

"Why, Nicholas Peacock, I am absolutely speechless at all you have accomplished, and I see no reason for us to be so formal. We have been neighbors and more for years."

As he looked up at her, she held out her arms to him and he lifted her from her horse. She managed to brush against his body, while at the same time making it seem as if he had initiated the intimacy. He kept his face straight.

"You look very beautiful today in your Charleston finery."

"Why how observant you are to notice my new habit. When I arrived in Charleston I was mortified to see how behind our fashions are."

Her feet touched the ground and he looked down at her.

"I don't believe that, Jenny. No one in Charleston could hold a candle to you."

She smiled her thanks prettily.

"I have come for the grand tour."

"The paint inside is wet and it smells a bit,"

he said reluctantly.

"Why don't you come tomorrow and I'll show you through the house. Today I'll show you the gardens."

The azaleas were brilliant and gave off a heady fragrance as Nicholas squired her about the gardens, proudly pointing out unique touches.

"These yews are to be clipped into a topiary garden as soon as I decide on a theme."

"Why don't you fashion them in the shape of chessmen?"

Jennifer suggested.

"That's brilliant. Why didn't I think of that? I drained this water off some of my land into an ornamental reflecting lake. It isn't finished yet, but there's to be a footbridge arching over it, and I think we'll get a pair of mute swans, the ones with the lovely s-curved necks, to complete the idyll."

"Nicholas, I am very, very impressed. Wherever did you get the idea for such a garden?"

"My father, Lord Peacock, had a penchant for gardens. He had an Italian garden that was the envy of England."

Jennifer's mouth opened slightly.

"Lord Peacock? Your father is a lord?"

she asked incredulously.

"Was, I'm afraid. He died before I came to America."

"Does that not make you the present Lord Peacock?"

she asked breathlessly.

"I'm afraid not. The honor belongs to my brother,"

he said without explanation.

"Your brother is Lord Peacock?"

she asked as if she were listening to a fairytale.

"A living, breathing lord?"

"He was the last time I saw him,"

Nick said wryly.

"You are a dark horse, Nicholas Peacock! What other secrets have you that I know nothing of?"

she asked playfully.

"If I answered that, you'd slap my face."

He grinned.

"Come and I'll show you the maze modeled after the one at Hampton Court. Let's see if you can find your way in and then out again."

He followed her as she turned this way and that, going the wrong way, retracing her steps with giggles and finally arriving at the center.

"There is to be a fountain here at this spot, and a loveseat of course."

She stepped close to him.

"It... is... very..."

"Secluded? Romantic?"

She reached up to brush a fallen petal from his shoulder and Nicholas reached for her and kissed her, as she had intended that he should.

"I... I'd better go,"

she murmured breathlessly. Suddenly she was shy as a girl with her first beau. Jennifer could have kicked herself. She had been so engrossed in her own affairs, it was as if she'd been wearing a pair of horse blinders, and they had suddenly been removed. Nicholas Peacock had always been dangerously attractive to her, and she thought she was being wise by keeping away from him. How easy it would have been to let him tempt her into love games. But he was the deadly dangerous type that ruined reputations, and Jennifer wanted a splendid marriage.

She suddenly realized that she could achieve the splendid marriage and at the same time snare this beautiful male animal for her husband. She became fluttery as a new bride and nervous lest this magnificent catch of a man, who must have a dozen caps set for him, should somehow slip through her fingers.

"Daddy, Daddy, I must talk with you."

Jennifer was in a fever of excitement.

"What is it, Princess?"

"Not here. Let's be private."

"We'll use my office. Now what's all this about?"

he asked indulgently.

"Why didn't you tell me Nicholas Peacock was the son of a lord?"

she demanded.

"He asked me not to bandy it about. He's very close-mouthed about his past, before he came to this country."

"But surely you could have told me!"

she insisted.

"Actually, sweetheart, I thought you knew."

"Have you seen his house on Paradise Hill?"

"Of course I've seen it. I was wondering when my little sleeping beauty was going to awaken and see what's under her little old nose."

"Daddy, I think I'm in love!"

As in the fairytale, she mused that she had indeed been awakened by the prince's kiss.

Bernard chuckled.

"Then everything is as it should be."

"Whatever do you mean?"

she asked hopefully.

"Nicholas has made no secret of his desire to become my son-in-law one day. Now that the house is completed, I'm certain he will wish to marry. I would have no objection, providing a nice long engagement came first."

"Oh Daddy, can you speak to him?"

she pleaded.

"I rather think Nicholas is a man who cannot be led about by the nose. Why don't we give him a little time? Meanwhile miss, it wouldn't hurt you to give him a little attention. You've had no time for him in the past,"

he pointed out.

Amanda sat with her mother. She had been reading Elizabeth Barrett Browning to her, as she was far too debilitated to read for herself. Amanda's voice usually soothed her mother and helped her drift off to sleep. Caroline lay with her eyes on her youngest child, and when Mandy looked up, she saw her mother was trying to tell her something. She bent close to catch the words.

"When the time comes, Amanda, follow your heart."

Mandy felt a lump in her throat. Her mother's words had been prompted by the love words she had read. She hid the dismay she felt. Mother is telling me she won't be here to see me safely married. Amanda dropped her eyes to the book and read until her mother slept. Then she tiptoed from the room.

Jennifer Joy arose early enough to startle everyone. She ate breakfast with the family, made light frivolous conversation, and even smiled twice at Amanda. Granted, the next two hours were spent rigging herself out in another new riding dress with a high lace stock at the throat, so in actuality she was ready for the day's events no earlier than usual.

By this time Amanda had already returned from her daily ritual of visiting Paradise, and the sisters met at the door to the stables. Jennifer looked so fetching, Amanda cocked her head and said.

"He doesn't stand a chance, whoever he is."

"What a perfectly terrible thing to say. As a matter of fact I have decided to take your advice. Today I am going to see inside the house on Paradise Hill.

"Be prepared Jennifer. You are going to be very, very envious."

"Why ever should I be envious, pray tell me?"

"Because someday it is going to be mine."

Jennifer's laughter rippled on the still air as she spurred her mount to a swift gallop, scattering the black children from her path.

In honor of the visit he was about to receive, Nicholas was not dressed in working clothes, but was attired in a fashionable cream-colored suit.

Jennifer felt excited and flushed as Nicholas glanced at her with his cool appraising eyes. She felt he could see right through her, not only through her clothes, but into her very thoughts.

He helped her from her horse, then took its bridle and led it into an empty stall.

Jennifer was amazed to see the large number of fine horses housed there.

"I had no idea your stable was so vast, Nicholas."

She caressed his name so that he would be aware of her tone and all it implied.

"Why these horses look mighty familiar to me. This one is my brother's, and that red beauty belongs to Ty Caldwell, and I could never mistake Beau Hampden's Midnight."

He smiled.

"They used to belong to those good old boys; now I assure you they are legally mine."

She was aware of the young men's fondness for gambling, and Nicholas went up even higher in her estimation.

They passed the cotton gin and the newly built smokehouses.

Though Jennifer always pretended boredom at the workings of a Plantation, her mind was always keen and quick when it came to assessing the financial worth of a prospective suitor.

The moment Jennifer stepped through the doors of Paradise into the black and white tiled entrance hall, she fell in love.

Two staircases curved from the center hall, one leading up into each wing of the house.

The rooms were so light and airy with cross ventilation in every one, they actually felt cool, even though the outside temperature was already oppressive.

Jennifer saw everything through possessive eyes as she decided she would be mistress here and everything was going to be hers.

The dining room was most impressive.

It had a crystal chandelier that must hold a hundred candles.

The furniture, already in place, was a matched red mahogany Sheraton dining suite with glass fronted cabinets that held a full service of Wedgwood porcelain and Venetian crystal.

The table was a twenty-foot oval polished to a mirrored sheen.

The twenty graceful dining chairs were upholstered in elegant gold and white striped brocade.

Behind the formal dining room was a vast kitchen equipped with every newest invention to make a cook's life easier.

"When the weather is this hot, the cooking will be done in the outside kitchen I've had built, so we don't heat up the house unnecessarily."

Jennifer gave Nicholas a provocative sidelong glance.

"Kitchens don't hold much fascination for me, but I'm just dying to see upstairs."

He hid a grin and took her elbow to lead the way.

"None of these bedrooms is furnished yet, but don't you think the furniture should be light woods to complement the decor?"

He opened the door to a pastel green room with a pale green Oriental rug.

"I think rattan or bamboo would go well in this room. What do you think?"

"Oh yes,"

she said breathlessly, amazed that someone so masculine could create a room so delicate.

Another chamber was painted primrose with a solid-colored, dark gold carpet, and a third was tinted eggshell with a cream and navy-blue flowered rug.

He led her from the east wing to the opposite side of the house.

"I'm in this wing. Mine is the only bedroom that's furnished. He opened the door slightly and closed it again quickly.

"Not so fast Nicholas. I'm absolutely dying to see it,"

she said prettily and pushed past him.

It was a man's room; it left no doubt of that.

The centerpiece was a huge four-poster made of hand-rubbed pine that sat on a dais.

The wardrobe, washstand and desk were all matching hand-rubbed pine, made by a craftsman who obviously loved wood.

The rug and counterpane were hand-loomed in a natural fiber linen.

Jennifer tilted her head coquettishly.

"I feel very wicked. I've never been in a man's bedroom before."

He could clearly see she was in a playful mood, and she wanted him to banter with her. What would her reaction be if I pulled her down on the bed and made love to her? Would she be outraged and fight me off? Somehow he doubted it.

Time slowed and almost stopped as the sexual tension built between them.

Jennifer's breath caught in her throat and her mouth went dry with anticipation as she gazed at the powerful chest and wide shoulders.

Her fingers touched the bedcovers in a subtly tempting invitation.

How far should I go? Far enough to make him commit himself, at the very least!

"Your reputation will be in shreds if the servants catch us in here,"

he said lightly.

"Let's go downstairs and have Samuel serve us afternoon tea."

He tried not to smile at the look of disappointment that came over her face.

Jennifer flirted with him through tea and through the rest of the afternoon, and it was being brought home to Nicholas that Jennifer Joy had had a change of heart where he was concerned.

His suit would now be perfectly acceptable; nay welcomed.

He noted with amusement that the cooler his behavior, the warmer she became.

He had not actually touched her all day, and he speculated just when, where, and how she would remedy this.

It wasn't until she was ready to leave and he gallantly offered to ride home with her.

He sent a servant to bring their horses to the front entrance.

As he followed her down the steps, she suddenly tripped and fell daintily back against him. His arms were ready.

She gasped.

"Oh, how clumsy I am, Nicholas. I'm afraid I've sprained my ankle."

She bravely fought back her tears.

"Let me take you back inside and I'll have Samuel look at it. He's the closest thing we have to a doctor here at Paradise."

"Oh no, I couldn't."

She blushed.

"Mammy will tend me if you will kindly get me home."

He lifted her gently into her saddle and made sure that the ankle was in a comfortable position.

"Brave girl,"

he murmured with encouragement, and slowly, so she would not be jolted, led her mare toward home.

It was sometime after lunch that Mammy Lou began wailing and carrying on incoherently.

Mandy was instantly alarmed.

"Mammy, what is it?"

"Lawd God, Mandy, ah wuz only lettin' her get her sleep. Ah didn' know! Fore God, ah didn' know."

"Mammy, tell me what's wrong. Is it Mother?"

"Yes'm, yes'm. Ah can't wake her-- yo' gotta do it."

Amanda rushed up the staircase holding her breath. She knew the moment she entered the room. Her mother's body had a stillness and her mouth had gone slack as if eased of all pain. She went quietly to the bed and reached out a tentative hand. Her mother's body was quite cold.

"Oh mamma,"

she whispered softly.

Mammy's wails started up again.

"Shake her good! Wake her up!"

"Mammy, she's gone."

Mandy choked back tears.

"We must find Daddy."

"No sir, no sir! Ah can't tell him. Lordy, Lordy, dis what come of hanging things on doorknobs. Ah tol' dat trashy Cleo a thousand times, don't yo' go hangin' things on doorknobs!"

"Mammy Lou that's just a silly superstition. You know Mother has been ill for a long time."

Mammy's wails had roused the other servants until they were buzzing like hornets with a stick up their nest.

Bernard, coming into the house, knew immediately something was wrong.

Mandy met him coming up the stairs.

"Oh papa--"

was all she could manage before the tears flooded her eyes and choked off the rest of her words.

Bernard sent one man for Dr. Caldwell, and another with messages to the nearby plantations. As soon as the women heard the news, they would rally round and take care of all the unpleasant necessities that death brought.

Aunt Billie kept out of everyone's way and offered no annoying suggestions. Bernard seemed lost.

"Daddy, Jennifer has gone over to Paradise Hill. Should we send a message?"

"No, no. Nicholas will bring her home. I'll tell them when they get here. I must send a message to Brandon and tell him to come straight home."

Mandy sank down on the bottom step of the staircase with her head pressed against the newel post. The hard little knot of pain centered in her chest was almost unbearable. The late afternoon shadows began to gather, then she heard the unmistakable lilt of Jennifer's laughter.

The front door was flung open and Nicholas strode through, cradling Jenny in his arms, and laughing down at her.

Mandy shot up from the step, her hand going involuntarily to her throat.

The merry couple came to a halt at the sight of her, and Nicholas set Jennifer on her feet.

The pain in Mandy's chest spread out until it threatened to consume her. With a sob, she ran past them out of the house.

Bernard, ashen-faced, came down the stairs with Mammy Lou at his heels.

"Sweetheart, I'm afraid I have some dreadful news. What we've all been fearing has happened. Your sweet mother passed away this afternoon."

"Oh no,"

Jennifer whispered, shocked and disbelieving.

"Go with Mammy, sweetheart. She'll take care of you."

"Are you all right?"

Nicholas asked Bernard.

"Let me get you a brandy."

"No, no. Dr. Caldwell will be here any minute. I do need you to run some errands for me, Nicholas. Can't depend on servants, you know. They go to pieces in a crisis."

"I'm so sorry, Bernard. I'll do anything at all."

"We'll have to bury her tomorrow in this damned heat. Can you bring back the minister?"

"From the church you attend in Summerville?"

"No. I think she would want the minister from St. Philip's in Charleston. I'll write you a letter for him. Urge him to make the journey out here, Nicholas. I'd also appreciate if you'd take messages to her family. Her sister Virginia will want to come."

"I'll bring Brandon back with me. I'll travel down tonight and return first thing in the morning."

He hesitated.

"Do you have a coffin?"

"Yes, it's being made right now. It will be finished by dark."

"Write me the letter and I'll be on my way."

Nicholas could still see the look on Mandy's face.

"I'll write it now. The church is at the corner of Broad and Meeting Streets. Miss Caroline's sister lives in the big mansion on the East Battery. You can't miss it."

Nickolas took the notes and put them in his breast pocket.

"I'll slip home for an overnight bag."

He knew he must find Mandy before he left.

By the time Nicholas rode back to his own lands, dusk had fallen. He checked the stables and house, but as he feared there was no sign of Mandy. On impulse he went to the spot where he had found her before on the riverbank, deep under the shadowy cypress trees.

She heard his horse approach, and as she turned blindly to flee from him, she lost her footing and slid down the grassy bank into the river.

"Nicholas!"

she cried helplessly, flailing her arms to keep the yellow, swirling water from closing over her head.

"Hang on!"

he ordered, and was in the river in an instant.

The moment his strong arms grasped her, the fear left her body.

He hauled her unceremoniously out of the water by hooking his hands under her armpits. He dragged her up the bank and sank down beside her.

Mandy feared his anger and his condemnation. She knew what it must have looked like to him. Her arms reached out to him in supplication.

"Nicholas, I didn't try to drown myself. Honestly."

"I know you didn't, love,"

he soothed.

"I know how upset you are."

He held her against him and stroked her hair.

"I had an unbearable pain in my heart, and when you came in with Jenny, you looked as if you were carrying your bride over the threshold. I thought... I thought... you didn't love me anymore."

He looked down at her, cupped her face tenderly, and raised it so he could see her clearly. One tear slipped down her cheek and wet his hand. He bent and tenderly brushed his lips across her brow. It was a kiss intended to make her feel loved and wanted.

"I love you,"

he said low.

"but Mandy, I cannot allow myself to fall in love with you until you are older. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"

"No,"

she said imply, and her body quivered against his.

He sighed heavily.

"You are cold. We'll go up to the house and get dry."

As he carried her over the threshold of Paradise, her words came back to him, and he grinned down at her.

She brushed her eyelashes and tremulously returned his smile.

"That's better."

He gave her a reassuring squeeze before he set her down..

"Samuel, fetch a blanket! Light a fire!"

He called orders and Samuel carried them out without lifting an eyebrow.

Nick poured a glass of wine and came to the fireplace with it.

"Drink this down while I'm watching you,"

he instructed.

She obeyed, slowly.

"I'm going up to change. I promised your father I'd ride into Charleston tonight. When I go upstairs, I want you to take off your wet clothes and wrap yourself in this blanket. Dry whatever you can. Put your shoes right onto the hearth, that's right. I'll try to find something of mine you can put on until we get you home. Don't worry, I've given orders that no one is to come in here."

She smiled apologetically at the trouble she was causing.

"Thank you for helping me, Nicholas."

When he came back with various items of apparel over his arm, she accepted she shirt, but shook her head over the trousers.

"I'll put my skirt back on. It's only damp now."

He turned his back so she could dress.

"You may turn around now,"

she said softly. She struggled into her damp shoes and bundled her bedraggled stockings and underwear into her discarded camisole.

"I wish I didn't have to go back."

Her lips began to tremble.

"The next few days are going to be hard, Amanda. They will take all the courage you have."

She straightened her back.

"I know. I'm ready now."

"Good girl."

He wrapped one of his jackets about her shoulders.

"Let's go."

Her mounted Sunblood and gently lifted her up before him in the saddle.

The heat from his body soon stopped the shivery feeling she had, and she relaxed back against him, thankful that she had someone like Nicholas to lean upon.

He knew a great need to protect her.

She was too young, too small, and far too sensitive to shoulder the burden life was thrusting upon her.

His arms tightened about the slight figure and he willed some of the misery in her to drain away into his own powerful frame.

He wished he could stay with her all night and allow his strength to sustain her, yet he was sure that within Amanda Virginia there were deep mysterious reservoirs of strength.

Though it wasn't physical, it was a strength of the spirit, which in the long run might prove more enduring.

When they came close to the Jackson Plantation, keening could be heard coming from the slave quarters.

Mixed with the sounds of the tree frogs and crickets, it sounded eerie indeed.

He drew rein and lifted Amanda to the ground.

He held onto her shoulder with one hand, and lifted her chin with the other.

"You'll find it easier to bear if you talk to your mother. That's what I did when my father died. Still do, sometimes. I don't know if she can hear you, love, but just pretend that she can, and I guarantee you'll feel comforted."

He bent and kissed her brow.

"I'll watch 'till you get to the door, and I'll see you tomorrow."