Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.
Chapter 2
The driver abruptly stopped the car just outside the oak gates of Collinwood mansion and Abigail braced herself against the seat to steady herself. She looked questionably at the man, George, and frowned.
"Why did you stop?" she asked him but he was already getting out of the car. Abigail scrambled to get out of the car as well and walked to the back.
"Your suitcase, miss." He muttered as he placed it on the ground and shut the backdoor of the car.
"Um…"
"I ain't going inside. It's a short walk. I'm sure you'll manage." He called as he got into the car and sped away.
Abigail looked as the car disappeared down the road and sighed, "How polite." She muttered as she picked up her suitcase and secured her handbag over her shoulder. She walked towards the gates and peered through them. The garden was grand but there wasn't anyone around. A luxurious BMW car was parked on the far side of the gardens but other than that there was no sign that someone lived in the mansion.
Taking a deep breath, Abigail pushed the heavy gates and they opened with a loud squeak. She pushed them enough so she could slip inside and then headed towards the main entrance. Her gaze scanned the enormous mansion and she was sure that her jaw almost reached her feet. It was breathtaking but at the same time scary. The gardens where flourishing with bushes and flowers and the water fountain added freshness to the classic mansion.
Slowly, she climbed up the steps and put her suitcase down before she raised her hand to knock. She grasped the handle and knocked twice and then waited. When no one answered the door she frowned and stepped back. She looked up at the large tower and squinted. When she saw nothing she stepped forward again and knocked more firmly. A few moments later, she heard footsteps and slowly the door was unlocked and opened by a middle aged woman.
The woman looked at Abigail with a small frown before her eyes lit up with realization, "Oh, my dear! You must be Miss Aston." She said and Abigail smiled.
"I am. I am sorry if I am a bit early." She said, "Mrs. Simpson, right?" she outstretched her hand for a shake and the older woman grasped it firmly and shook it.
"Yes, that's me. But call me Ruth. Come on in. I've been expecting you." Ruth ushered her in and Abigail picked up her things and entered the mansion. Ruth shut the door behind them and motioned towards the grand staircase.
"This way. I'll show you your room first. I've prepared it especially for you. It's on the first floor." Ruth smiled as they started walking towards up the stairs. They passed under the large chandelier and Abigail was astounded by its elegant style.
They stepped onto the first step and Abigail looked down at the crimson carpet that was adorning the stairs.
Abigail's eyes then went to the various paintings and she smiled. They were all beautiful. Two were the ones that caught her eye; one of a beautiful blonde woman with flowing hair and the one in the very centre of the wall. It was a man. He was standing straight and he had an elegant cane in his hand. He was beautiful.
"Ancestors?" Abigail asked as she stopped to admire the paintings. It was obvious that they were very old. The colors were slightly faded but they were impressive nonetheless.
"Oh, yes! That's Mr. Collins' uncle back in the 1700s." Ruth said and Abigail pointed towards the woman.
"And the lady?"
"His fiancée I believe. Mr. Collins should be able to tell you more about them." Ruth said before she frowned, "If he ever decides to come out." She muttered and Abigail frowned, "Come along, dear." She turned back towards the stairs and Abigail followed her in silence.
They walked down a long hallway and Abigail was certain that she would be lost in that house if left to walk around on her own.
"Um, apart from Mr. Collins, does no one else live here?" Abigail asked as they came to a stop in front of a closed door. Ruth took out a key from her pocket and unlocked the door before she pushed it open.
"There is the cook who also helps with the cleaning but other than that no. No one is here." Ruth sighed and Abigail pursed her lips.
"It's sad. Such a large a house. It should be filled with people." She commented softly as they entered the room.
Once they were inside Abigail gasped. It was beautiful. There was a large bed, a vanity, a desk, a settee and large windows were lighting up the room. Rich crimson curtains were decorating the windows and the heavy, matching duvet made the bed look even more inviting.
"It's beautiful." Abigail murmured.
"There is an adjoining bathroom right over that door. Mr. Collins insisted on giving you the best bedroom in the mansion." Ruth smiled and Abigail returned it as she placed her suitcase down by the bed and ran a hand through her mahogany hair.
"I must thank him then." She said and Ruth paused.
"You shall. He is…a private man. He doesn't come out of his room or his study often. I've been working here for ten years and I've barely seen him. But he's an excellent employer."
"I see…There's no other family then?" Abigail asked as Ruth went over to the windows and opened them.
"There is Mrs. Carolyn and Mr. David but they are away in New York. There's no one else." Ruth said as she turned to face her.
"Now, if you're ready, I'll show you the rest of the house. Tomorrow I will tell you about your duties." The older woman patted her arm and together they made their way out of the room.
The next morning…
"Are all the one hundred rooms cleaned every month?" Abigail asked as she nibbled on her pen. She and Ruth were walking towards the west wing of the mansion. Abigail was taking notes so she would remember everything.
"Yes. We do not want the mansion to fall apart. You have to keep your eyes open for possible repairs. If you need anything you have to tell Mr. Collins. He will give you anything you need for the work that needs to be done. Do you remember how to get to his chamber?"
"Yes, although I haven't met him. I won't even know what he looks like. I might take him for a thief." Abigail said with a frown and Ruth laughed.
"Oh, dear, trust me. It's hard to pass him for a thief. Here, your keys." She said as she took Abigail's hand and placed the chain of keys there, "There is a gardener that comes every week. You need to let him in towards the back gardens and you need to pay him every week." She explained and Abigail nodded.
"You have to pay the bills every month and do not forget it. Mr. Collins will give you the money to pay them. He likes order. Do not make the mistake of forgetting that. Trust me." Ruth rolled her eyes as they carried on walking.
"Okay."
"You will have the Sunday free and you can leave if you want…do what ever young women like you do. But oh, don't forget his newspaper. He reads it every morning." Ruth told her.
"Does he never come out?" Abigail answered and Ruth sighed.
"Sometimes."
Abigail shivered. The whole situation reminded her of the Phantom of the Opera. Was there something wrong with the man? She remained silent however and followed Ruth towards the kitchens.
Abigail raised her fork and took a bite of the chicken. Her eyes widened at the excellent taste and she looked at Mrs. Simpson who was watching her with satisfaction.
"My compliments to the cook." Abigail said as she picked up her napkin and wiped her lips.
"He is great, isn't he? I hired him myself." Ruth stated and Abigail laughed.
"It was obviously a very good choice.
Suddenly the cook himself came rushing in while carrying a set of extra cutlery and a plate.
"Jacques?" Ruth questioned as he set the plate at the head of the table and stepped back.
"What's this?" Ruth asked and just as the cook opened his mouth to speak a velvety voice cut him off.
"Miss Aston?" The voice was positively masculine and Abigail looked towards the entrance of the dining room for the source. A man stood there. He was tall with dark hair and his skin was perfectly pale. He was dressed in an immaculate dark suit and beneath the jacket his crisp white shirt was visible. A satin red scarf was peeking from his shirt instead of a tie and he had had his hands firmly clasped behind his back.
Abigail quickly stood up and Ruth shot a worried glance towards the man before she slowly stood as well.
"Mr. Collins, this is-…" Ruth started but the man's lips formed a smile as he took a few steps forward, his eyes on Abigail as he did so.
"Our new housekeeper." He finished for her and Ruth closed her mouth.
"Exactly." She mumbled and Abigail slipped from behind her chair as he approached.
"Forgive me. I am Barnabas Collins." He bowed slightly and Abigail blinked.
Stupidly, she outstretched her hand for a shake and his black eyes went to her hand as she did so. He paused and looked at her hand intently for a moment before he slowly brought his hand from behind his back and grasped it firmly.
Abigail smiled, but she almost gasped out loud at the coldness of his hand. When their hands made contact, he breathed sharply through his nose and for a brief moment his lips tightened into a small frown. He lost the expression quickly though and his long, elegant fingers wrapped themselves around her hand and gave a polite squeeze before he released her.
"Nice to meet you." She nodded her head and her eyes inadvertently went to the golden pin that was attached to the scarf at his neck. A crest with the letter C was engraved on it but she quickly averted her gaze when he tried to make eye contact with her.
She blinked and focused on his face before her eyes slowly widened in realization.
"Something the matter?" he asked with a small frown.
"Um…I am sorry but, you look exactly like the man in the painting." She said quietly and Barnabas smiled.
"The genes, I am sure. Shall we be seated?" he motioned towards the table and Abigail quickly nodded.
They took their seats and the cook quickly came in with Mr. Collins' plate.
"Is the food to your liking, Miss Aston?" Barnabas asked as he briefly looked at his food, but gripped the glass of wine Ruth poured him instead.
"It's Abigail. And yes, it's very good." Abigail smiled.
"I am glad you think so." He said while obviously ignoring her offer to call her by her first name. She frowned at that, but didn't comment on it as she carried on eating. Halfway though her meal she paused and looked up at Mr. Collins and then at his still full plate.
"You're not eating." She observed and Ruth paused with the fork halfway to her mouth and stared between the two of them.
"I find my appetite lacking this evening, Miss Aston." He answered as he briefly looked at his plate and then at her.
"Are you unwell?" Abigail asked and Ruth laughed suddenly, causing Abigail to jump in her seat.
"Our dear Mr. Collins always eats little food, Abigail. How else do you think he keeps in shape? Unlike me." Ruth said with a chuckle and Abigail saw Mr. Collins throwing a mild glare towards her direction before he brought his attention back to her.
"No worries, madam. I assure you my appetite is thriving. Just not tonight." He smiled a little at her and Abigail nodded in acceptance. She returned back to her food, but she could still feel his gaze upon her. Abigail thought he was trying to see right through her with his sharp eyes.
"So, what unfortunate coincidence has brought you to our parts, Miss Aston?" he asked her at last without taking his eyes off of her face.
"Your ad in the paper for a new housekeeper?" she offered mildly and he quirked an elegant eyebrow at that.
"Is that so? What did you do before your chose to join our household?" he asked as he twirled his glass around.
"Um…I've done various jobs. But I am really an artist." She replied and he cocked his head to the side in interest.
"An artist? Do you write?"
"No…I paint." She shook her head, "Since I was a girl I loved to paint."
"What made you give up on it?" he asked and she flushed.
"Um…lack of money?" she offered and that elegant eyebrow went up again, "I mean, I know that I can paint. I've studied, but…it's difficult to get recognition." She added and he pursed his lips.
"I see. Then what do you think of my home? What does your artistic instinct tells you?" he asked and she could detect that it was a trick question. Sadly, she had nothing bad to say about his property.
"Well, I am not an architect, but I think it's beautiful." She answered and pride showed on his face.
"Yes, it is." He agreed as he stared at her. Abigail blinked and broke their eye contact and he suddenly stood up in a rush.
"Well, I will leave you so you can finish your meal." he said as he walked away from his chair, "Welcome to Collinwood, Miss Aston." He nodded towards Abigail and then turned to face Mrs. Simpson, "Once you're done, could I possibly see you in my study, Mrs. Simpson?" he said to the older woman who quickly nodded in reply.
"I bid you goodnight then." He called as he made his way out of the dining room, leaving the two women alone.
Abigail looked after him and the scent he left on his way made her shiver. That man was definitely peculiar. She didn't know if she should be scared or amazed. Or perhaps she ought to be both.
End of chapter 2
Author's note: Thank you for reading! Should I continue? Please review and tell me your thoughts!
Xxx Lina :)