Chapter 5: Collinwood

The Visitor

As they sat in the drawing room, enjoying their brandy, the doorbell interrupted their conversation.  The double doors to the room swung open and the housekeeper announced, "Mr. Collins, Mr. Barnabas is here."  Amanda looked up to see the man from the portrait framed in the doorway.  She sucked in her breath as she felt herself drawn to him.  She couldn't tear her eyes away from the piercing hypnotic influence of his gaze.

Barnabas Collins approached Amanda and Lee on the settee and in a cultured English accent began, "Hello, I'm Barnabas Collins, one of David's cousins.  My man, Samuel, said that David had visitors, so I thought I'd come and see for myself.  I live in the old house, writing the family history.   Please, let me apologize to you for how Samuel treated you this afternoon.   I take my work very seriously, and am very particular about my privacy during the day. That's why Samuel was so gruff with you at the house."

He turned and addressed Amanda, "It's nice to meet you, Miss.  . . .  "

"Mrs. King.  Amanda King," she replied as she extended her hand to him.  Barnabas took her hand into his and pressed a kiss to it.  His lips were icy cold and Amanda couldn't suppress the shiver that ran through her body.

He looked at Lee then.  "And you must be Mr. King?"

"No, I'm Lee Stetson."


As they shook hands, Barnabas said, "Oh forgive me, I thought you two were together."

"Well, we are, we work together as partners."

"Hmm."  Barnabas looked intently at both of them then, and Amanda felt that he was peering into her very soul. "No, I sense something else, ah, something secretive."  He looked at the couple again before nodding and with a satisfied smile declared, "I see now, partners." 

Amanda and Lee glanced at each other in shock, and Amanda quickly changed the subject.  "Um, you know, you bear a striking resemblance to the portrait in the entrance foyer."

"Ah, yes, the first Barnabas Collins, my great, great, great-grandfather.  The look is very strong in the family."

"It could almost be a portrait of you," she added.

"Yes, I've heard that before," he said dismissively before saying, "You know, Mrs. King . . ."

"Call me Amanda, please."

"You look very familiar to me.  I know I have seen your face before.  Hmm, perhaps in my research.  Are any of your ancestors from Maine?"

"I don't know about ancestors, but some of my relatives live here in Maine."

"And, you Mr. Stetson, there's something about you as well.  Perhaps I can do a little digging in the family archives while you're here."

The rest of the evening was spent in pleasant conversation, and toward midnight, Barnabas excused himself from the group, "It is getting rather late, and I have monopolized more than enough of your evening.  Amanda, Mr. Stetson, it has been a pleasure meeting you.  I will visit again, and hopefully by then, my research will uncover why the two of you are so familiar to me. You are staying here at Collinwood?"  


Lee answered, "Oh no, Mr. Collins has extended his hospitality, but we are staying at the Collinsport Inn."

Barnabas turned to his cousin.  "David, you must insist that they stay."

"Barnabas, I have tried, but I can't seem to change their minds."

At that, a brilliant flash of lightning startled the small group and a crash of thunder shook the house fiercely.  Suddenly, the rain began to pound mercilessly on the windows.

"Well, it seems that Mother Nature agrees with us," Barnabas said with an indulgent smile.  "You will have to stay at least the night, for it would be impossible for you to navigate the road to Collinsport in this deluge.  As for me, I must be going before the storm gets any worse."  He strode to the front door, and pulling his cape tightly around himself, vanished into the darkness of the violent storm.

"Shall I have my staff retrieve your luggage now, Mr. Stetson?" David asked.

Lee turned to him and replied with a smile, "It seems we have no choice, Mr. Collins.  We would be happy to take you up on your offer, and how about calling me Lee?"

David smiled, "And please, call me David."

Lee and Amanda followed David up the stairs.  "I have had the staff prepare the lilac room for you, Amanda.   Lee, your room is the blue room, right across the hall.  I hope the accommodations will be satisfactory."

Amanda cleared her throat, and in a quiet voice said, "Actually, Lee and I would prefer to share a room."  Lee glanced over at her in surprise.

David looked at the couple, and after the slightest hesitation replied, "Of course, Amanda.  That would be fine.  I'll inform my staff to bring all your luggage to the lilac room.  It is the larger of the two, and you should be quite comfortable there."

After they were settled into their room, Lee turned to Amanda and said, "Well, Amanda, this is surprising.  I had no idea you were going to ask to share a room.  Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased, but what about what David must be thinking?"


"Well, Lee, I guess he's thinking we sleep together."

"He doesn't know we're married."

"And that's a problem?"

"No, it's not a problem for me, but Amanda, I know you.  Your reputation is important, and you're willing to let this man think we're sleeping together?"

"Lee, we do sleep together."

"That's not what I mean, and you know it.  David knows we're government agents and that we're partners here on assignment.  Now, he knows we have an intimate relationship as well."

"Lee, I'm fine with that.  We're only going to be in Maine a few weeks, and I just wanted to make the best of this time we have to be alone together.  I love you, and I'm not going to let what some stranger thinks keep me from spending the night with my husband.  I don't get to do that enough as it is."

Lee smiled at her and replied, "You know, you're right."  He gathered her into his arms and they shared a deep kiss. After the kiss ended, they continued to hold onto each other.  Lee pressed his lips to Amanda's forehead and kissed her tenderly.  "I love you so much, Amanda," he whispered.

After a few contented minutes, Amanda murmured, "As much as I would like you to hold me like this forever, I think we should get to bed.  We do have a long day ahead of us and it's late."

Lee grunted in agreement and they reluctantly pulled away from each other and prepared for bed.  The two fell asleep almost as soon as their heads touched the pillows, the storm outside continuing to rage.  As dawn approached, Amanda was awakened by the strong scent of lilacs, and again felt a bone chilling draft.  She opened her eyes to see the pale figure of a woman dressed in white approaching Lee's side of the bed.   Amanda could hear her plaintive cry, "Help me, save me."  As the apparition reached down to touch Lee, Amanda screamed and the figure vanished.


Lee woke and quickly gathered Amanda's quaking body into his arms.  "Honey, what is it? Are you OK?"

"I saw the ghost again, Lee.  Can't you smell the lilacs?" Amanda replied, her voice trembling with fear.

"No, I don't smell anything, sweetheart.  You must have had a nightmare."

"Lee, I did not have a nightmare.  The scent of lilacs woke me up, I felt a cold draft and then I saw the ghost trying to reach for you.  When I screamed, she vanished. I was as awake then as I am now.  Why can't you believe me?"      

"Amanda, I want to believe you, but it's difficult.  I don't believe in ghosts.  But, something strange is going on, and I'd like to try to figure out what it is.  This whole situation has made me curious. So, how would you feel about canceling our reservations at the Inn and staying here for the next few weeks?"

"I don't know, Lee.  These apparitions scare me."

"It hasn't done anything threatening, has it? And from what you've said the ghost wants help."

"But . . ."

"Don't worry, Amanda.  We're in this together."  He kissed her and added, "Besides, I've never seen you turn your back on anyone who needs help."

Amanda sighed, "That's not fair, Lee.  But I guess I can do it if we're together."