Chapter 21
Laura stormed into her room and moved to sit in front of the fire, staring into the fire she began to concentrate. "Do you really think after that nasty show down stairs that you should exert your power and authority over Mrs. Stoddard?" Nicholas stepped from the shadows of her room and sat on the chair by the window.
"Leave now or face the consequences of my anger." Laura had dropped her voice low with a near growl to the back of her throat, it was obvious her anger was still roiling around inside of her and not allowing her to think through her actions. She wanted to do nothing more than punish Elizabeth for her being impertinent to her desires.
Nicholas chuckled, "Now, now my dear you are acting like someone else I know so well and she too made a horrendous mistake that cost her freedom because she reacted instead of thinking through what she should do. Are you going to disappoint Baal in the same manner?" Nicholas had to admit she was a stunning beauty and in her anger with her heighten color and those eyes flashing her anger she was even more magnificent.
Laura stood, folded her arms, and fixed that clear icy stare at the presumptuous man sitting in her room. "You are either very stupid or very brave." She walked to the other side of the room and studied him over her shoulder as she stood to peer out of her window allowing her mind to calm and clear. Begrudgingly, she had to admit he was right but she was not about to admit it.
"I am neither very brave, as a matter of fact Quentin would tell you I am quite the coward we have known each other for a very long time, as for stupid . . . " He laughed and shook his head. "I think by being a coward has afforded me more time to live so I am not stupid. I am practical. I know that by your coming up here casting a spell over Elizabeth after that outburst downstairs in full view of everyone else would point the finger of suspicion right back on you and that could not be conducive to a positive outcome for whatever purpose you chose to come back here."
She smiled and for the first time since her argument with Elizabeth she felt better and once again had to admit she did like him despite their affiliation to opposite dark powers. "I am not saying you are right but if you were, you have at least bought her sometime before I do take my next action."
Nicholas stood chuckling softly, "I won't say I am right, let us just say I am being prudent. Until later my dear, I bid you adieux." He bowed to her turned and disappeared from her room.
Elliott Stokes sat in his room studying the various dark art books he had borrowed from the universities library. He had been pouring over some arcane spells and counter spells when a soft knock at his door broke his concentration. Lifting his head he, looked to the door, "Yes?"
The door opened and David poked his head in and smiled. "Hi, are you Professor Stokes?" Elliott slid around in his chair and nodded.
"Yes, I am, how may I help you? You are David are you not?" He stood looking at the impishly cute faced boy poised in his now open doorway.
"Yep, that be me. There is a phone call for you on the phone downstairs." He pointed out into the hallway and turned to move.
Elliott followed him down the hallway and the stairs. Finding the phone laying on the table, he lifted the receiver and spoke. "Stokes."
"Elliott its me Julia, I was checking in to let you know that Eric and I will be joining you in Collinsport. Elliott had rented a cottage and was wondering if you wanted to move in with him, he says it has four bedrooms and has plenty of room for you both to ramble about in the place and it has a great view."
Julia appeared to be flustered with her explanation and Elliott had wondered what had put that tone to her voice. "Julia are you well? You sound odd."
Julia cleared her voice and then sighed, "I have had a trying day, and it would appear that a new patient has been monopolizing a lot of my staff's time. I just had a very heated argument with him and he appears to be unmoved by my very reasonable requests. Regardless I am turning his care over to one of my associates."
"I see, well if there is anything I can do for you, I hope you realize that I am here to help in anyway I can." He genuinely liked Julia and admired her tenacity and her intellect. If he had been permitted to allow his emotions to become involved he could have easily fallen in love with Julia when she, Eric and he were in college. She had always seemed so directed.
Hanging up he turned and was arrested in his retreat with the appearance of a very lovely beauty moving from the area of the library. She paused looked up cleared her perturbed look from her face, looked at him curiously. "Oh you must be Professor Stokes? I am Elizabeth Collins Stoddard." She moved with unconscious grace with hand extended and immediately her presence struck Elliott with her beauty.
"My great pleasure Mrs. Stoddard and gratitude for your generous offer to allow me to stay here. I just got word that I shall be a neighbor of yours soon." He watched the way her eyes lit up when she was told something unexpected and the charming smile that played over the tension in her features.
"I hope you forgive us, we are not really prepared for guests but as you are here to help Victoria I am more than glad to offer you a place to stay. Unfortunately, our housekeeper suffered a heart attack but her sister Mrs. Lewis is suppose to join us tomorrow." Elizabeth only had wanted to go and get a hot bath, and lie down she was exhausted but she had to be a good hostess and she had to admit the man standing before her was easy on her eyes.
"I understood that poor Mrs. Johnson did suffer an unfortunate health issue and is now on the road to recovery thus another reason I am eternally grateful that you allowed me into your home under such circumstances." He noticed she looked tired on top of being obviously very upset over something.
"Please Professor Stokes do join me in the drawing room, I fear I am not at my best now and am very tired and at least I could offer you a brandy or cordial?" She turned to move to the drawing room to the liquor cabinet.
He smiled "A sherry would be very nice thank you, and I hope you join me." He saw her hand tremble as she opened the door and was at her side. "Here, sit and allow me to serve you, it is the least I can do." Elliott guided Elizabeth to the sofa and made her comfortable then moved to pour them both a drink. "If it were not for the fact that you look exhausted, I would invite you out to dinner tonight."
Elizabeth smiled graciously and took the glass of sherry cupping it in her hand. "If I were given a couple of hours to just bathe and relax, I would be delighted to join you for dinner Professor Stokes, I know I will need to eat, it has been since this morning since I ate last."
Elliott smiled delighted she would consider allowing him to take her out. "First of all why not call me Elliott and secondly, why don't you go up get your bath, lay down and allow me to come and waken you in a couple of hours and then we can go out to dinner and get better acquainted." He smiled so charmingly for her that Elizabeth flushed with her pleasure at being the center of a handsome man's attention.
"I will call you Elliott if you agree to call me Elizabeth, and that sounds lovely Elliott." She stood taking her glass of sherry with her. "I am in the hallway to the left and at the end of the hallway. I will set my alarm but it sounds like we have a date. I just need to check on my nephew and make sure he understands he needs to stay close to the house and that I believe his mother will be home with him, that is if she does not try to run off with him." The words had grown dry with her irritation at the earlier conversation she had with Laura.
Elliott watched the lady leave the drawing room with a triumphant smile edging his lips. "I look forward to an evening of lively conversation with you later Elizabeth." She smiled and raised her glass as she moved to the stairs and from sight, she was finally going to have that bath and get to lie down and rest.
The nightspot was a two-story building that sat along the intercostal waterway. Situated closer to South Portland they pulled into the rustic looking parking lot that shouted seafood and sea fare. The building had recently been renovated and sported a captain's walk with quaint gingerbread trim along the low-slung front porch with white rocking chairs moving with the sea breeze. "How pretty." Vicki commented as they exited the car.
Barnabas moved to her side and put his hand on her elbow guiding her along with Quentin and Carolyn towards the double French styled door entrance. Carolyn smiled nodding, "I heard they have a killer clam chowder and Lobster bisque. The offer seafood and steaks so I figured we would have everyone's taste covered with this place.
Quentin had guided Carolyn to the front door and opened it allowing her and then Vicki to pass in front of him, then turned to allow Barnabas entrance in front before allowing the door to close.
Barnabas looked around the room finding it interesting as to how life was celebrated at such establishments that had previously been used as a means to rest between travels or for staying as temporary lodgings. In his day it had been inns or taverns that housed weary travelers. In this day and age it appeared that this was a way to court one another and to have a 'night' out together.
Carolyn moved to the front podium where a man dressed in 18th century knickers and white shirt with a black vest stood. On the desk rested a tri corn hat with a plume suppose to represent a pirates hat. The low lighting lent a romantic ambiance to the room and the atmosphere. The smell of fresh seafood being served drifted about the room.
"Reservations for Collins party of four." Carolyn told the mater d while she waited to have them escorted to their table she looked the room over and found it to be typical of most seafood places along the Maine coast. A pretty young girl with blond hair and blue eyes moved to the party and smiled, Vicki noticed she was dressed in a long skirt of soft blue with a white blouse and a long apron, she reminded her of a tavern wench with her low cut blouse and corset laced under her breasts.
Quentin allowed his eyes to travel down to the cleavage she offered with a smile and a wink, "We will want a bar tab started too my dear. . ." he looked at her name tag and smiled, "Melissa. I would like a nice white wine brought to the table, the house's finest would do well."
Barnabas thought Quentin was acting very pretentious with his effusive style of ordering the waitress around. Leaning into Vicki he said softly, "I believe cousin Quentin is being the over effusive host for our outing." Vicki glanced at Barnabas with a tolerant smile on her lips.
"I think he is world traveled and likes to let everyone know he is Grant Douglas the world famous author." Was her reply as she waited for Barnabas to pull her chair out and set her at the small round table that afforded Carolyn to sit on one side of Barnabas and she on the other with Quentin to her left.
The waitress brought the menus and handed them all around. Quentin's first glance at the menu and he smiled. "Would you allow me to order for us? I see the perfect dish for all of us and I know you will enjoy my selection."
Carolyn slid her glance at Vicki and then to Barnabas and watched them hesitate for just a moment. "If you think you can find an appropriate meal to satisfy all of us, then by all means cousin Quentin place the orders for us." Barnabas held his smile strict but cordial.
Quentin started with lobster bisque, and then ordered a small salad, and shrimp and seafood bacon wrapped cod with frisse finishing the meal with a nice hot baked potato. He smiled at the waitress. "We will have a nice white zinfandel." Then he paused and looked around, "Unless you would prefer something different?"
Vicki smiled looked at the lady, "Could I have a side of capers for my cod, I would really appreciate that and a glass of iced tea." Quentin quirked a brow to see she knew about capers.
"Don't like zinfandel?" He hid his smile behind a polite question remembering that Daphne always enjoyed capers with her cod, and she did not like a zinfandel wine either.
"It is a little dry for my tastes but do enjoy the wine, I would prefer tea with this meal if that is all right?" She smiled and her tone was nothing more than apologetic as she ordered. She felt Barnabas take her hand and squeeze.
"I am sure cousin Quentin understands my dear, do you not?" He directed that cold impervious gaze at Quentin. Quentin ignored the look smiled for Vicki and nodded.
"I do understand. You are entitled to your tastes my dear and I take no offense to your rejection of my selection. Apparently you like my other choices. That alone allows me the pleasure of me watching everyone enjoy their meal." He smiled then turned his attention to Carolyn, "I take it you do like my selection of wine?"
"Yes, I like a dry wine. So, it is perfectly fine by me." She smiled and sat back to look the new restaurant over. "I think this place tries to do atmosphere well and then we will hold our reservations on the food until we dine." The soft strains of music filtered over the sound system. Carolyn smiled. "I think they have a dance floor out on the deck, maybe later we could go out there and maybe dance." She looked hopefully around to her companions.
Quentin laughed, "I will go dance if cousin Barnabas will allow me one slow dance with Miss Winters." He looked to Barnabas putting him on the spot.
"Of course if Miss Winters wishes it I would not disallow anything she desired." He reached for Vicki's hand and kissed her knuckles. Vicki feeling put on the spot flushed and looked down.
"Of course it would be fine to dance with you Mr. Collins." She looked at her fingers laced in Barnabas' hand and smiled looking up into his gaze she let him know with that one look she would prefer all her dances to be in his arms.
The evening progressed through dinner with polite conversations and repartee between the foursome when the final desert was brought out Vicki felt stuffed, she did not think she could take one more bite. The New England Cheese cake did look enticing so she promised herself one bite and before she knew it she had eaten the entire cake and leaned back. "I think we all need to dance this meal off it was fabulous."
The group vacated their meal and moved to the deck where they saw various couples moving around the dance floor in gyrations that made Barnabas wonder if they were having fits or spasms or seizures. Carolyn had grabbed Quentin and moved him onto the dance floor for a wild and sensual hip swiveling gyration that most other dancers were demonstrating. "It looks like they are having a seizure on the dance floor." Barnabas moved Vicki to a table at the side of the deck and seated her then waved a waiter down. "Two sherry cordials please." He ordered the drinks for them and then ordered a whiskey sour for Carolyn and a Brandy for Quentin.
The waiter was back with the drinks and Barnabas paid him with a generous tip and a wide smile from the waiter let him know they would lack for nothing else that night if they asked. The music began to slow down and Quentin along with Carolyn moved to the table. Barnabas smiled extended his hand to Vicki and moved her onto the floor where together they were the center of attention, the tall distinguished looking man with the beautiful brunette were moving around the floor in a lively display of the waltz.
Their movements were so professional looking those watching thought they were demonstrating a ballroom dance routine. "Wow I never knew Vicki could dance like that." Carolyn observed watching her friend move with fluidity and grace around the floor.
The dance held both participants in the moment as they held eyes for no other than themselves. Vicki held Barnabas gaze as they moved around the floor and with the flourish ending, Barnabas tipped Vicki back suspending her over his arm in a dramatic pose. The area exploded in appreciative clapping and whistling from the younger ones in the crowd.
Barnabas righted Vicki, picked her up and together they bowed to their admiring audience. The music began again and this time it was Quentin grabbing Vicki's hand and pulling her to the dance floor turning to the bandleader he smiled. "Something saucy please." He waited and as a Latino beat began to play, Quentin pulled Vicki close to him and began to do a salsa, Vicki having had dance lessons fell into step with him as he moved and twisted to the heated music that was provocative and sensual.
Barnabas sat with a slight scowl on his face watching Vicki move to the beat of the music and found her to be very sexy and sensual with her movements. He found the dance erotic and stimulating for his imagination. As before, once again the two had the dance floor to themselves as they moved about the floor dancing to the music. When the dance ended the room exploded in clapping and more whistling.
Vicki found herself breathless after two vigorous dances with excellent dance partners, Quentin escorted her back to the table and Barnabas stood to seat her. Vicki lifted her sherry and sipped. "I did not know you could dance like that Vicki, you are very accomplished with your ballroom dancing."
Vicki flushed at the attention as others around their table came to congratulate them on a fine display of dance. "Well at the fondling home we were allowed to explore what talent we appeared to be the best suited and in my case it was formal dance and ballroom dancing so they encouraged it for as long as the lessons were free."
It was the first time Quentin had heard she was raised in a foundling home. "I thought those went out in the seventies." Quentin did not realize how his comment sounded until it was out. Vicki blanched and stood trying to not be upset. This was the first time she had been able to talk about living in an orphanage as a child.
"Excuse me, I need to go to the ladies room." Fighting back a burn of tears she moved quickly away from the table. Carolyn frowned, slapped Quentin on the arm.
"That was mean Quentin, this is the first time I even knew she had been raised in an orphanage and you had to hurt her feelings. I am going to check on her, I am sure having to admit this was hard for her and embarrassing and you just made it sound crass." Carolyn stood and moved after Vicki.
Barnabas sighed looked at Quentin, "I suppose you find fault with my crass behavior too?" Quentin looked at his cousin and then down at his glass of alcohol.
"I found that perhaps you could have been a little more sensitive to Victoria's plight, she is a very delicate lady of immeasurable tender feelings. She is very defensive over how she was raised and the fact she never knew who her parents were have made a huge impact on her life."
Quentin was feeling like a cad and shook his head. "I should open mouth and insert foot. I did not realize any of this and sometimes I do come across callous and crass." He lifted his drink and swallowed.
Vicki moved to the bathroom, where she moved into the nearest stall, closed it and leaned against the door and reached for toilet paper to wipe her eyes. She should not have reacted this way. It was silly for her to feel she was adrift in a sea of wealth and old family values when she had nothing to draw on from her own past. She had long accepted that she would never be adopted and she had accepted she would be the child someone threw away.
"Vicki?" Carolyn poked her head into the bathroom and saw the closed door and moved to it. "You okay?" Her words were laced with tenderness and concern.
Vicki forced her words to be light and confident. "I am fine Carolyn, just needed to refresh myself from two strenuous work outs. I will be out in a little bit."
'If you are sure, then I will go tell the guys you will be back shortly." Carolyn was not so sure she was being totally honest and trying to hide her embarrassment.
Vicki listened for her to leave. Going to the sink she began to bathe her face with the cool water. Patting her face dry she took a deep breath and moved to the door. The hallway to the ladies room was narrow and tight moving past the t section of the hallway she felt something come down over her head and her body physically picked up. The area had been dark before someone threw a cloth black bag over her head it was completely dark now and she struggled against the hold that was being exerted over her as she was physically picked up and carried her outside and she felt her body flung into a trunk of the car.
With the slam of the trunk lid she felt the car take off at a high rate of speed with the tires squealing and smoking with the burnout that the driver performed as he drove off with his prize into the middle of the night. Vicki moved the bag from her head and began to kick and scream for help from the trunk of the car.
Carolyn moved back their table. "I think she will be fine she is just composing herself and I think she feels embarrassed for reacting so strongly. She said she would be out . . "
One of the patrons that had witnessed Vicki being thrown into the trunk of a car rushed onto the dance floor and screamed, "Someone call the police, some poor lady jus got kidnapped and thrown in the trunk of a car!"
Quentin looked at Barnabas and Barnabas in turned looked at Quentin, "Is this some kind of theater?" Barnabas looked around and noted that they other patrons were all reacting to the young woman's hysteria.
"She was a dark haired lady very pretty wearing a blue dress she was the one that was dancing earlier!" The manager had been questioning the young lady when Quentin, Carolyn, and Barnabas all heard the description.
"Victoria!" Barnabas sprang up and moved to the young woman who was near hysterical. "Miss, was the young woman that was taken was she the one dancing with me earlier?" The young girl recognized Barnabas and nodded.
"Yes, two guys, one grabbed her threw a bag over her head and then carried her out to a four door black sedan and they sped off once they threw her in the trunk."
Quentin and Barnabas turned to move to the parking lot hoping to get some sign of where the car may have gone. Arriving out front all they saw was the parking lot half full and filling with spectators. Quentin turned, "Has someone called the police?"
The manager moved next to Quentin "We have called the police and given them a description. They should be here soon."
Both men now looked helplessly back to Carolyn and then to the parking lot. No one was more bereft than Barnabas was at that moment.