Chapter 4: Collinwood

Ghosts From the Past


After driving just a few minutes from their encounter with the man at the old house,  Lee and Amanda spotted what had to be the 'new house' in the distance as they topped a ridge in the road.  The grounds and lush lawn were immaculate and soft light emanated from several of the ground floor and second story windows.  "Wow, Lee, that's not a house, that's a mansion," exclaimed Amanda.  "And, didn't that creepy man say this was the 'new house,' Lee?  It must be more than 200 years old!"

"I guess in a place like this, the terms new and old have a different meaning.  Remember, Billy said the family had been in business since the 1600's.   It certainly is big though, isn't it?" Lee replied.

"And Mr. Collins lives here alone?  Why would one man need that much space?"

"Well, I'm sure he has plenty of servants.  There's no way just a few people could manage the upkeep on a place that big."

"But don't you think he gets lonely?  I just can't imagine being by myself in such a deserted location."

Lee couldn't help smiling at Amanda's concern for a man she had never met.  It was so like her to always think about other people's needs.  It reminded him of when they had first met and she had asked him if he had any place to go for Thanksgiving.  He had replied that liked being alone and didn't want or need anybody else in his life.  At the time, he had even convinced himself it was true.  After all, he had lost everyone who had ever been important to him.  It was easier to believe that all he needed was himself, because then he could never be hurt again.  Luckily for him, Amanda had spent the next few years showing him exactly how wrong he was, and for that he would be forever grateful.

After pulling in front of the house and getting out of the car, Lee and Amanda approached the front door of the mansion and knocked.  After a few moments, the massive wooden door swung open and a small woman dressed in black addressed them, "Good afternoon.  You must be Mr. Stetson and Mrs. King.  Mr. Collins said to expect you.  Please come in and wait in the drawing room while I tell him you are here."

Lee and Amanda followed the woman into the house.  The walls of the entrance foyer were lined with family portraits and Amanda asked in amazement, "Are these all members of the Collins family?"


"Oh yes, ma'am. The Collins family has been here for nearly 300 years. In fact, there are even more portraits hanging in the upstairs hallway." 

Amanda turned to take in the room and was instantly mesmerized by a portrait hanging to the right of the front door.  The man's dark eyes seemed to bore into her soul and she barely suppressed a shiver.  She couldn't take her eyes off him.  "Who is that?" she asked, a slight edge to her voice.

Lee looked over in concern.  Nobody else would have noticed the change in her voice pattern, but he could tell that something had affected her deeply.  Amanda continued to stare at the portrait.

"Ma'am, that's Barnabas Collins.  He lived here in the late 1700's, and in fact, one of his direct descendants and namesake is living in the old house now."

Lee interjected, "The old house?  You mean the run-down house a few minutes from here?  Somebody actually lives there?"

"Yes sir.  Mr. Barnabas seems to like it over there.  I know Mr. Collins has offered to let him stay here, but Mr. Barnabas likes his privacy, and prefers being alone."  The woman ushered the couple into the drawing room.  "I'll tell Mr. Collins you're here.  Please, make yourselves at home," she said before pulling the double doors closed behind her.

Lee turned to Amanda and murmured, "Make ourselves at home?  How?  This place is a museum."

Amanda took the time to look around the rich wood-paneled room, elegantly furnished in antiques. "Lee, this room is gorgeous.  Can you imagine living in a house like this?" she asked in wonder.


Lee's reply was curtailed by the arrival of David Collins.  David was in his mid thirties, with a trim build and thinning blonde hair.  He walked in and approached Lee, extending his hand.  "Mr. Stetson, it's so nice to meet you.  And thank you for agreeing to meet here instead of at the shipyard.  This is a small town, and I know your arrival is already the topic of conversation.  Everyone wants to know who you are.  I thought it would be best if our initial conversation were far from any eavesdroppers."

Lee shook his hand and replied, "Actually, meeting here was convenient for us as well.  We don't want our real purpose here exposed, so we're working under the cover that we're doing a documentary film on the Collins family and the shipyard."

"Yes, yes, quite."  He turned to Amanda then.  "You must be Mrs. King."

Amanda nodded and extended her hand to David.  "You have a lovely home, Mr. Collins."

"Thank you, Mrs. King.  After dinner, I'll see that you have the grand tour."

"That would be wonderful.  I would love to see the rest of the house.  And please, call me Amanda," she replied graciously.

"Good.  Now, is your luggage still out in your car?  Let me get someone to bring it in for you and bring it to the rooms I've had my staff prepare for you."

Lee answered, "Oh no, we're not staying here, we have reservations at the Collinsport Inn."

"There's no need for that," David countered.  "I have plenty of room and it makes more sense for you to stay here.  And this way, you won't have to put up with all of the curious townspeople."

Lee was adamant in his refusal. "I'm sorry Mr. Collins, but we won't be staying here.  And let us worry about the townspeople."

"I can't say anything to change your mind?"

Lee smiled his regret. "Trust me, Mr. Collins, it will be better if we stay in town."


David sighed in defeat and smiled.  At that moment, the housekeeper came into the drawing room and announced that dinner was ready.  After a delicious dinner, David kept his promise and gave Amanda and Lee the grand tour of the house.  As they made their way through one of the long upstairs hallways, Amanda noticed the door to one of the many rooms was ajar, and she stopped to look into it.  As she stepped inside, she felt a cold draft that froze her to the marrow.  Suddenly, the fragrance of lilacs overwhelmed her.  She heard a soft moan, and when she turned to find its source, stood in shock to see an apparition dressed in white floating toward her.  It was a ghostly figure of a woman, and Amanda could hear it whispering, "Help me, save me.  Help me, save me."

 Amanda stood rooted to the spot for what seemed an eternity, but which in reality was only a couple of seconds, before she screamed.  The apparition vanished immediately.  Lee rushed into the room and pulling Amanda into his arms, asked, "Are you all right, Amanda?  What happened?" 

David had followed Lee inside and with concern in his voice asked, "Amanda, what is it?"

Amanda finally found her voice. "Lee, I saw a ghost.  I know that might sound silly, but I know I saw a ghost.  It was a woman and she was dressed in white and she wanted my help.  She kept saying, 'Help me, save me.'  Look at me, I still have goose bumps."

Lee held her tightly, but couldn't help chuckling, "Amanda, there are no such things as ghosts.  I think your imagination is getting away from you.  Between the waitress and the old man, you must have conjured up the ghost in your mind."

"Lee, I know what I saw and what I heard.  I did not imagine it."

"I would listen to her, Mr. Stetson.  I've lived in this house all my life and I've seen things neither of you would believe.  A ghost is probably the mildest apparition you could experience here," David said.

"Are you serious?" Lee asked him, skepticism apparent in his voice.  "Ghosts do not exist, so don't encourage these flights of fancy.  Can't you see Amanda is already shaken by what she thinks she saw?" 

Amanda was angry now, "Lee, you know I'm not given to flights of fancy.  I saw a ghost and right now I don't care if you believe it or not."

The muscle in Lee's jaw tensed as he contemplated his reply, "Amanda . . . "


David broke in to defuse the tension, "It has been a long day for both of you.  Why don't we call the tour over and go back downstairs? Perhaps we can all relax over a nice snifter of brandy."

Both Amanda and Lee sighed in relief and nodded.  "That's a great idea, Mr. Collins," Lee replied.  He placed his arm around Amanda's waist and the three of them made their way back downstairs.