Chapter 19

The rest of the week seemed to fly by quickly and the night of the engagement party was upon the Collins family. Vicki got up early and felt a hint of excitement in the air. Carolyn bound into her room.

"Vicki wake up, look your engagement announcement is in the morning paper." She handed the paper to Vicki and she read the paper a soft smile playing at her lips.

"Doesn't Barnabas look handsome?" She glanced up at Carolyn who nodded her head.

"He looks less European and more American in that casual attire."

Vicki sighed and rolled over and got out of bed. 'Have the floral arrangements arrived?" She glanced over at the clock and realized she had overslept by an hour.

"Oh yes, and the caterers will be arriving shortly and they will taking over the kitchen, so Mother plans to send Mrs. Johnson into town to pick up the dry cleaning and deliver costumes for other guests coming."

Carolyn bounced on Vicki's bed as she continued with her excited chatter, "Oh and Reggie, Rita and Rhonda have come in to claim a room in the servants quarters to use as a place to change. "

Crawling across the foot of I think they have it worked out that you and Reggie will do your waltz demonstration, then the girls will demonstrate a fox trot, and rumba ending up with a quick step. "

Vicki was getting her clothing out to change and was listening to Carolyn's chatter. "So, we have the band set up for tonight, the food is being prepared, and what about the flower arrangements?"

Carolyn sat up Indian fashion on Vicki's unmade bed and nodded, "Mother is directing everyone around to the west wing entry. You know I have never seen so much activity in the old closed off section of the house like there has been the past few days."

Vicki came to sit next to Carolyn, "It is kind of sad, your mother was going to allow us a section of that wing to live in when I married Burke, now I am being married in that section and not to Burke but to Barnabas."

Carolyn turned and hugged her sister. "Know what, I am glad you and Barnabas are getting together. I am just sorry I am loosing my sister so soon after finding her."

Vicki hugged her back, "Don't be silly Carolyn, I am about a 5 minute walk from you."

Carolyn broke the hold and then jumped off her bed. "You better get dressed, we have a lot to do between now and seven p.m. tonight."

A knock on the door and Liz came in, "Vicki, this was just delivered from Braithwaite's."

She held a large thin package and placed it on her bed.

"Who sent it?" She moved to pick it up and found a card slipped under the tied box, "Oh it's from Barnabas."

She opened the box and was delighted by what awaited her inside. "Oh my, mother look what Barnabas sent me to wear tonight!"

She pulled out the most exquisite necklace; Liz moved to take it from Vicki, "I think this was one of Josette's necklaces, it is very beautiful."

Vicki flushed with pride and was touched and tears formed in her eyes. "He is such a sweetheart."

Carolyn walked over and looked at the necklace, "Wow, this is really something. Are you going to wear it tonight?"

Vicki nodded, taking the necklace back from Carolyn as she handed it over to her. "I am almost afraid to wear it, I might lose it and then I would feel horrid."

Elizabeth smiled at Vicki, "Don't be silly darling, I am sure that its insured and Barnabas would be hurt if you were to hide it away in a safe. He bought it so he could see you wear it."

Liz smiled turned to face both her daughters, "Now, girls, get dressed, we have a very busy day ahead of us. I have sent David over to Willie and he is going to keep him busy with his room and out of our way for a while."

Liz started for the door then paused with an after thought, "Oh and Maggie called this morning Vicki, I would appreciate you speaking with her about the position before you are married."

Vicki moved to gather her undergarments and clothing and turned to face Elizabeth.

"Of course mother. I will be happy to discuss it with her tonight. She is going to come here early and get dressed before the party. Oh and Joe is going to bring out the flowers. He was able to get a canary truck and said he will fill it up. Then bring it to the rear entrance."

Carolyn had made Vicki's bed and then flopped on it. "Oh and the caters are coming around 10 to begin preparing the food, so mother you might wish to send Mrs. Johnson on some errands or she will be having kittens with them messing in her kitchen."

Liz smiled and looked to Vicki, "Do you have anything in town you might need her to pick up?"

Vicki put her clothing down and went to her dresser and pulled out a slip of paper. "Oh that would be perfect. I was going to run into Braithwaite's to get the pocket watch I got Barnabas as an engagement gift."

She handed the receipt to Liz. "That reminds me, I have a couple of engraved items I wish her to pick up. That will keep her busy for about an hour. I need more errands for her to do. I know she will pretend to be very put upon but in all sincerity, I feel she will be happy to be of help."

Vicki and Carolyn laughed together. "I know, we can have her pick up the decorations for the bridal shower we are having for Julia and Vicki on Sunday."

Carolyn moved to Vicki's desk and began to make a list. She wrote furiously for a few minutes and came to her mother. "There, that should keep her busy until its time for her to get ready to come to the party."

Liz chuckled, "I can then put her new dress I bought her on her bed. That way she will be surprised when she gets back." Liz took the list and left the room. Calling over her shoulder, "Ok, girls better get a rush on, breakfast will be cold by the time you get downstairs."

The morning had gone by quickly, Vicki had met with Maggie and asked her if she would be interested in the job as governess.

"Maggie, I have a lot to discuss with you and first, I have some amazing news. So, I am glad you are sitting down."

Maggie turned to look at Vicki smiling brightly she said, "Oh what would that be?"

Vicki turned sideways to look at her, "Well, I found out who my parents are."

Maggie's eyes glowed with excitement, "Really?"

Vicki nodded, "Mmmhmm. My father is George Patterson and my mother is Mrs. Stoddard."

Maggie was stunned. "You are kidding!"

Vicki shook her head. "No, I am not kidding. I was a product of a tryst one dark and stormy night. Mother and George were dating and well they got stranded and things kind of got heated and well I am the product of that time. Mother was afraid of bringing shame to the family and Dad had gone off to college."

Vicki moved to the dresser and played with Josette's music box, "She felt alone and was afraid of what Grandfather would do if he found out. So, she went to New York, had me and then put me in the fondling home."

Maggie was flabbergasted. "What, how, did you find out?"

Vicki turned to the chair by the window seat and sat back growing sober she looked over to the fireplace, "Apparently, Mrs. Patterson saw me with you in town and noticed how much I looked like Mrs. Stoddard and Dad's mother and drew her own conclusions."

She thought about the way Gretchen Patterson had realized she was her husband's illegitimate daughter, "So, her dying wish was to have them tell me who they were. So, now I am not an orphan and I have a family. With my marriage to Barnabas, that will seal my identity even more."

As the girls were talking, a deliveryman entered the foyer from the open front doorway.

"Hello?"

Vicki stood, "Excuse me, people have come all day long."

Maggie smiled and watched Vicki move into the foyer. Vicki came in holding a package that gave the impression it was a canvas painting in a frame.

"This was just delivered for me from Barnabas."

She moved to the desk and stood it on the desk and unwrapped it. When it was revealed, the portrait was of Vicki dressed in Josette's gown, sitting in a chair in front of the window with a seascape behind her.

"Oh Vicki, its beautiful! You look so charming. The artist captured your essences. Who painted it?"

Vicki peered down at the signature, "C. D. Tate. I have never heard of him, have you?"

Maggie nodded, "Pop talked about an obscure artist that lived in the area some years ago by the name of Charles Delaware Tate. Do you think Barnabas had him paint the portrait?"

Vicki looked for a card from which the portrait had come and found nothing.

"Odd, no card came with the gift. I am sure it was Barnabas. I will ask him about it when he comes tonight. I think I will find the easel in the cellar and bring it up and put the painting on the easel."

Maggie, touched Vicki's arm, "No, I have a better idea, why not display it at the engagement party tonight. Put it in the hallway so that those coming to the party will be able to see how beautiful you are."

Vicki flushed and looked at Maggie. "If you. . "

To confirm Maggie's idea, Liz walked in and saw the picture. "Oh, Vicki, how wonderful. Look how beautiful you look. We really must display it tonight at the party!"

Maggie laughed and nudged her, "I told you so."

"Oh Mother, while you are here and I run down to get an easel from the cellar, why don't you ask Maggie about the job."

Liz smiled and kissed Vicki's cheek. "All right darling, Maggie would you join me on the sofa?"

She moved to take a seat by the fire and waited for Maggie to join her. Vicki headed down to the cellar and found the easel. Stopping she was reminded of her first time she came down in the cellar the night she heard the crying lady. She was a stranger then and now she was a member of this family.

Entering the drawing-room, she stopped to watch her mother shake Maggie's hand. "Good, then you can begin on Monday. I will have Mrs. Johnson prepare a room for you."

Vicki went to set up the easel and put her portrait on the easel.

"I have a room already prepared for Maggie, Mrs. Stoddard. I put her down from Carolyn."

Liz stood and nodded to Mrs. Johnson. "Thank you Mrs. Johnson. Oh, I have a few errands for you to run and have called a taxi to take you to pick up a few items we will need for tonight."

Mrs. Johnson snorted and moved to the hallway, "Carolyn has already told me what is needed. The caterers are in the kitchen. I told them if they make a mess they have to clean it up. I am not able to do all that cleaning."

Elizabeth behind Sarah Johnson's back rolled her eyes and then smiled looking patiently to Vicki, "Yes, Mrs. Johnson we don't expect you to clean up after hired people that have been paid to clean up after themselves."

The sound of a horn gave them all a reprieve from Mrs. Johnson tirade. "There is your taxi, now here is the list and we need you to pick up Vicki's gift to Barnabas from Braithwaite's."

Mrs. Johnson turned to Vicki and smiled, "I will be happy to pick up your gift."

Vicki returned her smile, "Thank you Mrs. Johnson. It is paid in full and they promised to gift wrap it for me."

Mrs. Johnson patted her hand and said with true affection. "You leave that to me, I will make sure they do gift wrap it for free."

Vicki turned to Maggie, "Why don't you follow me and I will show you your room."

Maggie turned to Liz, "Oh Mrs. Stoddard, and thank you so much for this offer. I hope I won't disappoint you."

Liz returned her smile. "Let's hope you are as happy after you deal with David. Oh and while I am thinking of it, we will be having Amy Jennings staying here, so you may have her as a student and you can use the library for lessons."

Vicki led her upstairs and down the long hallway to the room Mrs. Johnson said she had prepared. "It should be very comfortable. Later once I am out of here if you wish to have my old room so you can be closer to the children, just tell Mrs. . ."

She paused and then chuckled, "Its hard sometimes to remember, tell mother and I am sure she will have Mrs. Johnson move you."

Maggie hugged Vicki, "I am so happy for you."

Vicki hugged her back and stepped back. "Well, I need to go to the west wing and see how things are coming and take the portrait. I think I will let the coordinators do the setting up and staging the portrait."

Maggie started to unpack her things and turned to Vicki. "Oh and the nearest bathroom?"

Vicki led her down the hallway and opened the door to a nice large bathing area. "I am sure you know you share this bathroom with Carolyn. I share with David and Mother."

Maggie nodded. "Well I will see you in a bit, if Joe shows up, tell him I will be down in a bit."

Vicki disappeared downstairs and went to check on the ballroom. The beauty of the west wing hallways always astounded her and the one leading to the ballroom was even more beautiful tonight.

The doors leading into the ballroom were opened and she walked to the center of the ballroom holding her portrait. Mr. Gavin rushed towards her. "Miss Winters is there a problem?"

She shook her head. "No Mr. Gavin, I was wondering if you would want to display this portrait my fiancé had done?" She turned the painting around and he immediately began gushing compliments about the beauty of the subject and the quality of the painting.

Vicki was flushing deeply as he took the painting from her. "I am thinking we shall display it right in the center of the hallway so everyone coming tonight will be able to see your beauty."

Vicki eased away from the enthusiastic praise of Mr. Gavin and made her way to her room so she could dress for the night. She had taken her bath when Carolyn came to tell her the hair stylist was in her room and she should come there to get her hair dressed.

Putting on her house coat she made her way to Carolyn's room. Linda Gains had finished Carolyn's hair and Maggie's when Vicki came in. Linda made quick work of adding the hairpiece in to compliment Vicki's styled hair and stood back. "Well my dear you are enchanting.

Vicki stood and moved to Carolyn's mirror to look and smiled, "Thank you so much Linda. Have you been given a room to change?"

Linda nodded, and started packing up her things. "Willie showed me a room earlier. I am going down to shower and change so I will see you lovely ladies later. Oh and Vicki, congratulations. I hope you will be very happy."

Linda hugged Vicki and then took her case of beauty equipment with her. Vicki turned her eyes alight with excitement. "Well, I am going to change and will see you in the ballroom." Maggie and Carolyn hugged her and they went their separate ways.

Vicki stood in the hallway waiting for Barnabas. She was radiant in her gown and wearing her fiancée gift. When Barnabas entered he smiled as he gazed upon Vicki.

'My dear, may I say how utterly enchanting you look."

She glowed under his praise and waited for him to kiss her. "Oh, I brought this back from Josette's room so you may have it here. "

He handed her Josette's tiara and she smiled as she lifted sitting it in place "I hope she is with us tonight."

Barnabas smiled and nodded, "I believe she will be."

Vicki felt so loved she turned facing after putting the tiara in place Barnabas, "I love you so much. Thank you Barnabas, for the wonderful gifts you gave me."

He was touched by how sincere she was and then her words sunk in." Gifts?"

She flushed and touched the necklace around her neck. "This is just beautiful and you spent way too much on it I am sure."

He leaned over and kissed her lightly on her lips. "I can assure you my dear, nothing is too much for you." Vicki turned to sit the tiara box down and picked up a gift-wrapped box on the table. She handed it over to him. "This is for you."

She watched as he glanced at her and then began to open her gift. Once it was unwrapped he held it up. It was a gold pocket watch engraved with his initials and as he opened it he found her picture inside.

"I shall cherish this for the rest of my life." He was touched that she had wanted to give him this watch. He leaned over and drew her into his arms and kissed her passionately.

Breaking the kiss he stood back. "Well we really must go to our guests, come my dear." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and escorted her to the ballroom.

Entering the ballroom, the attendees began to applaud their arrival; Vicki glanced up to see Julia and looked for Elliott. Julia smiled and moved Vicki to a table that had been reserved for them and their family members and their guest.

Reginald Dunst moved to Vicki's side. "We are getting set up, are you ready to open the dancing with our waltz?"

Vicki turned to Barnabas and tilted her head. "Are you ready for me to leave your side?"

She smiled beguilingly at him. He pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear. "I am never ready for you to leave my side. However, I will allow you to excuse yourself so you may show this entire room, one of the reasons I love you."

Vicki placed a chaste kiss on his cheek and turned to Reginald. "I will go change and will join you shortly."

Reginald moved to the center of the dance floor with a microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may have your attention, would you all please take a seat. By the gracious authority of Mrs. Stoddard, Miss Winters, Mr. Barnabas Collins and Mr. Roger Collins, we will be transporting you to another time and another place."

On cue, Rhonda and Rita turned on the fog machine, the lights went down and a multi light machine began to dance colorful lights over the room.

The fog began to form and flow over the ballroom dance floor, giving the room a surreal feeling of magic and mystery. Reginald turned to see Vicki standing by the doorway dressed in the black flowing gown

. He turned to his mother who began the music. The hauntingly sweet tones of a piano and a violin filled the room. Reginald dressed in black moved to the center of the ballroom and stood poised.

Vicki closed her eyes and took a deep breath, as she did she felt herself melt into another personality. Gracefully she moved to stand in front of Reginald.

From a raised daïs a pretty girl with golden curls began to sing. "We are the lucky ones. . . " Her angelic soprano voice captured the imagination and was hauntingly sweet as she sang.

Vicki and Reginald began to move, turning and spinning. Reginald lifting Vicki and spinning with her to let her slide down and hold her close to spin her back around and then glide around the room with her.

The overall effect was sensual, graceful and endearing as the two danced to the enchanting music and their dance was mesmerizing as they moved.

Again, as before Vicki would look and see another's face, she was no longer in her body but was watching herself move to the incredible song of the Dark Waltz.

She moved, as she had never thought she could move. She was no longer aware of anyone else in the room except for her partner. His penetrating eyes held her transfixed as she danced with him.

As the music ended, Vicki felt herself slipping to a sitting position on the floor. The room erupted in applause. Reginald helped her to stand and together they bowed to the audience.

Shouts of "Bravo, Bravo, could be heard around the room." Vicki curtsied and Reginald bowed to the applause and she turned searching for Barnabas and blew him a kiss.

Turning to bow to Reginald, she broke into a quick retreat to the room she had used as her dressing room and quickly redressed in her period gown.

Opening the door to rush back out to Barnabas she found her way blocked by a man who held her pinned to the spot with a knowing look. His over all appearance was distinct in his small compact build.

He wore his black hair tied back in a ponytail, his eyes were penetrating and left one feeling stripped of any confidence they may have proclaimed. Vicki felt her heart skip as she peered back at the silent man.

"Oh, may I help you?"

He smiled at her and then given her a mocking bow and allowed her to pass. Vicki scurried past him and moved to enter the ballroom. Pausing she looked back to where she had last seen this exotic looking man and saw nothing but an empty hallway.

Shaking her head she turned back and hurried to Barnabas' side. Sliding into his hold she smiled tensely as he smiled back at her and then a look of concern filled him as he felt her tremble.

"What is it my dear? Why are you trembling?"

Vicki ducked her head and thought to shrug off the incident and responded softly, "I was missing you and wanted to be by your side again."

He pulled her closer hearing this and held her tightly. "Come, the Dunst twins are about to dance."

He led her over to their table and seated her. She noticed that food was being brought out as the dancing began. Once again, the room was low lit and the fog machine was sending pools of fog swirling around the room as Rhonda and Rita stood on either side of their brother in striking dress of black and pink for Rhonda and blue and black for Rita. Vicki felt a prickling sensation on the back of her neck and looked around.

Standing in the door way was the man from earlier; he was standing with a very lovely young woman. They both were watching Vicki and Barnabas and not the dancers.

"Barnabas?" Vicki spoke softly to him as he watched the girls perform their dance with their brother.

"Yes?" He leaned to her and she nodded to the two in the open door way to the west wing patio.

"Do you know them?" She inclined her head to indicate the two strangers in the doorway.

Barnabas glanced and was immediately caught up with the exotic beauty's stare. "No, I cannot say that I do. They are a striking couple are they not?"

Vicki turned her attention to the Dunst family as she answered.

"I would say yes. The man was in the hallway by my dressing room earlier."

Barnabas barely gave him a glance as he turned to watch the dancers. "Perhaps he got lost while waiting for his date."

He turned his head to peer at her and smiled.

"Tonight is about us my dear. I am sure they are guests that were invited by Elizabeth or Roger from the cannery."

Vicki smiled as he lifted her hand to kiss it. "I suppose you are right my love."

She turned her attention back to the ballroom floor as the dance ended to another burst of applause. Vicki sat back and nodded to the caterer as they served their first course of soup..

The Dunst family certainly showed themselves to be tireless as they performed the various dances to a captive audience. The party was deemed a success as the evening grew late and the guests began to leave coming by the table to congratulate Julia, Elliott, Vicki and Barnabas.

Vicki and Barnabas stood by the door leading to the west wing parking area and watched as the guests left. Elliott and Julia joined them and sighed.

"I really enjoyed the evening and my dear I especially enjoyed your waltz. I must say there was an element of drama, romance and some sensuality involved but by all means very entertaining."

Vicki blushed and leaned into Barnabas as she accepted a kiss on her cheek from Professor Stokes.

"I believe that Julia and I will be leaving as well. I fear I am not as young as the rest of you and need more rest. By the way, charming painting done by Charles Delaware Tate my dear."

Vicki smiled and hugged Barnabas; "It was one of the engagement gifts given to me by my fiancé."

Barnabas frowned, and turned to view the portrait.

"My dear I did not commission it, I thought Cousin Elizabeth or Roger had commissioned the painting."

Vicki shook her head, "No, they thought you had commissioned it and there was no card with it when it was delivered."

Barnabas' frown deepens, "Well no mind it has captured your essence and will grace our bedroom wall." He kissed her forehead and put a smile on his lips.

Feeling the awkwardness Julia leaned into Elliot's arm. Julia shook her head and hugged Elliott's arm.

"Elliott, you know that is not true, you want to leave because you got a new consignment of books in today and want to go through them."

Vicki chuckled, "So the truth is out. Then by all means Professor, go on to your books. Julia we will see you tomorrow?"

Julia laughed and hugged close to Elliott. "Of course. I would not miss your bridal shower."

Barnabas looked perplex. "I still do not understand this concept of a bridal shower. What is the purpose?"

Julia rolled her eyes and looked to Elliott, "Elliott said the same thing. It is a social meeting of the bride's friends to get her things for her honeymoon and her home. It is a chance to get together before the wedding and have girl time."

Barnabas looked at Vicki, "I see, so it's a chance to gather together and have 'girl-time' with your friends."

Vicki flushed and said, "No different from the men getting together to have a bachelors party for the groom."

Barnabas nodded, "Something I think that Roger and Quentin had said we were going to do tomorrow. I really think we are going to the Blue Whale."

Vicki glanced at Elliott, "Will you be joining them?" Elliott nodded. "I plan to join my comrades in a show of support for our last days as bachelors."

Vicki and Barnabas walked them to the patio and out to the steps. "Well you two be careful going home and we will see you tomorrow."

They stood and watched as they went to their car and drove off. Vicki sighed and smiled up at the night sky

. "Tonight was wonderful Barnabas, the toasts, the dancers, the food it was all wonderful!"

He drew her into his embrace and kissed her forehead. "In less than two weeks we will be man and wife."

Vicki felt the bite of the autumn air as it nipped at her and Barnabas rubbed her arms and held her closer. "I love you so much and I cannot wait to be your wife."

From the darkening shadows two pair of eyes watched the lovers, as they stood silhouetted in the doorway.

"Soon, you will need to lure our Mr. Collins away Gilda, You will need to keep him occupied until I can bring home our Masters love. I believe she out did herself tonight. If I needed any proof tonight, it was given to me as she danced that waltz. She looked like Elizabeta more at that time than any other time I have seen her."

Gilda held close to Radu as he spoke. "Do I get to taste Mr. Collins?"

Radu chuckled softly, "Soon enough my dear soon enough. What you will need to do is keep him busy and lost. Lost from his Victoria."

They faded into the darkness as headlights pierced the dark area leaving behind only a sense of foreboding for any that passed that way.

Vicki and Barnabas made their own good nights to the last guests as they left and moved back to the family section of Collinwood.

Vicki sighed and looked out at the patio. "I guess I need to get some sleep, tomorrow is a big day. I think Carolyn and Penny will take care of locking up the west wing." Barnabas drew her in for one more kiss good night and then left her to make her way to bed.