Chapter 10

Meanwhile, in David's room Vicki sat on the edge of David's bed. David laid face down crying into his pillow. "Go away, Vicki, I hate you, go away."

Vicki sighed and bit her bottom lip. "David, you don't hate me, you are just upset because you think I won't be here any more. I want to assure you, that I will be here, and you will continue to be a very important part of my life."

She gently rubbed his back and then patted it softly, " I will be living at the old house and we can come and visit each other. You may say you hate me, but I love you David, you have become important to me and if anything were to happen to you, I would be grief-stricken."

David sniffed and rolled over lying on his side. "But Vicki, Barnabas? I thought you loved Burke?:

Vicki stood up from his bed, and David saw how upset she had become as she moved to the window and pushed it open. "David, I will always love Burke. Burke is dead and I have to move on with my life."

She was struggling with her guilt as she continued to explain the unexplainable. "Barnabas is a wonderful man who loves me for whom I am and does not wish to change me."

She turned using her hands to be expressive with her thoughts and feelings. "It is hard to explain, I have feelings inside me that allows me to feel a different kind of love for Barnabas than what I felt for Burke and what I feel for you. "

David stood up from his bed and wiped his nose on the back of his shirt sleeve. Using his sleeve to wipe his eyes, he moved to stand next to Vicki. "You said you loved me?"

Vicki turned and nodded, "Umhuh. I feel you are the little brother I never had. That is why I love you so much and worry about you. You know how you love Carolyn as your sister? Well I love you like you are my little brother. I worry about you?"

David hugged her around her waist and laid his head on her chest. "Worry about me?"

Vicki kissed the top of his head. "Yes, when you were sick, when you went missing, I was sick with worry over you and I was in tears, and when your mother . . . "

She paused to carefully chose her words. "When your mother wanted to take you away, I was sick at heart thinking I would not see you again. So, I guess you can say I know how you feel about my getting married."

"I didn't mean it." His voice was low and soft.

"I know."

David looked up at her," But the old house? It does not have any modern conveniences."

Vicki hugged him and rested her chin on top of his head. "David, I am sure that Barnabas will allow me some leeway to put in electricity, a phone, and bathrooms."

David looked up at her and sighed, "He is not Burke."

Vicki chuckled and looked down at him, "No, Burke was very different from Barnabas but in many ways they shared the same point of views and they both loved me. When I marry Barnabas, David, I will be just like you a Collins and I won't be that far and I will come to see you every day."

David looked down at his shoes and felt secure in her arms. "But Vicki, you won't be my governess any more."

"That is true, but you better bet I will be finding you someone you along with your Aunt Elizabeth will like. I will be checking your homework and expecting you to come and visit me at the old house if you have any problems. I even hope you will spend the night with us sometime."

David released her and moved to his desk, "Do you really mean it?"

Vicki laughed, "David, I will let you pick out your own room and you can put some of your things in there so it feels more like home." David smiled and sniffed. "You love me?"

Vicki moved to him and tuned him to face her. "Yes, I love you and nothing could ever change that. "

David hugged her back and she smiled as she turned to go back down stairs and David stopped her at the door. "Vicki?"

She paused with her hand on the doorknob and turned to look at him. "Yes?"

He sat down at his desk, "I'm sorry, please tell Barnabas I am sorry will ya?"

Vicki chuckled, "Of course I will but I think I will let you tell him later. Right now, I would like you to finish your homework and when you have completed your assignments meet me downstairs and I will take you into Collinsport for an ice cream."

David smiled, "You bet I will."

He pulled his books forward and opened them. Vicki laughed as she went through the door and headed back downstairs.

When she entered the drawing-room she felt tension in the air and that she had interrupted an important conversation. Liz looked up and smiled at her, "How is he?"

Vicki moved to sit next to Barnabas and took his hand in hers'. "He is fine, he thought that he would not see me any more and he was quiet anxious over me moving into the old house without modern conveniences."

Barnabas smiled and kissed her fingertips. "You may make any improvements you wish to the old house as you see fit my dear." Vicki laughed, "I do not plan to do anything except put in electricity, bathrooms, central heat and air conditioning, modernize the kitchen and a phone. But I promise that I will make sure it does not take away from the charm of the old house."

Barnabas sighed and shook his head, "No wonder I find you so accommodating and charming my dear."

Roger moved to stand behind the sofa, "Did David apologize?"

Vicki nodded, "Yes, he did and wanted Barnabas to know he was sorry too. I told him perhaps later he could tell you he was sorry. I did promise him that I would take him into Collinsport to get an ice cream and I thought that would be a good time for you and he to try to make peace Barnabas."

Barnabas shook his head. "No, I think you and David need this time together, I would feel an interloper."

Liz looked anxiously to Barnabas then Vicki and stood. "If you don't mind, I think I will go and check on him now."

Vicki glanced around at the occupants in the room and frowned, "I get the feeling that I had interrupted something when I came in. If it is personal I can . . . "

Liz shook her had as she moved to the doorway to the drawing-room. "No darling you did not interrupt anything other than Roger making sure that Barnabas was going to treat you right."

She forced a smile to her lips and Vicki looked around at each of them and got the distinct feeling that Liz Stoddard just lied to her. "Well of course he will; Barnabas is nothing but the perfect gentleman."

Liz used the moment to make her escape and Roger moved to sit in one of the fireside chairs. "Well you two I know it's a bit early, but have you set a date?"

Vicki smiled at Barnabas and then at Roger, "Well I was thinking of a winter wedding, it is entirely up to Barnabas if he would prefer something different."

Barnabas lifted her hand and looked at the engagement ring on her finger, "I will bow to your wishes. However, if you wish to have a lot of people at the wedding, we might wish to consider that winters in Maine are very snowy and might prevent them from coming."

Vicki looked down at their linked fingers and nodded, "I suppose you are right. Well perhaps a spring or summer wedding in the rose garden?"

Barnabas smiled and looked at Roger, "That would be up to you and Elizabeth."

Vicki chewed her bottom lip. "I actually wanted to be married on Halloween, but I thought it was too close to Julia's wedding and did not wish to take away from her day."

From the doorway, Julia spoke as she waited for Elliott to take off his coat. "That is nonsense Vicki, if you and Barnabas wished to be married on all Hollow's eve, then by all means you should."

Vicki looked up and smiled at her, "Julia, its nice to see you."

Professor Stokes moved into view next to Julia, "What is this? Are we attending another wedding?"

Roger stood up and invited them in. "Yes, Barnabas asked our Vicki to marry him and she accepted." Julia moved to take a seat in one of the fireside chairs and Elliott joined her in the one next to hers.

"So, congratulations you two. Halloween? Sounds like a lovely time to be married."

Vicki laughed and looked down at her hand and the engagement ring that set predominantly on her ring finger. "I was thinking when Burke and I were going to be married that a summer wedding in the rose garden would have been nice."

She had grown thoughtful, "I just did not wish to wait that long so I was thinking of Halloween and then you and Professor Stokes had set your date in two weeks and I thought it way too soon after your wedding to set a date for Halloween."

Julia shook her head, "I think that it would be a wonderful time for a wedding, to me it would be a perfect time to celebrate a wedding and please Elliott and I will be having a small informal wedding here at Collinwood. We are both old enough to not expect to have a large wedding."

Vicki frowned and looked at Julia, "Are you not going to wear a bridal gown?"

Again Julia modestly smiled and shook her head. "Vicki, I was going to wear the gown I bought in Romania and Elliott his best suit and we were going to ask Judge Hanley to marry us here in the drawing-room."

Vicki shook her head. "Julia, I think this is your first and only wedding you should at least buy a gown to wear. I was kind of looking forward to going dress shopping with you and now I will need a dress so . . ." her voice trailed off and Julia studied Vicki's crestfallen face.

"I would be delighted to go dress shopping with you and maybe I will look for that special dress you are certain that I need."

She glanced over at Elliott, "My dear if you wish to be more formal, that will be fine by me. I had only planned to ask a few of my colleagues to come and I know you had about 10-12 people you wished to invite."

"Well yes, I have some of my fellowship and colleagues from Wyndcliffe to invite." Roger moved to sit on the fireside bench and looked at the two as they discussed their plans.

"So, how many people do you expect? We may need to open up the French doors and put a covering over the patio to get everyone seated."

Julia and Elliott looked around the room and then back at the patio. "Well if the weather permits, perhaps we could have the wedding out by the gazebo?"

Liz entered the room and moved to sit next to Vicki. "So we are discussing wedding plans?"

Roger stood and looked at the men present, "Gentlemen, shall we adjourn to the den, so the ladies can talk fashion?"

Barnabas leaned over and kissed Vicki's cheek, and then stood, Stokes followed them out of the room. Vicki tuned to Liz, "Mrs. Stoddard, since I don't have a mother I would be honored if you would join us in finding a dress."

Carolyn bounced into the room and exclaimed, "Ohh shopping, I am just in time. So, what are we shopping for and when are we going?"

Vicki turned to Carolyn who had draped herself over the back of the sofa between Vicki and her mother. Vicki half turned to look at Carolyn, "Well, Carolyn, Julia needs a wedding gown and . . ."

She smiled and extended her hand to show her engagement ring. "So do I!"

Carolyn grabbed her hand and looked at the ring and then at Vicki! "Wow, what a rock. So, do I know the groom." Vicki flushed and gently disengaged her hand from Carolyn's.

"Let us just say I am finally going to be a Collins!" Carolyn squealed and hugged Vicki from behind the sofa.

Liz dropped her gaze and looked at her nails. "Oh Vicki I said it before and I say it again, if anyone deserves to be a Collins it is you. So, you and Barnabas?" Vicki nodded and flushed prettily.

"He asked me tonight and I accepted." Carolyn was still hugging Vicki around the neck. "So have you set a date?"

Julia chuckled and looked at Carolyn, "Well she was going to pick Halloween but was afraid I would be upset."

Carolyn moved around and flopped on the sofa. "Oh that would be so perfect." She glanced at her mother. "It means we need to find David another governess."

Vicki looked at Liz and noticed she was being really quiet and in an insecure moment thought that Liz was upset about Vicki asking her to go with her to pick out her wedding gown.

"I told David that you and I would interview governesses. That is if you have no objection?"

She looked hopefully at Liz and then Liz looked up and smiled. "It would be welcomed Vicki."

Liz noting the look of insecurity written in Vicki's eyes and the chewing of the bottom lip she knew what Vicki was feeling. Smiling brightly she looked with genuine pleasure and said softly, "As for going to help you pick out your gown. I would be honored to go with you to pick out your dress."

Then she squared her shoulders and continued, "And your help in finding David another governess would be greatly appreciated."

Vicki smiled at Liz and relaxed. "Well then are you and Barnabas going to be married on Halloween?"

Vicki looked at Julia and she nodded, "I think it would be a perfect time to get married."

Vicki leaned back and then thought a moment. "But it is kind of short noticed to start planning a reception and a wedding."

Carolyn laughed, "Don't be silly, we can cover this and it would be a perfect time to open up the ballroom to have the wedding."

Liz turned to Julia; "You know we could do that for you and Elliott too. It's a very large room and could easily seat 100- to 150 people."

Julia laughed, "Liz, Elliott and I hardly know that many people to invite, we were going to have a private little ceremony here with Judge Hanley."

Liz stood and moved to the fireplace, "Don't be ridiculous you are both professionals and I know you will have more people here than that. We will get help from Collinsport and will have a nice wedding for both of you."

Julia glanced at Liz and Carolyn, I was going to ask Carolyn to be a part of the wedding party along with Maggie and Liz, I was hoping you and Roger would attend to give me away. I know I am hardly of an age to ask this but it is important to me."

Liz smiled at Julia and nodded, "I would be honored Julia and I am just as sure that Roger will be honored as well."

"Oh speaking of Maggie, Mrs. Stoddard did you consider asking her about taking my old position?"

Liz shook her head. "No, I had not thought much past your announcement tonight."

Julia glanced over to Carolyn, "So, Carolyn would you be a bridesmaid?"

Carolyn laughed, "If it means getting a new dress and shoes and planning a party of course I will, I would be honored Julia and thank you for asking."

Vicki stood up as she heard the men coming back into the drawing-room. Moving to stand by Barnabas she ran her arm around his waist. "Well my darling, it seems that you and I will be trick or treating our wedding on all Hallows eve."

He kissed her forehead, "I look forward to it my dear. So have you figured out all the details?"

Carolyn stood up and moved to hug Barnabas, "Oh no, but we have a good idea of what we will be doing. Tomorrow we go shopping."

David bounced down the stairs and seeing Barnabas in the doorway of the drawing-room, shoved his hands in his pockets and walked slumped shoulder to Barnabas. "Um, Cousin Barnabas, I am sorry about earlier."

Barnabas smiled down at David, "Thank you David, you have no idea how important it is to me to have you apologize. I hope you will be able to come and visit us at the old house and perhaps you could spend a night as well."

David smiled and looked to Vicki, "Ok, all home work done and now I am ready for an ice cream."

Vicki looked at Barnabas, "May we give you a ride home?"

Barnabas kissed her cheek. "No thank you Vicki, I have a few concerns to discuss with Roger and Cousin Elizabeth."

Vicki looked over at Carolyn, "Ice cream?" Carolyn laughed, "Of course, let me get my coat I can bring yours down too." Vicki nodded, "Thank you Carolyn, my purse too? I promised David ice cream my treat."

Julia walked Elliott out to his car and returned. "Well it's late for me, so if you all will forgive me, I believe I am going to make it an early night."

After Vicki, Carolyn and David left, Barnabas turned to Roger and Elizabeth. "Well, Cousin Elizabeth, what did you decide?"

Liz stood and moved to sit on the fireside bench. "We will have the ballroom opened and I am sure it will need a new coat of paint and the floor varnished. I think it will do nicely for you and Vicki as well as Julia and Elliott."

Barnabas smiled, "I remember reading about how grand the ballroom looked."

Liz looked down at her hands. "Yes, at one time it was, but it has not been used in over 30 years, when mother got ill father started closing down more rooms and that was one of the first ones he closed. I think we can safely get it ready for yours and Vicki's wedding."

Barnabas rose and looked from Liz to Roger, "Well I really should take my leave. I have a few business details to discuss. Good evening to the both of you and thank you for all you have done for Vicki."

Roger moved to escort Barnabas to the door. "Think nothing of it Barnabas, Vicki is one of the few people I felt was worth knowing."

Smiling he agreed with Roger, "Yes, she is quiet remarkable and I feel truly blessed to have her in my life." Barnabas slipped on his coat and moved out of the house into the brisk cool fall evening. His thoughts were on one person and it made his step more lighthearted and his mood happy.