Chapter Two

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*DISCLAIMER * I do not own Dark Shadows or the characters represented in the film by Tim Burton.

"I wanna love you, but I better not touch ,

I wanna hold you, but my senses tell me to stop,

I wanna kiss you, but I want it too much ,

I wanna taste you, but your lips are venomous poison."

- Poison, Alice Cooper

As the day turned to evening Angelique still felt the shivers dance down her spine as she bit down gently on her luscious bottom lip, she still felt his warm hand brush against her cheek. She felt the tips of his fingers trace against her cheekbone, and had seen the hesitation in his eyes, not because it concerned him as wrong, but because she knew he wanted to do so much more and couldn't. She didn't see that much of him when he left, and much to her disappointment she knew he had to do so. His parents were waiting for him and he could not arouse suspicion with any of the staff or his family.

However she was quite happy the very next morning when Mrs. Harris approached her; a sour look on her face as per usual. The woman had disliked Angelique ever since she had arrived at Collinsport from a young age. The way Angelique held herself and her beauty caused a lot of issues with the staff, many jealous at just how ravishing the young maid was. Though this was not Angelique's own doing it did her no favours and she was often shut out by the other servants in the household. When she was young it might have bothered her a little, but now she brushed it off just as easily as she brushed the dust from the floor.

"Rat!" Barked Mrs. Harris as Angelique involuntarily looked up. It was something that she had been called by the head of the staff ever since she was six years old.

"Your duties have changed." She managed to spit out, as if it were poison filtering through her system. "It seems you have made quite the impression on young master Collins," she started, trying to keep her temperature at bay, especially when Angelique went about as if she did not even realise. "So much so that he has requested you replace Emily as his chambermaid, beginning immediately." She told her. "That means you are required to wake at six, and make sure the Master's laundry and wardrobe are set for the day, at eight you wake him politely and ask if there is anything he requires. You draw a bath and whilst he is bathing you will clean his room from top to bottom. You make his bed then enter the bathroom with a towel that should have been heated whilst you clean the room." She listed and Angelique fought to hide a small smirk on her lips. Being present while he was bathing sounded quite the tempting idea.

"Now, you are in charge of Young Master's floor, which is third. You will focus on cleaning it entirely single handedly." She added. "Plus you are at Young Master's beck and call, if he has a request you shall comply, no matter what the cost." She ordered, and Angelique slowly turned to face the aging woman.

"So, to clarify Madame…no matter what task Barnabas sets me I must obey it?" she asked, a small twitch on her lips as she fought to keep a straight face. She didn't even expect the slap that had struck on her cheek until her head snapped to the side.

"Remember your place girl." Mrs Harris warned, taking a fist full of Angelique's dark brown curls and tugging them. "You address your superiors as appropriate, so if young Master gives you a task, you must comply." She hissed, taking a moment to glare at the raven haired beauty before pushing her back slightly.

Angelique tried not to flinch as the old woman pushed her back but she could not help it, and the remainder of her stinging cheek did not help things. She would have to be careful, she could not make small mistakes like that incase she was brought up on it. She vowed to be wiser about such things in the future.

"Of course Madame." She said softly, as if appearing to be left in defeat. She did not want to irk the head of the house any more than she already seemed to have done.

"Good," she muttered in response. "Emily has not yet started in the Young Master's room , so your first duty will be to clean it and make sure it is fit for his rest tonight," she ordered as Angelique nodded and immediately went upstairs.

Upon entering his bedroom Angelique was already overwhelmed by the sheer sense of…him. The presence in his room was imminent despite him not being there. She could smell him, she could feel him, there wouldn't be much difference if he was there himself. She walked over slowly to the unmade bed, and she felt her stomach flip slowly as she stroked the soft silk sheets, so different to the old cloth pieces that were sewn together to make a blanket for her flimsy mattress. She leant over almost in reverence and straightened the under sheet on his bed, making sure it had no creases before shaking the duvet out till it straightened and fell like satin onto the mattress. Lastly she picked up his pillows and fluffed them, unable to stop thinking about the fact he had rested his head there, and if she had her way she would be resting hers on it too, the sooner the better.

- Angelique -

Barnabas climbed the stairs to retire his bedroom, a long day at the cannery leaving him stressed and relatively agitated. Hoping to find solace in a new book he had selected one from the Collins' vast collection. He entered his room, running his hard through his hair. A rustling in the washroom startled him and he turned around, expecting to see Emily standing in the door frame, her pale green eyes not meeting his gaze.

But to his surprise, it was Angelique, a anticipated smile resting on her perfectly curved lips. For a second he imagined what it would be like to have them on his own. His dazed mind didn't even seemed to care that a look of desire took over his handsome features. Her dark hair was perfectly disheveled, a feature he had always liked about her. Angelique's beauty was already so prominent on her appearance some people didn't seemed to notice that she was actually a maid. It was as if they got so overwhelmed by her charm and elegance they never saw the plain dresses and unkempt hair she pulled off so stylishly. It was almost ironic.

Even at the age of fourteen or fifteen he remembered people coming up to her and asking her questions without heed and then quickly realizing that she was not in fact a member of the party. He remembered them staring at her grace and maturity as she moved through the crowds with elegance. Some even asked who she was.

To be he would be completely overwhelming if they were of the same status. The thought made him curious. If she had the same title as the women he was expected to marry, he probably wouldn't be able to. Her beauty and charisma would have her whisked away faster than he could ask for her name. Sometimes he wondered if he thought too much. But despite how inappropriate having an affair with her would look on paper, it made so much sense right then.

Barnabas set down the book on his desk and turned to face her. She opened her mouth as if to say something but he cut ahead of her.

"I see took to my request sooner than I had anticipated."

Barnabas smirked, his eyes rolling over her curves. He took a step closer to her, his body only inches from her own. At the back of his mind his countless worries quickly faded away. Even though she was merely a servant, and one with a low status even at that, he would always see her differently because of just how well he knew her. Well, used to know her. But he was destined to change that.

"It must be our lucky day." He proclaimed, his tone flawless and vaguely suggestive.

- Barnabas -

Angelique took to rest against his mahogany desk, the sturdiness giving her the support to lean against it. She saw him eyeing her features and she wasn't about to blush and make him think he had the upper hand. Oh no… Barnabas Collins had gotten whatever he wanted on a silver platter from the day he was born, but she…she was something he would have to work for. She could not be bought by his money, nor could she be traded in for jewels or finery. This was something he would have to work out himself.

She had heard the staff speaking of him in the kitchen and how popular he had been with the ladies, and yet it was commented upon that he had not found anyone that inspired marital material. This pleased her greatly. Maybe Barnabas got bored because he never got a chase from the right woman.

Well that she intended to change.

A few curls from her long dark hair fell in front of her face, losing their place from one of the many grips that just didn't seem to hold her hair up right, but it had always been like that. It was unkempt, wild, rebellious, just like she was herself. She remembered when they would sit in his private library late at night with just the oil lamp to keep them company. He would read so smoothly to her and she would take it all in. She knew as a servant she wouldn't get education from anyone else. With one hand on the page his other would be wound in her hair, playing with the tendrils and twirling them around his fingers. Of course that was when they were only young, a lot had changed since then, and judging by the look on his face he was thinking the exact same.

She opened her mouth to explain as to why she was there, but then her memory brought up the fact he had personally asked for her instead of her being randomly reassigned, that was what made it even better for her. However when he cut her off, approaching her so their bodies were merely inches apart and spoke it was only then did she allow a small smile to curve upon those gorgeous full lips of hers.

"According to what I have heard luck played no part in this situation… more like a personal request," she teased softly. Things had been somewhat awkward between them when he had arrived back from his education. He had not really spoken to her and she had not spoken to him either, she actually thought he had forgotten about her at one point and was surprised to feel as hurt as she did so. However it had only taken a few days for him to have noticed her properly and for that familiar glint in his eyes to return whenever she personally walked into a room.

She had already made him suffer for that of course, she would not speak to him unless it was answering an order, it was only when a week went by did she actually respond to him a little more, he hadn't even known he had been chasing after her, and he still wasn't really aware which made her smile.

However now she had a way she could speak to him, a way she could get him on his own where she knew he felt more liberated, and this was good, now she would be able to see what he was truly like, and where they stood. She was very sure that he thought he could get her into bed at the drop of a hat, but she was going to make him work for her, something he hadn't ever done before.

-Angelique-

Barnabas chuckled playfully and ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts reeling again. He really did like her personality. Somehow it made her so much more appealing than she already was. Her comment would have been much more unexpected if she had said it before, but after seeing that she didn't let him overpower her in any sense of the word he almost expected it. Usually this would only aggravate him, but in this instance it was quite different.

Earlier that day he had got the impression that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. Well, as much as he was willing to convey. But now he wasn't so certain. Barnabas tried to figure out exactly where she stood. The fact that she smiled at him without hesitation and accepted his flirting could only encourage him, but when he tried to advance on her she would decline. It was if she knew something he didn't.

Oh God. He swore gossip spread in this house like forest fire. How could she -? Barnabas withheld a grunt. It was as if there was nothing he could keep to himself. His earlier hope that he would find peace of mind that night quickly flew away. Or, maybe not yet. Only not in the way he was thinking moments ago. She was a very bright young woman, that was for sure. Just because she didn't throw herself at his feet, that doesn't mean she would still like to keep his company. He was, after all, in charge in this situation.

"Actually, I do suppose I have another." His lips twitched and he chuckled lightly. Barnabas stepped beside her, retrieving the thick book from before.

"You see, I've just recently begun reading Iliad. A fantastical work, written by Homer thousands of years ago. I was wondering if you would like to help me interpret it." Barnabas' tone remained flawless and untouched as usual, but something had changed inside him had visible changed. His deep chocolate eyes glimmered in the candlelight, hoping he could captivate her own as much as they did him. Making sure he'd seal the deal, he added,

"I'm sure you'd like it."

- Barnabas -

Angelique's eyes automatically flickered up as he spoke to her, she was unable to actually focus on anything else when he was around, and whilst a part of it interested her, another part irritated her. She had been so independent since he had returned home. She wanted so much more than to clean floors for a living. She had studied and poured over books in the extensive library, in which she had been given permission by Naomi. Truth be told the woman had a soft spot for the girl amongst all the servants. Since Angelique had only been five years old when she was first brought into the household and she had come from a foreign place, Naomi had ensured it was her responsibility to make sure the girl was fed and clothed properly. It was a shame the same could not be said for his Father…

Point being, she wanted to get out of the Collins' home, she knew she was destined for so much more, especially with the powers she held. However she knew that there was still a massively large witch hunt on the prowl, and she also knew that was exactly what she was. A witch.

Barnabas being home made her consider more whether she liked it or not, whether she wanted to get out of the servant customs for herself, or for the chance to be with him. Whether he actually wanted her yet was yet to be seen, but she assumed by the way he treated her, higher than any of the staff that she was what he had set his sights on. And she knew very well he wouldn't give up.

When he took the book out from the shelf she glanced at it, a genuine smile spreading to her lips this time. It had been her favorite past time, and she was quite sure it had been his also. Even when she was younger and didn't know too much she would make suggestions, and he would never mock her, only correct her when it was desperately needed. He had made her happy, and the thought of getting a glimpse of that was more than enough to tempt her.

"I would love to…" she trailed off quite happily, she had read small snippets of Homer's Iliad and it made her relieved to know she at least knew a little of what was going on.

"I very much enjoy Homer's work," she admitted. "I enjoy it's Greek origin, my favorite Greek Myth is Paris and the golden apple…" she told him. She rarely got to speak to anybody about such things. "It is a wonderful creation…" she added. She knew he was impressed, he didn't even have to say anything, she could just tell by the look in his deep chocolate eyes.

-Angelique-

A intuitive smirk crept upon his handsome features as he leaned back and let her entrance him. Her deep french accent left him just as much intrigued as he was pleasantly surprised. Somehow she always knew what to say. While she spoke his eyes stayed locked on her ice blue eyes. There was something just so effortless about the way she could mesmerize him it was almost unsettling. Certainly his maidservant shouldn't be able to captivate him as much as she was. It was incredibly unnatural. No, it is unnaturally incredible.

Once she finished he lifted his head, his dark eyes settled on her perfect form. She looked as if she was done, as if nothing more was to be said. But Barnabas wanted this to continue, so he pulled the chair back for Angelique to sit down at his desk. As he grabbed a second for himself he finally replied,

"Indeed."

There was still so much he wanted answered.

"So you no doubt then must have continued where we had left off." Barnabas noticed and raised an elegant eyebrow. She must have, because he had certainly never read or recommend anything by Homer. He found himself quite pleased with his work. She was turning into quite a magnificent creature. It made something inside his heart ache ever so slightly. Perhaps he shouldn't have taken it to so much account, but it was as if his entire world had be changed when he was away.

Not only his duties and responsibilities, but his lifestyle, his family, his... To be honest, Barnabas didn't know quite what to address her as. All he knew is that the girl he used to tutor and chase around the gardens had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. A woman he felt something deeper than any other for, which both scared and enticed him at the same time. A woman who made a young aristocrat's desire for temptation send him to places he had never been. A woman he was most certain to chase.

"A man chases a woman until she catches him." - Unknown

- Barnabas -

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