Chapter 18

Beach Collinwood Estates

The storm passed and Victoria had fallen asleep. With the passing of the storm she sat up and noticed that he was gone. Sighing softly she pulled her cape around her and pushed up into a standing position. At least she knew that in a weeks time she would know what her part in this dramatic play was going to be. Stepping out into the brisk night air she looked up at the night sky and saw that the storm had not really passed it was just building for something far more spectacular out at sea and she sighed. Walking slowly out onto the beach she paused and looked to the distant horizon and recalled sunnier days in Martinique when she first met Barnabas as the other Victoria and she sighed. She missed her Barnabas.

Turning she heard his voice. "You know you have the whole house upset with you going missing again. Jeremiah had sent the servants out to search the woods. But I knew you would be here on the beach. Have you wondered why I seem to know you so well Victoria Winters?" Barnabas stood in his great coat, knee high boots and tri corn hat. He studied the woman in front of him and felt a draw to her something he could not quiet understand but it was there.

She smiled and then sighed softly, "Perhaps it is because you feel we are tied together by some mystical power and that perhaps in another time and another place we were destined to be together?" She smiled pulling her hood up to protect her from the impending arrival of the storm. However, the wind had other ideas and pulled the hood back to whip her hair wildly about her head. He smiled at the ideology she just expressed. "Perhaps it is simply you have been around me enough to know me better."

He laughed, "I liked your first analogy better than the second one." He stepped up to her and offered his arm. "Would you like safe escort back to your room?" Victoria laid her hand over his warm arm. Paused and frowned. "What distresses you so my dear? Surely you did not seek the storm's mean tempered embrace over that of the warm confines of your room in Collinwood?" He had paused before escorting her back to the great house on the hill. The moment he had touched her he had felt a connection that went deeper than any other he had known including Josette.

"I am sorry my lo . . ." she has almost called him her love and she bit off her words looked down "Lord Collins it is that I feel suffocated and a bit cloistered when in Collinwood. I feel like the prey to a predator and it is rather overwhelming." She had stared down at the ground. It was really hard being this close to him and not wanting to hold onto him and feel the strength of those arms around her. Stepping away from him, she felt she needed distance from him to get her emotions under control

Barnabas felt her break his hold on his arm and stepped behind her to put his hands on her forearms. "Miss Winters what has you so distressed?" He was concerned and when she spoke of feeling uncomfortable at Collinwood he had to know. "Is it Henri? I know his pursuit for your affections has been relentless." He pressed into her body and relished the smell of her perfume. She had filled him with an inexplicable desire when he touched her. He loved Josette! He held his affections for Josette. This woman had intoxicated him with her sweet innocence and her purity much as Josette had done in the beginning. Now his Josette carried Jeremiah's child.

Vicki instinctively leaned back into his body pressing her head to his chest and felt the warmth of his breath against her neck and she turned and pressed into him, feeling his arms go around her and pull her close to him. She could hear his heartbeat and a part of her wanted to cry out and beg him not to go looking for Peter in three nights time. She wanted him to stay with her and be with her. But if he did not go, then he would never come to her in the future. His whole existence and her knowing him as she did would be gone and their history would be irrevocably changed.

She wanted so much to tell him all she knew and what was about to happen and it was ripping her apart. Tears trailed down her cheek, and she felt his thumbs gently caress those tears from her cheeks. "My dear Miss Winters if the thought of living under Jeremiah's roof is so distressing you are more than welcome to stay at the Old House, Miss Wick, Peter, Angelique and I are still there and there are not as many servants but I am sure I could hire more for your comfort."

Vicki looked up hopeful and relaxed in his hold, tip toing up she placed a light kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. I would be glad to help in any way I needed to find some peace there. I never felt so safe as I did when I stayed in the Old House. My sister is of the same mind. It seems that I am forever being harassed and pursued by Henri and that Count Petofi he makes me feel uncomfortable. I am a guest so I feel I don't have a right to complain. I am living under the auspices of your Uncle and Aunt so it is difficult to maintain a semblance of decorum around him."

Barnabas held her tightly to his body. "There, there Miss Winters calm yourself. Come we shall go to the Old House and I shall send for your sister and see she is brought there for your comfort and peace of mind." He heard the shuffling of feet behind him and spoke without turning. "I have found our missing Miss Winters Ben you can inform Collinwood I am taking her to the my home."

"Why would you do that Barnabas she has been offered protection under my roof." Jeremiah had watched the tender scene between the two of them and a part of him burned with jealousy. He knew he had no right to have such feelings considering his wife had just told him she was pregnant but a part of him wondered if the child was truly his. It mattered not because he would raise the child as his. It was his duty. Another part of him railed at that duty and wanted the woman his nephew now cradled in his arms.

Both had turned the startled look of guilt showered over their features looking at Jeremiah standing in his greatcoat and tri-corn hat holding his lantern. Barnabas stepped away from Victoria and spoke defensively. "Because Cousin Henri is disturbing her peace of mind and she would feel more comfortable with Miss Wick and myself as well as Peter and Angelique in the old house. I am sure it is only temporary but she is more comfortable emotionally and physically at the old house."

Vicki stepped in front of Barnabas and smiled. "Jeremiah, please it has nothing to do with your generosity or your good graces that have made me feel secure and safe. It is that the proximity of Henri and Count Petofi has made it impossible for me to feel that safety. He is pressuring me for an answer and I think it is best until I can think clearly and away from such subtle pressures to make a decision it would be best if Daphne and I would reside with Barnabas as the old House. Your lovely wife Josette does not need the stress of what is going on with her pregnancy."

Jeremiah sighed softly, he had a wife, he did not want that wife, and now he wanted to protect the woman that was meeting with his wife's lover. "I of course can understand. I also wish you to know had you asked me, I would have asked Henri and Petofi to leave Collinwood to guarantee your peace of mind. I do see the wisdom of your need to seek some distance; Henri can be persistent when he sets his mind to something or someone. Barnabas, I shall send over some more servants to help with your new guests. I would like to offer to you my protection if at anytime you do not feel you safe or secure with Barnabas in that house. I will say that I have not seen Reverend Trask for some days."

It took all he was not to grab her and pull her into his arms and pledge his undying love and protection to her but convention and the fact he had a wife stopped him from declaring his love for her. "I shall join you on your escort to the old House Barnabas to see to her safe keeping in your hands." Jeremiah looked enviously to Barnabas and together they began their walk to the old house.

Old House Collinwood

Jeremiah was the first to note that the house was filled with lights. In front was the Jailer's wagon and the Sheriff with Deputies in tow had stood definitely watching any that tried to enter the house. Jeremiah looked at Barnabas. "This does not bode well, it appears I spoke too soon. It would seem that Trask has come to take possession of Miss Wick. With the sheriff in tow."

Barnabas left Victoria with Jeremiah and rushed up the front stairs to confront the Sheriff who was barring the door to any that might try to enter. "What is the meaning of this!" He was filled with outraged. "Stand aside immediately!" Barnabas was followed by Jeremiah who now towered over the Sheriff and looked at him with the intent of someone about to do bodily harm to him.

"I am here with a warrant for Mss. Wick, you will turn her over to me immediately!" Trask appeared in the door and his gaze shot over those gathered out front. His gaze landed on Victoria and he smiled. He watched her back up from him and drop her gaze. Peter appeared in the doorway behind Trask and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and threw him back in the foyer.

The Constable's deputies grabbed Peter and held him back from doing further harm to Trask. They all watched Trask lift himself up from the ground and dust his jacket off. Then tugging the jacket down he walked to Peter, "You will turn her over to me for testing before this week is over." Trask turned to the Constable. "She is not here, we will go to Collinwood and see if she is there and if not we will return in three days time and I will have her Bradford rest assure on that." He pushed past the two Collins men on the stoop and walked over to Victoria, grabbing her by her wrist he jerked her to him. "You will be next."

Victoria was tempted to use her newly discovered talents to send Trask flying over her shoulder but that would not help her against any defense of not being a witch. Instead she narrowed her eyes looked him in the eye and spoke softly, "Let my wrist go and I won't break your neck." She has said it with such confidence and authority that Trask smiled then released her wrist.

"Tonight I respect your request, you won't be so lucky when I come back for you next." He had pressed into her and she was repulsed by his touch. Vicki instinctively broke his hold on her hand staggered back from him. Jeremiah was by he side and Barnabas was towering over Trask.

"You sir, will leave, and leave now. Do not think you will come back and accost one of my guests. You will come back only with a writ or in the company of the Constable that is the only way you will be allowed on these premises again." Jeremiah had pulled Victoria behind his tall body, while he let Barnabas deal with Trask. Barnabas turned to the Constable and shouted. "Remove this trash from my property or you can find yourself another job!"

The spineless Constable walked to the two men and pulled Barnabas' hands from the Reverend. From the driveway, a carriage approached the altercation and Daphne stuck her head out of the window to peer at what was happening. She frowned seeing a man that looked very much like Carolyn's fiancé. The carriage had barely pulled to a halt and the tall imposing figure of Henri stepped down from the steps glanced over to the gathering around his intended. Helping Daphne from the carriage he stretched those long legs to come up next to Jeremiah. "What is this?" His tone and the look he shot to Trask then the Constable caused both men to shift uncomfortably on their feet.

Barnabas was annoyed that Henri had shown up, he had been under the impression he had retired for the night when Joshua and Jeremiah decided to send a search party out for Victoria. "It would seem that the witch hunter came searching for Miss Wick and decided to attack Miss Winters." Barnabas was containing his annoyance with Henri and with Trask.

Henri puffed up his chest, towered over Trask and then slapped him. "Sir, you are accosting my intended wife, the future Duchess Limburg! I demand satisfaction!" He stepped back and bowed to Barnabas and to Jeremiah. "My dear, come I will escort you free of molestation to the house." He extended his hand not looking to see if Victoria was going to take his hand or not. He felt her hand in his and curled his fingers over hand and pulled her to his side. "Remember well this face my dear sir, because that is the last time you will come near her is that understood, my second will come calling on your second!" Henri tucked Victoria's hand in the bend of his arm.

Jeremiah smiled, he leaned over to Trask who stood trembling with his own anger watching Henri escort Victoria to the house. "I would get your affair's straight Trask, Henri Limburg is a top marksman. He never misses. At least when he aims and fires he hits the heart or the head so your death will be quick!" His words made an impact on Trask.

"This is preposterous! It is illegal!" Trask felt the constable holding his arm. He wanted to go and thrash the man that had taken what he wanted. He watched with a growing anger that was now consuming him.

Barnabas stepped forward noting the anger written in the man's eyes. "I suggest Constable Jorgensen you take Trask and leave, I am sure that he will need to prepare for the dawn. My cousin has a reputation amongst the nobles in Europe of being prompt and never failing to hit his target."

Drawing Room Old House

Victoria had let Henri guide her into the foyer leading her over to the drawing room. Daphne had followed discretely behind and she could tell that Vicki was deathly afraid of the man and her body had trembled at the thought of his touching her. More than when Henri had made his claim as being her intended. Daphne walked to Vicki's side and drew her into a hold hugging her. "Who is that horrible man?" Daphne pushed Vicki's hair from her face.

"He is Trask, the man that held me prisoner in his house and tried to rape me!" Vicki began to cry softly into her sister's shoulder. "I hate him Daphne, he wants to brand me as a witch. He is seeing witches around every corner." She had been so upset she had not realized what she had just said and Henri had heard her. He had turned on his heel, the anger in him was beginning to boil. The man had tried to rape her and had held her prisoner here and his cousins had done nothing to stop it!"

Marching to the front of the house, out the door and down the steps he rushed towards Trask, grabbing him by his shirtfront and dragging him to his face. The power in the man's arms was incredible. He pulled Trask into his face and snarled. "Tomorrow at dawn! I will send my second Count Andréas' Petofi to meet with your second name him now!"

The constable and Trask were not prepared for this anger from this big man that now held him like nothing more than a rag doll. "Harry . . . Harry Stiles . . . he is my man and staying at the Eagle's Nest Inn." Trask was so afraid of the burning anger in this man's body that he nearly soiled himself as the man known as Henri held him.

Henri nodded, "Then tell him Grand Duke Henri Limburg shall send his second to seek him out so we are all clear on the rules of dueling. I shall meet you in the meadow at dawn. Until then you will keep your person away from my future wife is that understood?" He looked at the Constable, and pointed a finger at him. "If you try to interfere, I will shoot you as well. How you could allow vermin like this to walk the earth is beyond me and as for you two." He turned on Barnabas and Jeremiah. "How you could have allowed this man to nearly rape Victoria under your own roof is beyond proper convention."

Constable Jorgenson dropped his hold on Trask hearing he had nearly raped someone in the home of one of the most respected families in Massachusetts. Jeremiah lowered his chin and glared at Henri. "Why do you think I had her brought to Collinwood? It was for her protection under my roof. This man accosted her and had I not arrived when I had . . . " He glared at Barnabas. "She would have been foully abused and molested."

Barnabas looked down, had he not been meeting with Josette she would not have been touched. Daphne stood watching this whole over testosterone posturing on the front lawn. "I think this matter will be settled by dawn's early light. As it stands gentlemen, my sister is very upset and needing a place to retire for the night which one of you can please stop this incessant chest beating and see to her needs?"

Barnabas turned and marched to the front porch pausing he bowed to Daphne, "Madam after you." He watched her grab her skirt and turn smartly to enter the house. Barnabas followed her into the house and left the others to finish what was started.

Henri turned and smiled, "I am gong to enjoy putting a shot through your black heart." He bowed and turned walking to the house following Barnabas. Leaving Jeremiah to see the others from the property. Jeremiah was feeling conflicted. He wanted to be the one to kill Trask to send his dark soul to hell to burn forever. Watching the jailer's wagon pull out of sight he walked to the front of the house and paused looking around at the house that had been his home for most his life and a darkness seemed to fall over the house and his heart. Sighing softly, he opened the door and entered the house.

He looked around and saw Henri standing in front of the fireplace. His head was bent and he was watching the flames of the fire. "Henri, I know you asked to have Andréas as your second but I would very much like to act in his behalf." Henri had lifted his head and turned smiling.

"Jeremiah, I would love to have you as my witness for the act of following the rules. I have always had Andréas as my second but would surely accept you as my legal witness." Jeremiah nodded and extended his hand. "Thank you, I want to watch that man die, he deserves to die a most horrible and horrendous death for all the grief he has caused. He has become obsessed with Victoria and frankly he deserves to die."

Henri clutched his hand tightly. "I am honored, now tell me what happened with this man and Victoria she said he held her prisoner here and nearly raped her?"

Jeremiah sighed deeply. "Barnabas was asked by Naomi to see to her needs and escort her around and show her the property and take her to meet Josette. However, he had a business appointment and begged off his duties to Miss Winters. She was left alone in the house; the other family members had other duties to which they were attending. That was until Trask who had come by late the prior night to 'test' Miss Wick for witchcraft. He had seen Miss Winters and had taken an unhealthy interest in her. It was her first night here, she had an accident on the North Beach Road and was nearly run over by a carriage."

Jeremiah turned and remembered the day he first met Vicki and how he was struck by her innocence and beauty. He was just as sure that was a day he knew Barnabas had gone to see Josette. He looked down and recalled how he had found Trask pressing Miss Winter's body against the wall leading up the stairs and her recounting how he had previously pressed her into the spindles. How she had managed to wiggle away from him to only be pinned to the wall. When he had walked in he had seen where his hands and gone and how he was fondling her and trying to push her dress up.

He saw a man trying to rape a woman and he had reacted as any gentleman would have and was breath away from thrashing Trask within an inch of his life. "I found him with Victoria pressed to the wall, his was making free with his hands and trying to raise her dress, his own pants were partially unbuttoned when I entered the house. That was when I had her moved to Collinwood and placed under my protection."

Henri was growing angry once again hearing how this man had hurt Victoria. "Why was he not horsewhipped? Made a public spectacle for his inappropriate attentions to the lady?" Henri was angry, and in his mind rightfully so. This man was a menace and needed to be dealt with and these Collins men were weak and irresponsible.

"Yes, why was this not handled from the very beginning?" Daphne stepped down the stairs and looked accusingly at Jeremiah. "My sister is a lady, she is pure and innocent, she had never known the touch of a man and this monster molested her?" Daphne was outraged. "I have half a mind to take her and leave this place now. She is upstairs near hysterical because of contact with that man!"

Daphne was hurt and angry for her dear and wonderful friend Victoria and she had never known what she had faced in the past until now. She had known that monster in Romania had taken her and gotten her addicted. This was something new. The portrayal she gave was one of an outraged loving sister. "My dear Mrs. Harridge, I protected your sister while she was under my care. I am sorry very sorry that happened to her. I would have laid down my life to have nothing so horrible to befall her. She has come to be very precious to all of our family."

Josette's bedroom

Barnabas sat on the edge of Josette's bed watching Victoria sleep restlessly. Daphne had successfully managed to get her calmed and in bed. He gently brushed her hair from her face. "I promise you my dear you will never have to face that man again. I swear on my honor no ill will ever befall you while under roof of this house."

Vicki opened her eyes and smiled, she looked into his eyes and spoke softly, "I know you will always protect me my love. It is as it always has been from now to the end of time." Closing her eyes she appeared to fall back asleep. Barnabas was struck by the way she had just spoken and wondered why she had said such a thing when he had never given her reason to think he had an affection for her. Rolling to her side she curled into her blanket and rubbed her cheek against the softness of the pillow, she uttered one name that sent Barnabas' world spinning into a myriad of conflicted thoughts. "Jeremiah, I am sorry. But I am for Barnabas. He and I are to be married. We have a destiny to keep in the year 1968."