Chapter 23

Collinwood 1968

Drawing Room

Victoria led them all to the foyer; the approaching party noted that the drawing room doors were open. Standing with his back to the foyer facing Elizabeth was a tall slender man of impeccable dress and bearing. Elizabeth watched the approach and smiled. "Oh dear cousin Henri, I want you to meet the rest of the family. Victoria darling please bring everyone in." Elizabeth stepped around the man and as she did he slowly turned and of all the party Quentin was the most thunderstruck.

"Grand Duke Henri Limburg?" He stepped forward and saw what he would look like if he were to be allowed to age. His head was full of white thick hair that lay groomed impeccably over his forehead. The eyes were as blue as Quentin's and the wrinkles softly accented the edge of his eyes and Quentin could tell by the deep set of the cheek lines he smiled more than frowned. It was the eyes that let Quentin know he had met himself in the future. They were as full of mischief as his own and there was no doubt he had to be a Collins the blood ties were strong in this man.

Quentin held out his hand and smiled broadly, "Quentin Collins and may I say it is a pleasure to meet you!" The older version of Quentin stepped forward and took his hand in his and smiled broadly.

"I would know you any where, you remind me of my dear son Rudolph we called him Rudy had he lived he would be as you are today." There was just a hint of an Austrian accent and the sound of suppressed melancholy.

Elizabeth was the first to respond, "Oh I am so sorry to hear your son passed cousin Henri, you have our sympathy. Was it a recent death?" Elizabeth had placed a tender hand on his shoulder and sincerely offered her condolences. She watched him compose himself something that a nobleman must have been bred into him since birth.

"Thank you cousin Elizabeth. It was a terrorist attack on one of our embassies where he was stationed in our country's service. It was a tragic loss and one that was mourned by the entire state." He took her hand patted it and then raised it to his lips to place a light kiss on the back of her hand. "Now dear cousin, who are the rest of these delightful people. I have just been reintroduced to my cousin Quentin, and of course there is the very lovely and very sweet Victoria." He shifted his body to turn and peer at the others in the room.

Elizabeth looked at the hand still being held and now tucked into the crook of her cousin's arm. "Victoria would you do the honor of presenting everyone to our newest discovered member of the family." She smiled graciously at Vicki awaiting her to make the introductions.

Victoria turned looking first to Elliott Stokes, "Well Henri, this is our very dear and learned friend and an extended member of our family Professor Elliott Stokes." Elliott stepped forward, clicked his heels together and did a proper Euro-styled bow from the waist.

"Grand Duke Henri Limburg, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have enjoyed the fine institutions of your country on many occasions especially during World War II." He extended his hand to Henri smiling broadly allowing his monocle to drop from his eye.

Henri stepped forward releasing his hold on Elizabeth. Taking his hand he spoke to Elliott first in German, then French and finally for those present in English. "Es ist eine Freude, endlich treffen die sehr vornehm und sehr gut renommierten Professor Stokes, gehört mir die Ehre."

"Il est un plaisir de rencontrer enfin la très distingué et très renommé professeur Stokes, l'honneur est pour moi."

"It is a pleasure to finally meet the very distinguished and very well renowned Professor Stokes, the honor is mine." In return he bowed slightly while holding Elliott's hand and clicked his heels together.

"Interesting I would have thought you would have greeted me in Luxemburgish but I am pleased to see you are a true monarch to your domain. However I thought you were known as Prince Jean Paul." Stokes smiled as he released the hand of the Grand Duke.

"Actually, my full name is Jean Paul Henri Felix Gabriel Guillamume I just preferred the name Henri. It was one of the names that had been given to my ancestor that was related to the Collins family by marriage." He turned to smile seeing Julia holding close to Eric's arm. "And this charming lovely lady?" Releasing Elliott's hand he turned and walked to Julia, noting the man at her side was a slender male with piercing blue eyes and a head of white hair such as his.

Victoria stepped forward, "Henri, this is Mr. and Mrs. Lang, Eric and Julia both are medical doctors and scientists with varied fields of interests. Eric and Julia this is Henri Limburg."

Henri reached for Julia's hand and kissed it gently and smiled noting that she was with child. "My dear Doctor Lang, it is an honor to meet a woman who has taken the field of medicine as her endeavor for a life's ambition." Kissing her hand he turned to Eric. "I understand you are a very distinguished man of medicine especially in the field of blood related diseases, I have studied some of your papers presented to the AMA. Very impressive." He bowed slightly shook Eric's hand then smiled stepping back.

"Actually, my field is more medical and just recently adopted the field of blood research with my lovely wife. She is the real expert in the field of blood diseases she is less published than I because she has spent the past few years dealing with people suffering from psychosis and mental disabilities."

Henri smiled with a twinkle in his eye, "OH then you must be Julia Hoffman? Just recently wed?" He chuckled softly, "I should have known a man such as Dr. Lang would snap up a find like you. I too have read of your work in the field of PTSD and find that you have out done yourself. I am impressed to finally meet some of those distinguished members of the medical and collegian community. I am impressed and only wished we had such distinguished fellowships in my country."

Julia blushed and chuckled softly, "You are very kind Duke Henri. Eric and I are content to be known simply as country doctors taking care of the Collins family and those in this community."

"Please, please call me Henri, I insist I do not stand on titles in this country." Turning he noted that Victoria had stepped close to the final member of the Collins family to arrive and be presented for his attention. Henri could not help but slide his gaze to the portrait in the hallway then to the man that had a protective and secure arm around the waist of the lovely young woman at his side. "And there is no doubt whom this very distinguished gentleman would be our cousin Barnabas Collins."

Elizabeth ushered everyone into the drawing room, smiling widely to have a member of royalty in her drawing room and now the house filled with Collins family members. Excusing herself she went in search of Mrs. Johnson to prepare tea and find a bottle of champagne to toast the family coming together. That left Victoria to try her hand at being a hostess. Still protectively held by Barnabas at his side they took up position in front of the fireplace.

Barnabas finally relinquished his hold on her waist turned to Henri and offered him a friendly handshake. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the German-French part of the family. I believe it was my Cousin Millicent that moved to France met your Great, great Grandfather and they married and thus began that part of the Collin's family line?" He tilted his head and glanced to Quentin knowing that was how Quentin got his appearance from Daniel's sister side.

"Yes, we have an extensive history going back almost five hundred years and it was your so many great cousin Millicent that once she recovered from her malaise and was still somewhat in delicate health moved to France. It was during one of her sojourn into the country of Luxembourg that she met my great many times grandfather and it was an instant love at first sight. Thus began our side of the family tree."

Quentin smiled widely, "Of course, Millicent was the sister to my great grand father Daniel. That explains why we have such a strong family resemblance." Quentin was still astounded by how he looked more like this man's son than he looked like his own father whom he had just claimed as his grandfather. A soft clearing of the throat in the door way and all eyes turned to Daphne pushing Carolyn in by wheelchair. By Carolyn's side was Gregory Trask.

Henri's gaze went to Carolyn and he bowed low, "By the God above, if I had not seen this for myself I would never have believed it. My dear young lady do you have any idea how much like my great, great grandmother you look?" He stooped over took her hand and kissed it. Holding her hand he glanced to Vicki for introductions.

"I am sorry, Henri this is Carolyn Stoddard and soon to be . . . " she only hesitated minutely but it was enough that Gregory shot her a dangerous glance of irritation but for Vicki the name Trask had been nothing but a horrendous nightmare since her trip back in time and the man's ancestor had tormented her during her time in this house during a dark period in the life of this family. "Trask, the gentleman beside her is her fiancé, and then the young lady at her side is Daphne Harridge the fiancé to Quentin. Daphne, Carolyn, and Gregory, this distinguished gentleman is Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg."

Henri gently took Carolyn's hand in his and kissed it showing a kind of reverence for the woman in the wheel chair. "I can see why my great, great grandfather fell in love with Millicent if she was as beautiful as you." He smiled charmingly for Carolyn, turned and bowed to Daphne and took her hand. "My dear Miss Harridge it is a pleasure to meet you. I understand that you are in the medical field?" He deduced it by the nurse uniform she wore while escorting Carolyn. Then with some deference he turned and looked at Gregory Trask. "And you are the Attorney that has captured my dear cousin's heart?" He bowed slightly took the offered hand.

Gregory gushed, "It is a pleasure to meet you Grand Duke Henri and yes, she is the woman I had always wanted to have in my life and now I have her!" He released the hand held by Henri and looked at Carolyn who sat with no emotion showing on her face, and from the looks of her she was like Julia with child and apparently unmarried. Henri being a gentleman did not make any further note of her condition.

"Then you are a lucky man, I myself have taken a wife and we have five children. She will be joining me shortly from New York, she had business to attend and functions to prepare and I slipped away with her blessing because she knew how anxious I was to come to Collinsport to meet our American relatives." Daphne pushed Carolyn into the room and rested her next to the outer chair by the fireplace, the others had found seats and were comfortably situated in polite silence as the introductions were made.

Elizabeth entered with Roger who had apparently come through the kitchen to be told he had a cousin that was visiting and was now there to make the introduction but before the actual introduction was made, a shout was heard from the landing upstairs. "VICKI! COME QUICKLY! IT IS IMPORTANT! SARAH SAYS WE ARE IN DANGER!" The sounds of pounding feet of an anxious twelve year old could be heard as they moved down the stairs to come up short under the auspicious glare of his father.

Vicki who had taken a seat on the settee in front of the fireplace stood smiled at those present and hurried from the room to collect David. What she had not anticipated was Duke Henri has followed her to the foyer to stare at the young man that had to be David Collins.

Vicki smiled with a soft flush and a look of apology to those present, "Excuse me. I will take care of David. Please Roger do not scold him. Allow me to deal with this." Vicki turned to David who was obviously filled with concern and worry. "David, please lets go to your room so we can discuss what Sarah had to say."

Taking her hands to guide him to the stairs he looked at her with a degree of skepticism, "You don't believe me you just don't want me down here. You think I am being silly or am lying." Their voices faded up the stairs.

Roger sighed, "My sincerest apologies Henri, the boy has issues and if it were not for Vicki I swear we would have had him locked away at Julia's institution a long time a go."

Henri smiled benevolently and spoke with a degree of understanding. "My dear cousin Roger, did you not realize children at his age are always a hand full? Why my own have given me my fair share of white hair. I always remembered how it was when I was young like that and how my life seemed to be twisted into knots because of my raging hormones and reaching for puberty. You know that change and the voice cracking and then there are always the pimples." He sighed dramatically, which elicited a chuckle from most in the room.

Collinwood, David's bedroom

Vicki ushered David into his room and paused in the doorway. Standing at the foot of his bed was Sarah, and not only Sarah but the strong scent of jasmine filled the room with the appearance of Josette. "Mon cher enfant we are here now. " She stepped to David's side looked to Victoria. "The child is correct the danger comes from one that played mischief in the past. He has a hold over one of you now and he is not about to loose what he thinks belongs to him. It is always the same with these powerful dark ones. They take a liking to someone and if they try to go against the wishes of the dark one they find they have become a pawn in the play between light and dark. You all must be on alert especially you and Barnabas."

Victoria had instinctively put her arms around David's shoulders and let her gaze turn from Josette to Sarah. "Is this the danger you sent David to warn us about Sarah. She watched the pretty child nod her head slowly.

She turned and put her delicate hand into Josette's hand. "We discovered this while you were meeting the new Collins cousin, Henri. You know he is the direct grandson of Millicent so he is a true Collins." She had spoke so innocently that Vicki could not be angry with her for upsetting David.

Leaning down Vicki spoke softly into David's ear. "Why don't you go and play, I am sure Sarah would much rather be playing outside with you than in here with Josette and me. So go get your coat and have Sarah meet you downstairs and outside. I will deal with this for you David, don't worry."

David turned and smiled at Victoria then turned to Sarah. "Come on let the grown ups talk we can go play pirates!" David's whole attitude changed dramatically as he slipped on his coat and rushed to his bedroom door to throw it open then turned to Sarah. Laughing he challenged "Race you to the hideout." Dashing out of the door his laughter could be heard all the way back to his room.

"Silly boy doesn't he know that I can beat him to the hideout because I am a ghost?" She folded her arms and faded from view. This caused Vicki and Josette to chuckle.

"Well what is the threat can you tell me?" Josette sobered and grew a little contemplative. Tilting her head she nodded slowly.

"Let us just say that he is a man that carries a title he does not deserve, he is very evil and the gypsies hate him. But he is afraid of one gypsy more than any other." She began to fade as the sound of footsteps sounded along the hallway.

"Josette wait. What is his name?" But it was too late she was gone. Vicki turned to see a concerned and curious Barnabas standing in the doorway. "Barnabas?" Walking to the door she embraced him and held him close to her body. Feeling his hands come up to instinctively brush her hair from her face.

"Was Josette here just now?" He asked softly his gaze going over the room not seeing her but still smelling her perfume.

"Yes, and David as usual was right. There is someone coming to Collinwood with an undeserved title and is hated by the gypsies and he is afraid of one gypsies and he is seeking someone he feels belongs to him. That was about all she could give me in her cryptic way." She closed her eyes enjoying the feel of his arms around her. It seemed it had been ages since they had a quiet moment alone. "Why are you here?" She opened her eyes and peered into his sad brown eyes.

"I had a feeling you needed me so I came to search for you. Elizabeth has invited Henri to stay here and when his wife has finished her business in New York." He placed a gentle sweet kiss on her forehead." Turning her, he began to lead her down the hallway and back to the landing in the foyer. "You don't suppose this man with an undeserved title could possibly be cousin Henri?"

Vicki shook her head. "I really think it is someone that we have not met at this time. I do know that Josette said that he already had one of us under his power and that he was very evil and very powerful and we all were in danger but especially you and I." She slid her arm around his waist and before he opened the door she stepped in front of him. Lacing her arms around his neck she smiled coquettishly into his eyes. "I am sorry sir but there is a toll here that must be paid prior to allowing you to pass."

"A toll? Why my dear lovely young woman why whatever do you mean? You surely mean for me to I forfeit something to allow my passage and what might the price be that you wish to exact." He was all too willing too fall into her playfulness. At least for these brief moments he could forget the horrific time he went through to make sure she would be safe and they could enjoy some innocent fun. He watched her tilt her head screw up her face and then a sly smile edged her lips.

"It is a simple toll and will only cost you your time and a kiss." She let out a low chortle with that impish look on her face. "It is such a small price to pay for the ability to pass this point don't you think?" She did not really get a chance to say anything else, Barnabas drug her closer and planted his lips to hers in a demanding passionate kiss. When he released her she staggered her back to the door and flushed deeply.

"I would say with that, you have more than paid for any previous tolls that might be exacted but on the other hand I rather liked that and might ask for double the payment next time." She had seen that serious worried look in his face and knew this would bring him out of his sadness with a little happy flirting love play. It had worked the sparkle was back in his eyes and he looked at her with deep and abiding love.

"Victoria Winters for you I will always have double payment. If you require it I would gladly give you triple payment." He lowered his head and once again captured her lips. Pressing her into the door he pinned her to him and kissed her leaving her with the impression that there was more from where that came from. Breaking the kiss they both cocked their heads and could hear Elizabeth's assent up the stairs.

"I will return I just want to check on Vicki and Barnabas and see if they have David calmed down." Barnabas looked down with a hint of disappointment written on his face and a sparkle of passion still igniting his gaze.

"I suppose we should make ourselves known to cousin Elizabeth so she does not have to come up and find us indelicate." He smiled and it was a roguish smile that edge his lips, winking he reached behind her, opened the door and quickly turned her to facing the landing with her back to him.

"Oh Vicki, Barnabas how is David?" Liz paused halfway up the stairs seeing then exit the family's sleeping quarter area.

"He is fine mother he just had a moment and well I think he was seeking a little attention. It will be something I can address with him later. For now he is out playing so he should not bother or create a problem for the adults." Vicki walked to the top of the stairs where she met her mother. Liz leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you darling, now Mrs. Johnson is having a fit so I am going to help her prepare supper since we have so many for dinner and she was not prepared. I think she is a little overwhelmed." Vicki fell into step beside her mother and paused on the step one above her mother.

"Oh mother don't worry about that, I will go help her fix supper and serve it." She had laid a hand of comfort on her mother's arm when a amused sounding voice from the foyer made it a moot point.

"Nonsense ladies, no one needs to worry about supper this night. I am treating us all to dinner out at Q's tonight and was about to phone the club to tell them get a room available for our arrival. This will include Mrs. Johnson and she can enjoy the dinner with us as part of the family." Quentin had paused by the phone on the foyer table and had begun to dial his supper club.

Vicki could feel the relaxing of her mother's body and even let out a small sigh of relief for her as well. Quentin made quick order of arranging dinner for the family when Vicki realized she needed to go and fetch David. "Why don't you all go in and I will go and get David." She skipped the rest of the way down the stairs and reached for her coat by the door. Turning she opened the door and stepped back with a gasp. Standing prepared to knock on the door was a exotically beautiful blond headed women wearing an expensive fur coat and looking as surprised as Vicki.

Vicki felt her heart racing she gasped, "Angelique!" Stepping away from the woman that now looked confused and concerned over her reaction.

"No, not Angelique though a lovely name I can assure you I am not Angelique and dare say I would not like to be if it illicit such a reaction to those that see me." She waited to be invited in. Vicki was unsure and as Barnabas rounded the corner to see what was keeping Vicki in the doorway he too had the same reaction as Vicki.

"Angelique! What are you doing here?" Before the woman could explain her presence again to someone else that thought she must be the very devil itself and kept calling her Angelique, the door to the drawing room opened and the Grand Duke Henri exited the drawing room to light up and say with surprised delight. "Josephine! You made it here earlier than you thought. Please my love come in and meet my family!"

Grand Duchess Josephine entered the room brushing past Vicki and a stunned Barnabas who had turned to stare at one another as she entered the foyer. "Cousin Elizabeth, Victoria, Barnabas this is my wife, the Grand Duchess Josephine Renee' Louisa Charlotte. She is the Princess of Belgium and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg." He proudly introduced his beautiful wife to his family.

Stunned and speechless Vicki leaned heavily into Barnabas and whispered with a distressed hiss, "Please tell me that is not Angelique!"