Chapter 12

Barnabas' eyes, held barely concealed anger and his lips pressed tightly together as he bit back a retort. His hand gripped the sliver head of his cane, in a vice grip, the knuckles turning white.

Elizabeth, correctly judging his mood, suggested, "Shall we go to the study, Barnabas? We can talk there, without being overheard."

Still too angry to speak, he nodded gratefully.

Once in the study, Elizabeth, weighed her words carefully. "Please understand, that I'm asking this, purely out of concern for you," she began. "From our talk the night of the dinner, you hinted that things weren't well between you and Angelique. Have you reconsidered, and returned to your wife? And your relationship with Julia…what of that? You seemed so happy."

Barnabas looked at her steadily. "I assure you, Elizabeth, that Angelique is not pregnant. There has been nothing between us, for many years. This is merely an attempt to get me to stop divorce proceedings. I would appreciate if you would keep the information to yourself. No one else, except Julia, knows of this, and it will help me settle things faster."

"I told you several weeks ago, that you have my continual support. After all, you are family."

He crossed over to her, and rested a hand on her arm. "Thank you, Elizabeth. I'm most grateful," he said, with great sincerity. He wondered if he should tell her of Julia's condition, and decided against it. He would wait until Angelique had been dealt with. Besides, he didn't want to do anything, until he'd talked to Julia, first.

"Oh, by the way, Julia's secretary called a while ago. She asked if you could call her back." She returned his gaze a moment. "I'm glad that you're still in touch with her, Barnabas," she said affectionately before leaving him alone in the study, to make his call.

Leaving the study and pulling the door closed, Elizabeth turned briefly, looking thoughtful.

If what Barnabas had said, was true, and she had no reason to disbelieve him, then she was beginning to wonder at his choice of wife. She'd seemed…triumphant, for want of a better word, when she'd made her announcement that she and Barnabas were expecting their first child together. She'd thought it strange, considering what she had witnessed the night of the dinner invitation. Barnabas had barely looked at her, and had taken the first opportunity, that presented itself, to leave her presence, as quickly as he could. She had meant it, when she said that she was glad that he and Julia were still in contact. Angelique certainly wasn't like

Julia. She hoped that once Barnabas' plans were finalised, the pair could resume their courtship, although she was beyond certain that he was still discreetly seeing her. From what little he'd told her in the past, and what he'd just admitted to, she was quite certain that she approved. He'd certainly seemed happier, with Julia. Not for the first time of late, Elizabeth wondered how her friend was faring at Wyndcliffe. The phone call from her secretary had seemed troubling and Elizabeth fervently hoped that all was well.

When Barnabas entered the drawing room, ten minutes later, Elizabeth knew immediately that something was wrong. "Barnabas, what is it?"

"I have to go out of town, Elizabeth. I don't know how long I'll be. I hate to ask you..."

"I won't mention it to Angelique, should she visit. Though I don't think I approve of her tactics..."

"Please, Elizabeth, don't let her know that you are aware of her sham," he interrupted her, his agitation growing. "It's vitally important that she doesn't suspect that I'm on to her."

Realising that it was important to him, she nodded her head. "Alright, Barnabas. For you, I will keep silent. But I'm afraid that she has made herself, unwelcome in this house."

He took her hand in his, and with a slight bow, kissed her hand, before taking his leave.

As soon as Barnabas entered the reception area of Wyndcliffe, Tianna O'Rourke, Julia's secretary came to meet him. She looked worried. "Mr. Collins, I'm so glad that you could come on short notice. Dr. Williamson is with her now," she explained, looking over her shoulder to one of the side rooms.

Barnabas followed her glance, his worry evident. "Tell me again, what happened," he said, turning back to her.

"I'm worried about her, Mr. Collins. I know she's not been feeling too well for several days. She's been working almost day and night since you left, and then this morning, as she handed me some filing, she fainted. I offered to call Dr. Williamson, but she refused. When I mentioned calling you, she said she didn't want you worrying. It was either you or the doctor, and she opted for the doctor. I called you, because I thought you might be able to convince her to take a holiday or something."

Barnabas glanced over to the side room again, wondering if he should go in." You did the right thing, Tianna," he said turning back to face her. "A holiday is exactly what she needs right now."

He couldn't stand it, he had to go in and find out what was happening. He excused himself, from Tianna and approached the closed door. Quickly, he knocked on the door once, and not bothering to wait for a summons to enter, walked in.