Chapter 1

My name is Victoria Winters, the 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.

My happiness was something; which seemed to be fleeting and seemingly unattainable since my arrival at Collinwood. 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.

The air held a hint of crispness, fall solstice had arrived and soon the leaves would be turning. The summer had held on with a vengeance with an unusual tenacity. Now, with the smell of autumn fast approaching; Vicki Winters smiled as she remembered her days at the fondling home.

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 along with the other children would run and jump into the pile scattering them hither and yon. This particular memory 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 that made her seem to tower over her contemporaries at the tender age of 12.

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.

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.

Her nose had been termed as pert by one of her teachers with a tap of an index finger to her nose with a loving smile and there were times she tilted her head to study her features and had to agree, it was pert.

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 this was accented by 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.'

She was not sure if that was a compliment or being oblivious to the fact she was pretty. She knew she was smart but sometimes had trouble fully understanding meanings. She would look curiously at the speaker and wait for them to try to explain exactly what they meant.

Rubbing 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 to move towards the front doors, she made it under the cover of the Porte conchere to the front door as the first huge drops of rain greeted the fall of night.

Thankful for wearing her sensible shoes, she pulled her thin sweater over her white blouse that tucked neatly into her black skirt. She was the picture of schoolgirl innocence as she made her dash for the front door.

The morning had been rushed with David being more difficult than usual, wanting 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.

So distracted by his excitement for wanting to see Dr. Doolittle, though the argument had been for Vampire Killers, which Mrs. Stoddard had vetoed immediately. He could not or refused to pay attention to the lesson Vicki was giving him.

So 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 this 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.

Feeling the night air growing heavier with moisture and sure she would be drenched; she ducked her head and rushed head long under the 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 at Barnabas. "Oh Barnabas, do forgive me. I should have watched where I was going."

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

Vicki flushed and then laughed as they both entered the manor together. "I can forgive you, if you forgive me for being so careless."

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 immediately caught the observer's attention and the command he held when he entered a room brook no argument and begged for attention.

Vicki was particularly drawn to his dark soulful eyes. He had been actively courting Vicki for sometime. At least that is how Vicki felt with the lavish attention he had placed on her lately.

Barnabas allowed her to help him with his coat as she gingerly laid it on the table in the foyer. "What brings you to Collinwood? I know Julia is in New York at some type of convention."

Barnabas turned and smiled, "My dear, it is you I came to visit." Vicki eyes lit up, she loved spending time with Barnabas, and he had been a tremendous comfort to her since Burke's disappearance.

Not to mention the other problems she had experienced since the séance and the arrival of a man named Jeff Clark whom reminded her so much of Peter Bradford from the past. Someone she would rather have forgotten for now. Graciously she offered, "Oh? Won't you please join me in the drawing-room?"

She had noted earlier that the drawing-room was empty and a nice warm fire was blazing, it would take the chill out of the air, which would warm and cheer her.

Barnabas smiled, "I would be delighted to enjoy your company in such cheerful surroundings." Hooking her hand through the crook of his arm he escorted her into the drawing-room to the sofa and seated her, before moving around to join her on the sofa.

"What would make this more enjoyable would be a hot cup of tea. Would you excuse me while I go put on the tea ketttle?" Barnabas smiled and offered to come with her. Vicki loath to miss out on his company so readily agreed to share the kitchen with him.

Together they made their way through the ornately furnished dining room into the comfortable breakfast room and from there to the kitchen. Mrs. Johnson's kitchen was pristine and had warned any that used her kitchen to leave it as they had found it.

As Vicki lit the pilot of the professional looking gas stove. Setting the kettle on, she glanced up as the lights flickered. "Oh my. " She laughed uncomfortably. "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 as he watched her set the tea-tray. Pulling the Royal Arms China teapot from the teak cabinet, she quickly arranged two cups on the silver-serving tray.

"Willie is still working on the servants quarters, but the main part of the house is complete. You really should come by. I have a new set of some very rare and 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. Pulling the pot from the flame, she switched off the stove. Making quick work of preparing the tea-tray, she smiled. "I would love to come by and see the old house and of course look at the books."

Vicki went 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.

Entering the drawing-room, she took the tray and set it on the table and began to pour two cups of tea. "Oh dear I was assuming you wanted tea, would you like something a bit stronger?"

Barnabas seated himself next to her again and Vicki noticed her heart was a flutter as the distance between them was barely three inches. This train of thought caught her breath and she looked down flushing with modesty.

The lights flickered and Vicki looked anxiously up and then to him, "It appears the wind is picking up and playing havoc with the power lines."

This nice distraction was enough time to give Vicki 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."

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 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 comfort it is for you to be with me."

"Where is the family?" Barnabas politely inquired as he looked around 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."

Barnabas smiled and leaned back against the sofa. "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."

Vicki nodded, "I am very grateful. 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 I would not feel right leaving the house unoccupied while the family is away."

Again, the lights flickered and Vicki looked up nervously and the lights flickered a fourth time and went out. "Oh dear." Vicki rose and moved to the cabinet against the wall and pulled out the candles.

Turning she nearly bumped into Barnabas again. 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."

Vicki let him take the candles from her and hooked her hand through his arm allowing him with his excellent eyesight to guide her back to the sofa. She sat and watched his dark outline as he went through the motions of lighting the candles.

She suppressed a shiver and watched as the room came into 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.

Once again, 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 and cling close to Barnabas as she gave a slight gasp, "Oh dear that was close. I really should check to make sure all the windows are closed."

Barnabas lit several more candles and then smiled at her, "Would you like some company?"

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 both moved to check the house.

Upon entering the foyer the phone rang. Picking up the phone, Vicki could hear static on the other end. "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 trying to hear his words was having a hard time with the static, so 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 hard to understand.

"Good, well I will call you in the morning. Oh, would you check the green house and the windows? I am pretty sure I left my windows open and Liz is sure she left hers open."

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?"

Were it not for Barnabas being present, she is sure she would have felt a sense of foreboding and doom being in such a notorious house 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?"

Vicki chewed her lip. "I . . " her hesitation was enough for him to leave her on the stairs and go for his coat.

"It is no problem my dear. You hurry before Roger's room becomes flooded." Vicki moved down the steps and tiptoed to kiss his cheek.

"Thank you." He smiled and moved to the front door.

"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 moved up the stairs and hurried to Roger's room. As 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 moved to close his window and turned to survey the damage. Sighing with resignation she moved with haste to the pantry on the second floor, she grabbed an arm full of towels, a mop and bucket.

Making quick work of the standing water, she moved to find a fan to put on Roger's antique area rug ready to use it once the power was restored.

Using the towels she soaked as much of the water out of the rug as she could manage. Stepping back to mop the hair out of her face she could feel how damp her hair had gotten in just a short period time while she fought to close his windows.

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 as he thought of her lovely body lying bleeding in the remains of the green house.

He was beginning to feel he had made much gains 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.

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 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.

His mistake had been in trying to use Maggie Evans as his ideal Josette, simply because she had looked like Josette. That was a big mistake that nearly cost him.

He had realized that Maggie was too willful and did not have enough of the tender qualities that his beloved Josette had.

What was worse was while he was wasting his time on Maggie, a waitress at the local diner, and somewhat popular in the community, he was allowing Vicki to be courted by that barbarian Burke Devlin.

In his rush to recreate his Josette, he very nearly let the real jewel that was right under his very nose get away. Had providence not intervened, she would be married to the oaf now.

It was his good fortune that Devlin wanted to take a business trip to South American where divine intervention had interceded on his behalf and sent Devlin's' plane down in a fiery crash.

He could not believe his luck when on the very night he was going to take Maggie Evans as his eternal bride, and she tried to kill him, that he discovered how precious Vicki Winters was and would far exceed his needs.

He recalled how when she asked about the music box that had belonged to Josette and she asked if it still worked. Allowing her to hold the music box and listen he was enraptured by the look she held while listening to the music.

That is when he found that not only was she fascinated by the past; but the reason behind her fascination for the past. She was a foundling, left on the doorsteps and abandoned as a baby. Not only was she beautiful; she was also intelligent and held a fascination for the past.

He realized that he was beginning to fall in love with her and he was not so sure he was ready to avoid this feeling again. His fear had been Angelique's curse that all he would love and love him in return would die.

The only other time he had felt this deeply for another was when he had become engaged to Josette duPres. She had been the love of his life. However; his unfortunate dalliance with one of Josette's maids had brought that love to a shattering end.

That was when he discovered the maid was a witch and had placed his beloved Josette under a spell. The interference of the witch had caused Josette to fall in love with his Uncle. This event had culminated in the two eloping.

Upon learning that Josette and Jeremiah had eloped Barnabas found them at a local inn and discovered them indelicate in a room. He was devastated that they had consummated their marriage.

So enraged and angered by this betrayal he demanded satisfaction and called out his uncle in a duel. Barnabas had been successful in killing his uncle. With the death of Jeremiah he found that Josette hated him to the very fiber of her being.

It took his faithful servant Ben Stokes to finally confess to him that the witch was not Miss Wycke, the poor unfortunate governess that had been hired to care for Sarah, his sister. The witch was in fact was Angelique. The woman he had reluctantly taken as a wife.

When he had confronted the witch with what she had done, he had been forced to shoot her to keep her from hurting his little sister with her witchcraft.

That was when Angelique Bouchard Collins put a curse on him that he would never love or be loved and all that did in fact love him would die.

Soon after her words were uttered, Angelique was presumed to be dead by his hand. A vampire bat attacked Barnabas. Thus setting into motion his current condition and his life of eternal loneliness.

Barnabas did not ask for this life or did he wish to be a part of it. To him if only the fact that he was one of the living dead and only wanted to be put to his eternal rest. He had begged his father to full fill that wish. However when the time came his father did not have the heart to kill his son.

So as he slept in his coffin, he was chained for nearly 200 years in that coffin, knowing that the night was upon him by the very need he had to feed. Willie Loomis released him in the 20th century. Willie Loomis who was the would be grave robber that now was bound to him by blood and command.

Painfully, he digested how systematically all those that had loved him, and he had loved; his mother, his sister and his Josette had all died tragically.

He watched in horror as his sister Sarah had succumbed to influenza. The tragic death of his sister had occurred because by chance she had seen him near the house. This was after Barnabas had been hunting for his next feast.

Sarah had seen him and followed him to the graveyard and seen what he had become. The sight of her brother covered in blood had frightened her so badly she had run out into the night. It had become night similar to the one that he now shared with Victoria.

His sweet dear sister Sarah had run screaming into that night shouting he was not her brother and had hidden in the graveyard. His faithful servant Ben Stokes finally found her huddled against a grave stone, wet, cold and near unconscious. He had gathered her chilled body close to his and knew she had grown ill from her night out in the weather.

Hearing of how ill she was and that she was near death's door he had gone to the house and found her weak and sick in her bed. Lifting her into his arms he spoke his heart and love to her and watched as she closed her eyes speaking of her love for him. She died in his arms and it broke his heart.

Then there was Josette, his beautiful sweet Josette. After the witch had been killed the spell Josette was under was disrupted and she went looking for Barnabas.

She had in the beginning agreed to join him in his eternal life. Then the witch that would not die had reappeared and her intervention formed a frightful fear in Josette of Barnabas. She had run from him on the very night they were to be wed; so afraid of him that she had flung herself from widows hill.

Finally, there was his mother, because of Angelique's curse and the interference of Nathan Forbes,a vile greedy man that meant to cause only trouble, had told his mother about him and his condition. After learning of her son's disposition, she had taken her own life. Perhaps upon reflection he should have been locked away in that coffin hidden in the secret room of the family mausoleum. Perhaps had his father chained him in that coffin before he actually had it would have circumvented a lot of the deaths that had occurred.

He may have deserved what fate held in store for him and suffered as he had those many years nearly going mad from blood lust. The need and relying on only his memories of what had been but was to never be.

Somewhere someone decided he should re-emerge into this century pretending to be a direct descendent of his self. So much time had passed, it did not make his needs for blood abate, it did not take away the terrible longing he had for his sweet Josette. It did not abate his loneliness or need to feel love or be loved.

Perhaps that was the reason he had rushed headlong into trying to bend Maggie Evans to his will. To make her into something or someone she was incapable of being.

That was his mistake, and then he discovered that Vicki Winters held his same interests. She was sweet, loving, caring, and oh so lovely. How could he have been so blind, their meetings had been brief but enjoyable to a degree.

She was the governess to his cousin's son, David. She challenged him with her thought-provoking ideas and opinions but she never tried to exert those opinions onto him.

She was direct and honest to a point of being adorable with her honesty and she held a modicum of modesty. Perhaps it was all those qualities to which he was attracted.

Regardless of the facts she was his Josette reborn. Now all he needed was for her to come to him of her own free will and then he would take the next step and make her his eternal bride. He would no longer be alone.

He would have evenings filled with sweetness and poetry as he with his newly invented Josette enjoyed the rest of their lives together. But something was changing in him when it came to Vicki. She represented all that was good and right in this modern age and she was her own person.

Though he had thought he would change her or invoke his influence over her by mixing his blood with hers something held him back and it was a familiar but lost feeling. He had explored those feelings since her return from the 18th century and even to himself he did not want to admit he was falling in love with Victoria Winters.