Page 24 of Master of Paradise

While Nicholas was in Charleston, Lincoln proclaimed a blockade of all Southern ports. Nick cursed the Fates that hadn't allowed enough time for Rafe Collins and himself to sail before the edict, but it proved advantageous when the price of cotton hit bottom.

While the Hornet and Rattlesnake had their cotton cargoes loaded, Nicholas took his small boat back up the Ashley to pack his bags for England.

The house servants were thrown into panic at readying the master for an ocean voyage. They were everywhere at once, and consequently Nicholas and Amanda found it impossible to be alone. When it came time for him to leave, he ignored the household and took his wife into his arms.

"Sweetheart, there's so much I want to say and so little time to say it."

"Nicholas, we don't need words. I know what's in your heart."

"Try to manage the place without me. Remember that Paradise belongs to you, and remember that I love you."

Nicholas was gone, but his words echoed over and over in her mind. With determination Amanda saddled Sunblood and rode out over the fields. She saw the vast amount of planting that had been left undone, and she knew from the way the weather was heating up that there was only about a week left to get in the cotton seed. She had a hasty consultation with Samuel, and together they went to the cabins and spoke to the field hands.

"I want to get my husband's fields planted for him. If Samuel brings food out to you in the fields every day this week, do you think you can finish?"

she asked Brute.

"We can try, Miz Peacock. We gits a good soakin' rain on dem seeds we plant an' de crop should take for sure."

Amanda searched the dark faces.

"Where's Jason?"

Samuel, who had all the information of the plantation at his fingertips said.

"Jason workin' upriver at a brick place yore husban' started. He got his wife up der."

A vivid vision of Solange and Nicholas's child came to her, and she tried to suppress her quick jealousy.

"We'll go up and fetch him back for a week,"

she decided quickly.

"Whereabouts is it?"

"Right on de river where de red clay banks is. Up past Orangeburg."

"We'll go in the boat. Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours."

When Samuel looked uncertain, she assured him.

"We can manage the boat between us. Nicholas isn't here to do it, Samuel, so we have to."

The brickyard was a busy, fascinating p lace. Jason had the hands of an artisan. He shaped bricks faster than the eye could perceive, and lovely red roof tiles were made simply by laying clay over logs to shape it, then letting it dry in the sun.

Solange stood outside the cabin with Nicole, and the two young women eyed each other warily. Finally, Amanda approached Solange and spoke to her softly.

"If I take Jason for a week, will you and your child be all right?"

"Yes ma'am. A little ways back from de river, through dem trees is a whole settlement. They's allus lotsa folks around."

"That's good."

Then Mandy said on impulse.

"If anything happened to Nicole, he would never forgive me."

The two women smiled tentatively at each other before Samuel helped her into the boat.

At sunup the next day, Amanda dressed in plain homespun, sturdy leather shoes and a large sun hat, rode and walked the fields with the hands, and when Samuel brought the wagon filled with lunch and later on dinner, she poured water and then coffee and carried it round to the workers.

Mammy Lou played hell with her, but Mandy firmly put aside all her objections.

When Jennifer discovered Amanda intended to be in the fields, she almost had hysterics.

"My God, you can't shame me like that. You are without doubt the most bodacious female I've ever encountered. The Hamdens will call off my engagement if they hear tell of such!"

Jenny screamed and threatened, begged and pleaded, and called upon Mammy Lou to 'do something' all of which fell on deaf ears.

Jennifer was finally silenced when Mrs. Wade Hampden came to call on Amanda to see if they could spare any fields to plant food for the army. She insisted it was the least she could do to support the war effort by growing food crops and asking the other plantations to do the same.

Amanda knew there were still unsown fields at the Jackson Plantation, so agreed to put in corn, peas, and potatoes.

She gathered every available servant, including Mammy and a very pregnant Cleo. She bullied Jennifer into helping, and with Porter and Fanny, they all trooped over to the Jackson land to sow the food crops.

Amanda fell into bed exhausted every night, but she felt a sense of accomplishment, and it certainly cut down on the hours she lay awake worrying over Nicholas. She knew the Union Navy had seized the schooner Savannah just off the coast and the blockade was tightening.

The Rattlesnake reached England in record time. Nicholas had the skipper weigh anchor at Birkenhead, the shipbuilding capital at the mouth of the Mersey where Bullock would put in his order for the six ironclads. Then they docked at Liverpool.

The Rattlesnake was one of the first ships to arrive since the blockade had been imposed, and cotton brokers swarmed aboard to outbid each other for the precious bales that had run the blockade.

The ship needed its steam engine completely gone over so that the trip back would be speedy and without mishap, and Nicholas did not feel like kicking his heels in Liverpool, a port with which he was unfamiliar.

His longing for Amanda was almost unendurable. It seemed more than a separation; it felt more like an amputation, for she was part of him. He had tossed restlessly in his bunk as the ship crossed the Atlantic, and when he did fall into an exhausted sleep, it was filled with voluptuous dreams of his beautiful, fragile Amanda. The dreams were never satisfying-- they were always elusive and very, very frustrating. He swore that when he returned to Paradise, things would be different. He would put an end to the ridiculous facade of the marriage in name only, and take her to his chamber and his bed, where she belonged.

Once his feet were back on English soil, Nicholas began to long for a glimpse of his old home where he had spent his boyhood. Philip, too, invaded his thoughts. He would be a man of twenty-one now, and he longed to know how his brother had fared.

Nicholas made up his mind in five minutes. He took the railway train to London, then hired a carriage and drove himself into Kent to Peacock Hall. He tooled his carriage up the driveway and stopped at the coach house. He did not recognize any of the stablemen or gardeners, so he spoke to the man who approached his carriage.

"Is Lord Peacock in residence?"

The man spat on the ground and his voice was filled with contempt.

"Lord Peacock? He's not the paymaster here. You'd be wanting Mr. Chetwynd, sir, but he left for London this morning."

Nicholas, in quelling tones, said.

"I most definitely would not be wanting Mr. Chetwynd. Good day."

Leaving the man open-mouthed, he drove up the driveway to the house.

He knocked loudly on the door, and it was a moment or two before a maid appeared.

"Is Lord Peacock at home?"

he asked shortly.

"I'm afraid he's not seeing anyone at the moment, sir."

"Well, I'm not leaving without seeing him. I've come too far for that. Is his mother at home?"

he demanded.

"Mrs. Chetwynd is indisposed, sir,"

parroted the girl.

"Nonsense, she'll see me. Tell her it's Nicholas Peacock, and I won't take no for an answer."

He shivered at the chill in the air, and thought with longing of the warm sunshine of Carolina.

The maid returned and led him into the drawing room.

Pamela had been sitting in a dim corner, but as Nicholas entered the room, she stood and took a step toward him.

She looked as if she could hardly believe her eyes that this magnificent man was the same Nicholas Peacock she had thrown out five years before. He had always been a handsome, well-made youth, but the man who stood before her now was mature and totally self-assured, with an aura of wealth about him.

As Nicholas looked at Pamela he saw that time had not been kind to her. Her lovely rounded softness had disappeared and she looked thin, almost ill. Then he noticed with a shock that her face carried an ugly bruise down one side, and she held her arm stiffly, as if it pained her.

"I came to see Philip,"

Nicholas said bluntly.

She held herself proudly for one moment, then her face crumpled.

"Oh Nicholas, I bitterly regret my actions toward you the day your father died."

He waited, knowing there was more to come.

"I married Peter Chetwynd much to my sorrow. He was only after my money, and the estate."

Nicholas glanced about the walls and noticed quite a few valuable paintings were gone.

"The estate and everything in it belongs to Lord Peacock,"

he said with emphasis.

"Oh God, it's not that simple. You know Chetwynd is a barrister with a law firm. He appointed himself Philip's legal guardian until he turns twenty-five. Even then I fear he will find some legal loophole to keep everything."

"He beats you?"

Nicholas asked without emotion.

"Yes,"

she said low.

"And Philip?" he asked.

"He... he drinks, and Chetwynd encourages him.

"Where is he?"

"In his room,"

she said, shamed.

Nicholas removed his overcoat and went upstairs to his brother's chamber. He found him sprawled on the bed, unconscious and stinking. It took him a full fifteen minutes to revive him with slaps and shakes and finally cold water.

The slim young man blinked rapidly and said thickly.

"Nicko? Nicko? That you, old man?"

"Yes, it's me. Come on, let's get you on your feet."

"Knew you'd be back,"

Philip said with conviction.

Nicholas helped him to bathe and shave and don fresh clothes. Then he rang for a servant and ordered a large pot of very strong coffee that Philip drank with shaking hands.

They talked for two hours. Philip told him how Chetwynd had dismissed all the staff, both inside and out, and replaced them with servants loyal only to himself. The art treasures and paintings from the collections were gradually being sold off, and when Philip and his mother had protested, Chetwynd began to abuse her. Philip didn't even get an allowance, but all the liquor he desired was provided free.

"Philip, you cannot be stripped of your inheritance; you are Lord Peacock. We'll go to London and hire our own law firm. What Chetwynd has done is clearly illegal. Not only will we put an end to this theft, we will bring charges against him."

"That will take money, Nicko."

Philip smiled weakly.

"I've got money."

"What about my mother? I can't leave her here,"

Philip pleaded.

Nicholas went out onto the landing and called downstairs.

"Pamela! Would you come up here, please?"

She came submissively and Nicholas mocked himself for being a fool. He spoke briskly.

"Philip and I are going to London to engage a law firm to untangle the mess you created for him. Your son is loathe to leave you behind to suffer the consequences, so I am willing to also take you. Pack everything you need. It will be many months before you will be able to return here."

His voice of authority was obeyed without question. In London, Nicholas took three rooms at Claridge's in Brook Street, ordered them dinner in their rooms. He left strict instructions that upon no account were spirits to be served, and took himself off to Temple Bar.

As he went over the directory, one name, Gardiner any expenses you incur can be deducted from my account.

Within two days, Nicholas learned that the Peacock inheritance was surrounded by misappropriation and litigation and would take months to straighten out. He authorized Gardiner this time she knew Mandy deserved her prating.

Pamela had been curious in the extreme to meet the wife Nicholas Peacock had chosen for himself.

Now that she had seen the girl, she could not comprehend how such a mere slip of a girl with the unruly mane of hair and manners of a hoyden could attract such a virile man, while he had never responded to her own classical beauty.

In the brief moment the two females had looked at each other, their dislike had been immediate and intense.

Jennifer treated Philip and his mother with such exaggerated deference, that it made Philip uncomfortable to be addressed as Lord Peacock, no matter how many times he protested.

His mother, however, relished being referred to as Lady Pamela, especially since Nicholas never gave her the title anymore.

As a consequence, Pamela got along splendidly with Jennifer.

She recognized her own frustrated feelings in the girl where her brother-in-law was concerned.

The two had in common a prurience belied by their angelic blonde facades.

Pamela got on amazingly well with Aunt Billie also, but the meeting with Amanda had been destined to disaster from the outset.

Amanda was very excited to have Nicholas back at Paradise.

She went alternately hot and cold at the thought of being in his arms again, and when she thought of him making love to her, she was breathless with trembling limbs and aching breasts, as Mammy Lou helped her into a pale green lawn fastened with satin ribbons.

Amanda was saved from Mammy's lecture by Cleo, who went into labor, so of course Mammy took charge.

Nicholas and Philip saddled up to tour the plantation, and their horses weren't out of sight before Brandon turned up.

He was very dashing in full dress uniform.

The South Carolina Cavalry was riding to Virginia soon, and he was tying up loose ends before he left.

Brandon had the black twins in tow and tried to discretely turn them over to Jennifer without causing a stir, but Mammy Lou after one glance, knew them for bed wenches.

Hands on hips she demanded.

"What ah suppose t'do wid dis trashy pair?"

"Oh Mammy, you should be able to find lots of things for them to do,"

Jennifer said.

"especially with Cleo indisposed for awhile. They must be trained for something."

Mammy sniffed.

"What dey trained fo' ain't fitten f' white ladies t'know."

Brandon looked appealingly to Amanda.

"I have a dozen things they can help with. Don't worry about them Brandon."

They can do laundry in the mornings since the extra sheets alone will be mountainous with our visitors, and the sultry heat that necessitates clean linen every day.

In the afternoons I can put them to hoeing the potato fields.

Of course she didn't mention these chores to Brandon or he would have objected to his pampered darlings doing menial work.

That night, Samuel served dinner for seven, with Nicholas at the head of the table, his brother Philip and Pamela on either side.

Amanda was seated opposite her husband at the foot of the table, flanked by Jennifer and Brandon.

Aunt Billie was squeezed in between.

Philip was in rare good spirits.

He felt almost reborn since Nicholas had come into his life again.

He had become so hopeless and now he was supremely grateful.

He rose formally to offer a toast.

"To Nicholas Peacock, the most honorable man I know."

Jennifer raised her glass and said sweetly.

"Daddy always knew Nicholas was an honorable man. He placed so much trust in him. He gave him his little girl when she was left motherless. Nicholas pledged his honor as a gentleman to protect Amanda with a marriage in name only."

Nicholas's eyes narrowed into a threat as he looked down the table at Jennifer.

Pamela murmured with interest.

"I see. I thought your bride was a trifle young, Nicholas, but of course I didn't understand the situation."

Jennifer dared speak again.

"He is so honorable they live in separate wings, and are chaperoned at all times."

Philip said the first thing that popped into his head.

"Don't you find that inconvenient?"

Nicholas said angrily.

"I find it damned inconvenient, as a matter of fact. Every time I wish to say something to my wife, we have an audience."

He glanced down the table and caught Amanda's golden eyes dancing with secret amusement. His tone softened.

"For instance, I want to tell her how proud I am of her for all the work she's done while I've been away. I know the planting was entirely her doing. I want to tell her she's the most beautiful woman in the entire world."

He paused and looked at each person at the table in turn. "And I want to tell all of you that I adore her."

"Hear, hear!"

Philip and Brandon gave all their attention to the lovely girl who was rosy with blushes.

The smug look had been wiped from Jennifer's face, and her mouth was now set in a thin line. She decided the moment their father visited, she would tell him that Nicholas had broken his trust and deflowered Mandy.

Mammy Lou announced triumphantly that Paradise had just had its first child born under its roof.

"Cleo has a son."

"Oh that's wonderful."

Amanda laughed happily and got up from the table.

"I must see how she is and see the baby. Please excuse me?"

Amanda was holding the new baby in her arms when Nicholas brought Brutus along to Cleo's room. She gave the baby to his father, who grinned with pride at the fine offspring he had produced.

"Stay here for a few days with Cleo,"

Nicholas urged Brutus.

"Thanks Masta Nick."

"Soon as Brute finishes extendin' de cabin, ah'd sure love t'take de baby an' go live der instead of in de big house,"

Cleo said hopefully.

"Of course you may,"

Amanda assured her.

Nicholas nodded.

"You belong together. I don't know how you've managed living apart. I know I can't do it."

He looked at Amanda, and she said quickly.

"I must go to see Miss Louise now. Goodnight Cleo."

Nicholas caught up with his wife on the way to the stables, in the navy blue dusk.

"You're going in the wrong direction, my love,"

he drawled. The air was humid and heavy with the perfume of a hundred night-blooming plants that seduced the senses.

"What do you mean, sir?"

she asked playfully, knowing exactly what he meant.

"You, my darlin', have a rendezvous with destiny. I believe the maze is still on the far side of the rose garden."

"You didn't really expect me to meet you there?"

she asked in shocked tones.

"I do believe you're teasing, for which I claim a forfeit."

As they slipped inside the dark green labyrinth, she lifted her skirts and ran. He pursued her with a laugh deep in his throat. Each knew the maze by heart, and soon he had her trapped by the fountain, which suited her purpose exactly as it did his.

His arms went about her and he crushed her to him, and felt the slow curl of heat in his belly.

She lifted her arms high behind his head and fitted her body closely to his. The force and power of his body made her feel totally feminine, and his vital energy and strength made her aware of her own defenselessness against him.

His head came down and his lips took possession of her mouth so fiercely, she thought she would be bruised, but she gave herself up to him, forgetting the pain, in the pleasure his mouth brought her.

"My love, my love, I swear this ache has grown worse each day we've been apart."

He freed one soft breast and dipped his head to taste the luscious fruit.

"Let me undress you,"

he begged hoarsely.

She demurred softly.

"I'm afraid, Nicholas."

"My honeysuckle, no one will come."

He stripped off his shirt and breeches and stood naked before her.

The moon was hidden for the most part by sultry clouds, and the maze formed a darkened chamber that enclosed them and shut out the world.

He reached for her hands and guided them to caress his bare chest covered with its crisp pelt of curls.

She became more bold, and began to explore his body as she had longed to do.

She regretted that she could not see his bronzed magnificence, but she could feel him and smell the clean, masculine skin.

Then she licked his nipples that tasted of salt and sunshine.

Her hands explored lower to his iron-like thighs, then she slid her hands up and cupped him.

Nicholas groaned with the exquisite sensations her touch brought him.

He took her hand.

"Let me show you,"

he whispered. He circled her fingers about his shaft and showed her how to touch him with featherlike strokes.

She made no protest this time as he began to undress her.

He always marveled at her response to him, so rich and passionate. He placed his hands on her thighs and lifted her high above him, then let her slide down his body and onto his throbbing, hard cock.

She moaned at his entrance and wrapped her legs about his back.

He clasped his hands behind her waist to support her back, and whirled her round and round.

The intensity of her climax made her collapse against him, and he went to his knees in the grass and cradled her until she had the strength to move.

Together they went into the fountain, and he cupped the water and lifted it to refresh her heated body. Suddenly the moon came out to silver the water and trace its light across her silken limbs.

The sight of her sent desire flaming through him, and he lifted her from the fountain and tumbled her beneath him.

She felt the grassy earth at her back and the hard, flat muscles of his belly pressed against her, and it was a deliciously long, slow loving to bring her to climax again.

A cry came from her throat for all the world like some night bird; the scream of a peacock.

"I want a child,"

she whispered.

"No! It's out of the question, sweetheart.

She pictured the beautiful little girl with the turquoise eyes, Nicole.

"Nicholas, please?"

"My God, no! I feel guilty enough about you, Mandy. I've shamelessly seduced you, totally disregarding your tender years, but I won't allow you to have my child for a long time yet. Besides, there's a war on. God knows what our future holds. It would be totally irresponsible of me to get you with child."

He sat on the edge of the fountain and helped her to dress. He kissed her ear and whispered.

"I brought you a present from England. You'll find it under your pillow. It's doubly precious now it's been smuggled through the blockade."

Amanda smiled a dreamy, secret smile into the shadowy darkness. She knew the present she wanted. She also knew what Nicholas said about a child was perfectly logical, and yet... and yet...