Page 29 of Master of Paradise

The working of Samuel's mind was very like a maze, for if he went along a path of thought and came to a dead-end, he patiently retraced his steps and persistently set off along another trail.

He had never heard the expression 'When in Rome', but instinctively knew if he was to travel North, he would do best to become a staunch Northerner and Unionist.

He wasn't sure where to begin, but gradually he wound his way to Washington, the heart of the Federalists.

The only person he knew who had a connection with Nicholas was Pamela, so he began a search for her, not knowing exactly why, but following his instincts.

It didn't take him long to locate her.

It was the title that made it easy.

Lady Pamela Peacock, widow of the late Lord Harry Peacock, had been set up in a fashionable townhouse in the District of Columbia, where she enhanced the glittering social scene that overflowed with high-ranking government officials.

She had parlayed what she had seen on her recent stay in the South, embroidered somewhat of course, into a cushy little arrangement that suited her down to the ground.

When Samuel gave her the news of Nicholas, he could tell it was the first she had heard about it.

She assured him that if her step-son was being held in a Union Prison, she would be able to find out.

She bade him return the following week.

Pamela lost no time in ascertaining that the Alabama had been sunk by the Union ship Kearsarge, and then she found out that the prisoners were still being held in the Port of Annapolis because there had been an outbreak of smallpox.

Pamela scanned the list of prisoners but saw no Nicholas Peacock listed.

Then she examined it more closely, name by name.

There was only one name on the list similar to Peacock; a Captain Leacock, listed as a British Merchant Seaman.

The government official who was keeping her, guilelessly arranged for Pamela to be taken to the prison when he discovered she was looking for her step-son.

It took her only a few slight manipulations to interview the prisoner alone.

Nicholas was brought before her handcuffed, and his two guards assured Lady Pamela they were right outside the door if she needed them.

He was heavily bearded and the clothes he stood in were threadbare.

Pamela arranged the skirts of her expensive silk gown and gave him her most seductive, slow smile.

"So, my darling Nicholas, we meet again."

His eyes held a slightly amused light that once more the tables had turned, and the advantage was once again on her side. And yet, he was shrewd enough to realize she hadn't come for nothing. I must hold some card of value.

"Pamela."

He bent his head in a mocking bow.

"What is it you want?"

She ran her tongue about lips suddenly gone dry.

"You", she said plainly, putting her cards on the table.

"I want you, Nicholas, and I am in a position to do things for you. I can get you paroled to me, which will allow you virtual freedom,"

she tempted.

"Freedom with you as my jailor would be no freedom at all,"

he said lightly.

"They would be silken bonds, Nicholas. I'd only ask for your nights; your days could be spent planning your escape,"

she tempted huskily.

For one insane moment Nicholas considered her offer. A chance to escape, to be with Amanda again, is worth any sacrifice, isn't it? The answer came back a resounding No. This game had three players, not two. Fate stood at his shoulder as it always had when he gambled.

"The game is too rich for my blood. I fold my hand and decline your offer."

Pamela stood there stunned. She could not believe he was stupid enough to turn her down. Stupidity? Nay, it was pride, she realized with a bitter taste. The pride of the Peacocks. She jumped to her feet.

"Guard! Guard! This man is not my step-son. I am sorry for your trouble. Return him, please."

Nicholas threw her a look of contempt.

"Someday, you'll have to pay for your sins, my lady."

On the drive back to Washington, Pamela vented her spleen in full.

"That man looked ill to me. Did they not report an outbreak of smallpox amongst the prisoners? I think it the height of foolishness to keep diseased prisoners so close to Washington. If I were you, I'd recommend they be shipped to Camp Davis in Chicago, Illinois. The place already has seven thousand prisoners, half of them dying of smallpox. What will a few more matter?"

When Samuel returned, Pamela was wearing black and carrying a handkerchief.

She told him sadly that she had learned that her step-son, Nicholas, had died of smallpox shortly after he had been taken prisoner, and that she had already written to Amanda with the sad news.

Samuel left Washington with a heavy heart, yet a nagging voice kept telling him that he could not trust the woman.

Instead of returning to Paradise, he decided to carry on his search.

What did he have to lose?

Fate had not yet played out its hand.

It took diabolical glee in convoluted twists and turns, and in this case it was no exception.

Within ten days of her visit to the prison Pamela fell ill.

She had contracted smallpox.

Unfortunately, she survived.

Her fate was worse than death. Her beautiful face was disfigured for life.

Amanda lay back in the hammock gently swinging her baby back and forth.

These were the only pleasurable moments left to her in a life that had become increasingly a day by day struggle to survive.

She could hardly believe that a whole year had gone by since she received that fateful letter from Lady Pamela, confirming Nicholas's death.

The garden, untended for so long had gone wild, but still it bloomed as profusely as ever, giving off its scents that brought Nicholas so close, Amanda could still feel his strong arms about her.

At the beginning of the winter she had thought they would have enough food to see them through, but she had reckoned without the army commandeering every ham, every ear of corn.

She had also reckoned without the hordes of refugees; women and children who walked miles, half-naked, looking for bread.

As well, four million slaves had been freed and were on the wander.

At first, Amanda had fed everyone she could, but when it got to the stage where all they had was dried peas, it finally dawned on her that they just might starve to death.

She had taken her diamond earrings into Charleston and had eagerly traded them for a large sack of corn meal, but before she got it to the small boat, a man had knocked her down in the street and run off with it.

Both Amanda and Jennifer were slim as reeds with wrists and arms so slender they could hardly lift baby Nicholas, who thrived on his mother's milk, supplemented with mashed peas.

Occasionally a neighbor would visit, every last one of them widowed by the war.

The news was always worse than it had been the month before, with one great Southern city after another falling to the enemy.

Vicksburg fell and all the Mississippi from St.

Louis to New Orleans was in the hands of the Yankees.

Then Gettysburg was starved into submission, and finally all of the State of Tennessee was held by Union Troops.

Grant now commanded the Union armies and he had a million enlisted men to call upon.

It was hopeless.

The South had nothing left but guts.

At Dalton, General Old Joe Johnston stood like an iron rampart with forty thousand and held off Sherman's hundred thousand Union soldiers for months and months, retreating one inch at a time.

But by the autumn Sherman had taken Atlanta, and then burned it.

His army was on its way to South Carolina where secession had begun, and Sherman's own words traveled like the fires his soldiers set.

"The whole army is burning with an insatiable desire to wreak vengeance upon South Carolina. I almost tremble for her fate."

Bernard Jackson asked Amanda to call everybody together.

"I've had long months in a rocking chair on the verandah with nothing to do but think. The time for thinking is over. It's now time to act."

Of the house servants there was only Porter and Mammy Lou left, and the only remaining field hand was Old Joe.

Jennifer wore a colorless gown that had been laundered without soap many times.

Amanda in a white cotton smock didn't look old enough to be the mother of the beautiful two-year-old who played noisily at her feet.

"Amanda, I want you and Jenny to get away. I want you to try to find a ship that will take you to England."

Jenny agreed with her father immediately.

"I've thought about nothing else lately, and Amanda has that diamond necklace we could use to pay for our passage."

Amanda sighed.

"I admit I've thought about it too, but I can't leave you, Father, and I can't leave Mammy Lou."

"Now you listen to me Amanda. Your first duty is to that boy there. I've had my life. He's our only hope for the future!"

Amanda looked from her father to Mammy Lou.

"Don't yo' look at me chile. Ah's more skeard o' water an' ships dan ah is o' dem Yankees."

Bernard urged.

"We'll stay here and be the caretakers of Paradise. You two girls take your courage in your hands and escape to England-- to Philip. This war will be over soon. I don't know how it lasted this long. Take my grandson where he'll get enough to eat."

The tears slipped down his withered cheeks.

Amanda nodded her silent agreement and took little Nicholas into the garden before the lump in her throat choked her. Nicholas could walk now and she encouraged him to do so, knowing that carrying him would exhaust all her energy. She lifted him onto the swing and pushed him.

"Your daddy built this swing."

He nodded happily. "Daddy!"

She'd told him so many times that 'daddy' was one of his favorite words. Amanda felt her heart pierced at the memories of Nicholas, and she knew she had no choice but to get this child to safety. One thing she could never come to terms with was the fact that Nicholas would never see the child she had given him.

Suddenly, she bethought herself of his other child, Nicole, and she was filled with such an urgency, she felt compelled to get her away to safety as well as her son.

Amanda went back to the house and said briskly.

"Jenny, we'll do it! Get our things ready. We won't be able to carry much, but there's a cold nip in the air so perhaps we could wear two layers of clothes. We'll go in the little boat to Charleston."

"I'll get Mammy to help us. Mandy, let's go tonight!"

"No, we can't. I have something I must do tonight,"

she said firmly.

"What?"

I can't tell you, you'd only try to talk me out of it. But it's something I have to do."

Amanda waited until the floodtide came up the Ashley, then she pushed the little boat out into the river and headed upstream toward Orangeburg and the brick yard.

When she drew close, the evening sky had such a magnificent sunset, she had never seen the sky so red.

She had a struggle with the oars, but finally pulled the little boat into shore and secured it so it wouldn't be swept away.

People were excited and shouting.

She could find no sign of Jason or Solange and asked where they were.

"Gone! They was wise. They cleared out a week ago. Wish to God I'd had enough sense to go with 'em", said a woman who was carrying a sack filled with her belongings.

"What's happening?"

Amanda asked, bewildered.

"They's burnin' the capital! Can't you see the sky?"

As realization dawned, she could smell acrid smoke in the air.

My God, I can't believe the enemy is only about sixty miles away in Columbia.

I must be sure Solange and the child have gotten away to safety.

Amanda went inside the little house where they had lived. All their personal belongings seemed to be gone, so she could only conclude that they had gone North to safety.

Mandy pushed the little boat out into midstream and instantly had a battle on her hands. The tide hadn't turned yet, and the current carried her upstream closer to the enemy, no matter how hard she pulled on the oars.

She was on the point of panic when the river's flow began to ebb and slowly, slowly, she was able to get back to Paradise.

Shakily, she told them the Capital was ablaze.

"I haven't the strength left, or we would leave tonight. Jenny, we must rest and go early tomorrow."

Amanda sewed the diamond necklace into her drawers, then fell into bed exhausted. Her outstretched hand clutched her son in case sudden flight became necessary.

In the morning their pitiful belongings were placed in the little boat, and while Jennifer clung to her father, Amanda embraced Mammy Lou.

"Please don't cry Mammy or you'll set Daddy off and he won't be able to stop. God bless you-- we'll come back to you someday."

Amanda handed Nicholas to Jennifer while she handled the boat.

She had no definite ideas about what to do once they reached Charleston, but Amanda hoped there would be ships in the harbor and she had a vague idea of arranging their passage on one of them.

Actually, once they arrived, there were very few people about, and the empty ships and boats looked neglected,, riding at anchor as if they hadn't been moved in months.

The two young woman and the child were turned down by everyone they approached. In truth their ignorance was laughed at. Didn't they know that absolutely nothing was able to get through the blockade?

Amanda and Jennifer sat down wearily at the end of the wharf. They knew they wouldn't be able to stay there long because of the cold air gusting off the Atlantic.

Jennifer summoned all her practicality.

"We'll have to go to Aunt Virginia's."

Amanda shook her head.

"If I know aught of Virginia, she has abandoned this unsafe city long ago, and if by some remote chance she was still here, she wouldn't lift a finger to help me. I know somebody who would, though."

"Who?"

Jenny was skeptical.

"Aunt Billie."

"We can't go to a... to a..."

"Brothel?"

Amanda smiled.

"Of course we can. Come on, it's down Calhoun Street, and I'm willing to bet it's not too far from the waterfront."

The downstairs at Madam Billie's at street level was a barroom.

The little trio that entered the bar that midday was not as incongruous as one might have thought.

In these bad times beggar women came every day, and it was seldom that Billie turned them away empty-handed.

Gold and Silver were bar men, who also kept the place free of anyone who became too drunk and rowdy, so word went instantly to Billie that the ladies from Paradise were there.

Billie waddled out and ushered them into her private parlor behind the barroom. She didn't climb stairs unnecessarily, and as Entremetteuse of the establishment, needed to be constantly on the scene.

Jennifer sank wearily into a soft chair and Amanda lifted Nicholas onto the safe where he sat round-eyed, fascinated by the fat lady.

Billie nodded.

"Well, well, who is this then?"

She answered her own question.

"He's got his daddy's eyes. I heard Nicholas had been reported drowned, but that you were hoping he'd been taken prisoner. I see you never found him."

"No,"

Amanda said sadly.

"Billie, we want to get away to England, can you help us?"

The old woman nodded her head rapidly while she thought.

"All the captains come in here to drink. We'll arrange something. There's still a few left who run the blockade."

"I have the diamonds Nicholas gave me,"

Amanda said hopefully.

Billie's head bobbed more rapidly at this piece of information.

"You all rest and I'll send for some soup. We've always got soup on the stove at Billie's."

"Thank you Aunt Billie. I have no one else to turn to."

The old woman stretched out her pudgy, ring-filled hand to Amanda's knee, and chucked Nicholas under the chin.

Jennifer spoke up in a frightened voice.

"We want to go today, Aunt Billie."

A few more rapid nods before she left the room assured the girls that she would do whatever she could.

Amanda carefully unstitched the diamonds from inside her drawers and hid them under the cushion of the chair.

They each had a bowl of soup, and Nicholas drank two.

Then they patiently sat and waited out their vigil.

At about three o'clock in the afternoon, Billie returned to the sitting room.

"There's a seaman in the bar who says he can arrange a passage for you. Come on and bring the necklace."

Amanda thrust it into the pocket of her smock and followed Aunt Billie.

The man was of middle age with a barrel chest and a thick beard.

Billie said.

"This is Pierre."

Amanda peered at him closely. Does Billie expect me to trust this man? She found her voice.

"Can you get us through the blockade and take us to England?"

"You have diamonds?"

he asked, holding out his hand.

Amanda showed him the necklace and he readily agreed.

"We leave on the midnight tide, but it's a long carriage ride to where the ship's hid. Be in the bar at ten o'clock."

He grabbed the necklace and slipped it into his breast pocket.

"No! Leave the diamonds with me. How do I know you will be back for us?"

"This old bitch would have me tracked down and my throat slit if I double-crossed her. Don't worry, someone will be here for you."

She looked to Aunt Billie who nodded as usual. Amanda realized she hadn't much choice, for clearly the man had no intention of handing the necklace back to her.

The next six hours were the slowest Amanda had ever endured.

It felt as if she counted each tick of the clock.

By nine o'clock the little trio sat ready in the bar so there would be no chance of being missed, if by some remote chance the man returned for them.

At nine-thirty a bearded man entered the barroom, and Amanda examined him closely.

"Rafe!"

she burst out.

"Oh Rafe Collins, I've never been so happy to see anyone in my whole life!"

"Mandy, Jenny, whatever are you doing here in this place?"

"We're waiting for a passage to England. I gave a man the diamond necklace Nicholas gave me in exchange for our passage tonight, but I'm afraid we'll never see him again."

"Sweetheart, it's all right. I'll take you."

Tears of relief flooded Amanda's eyes and she felt her knees sag beneath her own weight.

"Providence must have sent me here tonight. We'll catch the midnight tide."

Rafe finished his drink and hoisted Nicholas to his shoulder.

Jenny and Amanda had a hard time keeping up with Rafe's long strides as he walked down Calhoun Street to the waterfront.

He helped them down some water-steps and into a small sailboat.

The cold wind ruffled their hair and Amanda bent her body close to her child's to shield him as much as she could.

The sails filled and Rafe tacked quickly into the wind.

The night was dark and Amanda saw only a strip of shoreline and tall water reeds, then they were out of the sea and into a river, but where they were she had no idea.

The little boat seemed to run with the tide, then suddenly the dark hull of the Hornet rose up beside them and many hands helped them aboard.

There were no lights on deck and they had to feel their way along, guided surely and safely by Rafe.

The port holes were blacked out for safety, but he allowed them one small candle in the cabin he assigned them.

"I'm sorry we can't light any lamps, but the Union patrol boats are everywhere.

This cabin only has two bunks, so you'll have to share with the little one, honey.

If you hear gunfire, don't be too alarmed.

Just don't shout or cry out and I'm pretty sure we'll get through.

Go straight to bed and we'll talk in the morning. Goodnight Jenny; goodnight, Mandy love."

"Goodnight,"

she whispered.

"I don't know how to thank you."

It was three weary heads that lay in their bunks aboard the Hornet.

Amanda listened for her son's deep breathing that told her he was safely asleep, then she relaxed and drifted to the edge of sleep herself.

The last thing she heard was Jennifer's voice.

"I believe Rafe Collins is a rich man!"

When morning arrived and Amanda opened the portholes, she realized just how richly appointed the Hornet was.

The cabin was lined with red, polished mahogany and the fittings were gleaming brass.

An Oriental carpet fitted wall to wall, and there was a built-in wardrobe boasting a full-length mirror on its door.

There was a dressing table and cozy arm chairs bolted against the wall and piled with luxurious cushions.

Amanda whistled appreciatively, but Jennifer for once in her life was not interested in a man's worth.

She was suffering from acute mal-de-mare .

"I'll die if the ship doesn't hold still!"

Amanda ventured on deck and saw Rafe striding toward her.

"We'll be in Nassau tomorrow. Are you ready for breakfast?"

"Oh I am, I am, and my poor little Nicholas must be starved. Do you have enough food for us?"

He laughed.

"Before this voyage is over, I hope to put all your curves back."

As his bold eyes swept over her slight figure, she blushed and felt shy.

"Jennifer is seasick. Is there anything I can do to help her?"

"I'll send some dry biscuit and wine. She'll be fine after a couple of days. Take Nicholas to the galley and eat your fill, Mandy."

She couldn't get over the food.

There was coffee and tea and chocolate with real sugar.

There was ham and eggs and hush puppies and grits.

An assortment of fruit and jam and biscuits made her mouth water.

She watched Nicholas carefully so that he didn't overload his stomach with the unaccustomed rich food.

Back in the cabin she tended Jennifer with gentle hands.

She urged her sister to nibble the dry biscuit and sip the wine, while Nicholas played contentedly with the wooden stopper from the wine bottle.

It was mid-afternoon before Jenny settled down to peaceful slumber, so Amanda took her son up on deck for some fresh air.

The sun shone brilliantly on the waves and the air was soft and warm.

Rafe waved and beckoned for her to join him on the forecastle, as he stood at the great ship's wheel.

She watched him with pleasure.

Sailing was second nature to this man, like breathing.

His open-necked shirt had had the sleeves cut away for freedom of movement, and as his sure hands lightly gripped the wheel, the muscles of his arms stood out, brown and hard.

She breathed in the salt tang and shouted.

"I feel as if a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders."

"Take supper with me tonight,"

he called into the wind.

She nodded her assent.

"After I put Nicholas to bed."

"Not tired,"

the child insisted.

She laughed down at him and hugged him to her tightly. It felt good to be alive and free.

That evening, Amanda felt guilty as she changed her dress and donned the only other one she now owned-- a plain gray with white collar and cuffs.

Jennifer had managed some clear broth and simply wanted to be left alone, so when Nicholas finally lowered his black lashes to his rosy, windswept cheeks, she slipped from the cabin, down the narrow gangway to Rafe's cabin.

It was spacious and so well-appointed, that if it were not for the roll of the deck beneath your feet, you would not have known you were aboard ship.

A small table and two captain's chairs were bolted to the floor, and as Rafe drew her into the cabin, a young sailor brought in a huge tray filled with silver warming dishes, then quickly departed.

"Come and sit.

Tonight we shall do more than eat, we will dine."

He lit candles, and when he removed the cover from the first dish, the delicious aroma of lobster bisque teased her senses until her mouth watered.

Mounds of Spanish rice garnished with black olives tempted her to take a large portion.

"I can't believe it's been over two years since I've seen you. You look even younger than you did then,"

he marveled.

"You never came back for the cotton..."

she began.

He laughed.

"Cotton? I found a more profitable cargo than cotton to take out of the South."

"What?"

she puzzled.

"Her citizens were willing to trade their great wealth for safe passage."

"Ah."

She thought privately that there was something immoral about such dealings. It was taking advantage and exploiting people's fear to pay any price for deliverance, as she had done. When she glanced up, he was watching her.

"I always loved to watch you eat, Mandy."

His voice was intimate and he caressed her name as it fell from his lips.

"I... think I've had enough to eat."

As she arose, he was beside her in an instant, helping her from the chair.

His arms swept about her and he bent his head to claim what he'd desired since the day she had become his friend's wife.

Amanda swayed close to his body.

Ah God, to have a man's arms about me again makes me feel safe and secure and protected.

It was a feeling she'd not had in years.

As her resistance melted, she was a little shocked at herself.

Am I so starved for affection I will fall into a man's hand like a peach ripe for the plucking? Was it so very wrong to want to be loved? And yet, if it was right, why did she feel so guilty?

She pulled away and he let her go with a whispered.

"Go and look in that cabinet.

It's filled with delicious things.

Brandy, liqueurs, wine.

Pick us out something to drink.

You'll find chocolates, little pots of Russian caviar, all kinds of things to tempt you."

She opened the cabinet doors and ran her finger over the wine labels.

Her thoughts were all in disarray.

She knew Rafe desired her, and she also knew she'd been lonely and empty for a very long time.

Her attention was caught by a lovely miniature carved chest with gold handles.

She lifted the lid and there to her great astonishment lay her diamond necklace.

She turned and he was beside her, reaching for her.

He had removed his shirt, and her eyes were drawn irresistibly to his left nipple.

His breast had been pierced like a woman's ear and he wore a gold earring threaded through.

It was so blatantly erotic, she gasped.

Her eyes widened at his closeness.

She pushed him away from her horrified.

"You're nothing but a bloody pirate! You may have Nicholas's diamonds, but you won't get his wife!"

"Amanda, bellissima.

Take the necklace back; just stay with me tonight?"

"The diamonds are to pay for our passage.

That is all I want from you.

Goodnight, Rafe."

In her cabin, she curled against the warm body of her son in the little bunk and drenched her pillow with silent tears.

I don't want Rafe or anyone like him.

I want Nicholas.

On the third day at sea Jennifer revived, and from the fourth day forward, Amanda had nothing to worry about as far as Rafe Collins was concerned.

Jennifer occupied all his spare moments, and arrived back at the cabin later and later each night.

At first, Mandy worried that Jenny might get hurt.

She didn't believe Rafe had marriage in mind.

But when she saw her sister sporting a pair of ruby earrings, she realized that Jenny was likely getting what she wanted from the relationship, so she stopped worrying about her.

They arrived in England a few days after Christmas, and the weather was so cold there was snow on the ground.

Amanda hated it, but Nicholas was delighted with the cold, white stuff.

Rafe Collins was gallant enough to see them safely to Peacock Hall in Kent.

Amanda held her hand out to him as they said their goodbyes.

"There is a sadness in my heart for what could have been, Amanda."

Rafe brought her hand to his lips.

The dimples appeared as she smiled at him.

"Rafe Collins, you are a philanderer and an incurable ladies' man. Any woman who gave her heart to you would lead a lonely life, for you never stay in one place long enough to put down roots."

"You're right of course,"

he said with a wink.

"and who knows, our paths may cross again some day."

"If you go back to Charleston, please tell them at Paradise that you delivered us safely."

She left him to say his goodbyes to Jennifer, and she stepped away from the carriage, took hold of her son's hand, and gazed with wonder at this great ancestral home where Nicholas had spent his boyhood.

She was relieved when she saw Philip come down the front steps to welcome her.

"Mandy, thank God you are here.

Come in and get warm."

He ushered her into a magnificently furnished room with a roaring fire that threw off its warmth into every far corner.

The Christmas decorations of holly and mistletoe still adorned the mantel and the doorways, and the whole house gave off a rich splendor of security.

It had stood for a hundred years and would stand there in all its glory for at least another hundred.

The sight of each other loosened their tongues.

Philip and Amanda couldn't stop talking and asking each other questions.

They spoke of Nicholas, and he told her how he had hired men to investigate the incident of the two ships sinking, but their search was in vain.

She told him how she had sent Samuel to search for him, but he had never returned.

Then she told him how finally she had received the letter from Lady Pamela.

"I've never heard from my mother since the day I left Paradise. I want you to tell me how you survived all this time through the long months of war."

"And I want you to tell me how you managed to build a new life for yourself, once you took the reins of your estate into your own hands."

Philip and young Nicholas liked each other instantly, and Philip made such a fuss of him, Amanda knew he would be spoiled terribly.

Jennifer was in seventh heaven.

There were maids to do everything from the moment she opened her eyes in the morning, to turning down her bed at night, with a warming pan between the sheets.

There was a curiosity among Philip's neighbors and friends to meet the young American ladies, but before they could meet anyone, both girls needed complete new wardrobes.

Philip took Amanda to see Mr.

Gardiner of Gardiner & Higgins to see if she could draw some of her late husband's money.

Mr.

Gardiner said it would all take time, but assured Amanda he would do whatever he could for her.

Philip established a line of credit for her until some of Nicholas's funds were turned over to her, and subsequently all three of them were measured for new clothes suitable to the climate and the social circle in which they would now move.

Jennifer took to her new life like a duck takes to water.

She was much sought after and became something of a social butterfly.

She was found on a different man's arm almost every night of the week.

Amanda was slower to adjust to her new life.

She spent long hours with her son, and a lot of the time Philip joined them.

Once the sting left the winter and a hint of early spring could be felt in the air, Amanda spent time around Philip's well-stocked stables.

She took a great interest in the horses, as did Philip, and it was a strong bond they shared.

Philip promised that once the war was over and the blockade lifted, he would send for her beloved Miss Louise.

Amanda was never as optimistic as Philip.

She believed that Fate took a strong hand in your life, and often things never worked out as you wished.

Philip knew he wanted Amanda for his wife, but he also knew he must go about it very slowly and subtly.

She was like a well-bred, high-strung filly who would shy off if he moved too quickly, or if he said the wrong word.

He had to be content with her friendship, and gradually lead her to something deeper.

Philip selected a special pony for Nicholas, and he and Amanda spent happy hours trotting him about the grounds that were now carpeted with daffodils.

Amanda loved nothing better than arising early, saddling up at dawn and taking a solitary gallop out into the Weald of Kent.

In places, it was still wild country and she imagined it as it had been long ago, filled with wild horses leaving their hoof prints in the deep green sod where man had never yet ventured.

The English spring was invigorating, filled with a shimmering green like nowhere else on earth.

Its weather was ever changing, filled with quick drenching showers, followed by brisk winds that blew away the bed-sheet clouds to reveal bright sunshine, then almost immediately the cycle would repeat itself.

The news from America said the South was going to surrender.

Jennifer and Amanda had some sharp words over it.

"I'm glad I'm not there to see it. I'm shamed to the bones whenever I think of bowing to the North,"

Jennifer declared.

"I'm in favor of anything that will save lives. There's been far too much bloodshed because the South was too proud to admit it was wrong,"

Amanda said quietly.

"Wrong? Why I declare, I don't know your meaning. You sound exactly like one of these English!"

"Slavery was wrong, Jennifer, and you mustn't try to defend it. You certainly won't make friends with the English if you do defend it."

"So I'm learning. Why, I can have a man practically eating out of my hand, when all of a sudden the conversation touches on the South, and right out of the blue they start stiffening up and running on about principles and freedoms and constitutions and civil rights until I could scream!"

"Jenny, you know how to mask all your opinions while leading a man down the bridal path,"

quipped Amanda.

"Is that how you handle Philip? He has eyes for none but you. I think you have designs on becoming a Lady."

Amanda threw back her head and laughed.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Because I've always been a lady."

Amanda's eyes twinkled.