Chapter 16

Vicki stood nervously outside the Arthur Murray studio and peered into the open window front. Looking in she saw a tall lean young man with dark hair as he guided a woman around the wooden dance floor.

She was a middle-aged lady, with graying temples, and plumping up after bearing children. However, in this light and seeing how confident she looked as she glided along the floor, she looked as young as Vicki. Her movements were graceful as she glided around the floor to a modern waltz.

Vicki took a deep breath, then opened the door hearing tinkling sound from over the door; which alerted the dancers to her arrival. She stepped over to the counter and waited for the music to end. As it ended, the two separated and he bowed while she curtsied to him. The older lady moved to Vicki, "Hello dear. Are you Penny Patterson's friend?"

Vicki smiled, "Yes, ma'am I am."

The lady looked her over and a look of consternation appeared on her face. "You look familiar to me."

Vicki not wanting to be rude quirked a brow and laughed, "I don't believe we have met before. My name is Victoria Winters, I work at Collinwood."

The lady nodded and the young man came to stand next to the woman. "Oh forgive me, I am Natalie Dunst and this is my son, Reginald, he will be giving you lessons."

Vicki held out her hand to him, "My pleasure."

Reginald took her hand and kissed it and then bowed to her. "I believe there was mention that you would have access to the Collins ballroom and we could practice there?"

Vicki nodded, after she had told Elizabeth about her plans, she was the one that had offered up the ballroom as a place to practice. "Yes, they started on cleaning it and getting it ready for the Stokes and Hoffman wedding and then my wedding."

Reginald looked at his mother and then at Vicki, "You may wish to wear the gown you plan to dance in along with the shoes, and I would like a chance to see the dance floor to make sure that it is in good repair."

"Of course, Mrs. Stoddard said you could come out and inspect it after the funeral, if that is ok with you?"

She looked a bit pensive. Natalie nodded, "That would be a good time. Now, I understand we are to bill Mr. Collins at the Old Estate House?"

Vicki frowned, "Actually, I was going to pay for the lessons myself."

Natalie held up her hand, "No, Mr. Collins was quiet firm about him paying for the lessons."

Vicki chewed her bottom lip and then sighed, "I suppose if he insists then you should bill him."

Reginald smiled watching lovely young lady standing before him. "So, is the minuet the only dance you wish to learn?"

Vicki shook her head. "I was hoping to learn to waltz. I am sure my husband is quiet good at it and I would like to impress him at our engagement party."

Natalie beamed with pleasure, "The waltz is the most graceful and beautiful dance a man and woman can share. You glide and turn and point your toe and at times, if you have the right partner it is as if you are making love on the dance floor."

Vicki flushed a deep brilliant red and Reginald chastised his mother. "Mother, please, your passion for the dance has embarrassed our new pupil."

Natalie tut tuted her son and waved her hand. "If she is to learn she must feel the passion too."

Natalie moved to the record player behind the counter, "Take your coat off child and put your purse and things back here, lets see how much work you will need."

Natalie put on a record and a soft enchantingly sweet waltz began to play. "Reginald, take Miss Winters to the center of the room and let her listen to the music and then teach her the beat."

Reginald led her to the dance floor and took up position behind her. "Close your eyes and listen. Then mentally I wish you to start your count in your mind," and she began to count it off and listened as Mrs. Dunst began to slap her hands together to the beat.

"Then I want you to open your eyes and look into the mirror and not your feet and follow me. Understand?"

Vicki nodded and as she opened her eyes and looked into the mirror, she was transported to another time and another place, the man behind her was no longer Reginald, but another man.

A dark, imposing figure that wore a mask as she wore a mask and a long gown of satin, she extended her arm and he standing behind her extended his arm to hers and pulled her close to him.

Together in some macabre waltz with a hauntingly sweet melody they moved, she moved to him and he lifted and she curved her body into his and they whirled around the room and she floated on air as he lowered her to the ground.

She felt her feet touch the ground and she moved against him, her head held back and stiff and her face transparent to the beauty of the music.

They floated around the room turning and spinning and he dipping her back to bring her up so she could see into his dark commanding eyes. She moved spun and was lifted and then was spun again and turned to set on her feet and finally to spin and come to a halt with her bent backwards arm gracefully extended.

She was not aware that the music stopped. Reality slowly edged its way into her conscious mind and she felt she had been transported back to the here and now and she blinked as she realized that Reginald was holding her bent body.

"Well, it seems to me you know more about the passion of the music and the waltz than we were led to believe Miss Winters, that was flawless."

Vicki flushed and let him straighten her up. "I swear Mr. Dunst, I don't know where that came from, it was as if . . . "

Natalie clapped her hands together. "That was beautiful my dear where did you study?"

Vicki was flushing and looked down. "I have never had a lesson. I just did as Mr. Dunst said and watched him in the mirrors and well I. . "

Natalie smiled, "Felt the passion of the music. You are a natural Miss Winters, which Reggie that gives me an idea. Perhaps we could even get some more business if Miss Winters would oblige us?"

Vicki felt the heat from her dance and turned to peer out the window. There had been a small crowd gathered at the window while Reggie and Vicki had been dancing and Natalie was delighted they had attracted an audience.

"If you will practice a demonstration dance with Reggie for your engagement party and do a demonstration of a waltz, perhaps will can keep our studio open."

Reggie moved to shut off the music and as Natalie spoke with Vicki, he greeted two young ladies that had been brave enough to come in and ask about lessons.

"Please Miss Winters. You would be helping us out of a bad situation here. We can barely cover expenses."

Vicki sighed, "Well if it will help, yes, I will be happy to do what I can."

Natalie hugged her close. "You are a blessing sent to us from above my dear. Now come, I have some dresses I want to show you that you could wear the night of the party for your dance with Reginald."

Vicki stopped, "But I have a gown. It is a French empire waist made of satin and it's from the 18th century."

Natalie waived that away, "Of course my dear, that is for the rest of the evening, but for the dance you will need a long flowing gown of organza or chiffon so you look like you are floating on air. Now, come. Let us see what we can find, oh and I know the perfect waltz you will dance. We will make Collinsport believe in love again. Come, come child."

Vicki was dressed in black and awaiting the others in the foyer. Roger was the first to come down and he immediately went to the drawing-room to pour him a drink.

David, whom came down and sat looking sullen on the divan, followed him. Vicki watched as Quentin made his appearance and Barnabas knocked on the front door.

It was not long when Julia and Professor Stokes arrived. The room was filling up quickly. Vicki sidled up to Barnabas glancing up to watch Mrs. Johnson arrive, and sit next to David.

Carolyn and Elizabeth were the last down. "Oh Mrs. Johnson, the caters will be here around noon, I have Willie meeting them. If it is not inconvenient; when you get home, will you show them where to set up. I am not sure how long the family will wish to be by the graveside."

Mrs. Johnson sniffled, "Well if the sky is any indication not long, have you seen the cloud bank moving in?" On queue a roll of thunder punctuated the air.

"Well, we better get going so we can beat the thunderhead moving in." Roger said as he downed his drink and set it on the table. "Someone could ride with us, if they wish." Professor Stokes offered.

Barnabas volunteered Vicki and he to ride with the Professor and the group feeling more somber moved out the door and to their respective cars. Barnabas held the door for Vicki and then Julia and joined Vicki in the back seat.

The sky lit up with lightning and thunder rolled angrily around them, letting them know that the day was not going to be pleasant. "The ballroom is almost done Julia, so it should be ready for our engagement party and your wedding by the weekend."

Julia twisted in her seat and smiled, "I heard that the renovations on the old house are nearly completed too. So, it appears Collinwood is having all kinds of changes."

Vicki chuckled, "You would think the resident ghosts would be upset over so much going on, but things have been quiet."

Then as an after thought as another nasty roll of thunder vibrated the car, she said, "Do you suppose they will entomb Mrs. Patterson in the mausoleum?"

Professor Stokes was the first to respond. "When I spoke with Sheriff Patterson last evening, he seemed to think they would. He told me that the family has places in the large mausoleum in Collinsport cemetery. I think that is the up and coming thing now, getting laid to rest in the ground here in Maine during the winter is rather hard to do, so the families are leaning towards getting tombs in a mausoleum. Rather prudent thing to do."

The conversation turned to practical burial solutions, which turned into where the origination of entombing bodies came into history and a rather protracted dissertation from Professor Stokes on the occult.

Vicki found the Professors voice soothing and distracting as she felt her lids grow heavy and she rested her head on Barnabas' shoulder. They arrived a head of the deluge that had threatened them since they left Collinwood. They all dashed in side where funeral attendants waited to take their coats and umbrellas.

The service was heart wrenching long and sweet as each member of the family stood up to talk about their mother and what a wonderful soul she was.

Then the preacher gave his sermon and read then read Psalms 23, The Lord is my Shepard and together the gathered assembly spoke the prayer. There was the occasional sniffle and emotional hiccupping from swallowing air to keep from crying, as the ceremony concluded.

The room was emptied and the casket was prepared for internment at the cemetery. Penny held to her Dad's arm as they left the room to go to the awaiting limo. The flags had been placed on the roof of the cars and they were lined up to follow the hearse.

As the procession went through town, the group in the Stokes vehicle had grown somber and quiet. Vicki was feeling exhausted from all the emotional upheaval around them and sat withdrawn.

Barnabas held her hand in his and kissed her forehead. "Are you all right my dear?" Vicki could only nod, she felt as if her life was about to change and she was feeling on pins and needles.

As they arrived behind the other vehicles and the hearse was pulled under a Porte conchere, the pallbearers moved up to remove the casket and walk inside the mausoleum.

Inexplicable panic filled Vicki as she followed the others in the driving rainstorm into the mausoleum. There the Preacher concluded the service as he intoned the last prayer the Lords Prayer.

Slowly the mourners filed out of the building and back to their cars and soon they disappeared into the driving rain. Vicki saw the Collins family gathered with the Patterson family by the entrance and with Barnabas in tow moved towards them.

Vicki noticed that George hung close to Mrs. Stoddard and heard Carolyn say, "Then we will meet you mother and you Sheriff Patterson back at Collinwood. We have a nice dinner waiting for everyone."

Jason came over and hooked his arm around Carolyn's shoulder, "So, gorgeous you want to ride with me and sis?"

Carolyn giggled like a schoolgirl and nodded, "Sure, when you are ready."

Barnabas sheltered Vicki close to him and he could feel her tremble, "My dear are you cold?" Vicki felt a chill that would be not shaken. Nodding yes, she huddled closer to him as Professor Stokes went to get the car; waiting his turn to drive under the shelter he turned the heat up.

Julia had already told him about Vicki's parentage and he was now aware that she was going to be told who her parents were after dinner. Professor Stokes knowing her as he did, he knew her intuitive prowess would have already alerted her to something being a miss he had felt it himself as Elizabeth and George stood close to each other through the funeral.

In this day and age if anyone of half a mind had paid attention to the two they would have thought his or her actions very inappropriate. Thank god for the storm, the majority of the people were more concerned with getting over the funeral and back into the dry warmth of their house.

Finally, all the parties were loaded into their respective cars and were now heading to their homes. Stokes found the quiet of the car disconcerting and he tried to engage Julia in conversation letting Barnabas sheltered Vicki close to him in his protective way.

The dinner had been a welcome break in the emotional upheaval of the day and as the meal concluded, and the plates were cleared, dessert was being served, when Elizabeth and George rose together.

Barnabas had seen the nod of Elizabeth's head as George looked to her. "Vicki, would you and Barnabas please join Sheriff Patterson and myself in the drawing-room."

Vicki dabbed her mouth with her napkin and stood and waited for Barnabas to join her. Vicki gave George and Liz time to get to the drawing-room. A knot had formed in her stomach as she walked with leaden legs to the doors. "Please close the door and come in and sit down."

Vicki was truly concern by the seriousness of Mrs. Stoddard's behavior. "Mrs. Stoddard is there a problem?"

She had grown so close to this family it just seemed she had become attuned to their feelings. Now, she sat and felt her throat constrict. Barnabas reached over and took her ice-cold hands into his and he put his arm around her shoulder.

She looked from the anguished filled face of Mrs. Stoddard to the stoic calm look of Sheriff Patterson. "Vicki, you know how I feel about you?"

Liz was leaning into George Patterson for support. "I think I do."

Liz started pressing her hands together and was drawing on strength from George. "Well, I have, . . . " She paused and looked at George, "We have something we need to tell you."

Vicki looked at Barnabas and then back at George and Liz, "Vicki, what I am about to tell you will affect your life and our lives too. You see, about 23 years ago, George and I were young and in love with each other. We got trapped in the fishing shack and we became lovers."

She paused for effect then went on for fear she would lose courage,
"Afterwards, George went off to college and I found out I was pregnant. I did not want anyone in the family to know because I feared that the shame of what we had done would tarnish the family name."

She swallowed looked to George then she turned to face Vicki, " I did not tell George because he had found another love. So, I went to New York and gave birth to a baby girl. I knew I could not keep her so I put her in a foundling home."

Vicki's world was spinning out of control and she had gone deathly white. "That baby girl was you Vicki, you are my daughter and George's daughter."

Vicki looked from George to Liz and then turned and fled the room. "Vicki, darling wait, please let me explain."

Barnabas stood up and moved to the open doorway, "Elizabeth, let me." George went to Barnabas and stopped him. "No, its my duty, you two now need to tell my children about Vicki. I will bring her back. I think I know where she went."

Vicki ran in the cold driving rain, she rain until she could not run any more, she had not even been aware that she had been crying, deep, long drawn out moans of pain filled her and erupted with her labored breathing at the top of widows hill.

She stood in the driving rain, with her clothing plastered against her and her hair laying heavy with rain over her face and neck. She stood a forlorn figure on windows hill arms wrapped around her as she bent over drawing in long deep gulps of air.

Then staggering back to the rock, she slumped and let the rain beat against her. She was numb and unaware of the lightning around her or the crashing of the sea below.

She felt something warm wrap around her shoulders and strong arms draw her up and hold her against a warm chest. She clung to the chest and cried.

She was slowly coming back to reality as she gulped in the air and wet rain and then she grew silent as the comforting hand pulled her wet hair back and stroked her head and patted her back.

"If I had known about you, I would have come for you. You would have been raised with my children." She could hear his voice in the deep barrel chest and she felt him sigh.

"I would have spared you this pain if I could, but you had to know. The fact I did not know you as a child does not diminish the fact that I love you Vicki, as much as I do my other children, your brothers and sister. Then there is Carolyn who is you sister too."

The voice filled with concern and love continued to vibrate against her cheek. "You have to understand that Liz wanted to keep you but she could not. She had a duty to her family and your grandfather Jamison would have made her life a living hell as well as mine if he had known."

Vicki took comfort in his arms and hearing him talk rationally allowed her to think and remember how important they were to her. How she wished she had known who her parents were and now she knew.

Her world had not come to an end and her life was going to become better. She had real brothers and sisters and a family, something she wished for as long as she could remember.

She even knew she loved Mrs. . . no she could not think of her as that any more she was Mother, mom, mommy, whatever she wanted to call her she was her mother.

She had a mother and a father and they wanted her as a part of their lives. She looked up at him and through her tears she smiled and tip toed up and kissed his cheek. "Dad. I guess I got to get used to calling you Dad don't I?"

He hugged her close and kissed her cheek, "I would love to be called Dad by you. Now, come on, your mother and brothers and sisters are waiting for us and you are soaked and need to change your clothes."

Together they walked back to Collinwood as they entered the foyer, "Go up and change and come back down, we all will be waiting for you in the drawing-room."

Vicki hugged her father and went sloshing up the stairs. George watched her as she disappeared into the family bedroom wing and turned to go to the door and opened it.

Elizabeth sat tearfully on the sofa being consoled by Carolyn and Barnabas. "She is upstairs changing and I think she is more rational. Carolyn where are Penny and the boys?"

Carolyn stood up and pulled her dress down and moved to the doorway. "They were in the library, I'll go get them."

She disappeared out the door and met her Uncle Roger on his way in. "You better go in Uncle Roger, the pudding hit the fan and Vicki knows that George Patterson and Mother are her parents." Roger stopped in his tracks.

"What did you say?" Carolyn just pointed and turned on her heels and moved to the den.

Roger burst into the drawing-room and glared at George. "So, you are the father!"

Elizabeth stood up and stood in front of George. "Roger don't you dare! George just found out a week ago."

The Patterson clan arrived just in time to hear this statement and together they asked, "Found out what?"

Thomas, and Jason moved to their father and glared at Roger. Penny hung back with Carolyn. George sighed and put a protective arm around Elizabeth.

"Kids, your Dad just found out he was a father of a 23-year-old beautiful baby girl. Her name is Victoria Winters."

Thomas and Jason punched one another, "Told you she looked like Penny."

Penny looked at Carolyn, then she looked at her father holding protectively to Elizabeth and she asked, "Is Mrs. Stoddard her mother?"

George nodded and the boys stood back and looked at their father. "Wow! You and Mrs. Stoddard were together? Who would have thought that."

Roger mumbled, "I need a drink." He moved to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink. "So, you told Vicki I presume. How did she take it?" Roger asked before tossing back a strong drink.

"Not well. She ran out of the house in tears." Carolyn looked at Penny and nodded to the upstairs, the girls made a quick exit and went up the stairs.

Roger snorted, "Well what did you expect. None of us were very nice to her when she came here. I am the biggest louse of the group. I treated her ghastly." Roger poured himself another drink and moved to sit by the fireplace.

George looked at Liz and then at the others in the room. "We are going to give her all the time she needs to get use to us and support her in whatever she needs to be supported."

Jason laughed, "Dad, its our right as brothers to pester and torment her. I just have one question. Did mom know?"

George looked down at Liz, "Your mother knew I had feelings for Mrs. Stoddard, she did know, but did not tell me until 2 weeks ago that she knew about Vicki and it was her dying wish that we tell Vicki who her family was."

Jason thought about this and nodded, "Sounds like mom. So now what happens?"

Barnabas had sat quietly and rose to move to the French windows that looked out over the front lawn. "She marries me and we start our own life together. I would expect that as her family you all would be welcome in our home when ever you wish to come. After all we will be family on Halloween."

Thomas moved to sit on the sofa. "So now what?"

George sighed and held to Liz, "We wait for her to come down and welcome her with love and open arms."

Vicki sat in front of her desk. She fingered the music box in front of her and sighed. Pulling her hair back, she put it in a wet ponytail. She pulled off her wet clothing and hung them up in the bathroom letting them drip in the tub. Moving back to her bedroom, she changed into dry skirt and warm sweater. Hearing a knock on her door, she called, "Come in."

Carolyn and Penny moved into her room and stood looking at her. "Vicki you going to be ok?"

Penny moved to give her a hug, "I am so happy we are sisters. I was close to Carolyn, but now I am even closer because of you."

Vicki smiled and hugged her back. Penny stepped back and looked at Carolyn. She smiled at her and both women hugged each other new tears wetting their cheeks.

"I always wanted a big sister to cry on and now I have one." Vicki pushed her back and looked into her deep blue eyes. "Carolyn are you sure you are ok with this?"

Carolyn hugged her again, "Of course I am. Who could ask for a better big sis than you? I loved you as my friend Vicki, but I love you more as my best friend and sister."

Vicki sighed and moved to get Kleenex for everyone. "I am afraid I have upset your I mean our mother. I was just so overwhelmed and shocked. I not only found out I have a mother but I have a father and sisters and brothers."

Carolyn holding to Vicki's waist laughed, "I guess it would have overwhelmed me too."

Penny glanced around Vicki's room and then back at her, "And now you are gonna marry the dreamy Mr. Barnabas Collins."

Vicki gasped, "Oh my, I left poor Barnabas down in the room with your mother. We had better get going back down there or I may not have a fiancé." The girls burst into laughter and ran out of the room and headed downstairs.

Vicki entered the drawing-room and her gaze was brought back to a tearful red-eyed Liz Stoddard. Vicki walked over to her and forced a smile to her lips and spoke softly. "Mother."