A/N: Hello, darlings! How are you? How is summer going for you all?

I want to thank: livilottie, XantheXV, LabyFan23, Rachael, MissMisc3, PGAEmma, TinkerbellxO, AgnesBriot1969, Makrciana, dionne dance, Angelique, runs with myths and lottielovebuzz. Thank you all!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.

Chapter 12

In time we hate that which we often fear.

~W. Shakespeare

"He is a relative from the north." My mother-in-law whispers as we make our way towards the dining room, "He has married recently and he wants to promote his relatively small trading business by working with my husband. No one really likes him because he has a temper. Be careful of your tongue in front of him." She stops to look at me austerely, her eyes roaming my form and possibly my attire before she sighs, "And stay close to my son. He needs a proper wife in front of others." She starts walking again and I am left staring and burning holes on her back.

When I stay behind, she stops by the threshold and turns to look at me from over her shoulder.

"Well come along then."

I grit my teeth and start walking, careful of my hurt ankle and she clicks her tongue in irritation.

"When are you going to lose the limp? It's so unladylike." She mutters and then she disappears into the large room.

I set my jaw and simply walk into the room, trying to keep my limp unseen, but the moment I am in I am greeted by four pairs of eyes.

I smile, "Good evening."

Barnabas grins when he sees me, his eyes twinkling as he stands from his chair and comes towards me, hand outstretched. As he approaches, I see a woman and a man behind him. The man is around Barnabas' age. The woman seems…slightly older if not much older and she is sitting with a hand cradling her swollen stomach. She's with child and I smile.

"Cousin, may I introduce my wife, Elita. Elita, my cousin, Philip Norris." Barnabas' hand is warm around my own and his palm gentle as he helps me towards his cousin.

As soon as I am close, I reach out my hand for a shake. Philip eyes it and then takes it with a tiny smile. He shakes it gently once and then releases it to grin widely at Barnabas.

"I am blinded. What a lovely creature. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, madam." He bows and I incline my head, aware of the fact that my husband hasn't released me just yet. Odd.

"Likewise, sir." I reply and he grins before he steps aside.

"My wife, Henrietta." He motions towards the woman on the seat by the fireplace and I walk towards her, finally breaking free of Barnabas' hold on me.

"Good evening. Welcome to Collinwood." I smile as I take her hand which is surprisingly smooth and warm. Her features are flawless despite her obviously older age and her fiery red hair is pulled back in an intricate braid that makes me slightly envious. She is beautiful.

"Good evening, Mrs. Collins. I do apologize for not standing up, but…" She trails off and I look at her stomach with a smile.

"Think nothing of it." I let go of her perfectly manicured hand and step back.

"Let's all be seated. Angelique, drinks and two teas for the ladies. I'll have a chamomile for my stomach before dinner." Naomi takes a seat by her husband and Barnabas looks at me invitingly as the maid leaves to do his mother's biding, but before I can go sit with him, Henrietta's hand is on my wrist.

"Sit by me?" she asks and I look at my husband who looks away in silent permission.

"Certainly."
"Thank God." She leans close to whisper, "I am bored by constant business conversations. They tire me. What about you?"

I lean back slightly, "I was raised in a merchant's family. So, I am familiar with such talks, but they can be tiresome. Especially for a woman with child. How much along are you?" I ask and she eyes her stomach with mild irritation.

"Nearly seven months…I am getting heavier and I get tired more easily." She replies as she looks up at me.

"I wish you the best of deliveries." I look at her husband who is talking with Barnabas, a smirk on his face. My husband is gazing at his glass of whiskey, his lips pressed into a thin line. He looks angry and I want to go to him, but I can't.

"Thank you. It had to happen after three years of relationship." She chuckles and I look at her.

"Three years?"

"Yes, we've been married for nearly six months now…"
"Oh…"

"You?" Her question makes me feel uncomfortable. I don't know if I am sure that I want to discuss my marriage with Barnabas just yet…Especially with a stranger.

I decide to be polite though. "Almost three months….No. Four months-…"

"Four months and a half. Eighteen weeks." Barnabas speaks up as he passes by us to refill his glass and I flush when Henrietta looks at me in shock.

Barnabas sends us both a smile and he quickly returns to his seat, resuming his conversation with a slightly lighter expression on his face.

"I think you very lucky. I doubt Philip can recall such things…He only recalls other matters." She smiles a little tightly and I give a tiny shrug.

"I am lucky. Barnabas is most kind-…"

"And handsome and rich." She adds and I look at Helen as she brings us the tea with a smile.

"Sugar?" I ask as the maid places the tray on the table in front of us. I dismiss her with a pat on her hand and she bows her head before she leaves.

"Two and a touch of milk." Henrietta replies and I can see as I prepare her tea that she has her eyes on my husband.

"How long have you known each other?" she asks as I hand her the cup.

"A while." I look at her and busy myself with my own tea in an effort to avoid further discussion on the matter, "How long are you going to stay in Collinsport?" I ask her and she sighs.

"We're leaving tomorrow…But we have bought an estate near Portland so we aren't leaving Maine any time soon. I'll be very glad to know that I have some company somewhere near me." She pats my arm and I smile.

"So, since we are in the subject of husbands…" She leans closer with a sly glimmer in her eye and I smile.

"Actually we passed that one." I try to be playful, but she narrows her eyes.

"Is it a sore subject?" She cups a hand over her mouth and leans to whisper in my ear, "Don't you love him? It wasn't an arranged match, was it? That'd be dreadful, but very successful. You suit each other perfectly. I cannot imagine a better couple."

I try not to show my displeasure by looking at Barnabas who is brushing his fingers across his lips, his eyes dancing between his father and his cousin as they talk.

"That's just nonsense, Mrs. Norris. I never said that. Biscuit?" I offer and she shuts her mouth sharply, slowly declining and I relish in my success. She focuses on her tea after that and I have to wonder if my tone was too sharp for her tastes. I come to the conclusion that I don't really care.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

I have drunk too much wine and I have eaten too little. I realize that as I make my way towards the bedroom with Barnabas. He is quiet next to me, his eyes distant and I turn to look at him. The movement makes me dizzy, but I ignore it and touch his hand.

"Is everything alright?" I ask and he nods.

"Of course." He rubs his eyes and shakes his head, "Actually, it's not alright. May I confess something?" he murmurs as we walk down the hall.

"Of course." I nod.

He sighs, "I don't agree with my father's decision to help Norris." He says slowly and I pause.

"Oh…Why is that?" I blink in order to clear my vision, but it doesn't really work.

"I don't trust him…I don't trust him on anything. He talks a lot, he blurts words and sentences that he shouldn't…" he pauses to look at me, "he stares a lot at my wife." He purses his lips in displeasure, "He even mentioned Josette at the dinner table. The fiend. As if marrying a woman almost twice his age is proper." He stops short and swallows hard.

"Forgive me. I am being unpleasant…Elita?"

I blink because the only thing I heard was the part about me…He is not…jealous, is he? That'd be absurd.

"I'd never look at your cousin. He's too reckless for me. Personally, I don't like him or his wife." The wine must have loosened my tongue because I'd never dare say such thing while sober.

I close my mouth as Barnabas stops and turns to look at me.

"I…" I trail off, "I am sorry."

Apparently I am amusing because he starts to laugh. He runs a hand through his dark hair and steps closer to me. His musky scent is more prominent when he's so close and a blush blossoms on my cheeks when I recall how much closer he can be…How much closer he has been. And when his hand reaches up to cup my cheek I shiver as those fingertips dance up and down my cheek.

"What would I do without you? Hmm?" He murmurs with a smile and I take a deep breath.

"What would I do without you? Apparently you're a catch." I smile and he chuckles, but I quickly clutch my head as the sound causes me to get even dizzier.

His hand shots out to steady me and I laugh nervously.

"Elita?"

"Just dizzy from the wine." I shake my head, "It's nothing."

He frowns and curls an arm around my back, pulling me to his chest before he half carries me towards our chamber.

"Let's get you out of these clothes." He murmurs and Helen is already waiting by the door to help me, but Barnabas smiles and dismisses her.

"Go and rest, Helen. Thank you." He pats her arm and she flushes before she inclines her head and leaves.

I am placed upon the settee by the foot of the bed and I can only watch as he closes the door and shrugs out of his coat and vest.

"You didn't eat. I take it that she upset you by her incessant questions." He murmurs as he places his clothes on the hanger and then undoes the cuffs of his shirt.

"I was not upset…I just don't like nosy people. They are unpleasant and rude." I kick off my shoes as he approaches me. He leans down and takes hold of my foot.

"What can I do to make you feel better?" He asks quietly and I blink, trying to fight off the red color that is threatening to turn darker on my face.

"You didn't scold me for insulting your cousin. It's more than enough, husband." I smile and he looks up at me as he removes my stocking.

"It's not…I'm the reason you're in this position…I apologize."

I reach out and stop his hands by grasping them in my own, "I am glad I am here. It was my decision, remember?"

His eyes are very deep when he speaks next, "I've seen her again." The words are out of his mouth in a rush and I slowly release his hands, my heart thudding in my ribcage.

I swallow thickly and lick my suddenly dry lips, "Oh."

His fingers curl around mine and he tries to catch my eyes, "Not on purpose. I had some business near her house and she happened to…I am sorry." He shakes his head, "You don't need to hear this."

"No, I don't." My voice must be sharp because he winces.

"Elita…"

"Your mother seems to agree with the idea of helping your cousin." I change the subject and he frowns, "Although she admitted that his temper is not the most reliable one."

His hands release mine and he places his palms on my knees instead.

"His temper is not his only liability, my love." He mutters and now it is my time to wince.

"Don't call me that." I whisper and he blinks, his expression wounded.

"Why?"

"Because you don't mean it, Barnabas. You cannot just say things like this to me. Do you understand?" I snap and he is suddenly on his feet.

"How do you know I don't mean it?" His tone is equally sharp and I snort rudely.

"I just do."

"You are my wife and I'll call you whatever I please." He informs me quietly, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing is the matter." I mutter and he huffs.

"Everything is the matter, Elita. Why don't you just admit that everything I do hurts you? That way I'd know what the hell I did wrong this time!"

"You did nothing wrong!" I cry and his eyes are wide, "You're just being honest! Terribly so. And I hate it. I hate it because you can while I can't!" I stand up and our eyes lock.

His expression softens, "Elita, you know you can. I just don't know what to say. I decide to be honest because I think I'll only make it worse if you hear it from someone else. I don't want to hurt you."

But you do.

"You don't." I lie and he studies my face.

"You're a terrible liar." He steps a little closer and raises my chin with the tips of his fingers.

"Sometimes lies are better than the truth." I whisper and his nostrils flare as he leans down to my lips.

"I disagree. The truth always comes out in the end." He inhales deeply and then touches my mouth with his own. He lingers and then he presses closer, but I push at his chest. He holds me fast with his hands on my arms and my protest is cut off by his lips and tongue this time. He pulls me to him and my dizzy head allows the movement, until his arms close tightly around me. I gasp into the kiss and he groans, breaking the kiss to lean his forehead against mine.

I don't know why I feel upset with him all of a sudden. He said he didn't do it on purpose; that their meeting happened by accident…Then why do I feel like someone stomped on my pride? As I look at him, I know why. And I am not shy to say it.

"Are you this honest with her? You said you aren't…"

He tenses up against me and his eyes turn guarded, but I continue.

"Don't you think that she should know what you've been up to with your wife? Or are you just honest when it suits you, Barnabas?" I shrug out of his hold and make my escape into the washroom before he can reply. I slam the door behind me.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

I can feel the sunlight on my face. Footsteps echo in the chamber, but I don't move. The bed beside me is empty as I surreptitiously touch it with my palm under the covers. My head is pounding from the wine I consumed last night and I feel groggy, but my mind is alert and aware of his movements in the room.

His breathing is inaudible, but it gets louder when he approaches the bed. I feel his presence looming over me and I try hard not to shift. I don't know why I snapped like that. I suppose it hurt me to know that he protected her from the truth while he bares me to it at every chance he gets. It made me feel unimportant while he has come to mean so much to me. It isn't fair…At least it doesn't seem fair to me. But I know that I am blinded by the envy I have tried to hide. My judgment is partial anymore, biased and I am scared of that; really scared of that.

I feel the pillow by my head dipping and I hold my breath as I feel soft lips on my forehead. My anger dissipates and I am even more irritated by that. He shouldn't be able to do that with a single kiss.

"Forgive me." His whisper is soft and gentle like always and my mouth quivers when he presses his lips on my skin again and again, until he is close to my mouth, leaving a burning trail behind.

His lips find the corner of my mouth and while I remain unresponsive and seemingly asleep, he gets bolder. I jolt when I feel the wet velvet of his tongue brushing along my top lip and he inhales sharply at the realization that I am not really slumbering. The hand on the pillow moves and cups the top of my head, fingers threading through my hair as he covers my lips with his own in a deep kiss. His free hand travels down my side and clasps my hip, his fingers squeezing the tender flesh until I gasp. I am too numb to reciprocate, but I open my eyes a little when he pulls back to brush warm fingertips across my mouth. Our eyes lock and I can see his chest heaving with his breaths, and I feel my own rising and falling rapidly. His fingers pause on my lips and I blink drowsily as he mouths the apology again and again.

I swallow and press my lips against his fingertips in an almost kiss and a smile lightens up his face. Relief runs through his eyes and floods his gaze with warmth and I blink up at him.

"Sleep a little. I'll have Helen bring you breakfast in an hour. I'll be back later." His lips are back on my forehead and then on my mouth, and his hand briefly slides down to squeeze my thigh affectionately before he pulls away.

He pulls his fingers free of my strands and then he is gone, closing the door behind him gently.

Once he is gone, I reach up to finger my mouth and a tiny smile tugs on my lips. Relief floods me and I am glad that I don't have to face an uncomfortable morning with being mad at him. It's really trouble for me that he never really allows us to remain angry with each other. It makes it hard for me that he never really gives me much reason to complain. My life could be worse, much worse after all.

With this thought, I push the covers away, determined to take breakfast with his parents, but as I stand up I get dizzy and my stomach churns. Before I know it, I vomit on the floor next to the bed and at the sight of it I gasp. My eyes get blurry and the foul taste in my mouth is enough to make me dizzier. Before I know it I collapse onto the ground and everything goes black.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Are you sure about this? Shouldn't we wait until she's awake, aunt?" Henrietta's voice is the first thing I hear and I frown a little. I think I am back on my bed because I fee softness underneath me.

"No. The doctor is just waiting outside. I am sure it's nothing more than happy news though." My mother-in-law is speaking quietly and I want to object.

Happy news? What happy news? All I remember is how I emptied the contents of my stomach on the floor.

"Helen, are you done? The physician is waiting." Naomi calls and I hear Helen as she moves around next to me, breathless.

"Yes, ma'am. I am done."

"Good. Bring the man in then. And bring my daughter-in-law some tea at once."

I slowly open my eyes and Henrietta gasps.

"She's awake."

Barnabas' mother walks to me and smiles smugly, "Elita. How are you feeling?"

"I'm…groggy…and my stomach feels odd." I reply as I look at the two women, "What happened?"

"You fainted. Helen found you and she called me. The doctor is just outside. Ah, there he is."

The physician enters and smiles at me, his old face wrinkled, but kind.

"Good morning, Mrs. Collins. Let's see what the matter is, yes?" He sets his satchel on the bed and I sit up a little.

"I drank too much wine. Nothing is wrong. I could never handle liquor." I say in a rush because I can already tell what is going through Naomi's mind.

"Nevertheless, the doctor must see you. You might have something contagious and we don't want that." Naomi replies and Henrietta looks at me with a frown. I wonder if she can see my alarm.

"Um, should we wait outside?" she suggests, but the doctor holds a hand up as he leans to examine my throat and check my pulse.

I can feel my heart pounding and he looks at me with worry. I try to smile and he returns it, but I can see that he knows that something is not right with me.

He pats my stomach and checks my eyes before he smiles.

"I think it's just the wine, madam. Nothing to worry about. I suggest you eat something because you seem perfectly healthy to me." He says after a few moments and I am barely able to breathe with relief when my mother-in-law speaks again.

"Can't it be something else? My son has been recently married and maybe Mrs. Collins is expecting?" she hints and the doctor looks at her and then at me.

"I can make sure if it's the lady's wish to do so." He looks at me and I shake my head.

"I don't think that it has anything to do with a pregnancy. No."

Naomi grits her teeth, "But why don't we make sure? We'll wait outside." She takes Henrietta's hand and disappears out of the door, closing it behind them.

The physician turns to me and I swallow hard.

"There's no need-…"

"Mrs. Collins, why don't we just make sure, hmm? There is no harm in that. It will ease your mother's-in-law mind and I will be able to get back to my sick patients." He tells me with a smile and I want to laugh bitterly as he tells me to lie down.

"I owe a lot to her Ladyship, madam." He starts as he politely places his hand on my knee, "She supports my establishment and the good people of Collinsport." He says and I turn my head away as he touches me.

"This will take a… moment." He trails off and I close my eyes when his surprise is obvious in his touch which he quickly withdraws from between my legs.

Hot tears of humiliation gather behind my closed eyelids as he realizes that I could never possibly be pregnant just yet.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"I expected better from you, child. You could have at least told me so that I wouldn't make a fool out of myself!" Naomi hisses as we are alone in my chamber.

"I told you that there was no need." I reply quietly, my head still turned away.

"Still, this is a disgrace. Now the news will be all around Collinsport-…"

"This has nothing to do with the people here!" I exclaim angrily, "This is something personal, something that not even you had a right to know."

"A right to know? You're in my house, you ignorant child! Of course I must know everything. My son is a fool if he puts up with this. Your marriage is void, do you know that? It's nothing, but a façade and I won't sit back and watch."

"What is the meaning of this?" Joshua speaks up and I turn to look at him imploringly, "Wife, get out and leave the girl alone. You're making an unnecessary scene." He speaks quietly, but his wife is already shaking her head.

"Doesn't this affect you at all?" she asks, but I tense up as I hear more footsteps coming from the hall.

My fingers curl around the covers as soon as Barnabas storms in and his frantic eyes search for me. He pushes through his parents without a glance and comes to me. His arms are around me as soon as his knees hit the mattress and I exhale with relief when I press my cheek against his vest.

"Are you alright?" he whispers lowly and I nod my head, "Good."

"I'm sorry-…"

"Don't apologize to me. I know everything that happened." He pulls back to look at his mother with fury, "I know everything. Helen came and found me at the docks." He pulls me back close and shakes his head.

"Leave us, please. Father?" He locks eyes with Joshua who nods and tries to pull his wife out of the door.

"I want explanations, Barnabas. Is this nothing but a game to you? Have you any idea what the doctor told me? She's untouched! Untouched! Have you no pride? How can you allow this? Are you not thinking about your future-…"

"Get out." My husband's voice is hoarse and low and I can feel his body shaking with repressed anger.

"I beg your pardon?" Naomi gasps.

"Wife." Joshua sounds exasperated, but she is relentless.

"Get out, mother. Now." Barnabas turns to look at her and she shakes her head at him.

"You go from one feeble girl to the next. At least the French girl would have given you a child-…
"Naomi!"

"Now!" Barnabas' scream makes me jump and I am suddenly released as he jumps form the bed and storms to his mother, "Get out. Now. Everything, even this, is your fault! I am ashamed of you! How dare you treat me like that? How dare you treat my wife like that! Searching her like some animal! Instead of judging my marital affairs you ought to be worrying about your transgressions against me!" He leans close to her, "And they are not few. Now, get out and leave us alone." He turns from her and Joshua looks at his son wide eyed while Naomi looks ready to collapse.

"Barnabas-…"

"Get out! If you dare step foot in this Wing today, I'll never speak to you again. Do you hear me?" His words are nothing but a hiss as he speaks with his back on his parents.

Naomi blinks back tears and then she is gone, her husband following her out of the room in regretful silence.

Once the door is shut, I shuffle forward, ready to touch Barnabas, but he simply shakes his head as soon as my fingers touch his hand before he storms into the washroom, slamming the door behind him with such force that it's shaken out of its hinges.

I try to ignore the fact that tears are running down my cheeks and that my heart just swelled inside my chest for this man. I sit back and wait, but he doesn't come out. Not until I gather the courage to go to him.

End of chapter 12

Author's note: Don't you all hate nosy mothers-in –law? Lol!

So, liked it? Hated it? Please let me know! Your feedback is appreciated and much needed.

Until next time!

Xxx Lina :D