Chapter 21

Vicki felt secure in his arms and she put her hands over his arms as he drew her closer to his hold. "I think if I lay down and take a little nap. I will be fine. I would like to see Julia when she does come to give you your shot. I suppose Professor Stokes will be with her and it would be nice to see them both." As an after thought she said, "About tomorrow, do you want to go with me to the funeral home?" She lifted her chin to look into his eyes and then she turned and rested her throbbing head on his shoulder.

"Of course I do." Barnabas was quick to reassure her that he was there to support her no matter what.

She held him and sighed. "I suppose we need to get our own car. What do you want to do about transportation?" She was fighting the blurred vision but needed this mundane talk to help her fight through her emotional upheaval.

Barnabas kissed the top of her head. "I have already taken care of that. Willie had instructions to take you into town to purchase a car today. He said you both were so busy, that he forgot. So, he went ahead and rented one for your use until you can pick out your own car."

She smiled and kissed him deeply. Breaking the kiss she whispered, "Thank you my love." She pulled away from him and walked to the bed and sat on the edge. "I am going to lay down now. Please if I am asleep when you get back, wake me. I want to spend some time going over the wedding plans with you. I also want to see Julia." He watched her paint a brave smile on her lips but saw no happiness or joy that was uniquely her in her eyes. They were haunted and distant. That was a look that had been all to familiar to him. Leaving her to lie down he walked down the hallway to the head of the stairs.

Willie met him before he could descend the stairs. "Um Barnabas?" He stood with his hands shoved in his back pockets and his shoulders slumped forward. Barnabas paused turned to look at his servant.

"Yes Willie what is it?" He was impatient to be on his way and did not need this distraction. "Is here a problem?"

"Um, no. I was worried about Vicki, is she going to be okay?" That gave Barnabas pause and he looked over his shoulder to the closed door and then turned his attention to Willie.

"I think she will be, she just needs to rest for now. I fear her emotional distress had caused her to become ill with a headache. I want you to make sure she is not disturbed. I will be at Collinwood this evening a dear relative I have not seen for a very long time has arrived home."

Willie nodded. "Okay so I guess you don't want me doing any repairs for the rest of the night?" He had planned to hang some dry wall in one of the guest bedrooms and the hammering might bother Vicki and that was the last thing he wanted.

"No, you may have the rest of the night off if you wish Willie, just don't be gone for too long, I really don't want to leave Vicki alone in the house." He was concerned because at the back of his mind was the warning Josette had given him.

"Yeah sure, I think I will run into town for a little while and then come back, maybe take about an hour and a half if you think that is okay?" He wanted a beer and a burger and that is all he would need to get renewed to come back and work maybe in the cellar. He really did need to move the coffin to the secret tunnels behind the cell wall that Maggie had been kept.

"That is fine Willie, do go and enjoy yourself, you have my permission to take five dollars from the house cash funds use for your personal use." Barnabas turned and continued down the stairs he had a plan and he wanted to see Quentin. Putting on his coat and lifting his cane, he turned to peer around the house, there was an unsettled air to the house and he was hoping it was because Vicki was so distraught.

The figure that blended so well to the shadows of the contour of the house waited for Barnabas to leave and then he watched and there he saw Willie walk out to his truck and drive off. Smiling his eyes lit up, she was alone in the house. Turning to his companion he spoke in the old language, "Gilda, a reveni la cripta, voi vă alăturați în scurt timp, avem multe de făcut de acum și în ziua celebrării mort de întoarcerea stăpânului și prinț noastre." His beautiful companion licked her lips and pouted softly.

"What if I do not wish to return to my crypt Radu? What if I want to go find something sweet to eat? Is that not what you plan to do with the Princess?" She looked at the dark sultry looks of the man at her side and had she not known someone more terrifying than him, he might have intimidated her with his ominous look.

"You would expect me to invite the wrath of our Prince to even think of touching her? You may do what you wish but bring unnecessary attention to us and 'he' will be the one to attend to your mistakes. Do you really wish to tempt his ire? He brought you dinner earlier, you should be content with that."

Gilda the third bride to her master frowned, he spoke the truth, if Sorin felt she was not following orders he could make her life miserable, or take it without a single thought, he was the masters chief assassin. "Fine, but I want Collins he belongs to me, I will bring him back to us as he was." She had been so beautiful with those full luscious lips and that body that was to die for and many had.

Radu waved his hand dismissing her, "Go now, I need to check the house, I know it has secrets and passages that will allow us free access. It is also guarded by a former dead owner." He knew what he had to do, and time was of the essences. He watched Gilda disappear into mist form and float off into the night air. Turning with the stealth he had long become accustomed. Shifting forms to mist, Radu Anocton, Captain of Vlad Tepes guard was on a mission and he was going to see it through with or without Gilda's cooperation.

Josette's bedroom

He allowed his essences to flow under the door and entered the house. Reforming he looked around at the subtleties that was the old house. He could sense her and he headed to the room he knew she would be resting. Entering the room he glided over the floor to stand at the foot of her bed and watch her as she slept fitfully. She twitched and moaned in her sleep. He could tell she was deeply troubled.

Gliding to the side of the bed, he titled his head and drew his fingertip along her jaw feeling the warmth of her skin and the scent of her perfume. He drew his fingertips to his nose and sniffed then smiled. His dark eyes drank in who she was and how much she looked like Elizabeta. "She is not for him. You should leave now, she is about to wake up and I am sure you would not like to have her find you here."

Radu had not turned he had felt her arrival and continued to study the lovely life thing before him. "She is for him. Unfortunately for you, you will not be allowed to warn her or anyone else." He pivoted and smiled a cold ruthless smile at the ethereal form of Josette Collins, "As a matter of fact, you won't be able to do much of anything." He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a vial and opened it. From the depths of the vial a green mist began to fill the room and Josette felt her world twisting and turning and then she was feeling her essence being drawn into a swirling mass of shadows that moved and twisted around her. Josette opened her mouth to scream and found she was in a dark horrible void.

"The witch said it would silence you and apparently she was right." He chuckled softly. Turning he noticed that Vicki was beginning to stir, shifting to mist form, Radu Anocton disappeared as Vicki opened her eyes, sitting up she looked around the room. Frowning slightly she slid from the bed.

"Hello is anyone there?" She shifted around the room looking to see if it was just a dream that she had heard voices and someone had been in her room. Walking back to the bed she slid under the covers pulling them up to her chin. Not seeing anything but feeling unsettled she tried to lie back down.

Collinwood

Barnabas found the Collins family in the drawing room when he arrived. He was torn between leaving Vicki alone with Willie in town and wanting to come and welcome Quentin home. It had been a long time since he had seen Quentin, 1897 in fact and he could not think what it was that had brought Quentin back to Collinwood. He knew if Quentin had come back it as for a good reason. He hoped it was because he missed everyone and just needed a visit.

Fearing something serious, he managed a cordial smile he walked into the drawing room to shake his hand. "Quentin, how nice to see you again. I hope you have been well. I understand that you have been traveling in the Middle East?"

Quentin smiled and shook his cousin's hand, it had been a while and he was glad to see Barnabas. "Yes, as a matter of fact I have and I felt it was time to come home. It has been far too long since I saw Liz and the family. By the way, where is that lovely finance' of yours?"

Barnabas turned to face Elizabeth as she approached and smiled tensely he could see she was wondering where Vicki was as well as the others in the room. In an explanation to all present he expressively waved his hand and said, "Vicki sends her regrets she has managed to work her self into a terrible headache and was retiring when I left the old house." Reaching for Elizabeth's hand to lightly place a kiss on her hand.

Liz showed some concern as she accepted Barnabas' hand and his kiss to her knuckles. "We of course miss her. I understand she plans to stay at the old house until the contractors complete the work they have started." She had sounded disappointed at the thought she felt she needed to be there and not at Collinwood.

Barnabas released her hand then allowed her to guide him to stand next to Roger. He paused to smile and kiss Carolyn's hand. Turning to Roger he took his hand to shake it. "Cousin Roger I hope this day finds you prosperous and in good health?" he accepted Roger's hand in a polite handshake and greeting.

"Tolerably so thank you for asking Barnabas. So you say Vicki is suffering from a headache? Is it anything over which we should be concerned?"

"Not that I am aware, I feel she possibly did too much today while I was in Bangor, and managed to get a headache from the paint fumes."

"Do you really think it is necessary for her to be there under those conditions if they are going to affect her that way? I mean what is the point." Roger was being Roger but he was also concerned for Vicki.

"Yes, I do Roger. This is going to be her home too and I think she feels she is doing something by being there to over see things while I am in Portland and Bangor in the daytime."

Quentin suspected the real reason for Vicki's absence and in a off handed salute he lifted his drink smiling, " Barnabas, she is lovely and you are a very lucky man. I found her utterly charming."

Barnabas nodded his head to Quentin noticing the sly look in his eye, he surmised that Quentin was aware of what happened between Vicki and David earlier in the day. He smiled tightly, "I am a very lucky man. However, at this time I fear in some respects Roger may be correct. I feel she is over doing things and pushing herself very hard."

Mrs. Johnson entered the drawing room; "Dinner is ready when you are." She glanced around and frowned, "Where is Vicki?"

Barnabas turned to face Mrs. Johnson, "I am sorry she was not feeling well so she sent her regrets."

Collinwood formal dining room

Elizabeth, Carolyn and Quentin stood and the family followed Mrs. Johnson into the dining room. The conversation was light and relatively at ease with Quentin regaling them with some of his adventures. Barnabas could not help but note that David was noticeably absent from the adults and finally asked, "Where is young cousin David?"

Roger lifted his wine goblet, "David is in his room. He was given a gift by Quentin and has tried to master the art of magic. He plans I think to astound and mesmerize us later."

Quentin quickly changed the subject to the upcoming nuptials. "So, I understand Professor Stokes and Julia are getting married this weekend?" It was a safe enough subject that no one could possibly notice he had deftly steered them away from David's absence and to the up coming wedding of two of their dear friends.

Carolyn jumped in enthusiastically, "Yes, and then the following Friday is Barnabas and Vicki's engagement party and we are having a 1790's theme for the engagement party. Quentin who do you think you will portray? There was no Quentin for that time."

Quentin quirked a brow and smiled, "Really? I guess I will just need to pretend there was a Quentin." He chuckled softly then turned his attention to Barnabas. "Well, where do we get costumes for the party? I don't suppose you still have those trunks of old clothing stored in the attic do you?"

Barnabas chuckled, "I have some of our ancestors old clothing in the attic at the old house, you can come by anytime you want and find something that will fit You appear to be about the same size as Jeremiah. However, you will not be escorting Josette this time. She will be on my arm this night." He smiled tightly thinking of how he had lost out to Jeremiah in the past.

"Why thank you Barnabas, I just might decide as Jeremiah to find my own Josette or better yet I might scandalize the family and bring the school marm." He chuckled at the thought and saw Barnabas look down quickly. He was remembering that Vicki's trip to the past she had taken Phyllis Wick's place and she was the school marm. He knew Quentin did not know this, this had happened prior to Barnabas and Quentin meeting with each other in the past.

Carolyn shivered, she saw how Barnabas had reacted to Quentin's comment and figured it was because of what happened the night of his party when they had the séance. "I remember the first time I wore that dress of Millicent, I had the oddest feeling. I guess it was a portent of what was about to happen." Her words had fallen softly when she lowered her head. It was a prelude to the experience that Vicki had by being thrust into the past.

Roger chuckled, his recall had been Carolyn's feeling odd in the dress and wanting the occasion to be over so she could change into her more comfortable clothing he did not notice the underlying tension that was slowly building around the table with some loosing themselves with painful memories from the past. "Yes, and I must say when Vicki dressed as Josette, entered the drawing room that night, well, I felt she captured her look remarkably well. She was so happy and proud to be a member of the Collins family and now Barnabas you are going to officially make her a member." Roger lifted his glass, "To Barnabas and Victoria, may they forever be happy with one another."

The others lifted their glasses in a salute and sipped, sitting their glasses down. Barnabas smiled thinking of Vicki as his wife, "Yes, a member of the Collins family." The dinner progressed until it was time to adjourn to the drawing room for drinks.

Collinwood Drawing Room

The family finished with after dinner coffee and desert stood and filed into the drawing room. They had settled down and were waiting for two members of their extended family to arrive. It was not long when Elliott and Julia arrived and soon the talk was of the impending nuptials. Barnabas discreetly caught Julia's attention and led her away from the family gathered around the fireplace chatting politely with one another. Taking her by the elbow he guided her to the piano.

"When you come by later Julia, I need you to check Vicki, she had a horrible headache earlier and took to her bed." He looked down for a moment trying to decide how he wanted to approach Julia about the real reason behind her absence and headache.

Julia showed her apparent concern that Vicki was suffering from a headache and ran through a checklist of what could cause a migraine. Fixing Barnabas with her gaze she softly demanded, "What happened to give her a headache?."

Barnabas sighed and looked around to make sure no one could hear them. In low confidential tones he began to explain. "She found out by accident today that Elizabeth was her mother and Sheriff Patterson was her father. Unfortunately, it was not Cousin Elizabeth or George Patterson that told her, it was David. I fear she did not take the information very well. "

Julia sighed deeply she was shocked to discover Vicki's true parentage but she was not about to react to the news and chose instead to focus on her patient. "Poor child, well I will be by later and we will see what we can do to ease her pain."

Barnabas nodded, "I was hoping you could make her forget until Elizabeth and George could tell her. She has moved into the old house unable I think to deal with this without explanation. That is the real reason she did not try to come tonight for Quentin's dinner party."

Julia glanced down to her hands resting on the piano's top. "I did not realize she was not here until you told me, I just assumed when I came in and she was not here she was with David seeing to him and would join us." It must have been a harsh blow for Vicki to hear this especially from David."

"Just what are you two plotting." Quentin asked he had quietly approached the two speaking softly while separated from the others. Positioning him self beside Julia. Barnabas looked from Julia to Quentin.

"I was trying to entreat the doctor to come by the old house to examine Vicki, she really was in a lot of pain from her headache." He watched Quentin and saw him grimace.

Quentin could not hold his gaze to Barnabas. Looking down he spoke softly, "I am sure after this morning she was really upset." Quentin read between the lines and nodded. "I am sure Julia could easily take care of her headache."

Roger watching the three by the piano and noting the seriousness of their conversation had naturally become inquisitive. He walked to the piano joining them. "Why are you three huddled over here? The family is over there." He nodded to the fireplace seating and the others engaged in a lively discussion.

Barnabas chuckled uneasily, "I must confess I am the reason for the isolation of these two Roger, I was discussing the house plans and improvements."

Roger nodded with humor, "And about time you allowed the house to be updated. I never understood why you did not do this a long time ago." The rest of the hour was spent talking about the home improvements and the benefits of having them. Roger gladly discussed how he had implemented the improvements at the cannery and their output had increased in production and value ten fold. As the evening grew longer, Barnabas excused himself and headed to the old house.

Old House Drawing Room

Upon entering the old house, Barnabas was surprised to find Vicki in her nightgown curled up in a chair in front of the fireplace. Open on her lap was one of his books. He paused to watch her as she sat her elbow resting on the chair's arm, resting her chin on he palm and gazing into the fire totally oblivious to his presence. She appeared so distant. She made a lovely scene and he imagined how this would be repeatedly played out after they were married. Walking to her side he bent and placed a light kiss on her forehead. Blinking she lifted her chin and he captured her lips with a light kiss filled with promise. Turning he sat next to her and then inquired, "I hate the thought of disturbing you my dear you looked so content and happy. I am about to fix myself some claret cup would you like some?" "

"No thank you, I have this." Vicki lifted her glass of water that Willie had gotten her earlier. "I am fine my love. How was the dinner party?" She shifted her attention from the fire to Barnabas. She tried to appear genuinely interested but a part of her really had only asked to be polite.

He looked at her with true concern, "It was a lovely evening of course everyone missed you."

She folded her book closed and looked at the fire. "I am sure they were concerned." Barnabas could hear the melancholy in her voice.

"Julia and Elliott are going to stop by before going home to Elliott's house." Vicki perked up hearing this.

"Oh that will be lovely, perhaps I should go change." Barnabas halted her from going upstairs. He knew what Julia had planned to do and it was best she was prepared for bed.

"No, Julia heard about your headache and grew concerned so she wants to see you and she wishes to examine you to make sure it is nothing more than your being upset and doing too much."

Vicki had started to stand and walk to the stairs. Hearing that Julia planned to examine her, she turned and sat down. "I see, and what makes her think? Perhaps that I am doing too much?"

Barnabas knelt in front of her and then taking her hands in his, he studied them. They were long and delicate, an artists fingers. He kissed each finger and smiled. He could smell her hand lotion. It like her perfume had the subtle scent of lilacs.

In so many ways she was like his beloved Josette, but she had her own truly endearing traits that he had learned to love. "I am only going on what Julia had told me about people who get migraines. She is concerned that this is a stress related head ache and merely wants to reassure herself it is nothing more than what you claim that it is nothing more than a terrible headache."

Vicki stood and Barnabas stood with her, stepping around him, Vicki walked lethargically to the bay window. "I am upset, but it has nothing to do with the wedding or the updates to the house. It is so upsetting and hard to fathom why I was treated this way. Once I can resolve my feelings about who my parents are, I will I am sure be as I was."

Barnabas pulled her against him and she turned and went into his embrace. "I feel betrayed by people I love and trusted. I am working through it and I guess that with today being so hectic with David and the arrival of your cousin, I just managed to get a nasty headache. I am sure there is nothing more to be of concern for you or anyone else for that matter."

"Vicki, who has hurt you?" His tone was menacing and bordered on an unsaid threat. She pulled back and kissed him. The kiss was a passionate deep kiss that left little doubt that she loved him but was not going to answer him. "I see," was his soft reply for the kiss. Barnabas had returned the heartfelt kiss. He waited for her to break it "Well perhaps I should question you more often if I am to get a response like that."

Vicki chuckled and put her head against his shoulder, "I think instead you should answer the door, I heard a car drive up." She stepped past him and went to the chair she occupied earlier. "I would say I am hardly dressed to receive visitors." She pleated the belt of her housecoat waiting for Julia and Elliott to step into the drawing room.