AN As always many thanks for the reviews. They are appreciated.

Chapter 14

Barnabas glared at Nicholas, unable to believe what he was hearing. "Are you mad?" he asked rising quickly to his feet. "Don't be ridiculous! That's the last place Julia needs to be!" His eyes burned with fury, "Is that what you've been planning all along, Blair?" he asked the warlock, in a dangerous tone. "Plotting to throw us into the fire?"

Nicholas was also on his feet, taken aback by his display of anger.

"Barnabas," he began, but Barnabas cut him off. "The point of Julia being here, in the first place, is to protect her from Angelique. " He eyed the warlock with contempt. "But you could care less about either of us. I should have known that and never agreed to this lunacy! This alliance is over!"

Nicholas held his hands out in a placating gesture. "Now, if you'll just let me explain," he said, quickly realising that he would have to do some fast-talking, to get Barnabas to cooperate. Things had been working too well to let a slip up happen now.

"I've listened to all I'm prepared to hear," replied Barnabas, staring hard at the warlock. "You're asking me to deliberately place Julia and my…" he caught himself in time, as Nicholas regarded him calmly.

"That's my point, Barnabas," said Nicholas, in a smooth, placating tone, seizing the chance to explain his plan, and get things back on track. "I assure you, Barnabas, that I will protect Julia and your family. I will allow no harm to come to her, you have my word."

Barnabas still appeared doubtful. "It would never work, Blair. We both know what Angelique is capable of. Besides, Julia would never agree to it. And I wouldn't blame her."

"Contrary to how it may look, Barnabas, I am thinking of Julia in all of this. In fact it makes perfect sense! Don't you see?" he asked with a beaming grin. "Taking Julia back to the Old House would be a perfect move. You'll be able to spend some time together, and Julia, would get the rest she needs, which you know she won't get here," he added, as Barnabas began to waiver. "You have to admit, our plans have worked well so far. It would be a move that Angelique wouldn't expect…and could be to our advantage," coaxed Nicholas. "I've been working behind the scenes and the timing for thwarting her plans is ideal."

Barnabas was silent for several minutes as he thought over what Nicholas had suggested. He had no idea of what Nicholas had been doing, nor did he really care, as long as it rid he and Julia of Angelique's unwelcome presence. Julia had complained of being alone, of missing him. Spending so much time apart was making them both miserable, especially now that Julia was pregnant. This emergency trip had turned out to be a minor issue, but what if something serious did arise? He certainly didn't wish to be one hundred miles away! And Nicholas had a point; while she remained at Wyndcliffe, Julia would get no rest. At least at the Old House…..

"Can you guarantee her safety?" he asked, still making his mind up.

"I can," said Nicholas, with a little nod. "And if the Old House, is unacceptable….then Collinwood. Julia would be safely away from Angelique, but close enough for you to visit."

Barnabas wasn't sure if that was a good idea, either. The family might ask too many questions….questions he wasn't prepared to answer yet. At least if she were at the Old House….maybe she could stay there a few days, without the family knowing anything about it?

"I'll mention it, but I warn you, Blair….if anything happens to Julia."

Nicholas' eyes glittered, and his voice was hard, cold. "Nothing will happen to her. I told you, to trust me," he said before vanishing.

Angelique sensed him, before she actually saw him. She turned away from his smiling face.

"I take it that that look means that there's still trouble in paradise?"

Nicholas asked, taking off his grey gloves, finger by finger. "Where is the doting father-to-be, this time?" he asked, his dark eyes fixing firmly on her icy blues as she turned to glare at his insinuation.

For once Angelique didn't have a smart reply. "He went for a walk, and he hasn't returned, that's all."

"I see," said Nicholas, in a tone that indicated that he didn't quite believe her. "Another of his strange disappearing acts. Strange that he's never here, isn't it? Your time is ticking by, Angelique. We need proof of Collins' affection for you, and quite frankly, there doesn't seem much evidence so far. How are you going to get him to commit, if he's never here?"

"It will happen, Nicholas, if you can give me more time."

"The Master has given you more than enough time, Angelique," replied Nicholas, sternly. He slowly strolled around Angelique and then stopped behind her. "Tick, tock...the time is running out, dear Sister." He shook his head, as she spun around at him, her anger clearly evident, and in a mocking tone, added, "I wonder where he goes on these mysterious trips of his. It must so difficult for you." Laughing, he disappeared.

Frustrated, absolutely livid, Angelique paced around the drawing room.

Nicholas was right; her time was running out, and she was no closer to getting Barnabas to commit to her. Her pregnancy ploy hadn't had the effect she had hoped for, he'd resisted her despite the potent drugs in his drinks, and she wouldn't be able to keep the pretence up forever.

Where indeed was Barnabas? She didn't need to speculate. No doubt with

Julia, though she couldn't prove it...or could she? Going to the fireplace, she lit it, and sitting in front of it, began her spell.

"Take me away from this room. Take me to another room, the room where the I can find the one I seek."

A vision began to form, but it would not come into focus. She couldn't make out any of the details. She tired again, with the same result.

In a shadowed corner of his own making, Nicholas watched her efforts. He raised his arms, casting his own spell to counteract the one she was casting. She wouldn't succeed in finding Barnabas, no matter how many times she tried, he would make sure of that.

It was late afternoon when Barnabas entered Julia's bedroom. He set the cup down before gently shaking her. "Julia," he said gently, as he sat on the edge of the bed.

She woke, slowly at first. Then, seeing him, she smiled, a little sleepily.

"What time is it?" she asked, sitting up slightly.

"Just after 4. I made you some tea," he added, handing her the steaming cup. "How do you feel?"

She took a cautious sip. Made just the way she liked it. He still had the ability to surprise her and his domesticity when the need arose was one of them. "A little better," she admitted, and discovered it was true. But then, she usually did when he was near.

"I've been thinking about what you said, earlier, about being alone..." he began.

"Barnabas, don't" she said, reaching out with her free hand. He immediately grasped it, covering it with both of his. "I was testy, and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

"But that's just it, Julia. You don't have to be alone. I was talking to

Dr. Williamson earlier. He's concerned about you and so am I. He told me, that if you don't get some rest, something worse could happen and it would mean confining you to bed, until the baby is born. I know that you don't want that, so, why not return home, with me, when I return?"

"Go back to the Old House, with you?"

He smiled indulgently. "The Old House needs its mistress, Julia. After we're married…."

"You want me to go back to the Old House, with Angelique there? Barnabas are you mad! How much rest do you think I'd get, with Angelique glowering at me? She'll find out everything! Just think what she's been like in the past when she only suspected that there was something between us! What would she do now, if she knew...?"

"Nicholas has guaranteed your safety, Julia. We will both be protected."

Now it was Barnabas, trying to placate her. "And it would only be for a few days."

"And you believe him?" she asked incredulously. Barnabas gave her a steady look. "I do," he stated simply.

"That's a switch." She glanced down, a hand consciously resting on her stomach. He understood her gesture. His hand covered hers. "And I will be with you, Julia. She won't get the chance to try any of her tricks. We've both been so miserable, apart. I hate leaving you, never knowing when we can be together again. We must trust Nicholas, for just a little longer.

Please, consider the suggestion. We don't have to leave right away and we can find out the specifics from Blair before we return."