After much damage control and bargaining conversations, Barnabas and Angelique were prepared to marry on the day that was intended for her and Jeremiah. Also, Barnabas, with Joshua's permission, managed to find some local businesses for Jeremiah, constructing new edifices for local merchants and farmers. Although Jeremiah hated the idea of working on such a small scale, he accepted the commissions as his penance for his actions, hoping that someday, someone of his family's status would employ him. Josette had fruitlessly tried to convince Barnabas to reconcile with her whenever he visited the new house or whenever she saw him on the property. In addition, she sent four letters to Bette Roulette, demanding to meet her, but the secretary/sorceress never answered her in return. Josette was desperately losing patience and time. If she could not get in contact with Bette, then she would have to somehow get through to Angelique that Barnabas would never love her as he loved Josette, and that Angelique would always love Jeremiah.
A week before the wedding, Bette came to Natalie with some disturbing news for her employer.
"You want to leave my employ, Bette? Why? Haven't I always been fair to you? Haven't I always shown you kindness? Are your current wages influencing your decision?" asked Natalie, bewildered.
The young woman fidgeted with her cuffs. "No, Madame Countess. It's personal."
Bette turned away from Natalie, only to be faced by the brooding, paled-faced spirit of Georges DuBois, who was there to make sure that Bette broke her ties to the family for good and exiled herself forever. However, he was unseen by the Countess, who was unsettled by Bette's sudden trembles.
Natalie walked up behind her. "Bette? Did anyone harm you here? Was it the servants? Or someone in the village?"
"No, Madame Countess. I just need to return to France," she answered, intimidated by Georges' scowl.
"What would you do there? Remember that you left for better opportunities in Martinique—"
"I am aware of that, Madame Countess, but I think I should leave…for my own good."
Natalie turned her secretary to face her, and was stunned to see that Bette was sweating immensely, and obviously frightened out of her wits.
"Bette, it's obvious that something is terrifying you. What is it? Or rather who is it?"
Before Bette could say anything, she felt Georges' cold and bated breath on her ear lobe.
"There's nothing wrong, madame," she sobbed. "Please just let me go!"
Natalie felt sorry for Bette. She wished that she could help her, but whoever put this fear in her, had scared her badly enough to not tell her what happened. However, the countess would not free her until after they left Collinwood. Perhaps then, she thought, she could persuade Bette to tell her what happened to her, and to stay in her employ.
"Bette, cherie, I won't question you further on this matter, but I want you to stay here until after the wedding, and leave with Monsieur DuPres and me for Martinique. If you still have your heart set on returning to France, then I will free you with a substantial severance pay. Do you agree?"
Georges' cold breath chilled Bette' ear again. Agree to her term, he whispered.
Bette nodded, shaken. "Oui. I'll stay, madame.
Natalie smiled in relief. "Good, ma cherie. Now, I want you to go to your room and rest. I'll have that maid, Stella, to bring you some tea. You're dismissed."
"Merci, Madame Countess." Bette curtsied and left the countess' room.
The next day, while Andre, Barnabas, and Natalie were absent from the Old House, as it was now being called, Angelique was reading by the fire when she heard a knock at the door. She answered it, finding Josette to be the unexpected and unwelcomed visitor.
"Oh, Josette," greeted Angelique, taciturned.
"Hello, Angelique," said she, impassively.
"You look well. Your face is healing."
"Merci."
Bored with the civility, Angelique outright asked, "What are you doing here? You know that Papa and Aunt Natalie don't want you here until they leave."
"And Barnabas? Does he feel the same way?"
"He respects their wishes."
"Are they here?" asked Josette, looking over Angelique's shoulder.
"None of them are here for now. They will return soon from the village."
"Is Barnabas with them?"
"I think you know that he is at the main house with his father."
"Of course he is," remembered Josette. "May I come in? I need to speak to you."
Angelique folded her arms, suspicious of Josette. "About what?"
"Can we talk inside, Angelique? It is rather cold out here," requested Josette, slightly shivering.
Angelique sighed and allowed Josette to enter the house. Although she was glad that the bruise was fading from her face, Angelique did not want Josette to stay in her present for long, making it clear by not taking Josette's cloak and bonnet.
The sisters stood face to face in the parlor, blue eyes locked with brown eyes, as Angelique waited for Josette to talk.
"Well?" shrugged Angelique.
"I came here to reason with you," replied Josette.
"About what?" asked Angelique, her eyebrow raised.
"About you marrying Barnabas. Despite the contracts, there is no reason for you to do this."
"Obviously, you have forgotten that I wouldn't be marrying him if it wasn't for you and your wanton behavior."
Josette threw her hands up in acknowledgement. "I know that I have sinned against God, Barnabas, Papa, and you, but the fact remains that you don't love Barnabas as I do. Wouldn't you like to have a husband to truly love, Angelique, and not someone whom you don't love? Jeremiah would be opened to the idea of returning to you if you wait for him and me to have our marriage annulled."
"Did he tell you that?" asked Angelique.
"Not in so many words, but I'm sure that he would be better suited for you than Barnabas. Both of you are much more compatible than you and Barnabas."
"Just like Georges and I were compatible before you sank you claws into him."
"Must you always bring up the past?"
"Only when it's being repeated."
"Let's not argue, sister dear. I am trying to help you see that Barnabas is not a good match for you, despite the contracts and Papa's anger at me."
"First, Josette dear, I am your sister, but was never your dear sister," corrected Angelique. "I supposed that you don't realize that my inheritance from our grandfather, who died before you were born, mind you, had left me an immense fortune that the Collins family is dying to claim for their ships' replacements. I am doing my duty as a daughter by marrying Barnabas so that Papa could reclaim the pride and dignity that you managed to trampled upon in a space of over a year."
Josette lost her patience with her sister. "It happened, Angelique! Do you want me to apologize for Georges and Jeremiah? Fine! I'm sorry! Now, promise me that you will not marry Barnabas."
Angelique slowly and deliberately shook her head. "No."
"No?" questioned Josette.
"No. Why should I give up an eligible bachelor as Barnabas Collins, especially when he made himself clear on more than one occasion that he wanted me? Especially since you have taken everything I had ever held dear to me from my parasols to my fiancés. You know," she said, walking to the mantle, her back to Josette, "after the night that you allowed him in your bed, he made…inappropriate gestures to me in our gazebo. Of course, being engaged to Jeremiah, I rebuffed him, but while you and Jeremiah were away, he kissed me, and I rebuffed him again because I thought that he was an opportunist. However, thinking about it now, his kisses and touches were, how shall I say it? Thrilling."
Angelique knew that saying that would get under Josette's skin, causing her to seethe.
"Ha! And everyone calls me a whore!"
"And you still are a whore, sister dear," countered Angelique, "but unlike you, I knew how to say no. Now, since there is no point in continuing this discussion, I suggest that you leave before Papa and Aunt Natalie return."
"Will you think about what you're doing?" pleaded Josette. "You don't love Barnabas, you love Jeremiah! You will always love Jeremiah! Despite your new-found attachment to my former fiancé, you can never love Barnabas, and Barnabas could never really love you. Despite his anger towards me, he still loves me and always will. And furthermore, you can't even stand for him to touch you! You said you found his touches thrilling, but I believe that you loathed him putting his hands on you, which is really too bad for you since Barnabas is a very carnal man. He will expect for you to lie on you back and open your legs without protest or challenges. Do you think that you could love, honor, and obey your future husband in the biblical sense?"
"Perhaps you should take your own advice concerning your own husband, Josette. Now get out!"
Before Josette turned the doorknob, she said, "I look forward to hearing how Barnabas was disappointed with a celibate honeymoon, sister dear."
However, Angelique had more fight in her and stopped Josette. "One more thing before you leave, sister dear. Your second comeuppance will begin as soon as Papa and Aunt Natalie return to Martinique."
Annoyed by Angelique's cryptic statement, Josette asked, facing her, "What are you talking about?"
Angelique's smile widened as she approached Josette. "I had certain terms agreed upon in exchange for me marrying Barnabas. Would you like to know what they are?"
"Just tell me so I can leave," said Josette, exasperated.
"Very well. I was going to keep this to myself until after Papa died, but I suppose that you should know: not only did I make Barnabas promise to be faithful and loyal to me, but I also had him to persuade Papa to leave his whole estate to me, while leaving you with nothing."
Josette gasped. "You scheming bitch!"
"Why so angry? You should be proud that I learned to scheme from you, sister dear. Anyway, as Barnabas had predicted, Papa did not agree to that term, but he did agree to leave you ten percent of it since he concluded that you would had squandered it anyway."
"You will pay for this, Angelique. You will pay dearly. And mark my words: Barnabas will come back to me. You'll see."
With that, Josette slammed the door behind her. Although Angelique had won this battle, she grudgingly agreed that Josette had a point. Angelique had to resign herself to being touched by Barnabas. But could she do so in time before the wedding?
After dinner, Barnabas and Angelique sat together on the settee by the fire discussing their wedding and Boston. Ever since they announced their engagement, they have been spending more time together, getting reacquainted before their marriage. Despite trying to adjust to his physical affections towards her, and Angelique softening towards Barnabas' charm, she still had reservations about him being a good husband. She couldn't understand how a man like him could ignore her for her sister, plan to seduce her when after he married said sister, and then happily court her when things with said sister goes awry. These strange turns in Angelique's life unsettled her, but she resolved to try and adjust to those changes in order to be the kind of wife that Barnabas expects.
"Angelique?" said Barnabas.
"Yes?" she answered, distracted from the dancing orange flames in the hearth.
"You are quite beautiful this evening. But then again, you are always beautiful at any time of the day."
"Thank you, Barnabas. That is very sweet of you," she beamed, clasping his hand.
Barnabas edged closer to her, elevating her anxiety. She tried to push it out of her mind, but when Barnabas made a bee-line to her neck, she pushed him away.
Barnabas sighed, exasperated by his bride's inability to accept his affections. "Angelique, my dear, we're going to be married in a few days. You must get used to me touching you."
"I'm sorry, Barnabas," she said, turning to him, "but if I had a little more time, I'm sure that I could adjust properly."
"Unfortunately, we don't have much time, Angelique, which is most strange since you adjusted yourself quickly to marrying Jeremiah and to his advances."
Angelique glared at him. "I had months to adjust to marrying Jeremiah, Barnabas. Unlike my sister, I am unable to so easily give myself from one man to another on the spur of a moment."
Angelique turned from him, arms folded, concentrating on the fire.
"Angelique," said Barnabas, apologetic, "I didn't mean to be insensitive to your situation, but we have to be comfortable with showing each other affections if we are to marry, and if we are to…procreate."
"I know, but it's not easy for me," she said, still turned from him.
Barnabas had an idea. "Angelique, look at me."
She did although her eyes were watered from frustration. He held out his hand to her. "Let me take your hand, my darling."
Angelique placed her hand in his, and he began to circle her palm gently with the tips of his fingers. Both of them were intently focused on what was taking place as Angelique felt herself being…aroused. He then kissed it, lightly touching it with the tip of his tongue that made Angelique exhale in arousal. Next, he pulled her into his arms into an embrace.
He whispered, "Think of me as what Georges DuBois and Jeremiah could not be for you, my love: your ally, your protector, your soul mate…your lover." This time, she didn't pull away from him. Angelique allowed herself to relax with him, taking in his broad shoulders and chest, being embraced by his strong, toned arms, feeling secured and safe in his embrace as if nothing could happen to her as long as he held her.
He tipped her face to his, gazing into her eyes. "Surrender to my love, my darling. Surrender…" He placed his lips on her, kissing her with a passion that she never experienced. A wanton, desirous, sensual kiss that she knew would have gotten her on her back instantly if her father and aunt weren't in the library, and whom could easily come into the parlor at any time. She shoved him off her.
"We have to stop before something else happens," said Angelique, panting.
Barnabas, however, smirked at the effect he now had on her. "It's too bad. I would have loved to take you to my room this evening."
"I think you could wait a few more days, Barnabas," she said, trying to hide her blush.
"Did you enjoy that?"
"Oh, I did, I truly did," she said, blushing. "I look forward to more of it…on our wedding night, of course. I only wish that I could say that I love you, but I don't."
"Not yet you do," he interjected, "but you will come to love me as I already love you, and all of our nights together will be filled with love and passion for the rest of our lives together."
"That sounds lovely."
"Sweet Angelique, you have no idea how lovely it can get. I wish to kiss you again."
Angelique eagerly complied. "Alright."
As they engaged in another kiss, Georges DuBois watched them from behind the settee, standing over them unnoticed, his presence not felt. Although he felt a tinge of jealousy, he knew that Angelique would be well-suited for this man, who promised her more of a romantic and happy life than he or Jeremiah Collins could give her. Once they were married, Bette Roulette would be out of the way, and then, he could focus on taking his wrath out on Josette DuPres Collins.
It was snowing on Angelique's wedding day. It was the most beautiful scenery that she ever seen in her life besides those from her former tropical paradise home. She sat by the window, already dressed, as the soft, white flakes covered the ground in a blanket of frosted droplets. Three nights before, Barnabas had kindly bought her a third wedding gown to wear for their wedding: a white gown, embroidered with silver threading at the skirt, the bodice, and into the veil itself, attached to a silver tiara. Nothing but the best for the bride of Barnabas Collins, he told her. In exchange for his kindness, she gave him the gift of watching her second wedding dress for her marriage to Jeremiah burn in a bonfire. Along with the dress, he asked her to wear the sapphire and diamond earbobs and necklace, giving her attire a bit of color. She thought that she looked the picture of a winter bride.
"Angelique," said Natalie, startling her niece from her thoughts, "stop staring out that window, and put on your cape and your muffs. This blasted snow may not stop in time for us to arrive at that Protestant church."
Once Angelique was properly dressed in a white cape, lined in white fur, and white muffs, Natalie literally dragged her out of the room, down the stairs, and into the coach.
As they rode to the church, Angelique tried to keep warm in the hooded cape, but the cold air was seeping under it, freezing her exposed chest.
I know that Barnabas had wanted me to look my best for our wedding, but why did he have to buy me this dress that exposed my bosom? I might end up being too sick to consummate my marriage tonight, she grumbled thoughtfully.
Inside of the Protestant church, where the cream of Collinsport society eagerly anticipated to see the 'angelic and virginal' daughter of Andre DuPres, Barnabas, in a red waistcoat, black suit and matching neck cloth, awaited her at the altar, as she was escorted by her father. Along with Barnabas were Jeremiah, who stood with him, and Josette, who looked decent enough in silver blue, frowned upon her sister, unbefitting for a maid of honor who had no honor in the first place. Although Jeremiah marveled at Angelique's beauty, he was disappointed that her gown for him was destroyed by fire, as told to him by a gloating Barnabas. He wished that he could go back in time and prevent the affair that he had with Josette that caused him to betray his former fiancée with shameless indifference. No matter how many times he thought about it, he couldn't figure out why he did take her as a lover and married her, but he wished that he ignored his strange feelings for her, and married Angelique as he wanted. Even now, he still loved Angelique. Despite that, he now had a part to play. He had to play the loyal and devoted husband to a woman that he couldn't tolerate being in the same room. Yet, he made sure that Josette would never benefit from his plans for Angelique by burning the plans for the house he wanted to build for him and Angelique the night before, relishing the thought of Josette suffering by watching her former beau marry her worst enemy, and eventually building a life and family together. Jeremiah would never stand in the way of Angelique's much-deserved happiness.
Josette stood rigidly by her sister as she listened to her and Barnabas take their vows to each other. She couldn't believe how thrilled Barnabas was to say 'I do!' She was most surprised to note that Angelique was equally thrilled about taking Barnabas as her beloved husband. And then he put the wedding band on her finger. Josette felt ill enough to vomit where she stood. She wished that he could find comfort with her father, but he refused to look at her or even acknowledge her presence. The people in the pews gave her disapproving looks and whispered about her, shaking their heads. It wasn't her fault that everything turned out chaotic! It was Bette's. She ruined everything! Josette was not surprised to see the witch herself sitting in the house of God amongst everybody else. After all, she thought, one can always find a few devils amongst saints in a church.
An hour later, Barnabas and Angelique returned to Collinwood as husband and wife. In between the food and the festivities at the main house, Angelique, Natalie, and a sober Naomi were able to entertain the female guests while Barnabas and Joshua persuaded their peers and colleagues to take an interest in Jeremiah's workmanship on the main house. While some of them were reluctant to consider him for any future projects, others were willing to discuss with him some prospective propositions for the spring. On the other hand, Josette stayed to herself, nursing a glass of champagne until she saw Bette, standing against the wall, across the ball room. After she finished her glass, she maneuvered across the room, careful in her balance, and sidled next to Bette.
"You never answered my letters, witch," she grumbled, low enough so no one else could hear.
"I don't have to, according to your aunt and father, Josette," replied Bette, observing the guests dancing and conversing.
"That's Mrs. Collins to you," Josette corrected. "We have to talk about your blunder, or I will tell everyone about you."
"They'll dismiss you as a bitter woman whose trying to ruin her sister's wedding out of jealously, Josette. How many glasses of champagne did you have? Perhaps you should lay down before you make a spectacle of yourself," warned Bette.
"They'll believe me once I tell these… 'puritanical' New Englanders of your talent for the black arts, which will explain how I inexplicably married Jeremiah instead of my one true love. And everyone will believe it because it would make sense, and deep down, you know it's true."
Conceding to Josette's threat, Bette rolled her eyes and turned to her. "Where would you like to talk about this supposed 'blunder', Mrs. Collins?"
Josette's mouth quirked into a self-satisfied smile. "In your room at the Old House, as it's now called. You will leave first, and I will follow in twenty minutes."
"Very well," sighed Bette, making her way through the crowd to inform Natalie that she was returning to the Old House to start packing. Natalie gave her leave, and Bette left. Josette briskly passed everyone ten minutes later to make her way to the Old House.
Twenty minutes later, Josette arrived outside of Bette's room. Ben and Stella were not in the house since they were helping to serve at the reception, assuring Josette and Bette of complete privacy. She banged at Bette's door. Bette opened it and Josette stormed in with light snowflakes on her cloak.
"Snowing again?" Bette asked, unconcerned.
"The guests are starting to leave and Barnabas has changed his mind about taking that pallid cow to Boston. Thank heavens for New England snow!" she mused.
"That won't stop him from having her tonight, Josette. He'll have her here or Boston. Nothing you can do to stop it."
"Maybe not tonight, but tomorrow is another day, Bette. A day for you to correct your mistake. But first, I want to know why didn't the potion work, and how did I become Jeremiah's wife when I despise the penniless architect?"
Bette answered, sternly, "The potion had no power to it. It was brewed tea water. And to answer your second question, it was more or less requested of me that you and Jeremiah become lovers, leading to marriage and consummation. As you might have guessed, the spell lasted until after the consummation."
Josette grabbed Bette by her arms, shaking her. "And who else would have a reason to prevent me from marrying Barnabas besides you for your supposed payment? Who requested it?!"
"Monsieur Georges DuBois."
Josette dropped her hands from Bette's arms, and stepped back from the witch, shaking her head. "No…no! The jeweler is dead!"
"Not his vengeful spirit, Josette. He planned to kill the both of us if I didn't do what he wanted. So, I did, and he's sparing me by making me an exile from the DuPres household. As for you, he has something special planned. In fact, he gave me a message for you: Josette DuPres will die, falling, falling, falling off of Widow's Hill, breaking her slender neck as you caused for him to break his!"
"I don't believe you. And furthermore, you will rectify what you've done by killing Angelique and Jeremiah."
"I will do no such thing, Josette."
"My name is Madame Collins to you, and you will!"
"I can't speak for Jeremiah, but if you think Monsieur DuBois is going to let you harm your sister, he won't. He loved her when he was alive, and he still loves her now. But you, you will be dragged to the fiery pits of Hell with me when it's your time. Nothing will go right for you, Josette Collins. Every time that you try to intervene in your sister's happiness, you will receive misery twice over. Now, if you don't mind, I have to pack."
Josette was furious at this servant who ignored her to pack her measly belongings. How dare she deny her requests! Looking around the room, Josette spotted an iron vase, grabbed it, and clunked it upside Bette's temple, killing her instantly as she dropped to the floor. Frightened by what she's done, Josette fled the bedroom, but not without taking Bette's book of spells with her that was lying in the open on the table. After she left, Georges DuBois appeared, looking indifferently at Bette's dead body. He used his power to move her to her bed, and covered her, to make it look as if she was asleep. Why should her death disturb his former beloved's wedding night? In spite of himself, he rather approved of Barnabas for her. She deserved to be the next mistress of such a vast estate as Collinwood, not be a dependent with some architect husband. However, he knew that since Josette took that spell book, she would eventually try to cast her own spells on her own sister. Yet, what Josette didn't know was that Georges had it planned for her to find the book there, so that she may try in her arrogance to cast spells that he will only allow her to perform.
"Well, that was a lovely wedding despite this blasted snow storm!" commented Andre, brushing snow flakes off his cloak and hat.
Because of the snow storm, Barnabas and Angelique could not travel to Boston, and had to spend their first night together in the Old House with Natalie and Andre. Barnabas had already dismissed Ben and Stella from the main house before it started snowing heavily. By the time the guests had left Collinwood, the snow was being blown in all directions, having the coachman to drive them carefully back to the Old House. They were relieved to enter the house with a blazing fireplace as Ben greeted them in the parlor.
"Sir? You're not goin' t' Boston?" asked Ben, surprised that his master and new mistress were still in Collinwood.
"No, Ben. The weather was getting too bad for visibility. Our trip to Boston will have to be postponed until further notice," explained Barnabas. "Have Stella to prepare hot water for our tea."
"And for my bath," interjected Natalie, shaking the snow from her hat.
"And have Stella to bring hot water for the countess' bath," ordered Barnabas. "Would you care for a bath as well, my darling?"
Angelique answered, "That'll be fine, Barnabas."
"Monsieur DuPres?"
"No, merci," he answered, warming by the fireplace.
"Very well, Water for the countess' and Miss Angelique's baths. And tea for all of us."
"Ye' sir," said Ben, leaving the parlor.
Barnabas helped Angelique out of her cape. "I am sorry, my dear, that we weren't able to go to Boston. You would have loved it there."
"That's alright, Barnabas. Nature sometimes overrules our plans like rain on a picnic," she said, smiling.
After he had sufficiently warmed his hands, Andre approached his daughter, taking her by her hands. "Angelique, ma cherie, you have done well by an old, foolish Frenchman. You helped our family to reclaim our dignity, and for that I will always be grateful."
"You can show your gratitude, Papa, by honoring my terms concerning my inheritance," she said, coolly.
Taken aback by her attitude, he replied, "By…by all means I will. I'll admit that I was surprised that you could be this harsh upon Josette, despite everything. I mean, she doesn't deserve our forgiveness, but I was glad that you agreed to her share being ten percent."
"She should be grateful for that, allowance, Papa. However, if you didn't fear my refusal to marry Barnabas over this matter, you'll have given her more, or kept it at fifty percent."
"Most likely, but you're as shrewd as a businessman, as I taught you."
Angelique nodded in agreement. "I am my father's daughter."
"Touché." He kissed her hand for the first time ever. "Come, Natalie. We mustn't impose upon the newlyweds. We will retire to our rooms this evening and hopefully be able to leave for Martinique by tomorrow or so, if the weather settles. Thank you for your hospitality, Barnabas."
"You are welcome, sir," acknowledged Barnabas.
"Andre, Barnabas, Andre. We are now family. Good night, children."
"Goodnight," said Barnabas and Angelique in unison.
As Natalie followed her brother up the steps, she said, "Bonne nuit, my darlings, and Angelique, remember our discussion from last night and earlier?"
"Of course, Aunt Natalie. Bonne nuit," replied Angelique, embarrassed at the reference to the 'what-do-a-man-and-a-woman-do-on-their-wedding-night' conversations that she received a dozen times since her first engagement. Angelique could recite everything that Natalie had told her, but to actually experience it without hindrance this time made her a little anxious again.
After Natalie disappeared up the stairs, Barnabas and Angelique were alone as man and wife. Angelique stood in front of Barnabas, her arms folded from the chill, as Barnabas gazed lustfully at what was now 'rightfully' his.
"Angelique?" he said, his dark eyes roaming every inch of her body.
"Yes, Barnabas?" she answered, her chest heaving in nervous anticipation, pleasing Barnabas.
"I must see Ben to give him instructions for tomorrow. Would you like to wait for me here until Stella prepared your bath, or go to your room now?"
"I would rather go to my room now, if you don't mind."
"I don't mind at all. Until later, my love."
He kissed her hand, but unlike her father, the way he kissed it suggested exactly what was going to happen after the bath. Angelique made her way to her bedroom, in anticipation.
It has been two hours since Angelique had returned to her home with her new husband. After her bath, Stella brought her chamomile tea, requested by Barnabas, and drank it by the fire, wearing a green nightgown with a matching dressing gown and slippers, and her long, blond hair brushed over her shoulder. While she waited for Barnabas, she remembered Natalie's advice in sleeping with a man: Don't dwell on the idea too much, child, just let him do all the work, and you'll come to enjoy it! Angelique hoped so, especially when Natalie had told her that 'it' will hurt the first time, but not after. Then, she remembered Josette implying that Barnabas was… demanding in bed. Angelique crossed her legs at that thought. Would he be gentle with her or 'demanding?'
Then she heard footsteps, and the doorknob turning. She stood with her cup and saucer, and placed them on the table. When Barnabas entered in his nightclothes, she was standing by the table, her hands folded in front of her. Barnabas exhaled in excitement.
"You are a vision of beauty, Angelique, my dear," he complimented, approaching her after locking the door.
"Mer, uh, thank you…dear," she said, nervous.
Barnabas took her hands, and kissed her knuckles. "There's nothing to be nervous about. I assure you that you will find our lovemaking…interesting."
Angelique's heart rate increased. "Aunt Natalie had…told me of what to expect. Numerous of times with each engagement. I suppose that," she turned from him, "that I am nervous about not liking it."
"You shouldn't worry about that. Being your first time and all, it will be a little…discomforting in the beginning, but it will become pleasurable afterwards."
"Would you be disappointed if I didn't like it?"
Puzzled, Barnabas asked, "Is there some reservation about us making love that is bothering you?"
Although Angelique turned to him, she could hardly look him in the eye. "Josette said that you are a very… demanding lover, that I was expected to just lie down and take what's to come."
Aghast, Barnabas replied, "Angelique! If you're thinking that I would take you by force, you are wrong. Josette said that to disturb you, and obviously it had. If you don't want to go to bed with me tonight, then you don't have to. Goodnight."
He turned to leave, but Angelique grabbed his arm.
"Barnabas, wait! Please stay. I wish to do my duty and go to bed with you tonight."
Barnabas caressed her hair, relieved, getting a whiff of the lavender. "Don't think of it as a duty, Angelique, but an enjoyment. I know that you're not in love with me, but I can give you sensations that you will come to love."
Curious and excited, she asked, "You-you will?"
Barnabas nodded, then enveloped her in his arms, assaulting her lips, throat, and shoulders with fiery, powerful kisses, wrenching the dressing gown from her body. He tossed it over to a chair, and resumed back to sucking and nibbling on her flesh. Angelique hungrily desired him, wrapping her arms around his neck as he picked her up and brought her to bed. With one arm, he threw over the covers and laid Angelique down on the bed sheet. As he removed his robe, she noted something different about him. He looked the same, except…his male anatomy was tented. Angelique gasped, shocked. Barnabas only laughed.
"That's what you do to me whenever I see you. I had control over it until now."
Angelique blushed, never having received such an odd compliment from any man, let alone her previous fiancés. Angelique laid back on the pillow, her arms opened for him to have her. He obliged his prized possession by mounting her, nudging her legs open with his knee, and then spreading them wide enough to accommodate his hips. Through the translucent gown, her nipples had hardened and he began rubbing them with his thumbs. Angelique's chest heaved as she enjoyed the sensation he created. Her eyes shot opened when she felt her lower torso exposed. Barnabas pulled up her gown to her stomach, and while holding one of her legs up, he inserts one of his long, thick fingers inside, stimulating her sex. Angelique moaned wantonly from the pleasure bestowed on her, writhing as Barnabas continued his ministration. Afterward, he pulled it out, sucked on his finger, and traced it across her lips.
He leaned into her ear and whispered, I knew you weren't a prude.
He sat back on his heels. "Raise your arms, my sweet."
Angelique sat up and did as she was told. Barnabas lift the gown from her slowly, admiring her naked body, and threw it on the floor. She felt self-conscious about her nudity, but kept her arms to the side as she lay back down. Next, he took off his night shirt, and threw it next to her gown. Angelique drank in his finely-toned, muscled body, and gasped again at actually seeing his erected manhood, wondering if it would hurt throughout. Glad that his wife was enamored with his body, Barnabas hovered over her, kissing her forehead and cheeks, and then her lips, neck, and shoulders, next encircling his lips around her nipples again, and finally reached his destination where he began orally pleasuring her. Angelique was surprised on how his tongue could feel so good on another part of her body! She slid her hands in his hair, twisting and pulling at it as he held her hip in place. He suddenly stopped, causing Angelique to beg for him to continue.
"Not now, my dear. We have to move on to the main act."
The moment has finally arrived when he positioned himself at her entrance, teasing her entrance with his member, as Angelique moaned for him to take her.
"There will be pain, my dear," he said huskily, "but only for a moment."
With his strong arms braced on both sides of her, Barnabas plunged himself into her, tearing through the barrier that had once marked her chastity. Angelique shrieked at the raw pain she felt, digging her nails into his back as a response, tears streaming down her face.
He licked the watery trail and whispered, Only for a moment.
He paused for a few moments to let her adjust to his size and girth. Then he pulled back, and thrust again. Finally, he settled on a slow rhythm that would be comfortable for her. Angelique's mind wandered from the pain to the pleasure that she was starting to experience.
I guess it doesn't last that long, she thought.
She focused her fluttering gaze upon the snow that was being blown in all directions outside her windows. Her body was hot with desire and her nerves were frayed with the sensations of being kissed, nibbled, suckled, and plunged. Enthralled with passion, she clawed at his back, leaving trails of scratches, and wrapped her legs tight around him as he increased his thrusting, and pumped deeper into her body. Finally, they came together, and Barnabas collapsed on top of his wife, both of them panting and sweating from exhaustion. They didn't say anything for the next few minutes of their afterglow. Without warning, he pulled out of her and laid next to Angelique, pulling the covers over them. Angelique was still in her strange, delicious trance, replaying her first act of lovemaking in her mind.
Barnabas propped himself on his elbow, turned to his side towards her. "Angelique?"
She turned to him. "Hmm?"
"Are you alright? Did you...like it?"
Angelique smiled wickedly, wiping the sheen of sweat from his forehead. "I thought you knew."
He smiled, relieved that he wouldn't be banned from her bed.
"However," she said, frowning, "I am a little sore."
"Did I hurt you?" he asked, concerned.
"No more than what was already mentioned," she answered, shaking her head. "Aunt Natalie told me that it was expected."
"What else did Aunt Natalie tell you?" he teasingly inquired, playing with her hair.
"Coincidentally, she told me about what you did before you entered me...with your tongue. She said that something like that could be done by both men and women. I just didn't expect it from you."
She started blushing from the memory of it.
"As I said before, my dear, you would find our joining interesting."
"And it was. Now, what do we do?"
"Well, usually I like to engage in another round of love-making, but thanks to you, I am very exhausted and need to sleep."
"I exhausted you?" Her eyes widened at the apparent power she had over his stamina. She was secretly pleased with that power.
Barnabas laughed and planted a light kiss on her lips. "Good night, darling. We'll continue tomorrow night."
"Good night, darling," she said, sleepily.
They both blew out their candles at their bedside, and Barnabas spooned against Angelique's back, wrapping his arm around her waist. The snow had slowed, the winds were silent, and the hearth still glowed as Mr. and Mrs. Collins settled into an overnight slumber.
The sun rose at thirty minutes after seven o'clock the next morning. Angelique squinted at the ray of light that woke her from the window.
"Perhaps some of that snow will melt," she grumbled, turning over to a sleeping Barnabas, who was quite attractive in his slumber. Yet, for the first time, she noticed a scar on his right, lower jaw. She traced it lazily with her finger, wondering how he got it.
As if reading her mind, he startled her with an answer. "It was a shipping accident."
Angelique propped herself on her elbow. "Are you awake, Barnabas?"
"Mmm-hmm," he said, eyes still closed.
"Are you truly happy with me?" she asked, retracing the scar.
His eyes shot open, a smile on his face. "Why wouldn't I be happy with a wife as insatiable as you?"
"Barnabas," she whined, lightly tapping his shoulder. "I was hoping to feel more confident from last night, but I still feel a little inadequate about love-making."
"Don't worry, darling. The more we make love, the more adequate you'll feel." His eyebrows rose. "Did you truly enjoy last night?"
"Immensely," she said, giggling.
A seductive smile formed on his lips. "Good, because I want you to please me orally as I pleased you last night."
"Oh?" she said, her lips forming into the perfect 'o,' fueling his morning lust.
"Yes, start kissing me on my lips, and work your way down to the…designated area."
Angelique felt flushed, but climbed on top of him, doing as he instructed. Yet, when she almost reached her 'destination,' they were startled by Ben Stokes' banging at the door.
"Mr. Barnabas! Mr. Barnabas! There's trouble in th' house! Mr. Barnabas!"
"Damn you, Ben!" muttered Barnabas. As soon as Angelique climbed off of him, Barnabas got out of bed, got dressed in his nightshirt and robe, and opened the door far enough to conceal his dressing wife.
"What's the meaning of this, Ben? What trouble?" demanded Barnabas.
"The countess' secretary, sir. She's dead!"
****Thank you for reading and commenting, everyone!