Chapter 1

My name is Victoria Winters, this night at Collinwood is a long and lonely one, but nature and circumstances beyond my control will plummet me down a perilous and unpredictable path that will ultimately lead me to blissful happiness. I must face the truth of my heart and its desire and face the realities that were denied me.

There are forces beyond my control that try to manipulate me and force me to become something or someone I could never become. Is it fair to deny one such truth while another seeks to steer me along the same path. Have I become nothing more than a pawn of an evil witch? Only time will tell if I can circumvent the path that has been plotted by others for my future and only then will I find my true identity and love.

My happiness was something; which seemed to be fleeting and seemingly unattainable. Since my arrival at Collinwood my life had been anything but predictable. I don't know if I will find what I seek or long to have. That is until I face the truth of my heart and the truth of my past. Then and only then will I know my true love and will finally find my happiness.

Collinwood Estate Rear Garden Gazebo

The air held a hint of crispness, fall solstice had arrived and soon the leaves would be turning a glorious shade of red, gold and orange. The summer had held on with a vengeance with an unusual tenacity for this part of Maine. Now, with the smell of autumn fast approaching; Vicki Winters smiled as she remembered her days at the fondling home. Closing her eyes she went back to those days of fun and carefree times.

It was on days such as now that she along with the other children would rake the fallen leaves into a huge pile. Then she and the other children would run and jump into the pile scattering them hither and yon. This particular memory warmed her dreary thoughts and brought a smile to her lips, which lit up her face.

Those had been days of pigtails and limbs growing too long for her slender body. At that awkward age it had made her appear to tower over her contemporaries looking older than her twelve years.

Now, she had grown into her legs and her arms and found she was not unattractive and had garnered her share of appreciative glances from the passing male observer. That along with the catcalls and the occasional 'hey baby' called to her from a passing car. Each time would send a warm flush of shy embarrassment to her cheeks.

She had always held her make up to a minimum, only allowing for a slight brush of powder over a shiny nose and some mascara to accent her long lashes that complimented her hazel eyes. She made the innocent picture of untouched youth.

One of her teachers had tapped her index finger to her nose with a loving smile, "Put that pert little nose back in your book you little minx." After hearing this she had been tempted to tilt her head to study her features and had to agree, it was pert. She would smile and admire that one attribute she held the highest to her estimations.

She had once been told that her pert nose only accented the natural beauty of her face, from the fine-cut of her jaw line to the slender set of her neck. All these attributes were accented by the fall of her long dark thick hair that was sometimes termed as dark brown. She was what she overheard one man say 'the total package wrapped up in with a bow of innocence and purity.' Which made her wonder did this make her pretty or acceptably pleasing to the male eye?

She was oblivious to the fact she was pretty. To her intelligence was more important than looks. She knew she was smart but sometimes had trouble fully understanding what people meant. If she were unclear to their meaning she would ask, "What do you mean?" She would look curiously at the speaker and wait for them to try to explain exactly what they trying to say.

With the air dropping in temperature she began to rub her arms vigorously to warm them and regretting she had not brought a heavier sweater out to the patio; she watched the last visage of daylight as the sun set in the west. The air was not only crisp but held heaviness with humidity and a roll of thunder vibrated the ground. A late season storm was making its way on shore and she sighed deeply.

Turning she rushed towards the front doors. She was racing to beat the deluge that would come with this next system. She was thankful for wearing her sensible shoes; she pulled her thin sweater over her head and white blouse that was tucked neatly into her black skirt. At this moment she presented a pleasing picture of youthful innocence. She was the picture of schoolgirl and not schoolteacher as she made her dash for the front door.

She had sought calm in the garden because her morning had been rushed with David. He had been more difficult than usual. For whatever reason known to David he had wanted more of her personal attention instead of her professional attention. She was just as determined to make sure he had his lesson plan for the day completed before he and Carolyn set off for Logansport and the movies. She had already bid good bye and safe travels to Mrs. Stoddard and Roger. She knew they had business in Bangor and would be away for the entire day if not the night too.

Earlier David's room

So distracted by his excitement knowing he was going to see Dr. Doolittle. Although David's first choice and argument had been for Vampire Killers, which Mrs. Stoddard had immediately and sternly vetoed. He could not or refused to pay attention to the lesson Vicki was teaching him. "David tell me the capital of New Mexico." Vicki sighed deeply watching him glance about the room to the clock on his beside table. "David are you listening to me?"

Unable to get his attention; she capitulated and gave in to that stubborn inability to concentrate on her lessons. She told him he would have to make up his lessons first thing on Monday. To which with his eyes dancing with his excitement hugged Vicki and dashed to Carolyn's room to announce he was ready to go.

Earlier rear garden gazebo

It was after seeing the two travelers off at the front door, Vicki had grabbed her sweater from the hook, opened the door, tucking her book under her arm. She had decided that it would be her treat to herself to go and sit in the garden. The gazebo would afford her comfort and solitude to enjoy her book. With the tension slowly leaving her body, she had settled back nicely in the gazebo and began to finish her book. The great house seemed so over powering with no one at home and she had decided to find calm in the gazebo.

It must have been an hour later that she began to feel the night air growing heavier with moisture. The first indication that rain was forthcoming. Closing her book she glanced to the sky and noticed that the cloudbank had advanced faster than she had anticipated. She was sure she would be drenched if she did not make a break for the front door. So, she tucked her chin and rushed head long towards the nearest protective covering. With her head tucked, she was not aware of the dark familiar figure watching her advance to the door and bumped into the solid body.

It was then she had felt the strong set of hands that had come out to steady her before she fell. "Oh, excuse me!" Popping her head up she smiled seeing Barnabas. "Oh Barnabas, do forgive me. I should have watched where I was going!" exclaiming softly she flushed at her close proximity to the handsome Collins cousin from England.

He chuckled softly and with deliberate reluctance released her. "Please forgive me for enjoying bumping into you this way."

Vicki blushed deeper and then laughed, turning she opened the door and allowed them entrance to the manor's vestibule. "I can forgive you, if you forgive me for being so clumsy."

The cousin to the Collins family, was a formidable figure in his Inverness cape, his dark hair styled forward in three commas. His aristocratic features brought a noble command to his manner. With this look he held an air of nobility when he entered a room that brook no argument, which for most would have thought him a snob. For him it just demanded attention.

He had been actively courting Vicki for sometime. So it was fitting that the one thing about Barnabas had caught attention was his soulful eyes. She had to pause and think about whether or not he was courting her. At least from her perception that is how Vicki felt. Especially with all the lavish attention he had placed on her lately. That is since Burke's subsequent disappearance and possible death. She refused to believe he was dead because no human remains had been recovered. She held hope he would be found alive.

Barnabas allowed her to help him with his coat as she with care laid it on the table in the foyer. She turned and smiled brightly. "What brings you to Collinwood? I know Julia is in New York at some type of convention." She knew that Barnabas had a growing affection and friendship with the family physician and that they had spent a great deal of time together.

Barnabas returned the smile, his voice soft and friendly, filled with an enthused charm. "My dear, it is you I came to visit." Vicki eyes lit up, she had to admit she loved spending time with Barnabas, and he had been a tremendous comfort to her since Burke's disappearance. Something that with each passing day only led to the conclusion that Burke was dead.

She did not wish to think about the other problems she had experienced since the séance that had sent her into a nightmare world of time traveling to the past and living her life with the original Collins family. It was a time she felt she had lived her life to find love. That is only to loose it and find that she was once again by some inexplicable means; thrust forward to be returned to her time.

Then there was arrival of a man named Jeff Clark whom reminded her so much of Peter Bradford from the past. She was sure that he was Peter and as quickly he had come into her life he was gone and now he was someone she would rather have forgotten.

Realizing she had failed to respond to his generous offering of wishing to see her, she fluttered her eyelashes lowering them and felt the warmth of her embarrassment stain her cheeks. Looking up she smiled graciously responding with an over brightness that hinted she had drifted off in thought, "Oh? How lovely. I was alone and well I am glad you came. I was feeling alone and apprehensive." Turning she extended her hand to the open drawing room doors. "Won't you please join me in the drawing-room?" Her smile was filled with sincerity and she was truly glad he had arrived since the storm broke over the land.

Barnabas smiled, "I would be delighted to enjoy your company in such cheerful surroundings." He looked at the empty drawing room with the fire burning cheerfully in the fireplace and he noticed she had shivered from the dampness in the air. Reaching forward he gently drew her hand to his arm and hooked it through the bend of his arm. Placing a light hand at the small of her back he gently escorted her to the drawing room. Pausing by the sofa he waited for her to be seated, then joined her.

Vicki relaxed back tucking the book she still held in her hand on her lap and spoke softly, her body slowly warming from the fire. "What would make this more enjoyable would be a hot cup of tea. Would you excuse me while I go put on the tea kettle?"

Barnabas smiled and offered to come with her. "Only if you allow me to keep your pleasant company while you prepare our tea." He stood and offered his hand to assist her to stand. He had always been the perfect gentleman with his old world charm. This was one quality that had thrilled her and truthfully; Vicki loath to miss out on his company. She readily agreed to share the kitchen with him.

Together they made their way through the ornately furnished formal dining room to the comfortable breakfast room that was decorated with live plants that Vicki knew Mrs. Stoddard had grown in the greenhouse and shared with the family by placing them in the breakfast room. This gave the room a more cheerful feel and certainly gave the room a less ostentatious look. She continued to walk through the set of double doors that led to the kitchen.

Entering the inner sanctum of what the family had affectionately called ' Mrs. Johnson's kitchen', which was gleaming from the extra care she put into keeping it pristine. This was Mrs. Johnson's domain, which she protected with a vengeance. Vicki had heard her issue warning to any that used her kitchen they had better have left it the way they found it or there would be the wrath of Mrs. Johnson to pay.

Vicki lit the pilot of the professional looking gas stove. Filling the pot with water from the sink she set the kettle on burner. Glancing up as another ground shaking roll of thunder made her aware this was no ordinary storm coming on shore. That is when they both noticed the lights flickered. "Oh my. " She laughed uncomfortably. Needing conversation to settle her nerves she asked, "So, have you completed the restoration of the old house?"

The small talk was a ruse to keep her mind off the wind as it began to pick up and howl with the onset of the storm. Barnabas sensing her discomfort and unease smiled watching her set the tea tray. He marveled at the way she took to menial tasks with no qualms or resentment. The way she rose on her tiptoes to reach the Royal Arms China teapot from the teak cabinet, she deftly arranged two cups on the silver-serving tray. He admired her long slender fingers as they manipulated the items she had placed on the tray. Turning she smiled setting the tea tray on the island waiting for a response.

Barnabas felt privileged to share this time with her and had to concentrate on the conversation at hand and not where his self-serving thoughts were taking him. "Willie is still working on the servants quarters, but the main part of the house is nearly complete. You really should come by. I have a new set of some very rare and very old volumes of poetry by Von Goetz, Wordsworth, and Burns. I think you would find them very entertaining."

The kettle began its whistle and Vicki turned to pull the teakettle from the stove. Turning the switch and extinguishing the burner's flame she made quick work preparing the tea tray, "I would love to come by and see the old house and of course look at the books. Keats was my favorite but I love the work of Von Goetz and Woodsworth, Burns I have not read much of his work."

Vicki started to pick up the tea tray, Barnabas every bit the proper gentleman, took the tray from her. "Allow me my dear." She smiled her appreciation and opened doors as they made their way back to the drawing room. Upon entering the drawing room, Vicki took the tray and set it on the table and began to pour two cups of tea. Pausing she looked up and frowned, "Oh dear I was assuming you wanted tea, would you like something a bit stronger?" She glanced to the liquor cabinet and then looked back to him.

Barnabas had seated himself next to her when he shifted she felt his knee brush against her leg and Vicki noticed her heart was a flutter with the distance between them was barely three inches. This train of thought caught her breath and she looked down flushing with modesty. What was she thinking? She barely knew him. What she did know of him she very much admired and appreciated his kindness.

Distracting her thoughts was another flicker of the lights and Vicki looked anxiously up and then laughed nervously, "It appears the wind is picking up and playing havoc with the power lines." She shrugged her shoulders and then hugged her body close. Trying to make her smaller next to this man whose presence was wreaking havoc with her emotions.

Barnabas was aware of her reaction he could hear the sudden increase in her breathing and the rush of the blood through her veins. He smiled inwardly glad he could have this kind of affect on her. Shifting his leg away to be a gentleman, he focused his attention back on her noting the slight rise in color to her cheeks and the over brightness of her eyes.

For Vicki this nice distraction was enough to give her time to recover her senses and her equilibrium. Clearing her throat she glanced up nervously and laughed. "Two all we need is one more flicker and then they will go out." She reached forward and began to pour a cup of tea. Handing the cup of tea to Barnabas she put her attention back to pouring herself a cup of tea. Then almost as if to confirm her fears the wind picked up and lashed the window with rain. It almost felt like the wind was using the rain as its rock bed and was throwing the rain at the windows for attention. Victoria sighed. "I am glad you are here, what with everyone being away tonight, you have no idea what a comfort and relief it is for you to be with me."

Barnabas' thoughts were racing, she was alone and if he wanted her; he could easily take what he wanted and he could force his will on her. Then he reminded himself that he wanted Vicki of her own free will. If he was to have his Josette, then it could not be like the last one. That selection had failed miserably. Maggie Evans had been a testament to his rash decisions to rush what he wanted. This time he would not be so quick to force the situation but apply gentle pressure to bring her over. "Where is the family?" Barnabas politely inquired looking around the room and then to her. Vicki smiled and glanced towards the drawing-room windows.

"Roger and Mrs. Stoddard went to Bangor on a business trip. David and Carolyn went to Logansport to a movie and Mrs. Johnson went to visit her sister. So, I am here alone." She shrugged lightly sat back to sip her tea then placed the cup on the tray, she glanced to the fire and smiled. "So, I was left here to entertain myself and frankly I needed the break from David and his tantrums."

Barnabas smiled and leaned back against the sofa. Sitting at an angle so he could look at her more fully he smiled. "Then it was fortunate that I came to call. So, you would not need to be alone during this storm. If it will make you feel better, you are always welcome to come with me to the old house and spend the night in Josette's room. That is if you are afraid to be here in this house alone."

Vicki nodded, "Oh thank you. I am very grateful for the invitation." Looking down embarrassed by the fact the storms made her nervous and a little fearful she said, "I confess that I really do get a little nervous during storms. I appreciate your offer for the use of Josette's room, but I fear . . . " she looked up regretfully and smiled tensely, "I would not feel right leaving the house unoccupied while the family is away."

Again, the lights flickered and Vicki looked up anxiously and the lights flickered a fourth time and went out. "Oh dear." Vicki rose walking to the cabinet against the wall; she opened the cabinet door and pulled out the candles in their holders.

Turning she nearly bumped into Barnabas. Each time she was near him, her heart skipped a beat and she got a fluttery feeling in her stomach. "Oh, excuse me my dear. Allow me to take those and help you back to the sofa." Secretly, he knew he was affecting her with his presence and this did encourage and thrilled him that he was beginning to make headway against any resistance she may've had earlier. Now he felt more secure in his standing with her and made it a point to be more attentive to her needs. Vicki let him take the candles from her and hooked her hand through his arm allowing him with his excellent eyesight to guide her. She sat and watched his dark outline while he went through the motions of lighting the candles.

She suppressed a shiver and waited for the room to come in view through the soft lighting of the candles. If it were not for the storm, she would have felt it a very endearing and romantic scene and flushed at where her thoughts were taking her. Flashes of lightning filled the room and the loud crash of thunder shook the very foundation of the manor house. This caused Vicki to jump, reach out and cling close to Barnabas. She gave a slight gasp, "Oh dear that was close. I really should check to make sure all the windows are closed."

Barnabas holding to Vicki gently disengaged her hold on him, smiled encouragingly and turned to light several more candles. Turning he retook his seat next to Vicki, smiled and gently asked, "Would you like for me to join you while you check the house?"

Vicki looked at him gratefully. "Would you mind?"

Barnabas chuckled, "I would not have offered had I thought it an imposition." He offered his hand to help guide her, stopping to grab a candle as they walked to the foyer.

"I am pretty sure that we need to check bedroom windows, I know David's window was open and I am not positive and I fear that Carolyn's, or Roger's windows were closed. I hope he closed his window. It would appear that side of the house is taking the brunt of this storm." She spoke with a hint of worry.

Entering the foyer, Vicki was arrested by the phone when it began to ring. Pausing she smiled apologetically and picked up the phone. The static on the other end was extremely distracting. Her brow furrowed and she called out trying to be heard over the static. "Hello?" The line crackled and Vicki could hear Roger's voice.

"Vicki? It's Roger. Liz and I are going to stay in Bangor, this storm apparently has flooded all the roads and the State Police have set a curfew here. Are you all right?"

Vicki tried to separate his voice from the static and was having a hard time. She spoke overly loud into the phone. "Yes, I am fine. Barnabas came by and has kindly offered to stay with me." The phones' static was making their conversation difficult. Roger was shouting and Vicki was raising her voice.

"Good, well I will call you in the morning. Oh, would you check the green house and the windows? I am know I left my window open and Liz left hers open." Vicki moaned inwardly. She did not want to think of what was happening to Roger's room.

With the next peal of thunder the static disappeared with Roger's connection all before Vicki could assure him she would close the windows. Vicki flicked the phone button, "Hello? Roger? Hello?" She did not know why she tried to flick the button it just seemed to be the thing to do to see if a dial tone would come back.

Were it not for Barnabas being present, she knew she would have felt a sense of foreboding and doom being in such a notoriously rumored house. She was very much aware the reputation this house carried. Those rumors were perpetrated by many of those that lived in Collinsport. The house was known as the haunted house on the hill. She cringed at the thought of being trapped alone in the house especially now on such a frightful night. Frustrated and sighing softly, she turned to look at Barnabas. "The phone is dead."

Barnabas smiled taking the receiver replacing it in its cradle. "Come we need to check the windows. We will be fine."

Vicki paused and then looked at Barnabas. "Roger asked me to check the green house. I will go check it if you will check Rogers' room and Mrs. Stoddard's room. He said he had left his window open and I fear that it may have already drenched his room. Mrs. Stoddard's room is leeward of the storm so her room will be less problematic."

Barnabas stared with concern. "Are you sure you do not wish me to check the greenhouse?" His concerns were to go out in this storm and if the green house had suffered damage, she could be injured and that would not do for his plans to be fulfilled He watched her chew her bottom lip and look towards the stairs and then the front door.

"I . . " her hesitation was enough for him to leave her at the bottom of the stairs and go for his coat.

"It is no problem my dear. You hurry before Roger's room becomes flooded." Vicki turned walked to the seat by the dining room door and opened the bench lifted two flash lights, turning she walked to Barnabas and kissed him on the cheek and handed him a flash light. Turning her flashlight on she walked to the steps and started up them, hesitating a moment she called from the second step from the top, "Thank you."

He smiled after receiving the chaste kiss turned and walked to the front door. Pausing for a moment he spoke with a tease to his tone. "If I can receive rewards like that all the time, it will please me to come to your aid anytime." He held tight to the door and opened it and rushed into the driving rainstorm.

Vicki continued up the stairs and hurried to Roger's room. When she opened the door a deluge of water greeted her. "Oh dear. " she muttered under her breath as she began fighting against the wind-driven rain flooding Roger's room.

She closed the window getting soaked in the process. Turning she surveyed the damage. Sighing with resignation Vicki hurried with a degree of urgency to the pantry on the second floor grabbing an arm full of towels, and a mop and bucket she trudged back to Roger's room and began the laborious job of sopping up the water from the floor and trying to salvage the antique rug that now was hopelessly water logged. She was heartsick seeing the rug and wondered if it were ruined. Something as beautiful and old as this rug deserved a more fitting demise than to be drowned by a storm. Finding a fan she set it up and prepared to turn it on when the power was restored.

Finishing the job she stepped back to mop her wet hair out of her face. Sighing she knew she must be a sight with her wet hair and clothing. She had not realized how much water had soaked her and the room while she struggled to close the window. Turning she was resolved to change her clothing and try to towel dry her hair.

Barnabas made his way back to the house; glad he had chosen to check the green house. It was a mess, a large limb had fallen on the roof and glass was everywhere. If Vicki had tried to come out in this she could have been injured. That would have been disastrous to his plans. He would have been very upset and it was very disturbing to him now thinking of her lovely body lying under the glass; bleeding out slowly in the remains of the green house.

He was beginning to feel he had made progress with Vicki since Burke Devlin's disappearance. He even felt he was gaining her affection. At least that was the impression he had since her return from the past. Which had caused him some anxiety. He was not sure if she had learned about his nefarious past and whether or not he would need to silence her forever. He still felt panic that she would remember what had happened to him which would be disastrous. He had hoped beyond hope that she would remain ignorant of what he had become in 1795. He was slowly becoming enamored of her and wanted only to gain her trust and affection so that she would come to him willingly and he was prepared to wait for an eternity if that was the case.