Master Of Paradise (17 page)

"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.

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.

"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."

"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.

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.

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!"

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.

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."