Chapter 12

Castle Florescue

Carpathian Mountains Romania

Carolyn studied the open book in front of her and was astounded "Princess Elena Josephine Marietta Florescue born 1776 died 1798. Wife of Vlad the VII bore Alexandru IV, Juliette Francine Louise, Maxamillian Edward Constantine. Father Grand Duke Charles Xavier Lunenburg and Greta Charlotte Constantine Lunenburg." Wow this family has more titles than the Queen of England."

Carolyn looked closely noting the picture was faded but there was something about the face of the woman that stared haughtily back at her. It was the eyes that caught her attention and held her mesmerized. Lifting the book she stepped to the window and peered at the picture in full daylight and caught her breath. "It is Vicki?"

"What did you say darling?" Elizabeth was more relaxed, the youthful look of a gracefully aging beauty was back in her eyes and gone was the stress lines. Stepping next to her daughter she placed a light chaste kiss on her cheek then looked down at the picture Carolyn had been studying. "Oh my she looks a lot like . . . "

"Vicki." Carolyn interjected before her mother could finish her sentence.

"No, actually she looks like Josette dressed like that but Victoria does look like Josette and since I read the family history more than you, I would see Josette first then Victoria." Patting her daughter's shoulder she glanced down at the picture and read her name, "Elena Josephine Marietta Florescue."

"Yes, My great, great, great Grandmother, she gave birth to my great, great grandfather and name sake Alexandru the fourth and I am Alexandru the seventh. " He bowed to both women but his gaze went directly to Carolyn traveling over her slender curves to rest on her eyes, a slow easy smile edged his lips. "Forgive the intrusion, but I thought you would like to know your family left the Contingent United States and is headed to Romania as we speak."

Watching him Carolyn felt herself stripped naked before his gaze and allowed an unusual flush to tint her cheeks. Elizabeth did not fail to notice the handsome man was watching her daughter with an unusual interest. He watched Carolyn hug the open book close to her chest. "I see you have been reading my family history. What year are you researching?" He appeared to gracefully glide towards Carolyn to gently pry the book from her arms and glanced down at the page that she had open.

"Ahh, yes Princess Josephine, does look somewhat like your daughter Victoria. Did you have twins Mrs. Stoddard?" He glanced up to see that Elizabeth had tucked her chin. "Because every one of Josephine's female issues had twins. Oddly enough it never skipped a generation. It would appear Victoria is related to our family and I would think that was through Andréas. After all, he is related to me through marriage from my mother's side of the family and Drake is related through my father's side of the family. Andréas, sister had twins and we thought when Victoria was born that she would be a twin."

Elizabeth blanched, "I only birthed Victoria." She turned and walked to a chair near the fireplace, slowly she lowered herself down on the chair and with a sigh thought back to that time twenty-five years ago. It had been a hard time for her; she had discovered she was pregnant. She vaguely remembered the ceremony that Andréas had performed during her sedated attendance.

December 1966

Unwed Mother's Home

New York City, NY

Elizabeth was scared, this was it, and the baby was coming. The midwife stood at the foot of the bed, she had placed Elizabeth's legs in bent position and her hips were up. "Now Betty, one more big push and we will have that baby out of you." Elizabeth closed her eyes and felt the wave of pain wash over her again. Gasping out she bore down and then it was a relief as she felt the baby pass from her.

Looking up between her legs she could not fully see the midwife, all she saw was the top of her head, her hair done up in a tightly comb bun. She was speaking softly to another person standing behind her and Elizabeth struggled to see whom it was standing there. The midwife had collected the baby turned to the person behind her and handed over the silent baby. "Why isn't it crying what is it?" Thinking her pain was over she did not expect another cramp to send its harsh spine jarring pain through her body and once again she felt another movement. "What is happening?" She gasped out.

The midwife smiled lifted up a squalling baby and said softly. "Calm down Betty, you just delivered the placenta. It is all over now, you have a healthy baby girl!" She lifted the baby's body covered in mucus and blood. The midwife turned and carried the baby to the sideboard and began to bathe the baby's body and wrapped her perfectly pink and screaming baby in a small blanket and took her to the mother. "Here Betty, is your daughter. Now you rest a moment and hold her while I clean up the mess between your legs. I am also going to give you something for your comfort so that I can stitch you up. The baby tore you when she came out and I don't want you to be in any danger of bleeding out."

Everything went pretty fuzzy after that, she remembered the baby was so small for the size she had been, and that the mid-wife was a young woman not much older than Elizabeth. When she arrived to deliver the baby Elizabeth was struck by her youthful appearance and had expected the midwife to be someone a lot older. She had been competent but she had brought another person with her, a shadowy person that had stayed in the background and out of sight.

She had been exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Holding her tiny baby girl she knew from that day forward that she had to do something to keep this from her father and from Andréas, she knew neither of them would bode well for her perfectly formed daughter now sleeping soundly in her mother's arms. She tried to remember the woman that had come to deliver her child and had felt when she arrived a sense of security with her there and she was not sure why. Perhaps it was the way her eyes caught Liz's and held them. She relaxed knowing she would be in competent hands.

Castle Florescue

1992

Elizabeth gasped, the more she thought about that time so long ago, the more convinced she delivered two babies but was given Victoria only. Her features blanched and her eye wide she spoke softly, "I am not sure if I delivered a twin, I know that I was handed Victoria and for me it was important that I hide her from her father a very evil and manipulative man. I vaguely recall there being two cramps and the feeling of delivering a child and that child did not cry. It was silent. If I had to say I had twins then I would say the midwife saw the first child was still born and perhaps did not want to distress me?" She glanced to Carolyn to see the confusion and fear written on her face. "Carolyn, darling I am so sorry." Her words soft but easily heard in the room.

Carolyn walked to her mother's side and bent down to gather her to her chest. "Is it possible that I have another sister that you knew nothing about?" She brushed her gentle fingertips across her mother's cheek then turned to look at Alex. Carolyn watched him close the book set it on the desktop then turn to both women.

"Why would it be another girl child, you could have had a male issue that is what Andréas was, he was the male twin." Alexandru stepped to another bookshelf and pulled down a volume then carrying it to Carolyn and Elizabeth he thumbed through a page and paused, turning the book around he handed it to Carolyn who stood and looked down and frowned. "That is Andréas and his twin." Carolyn looked down at a youthful Andréas, much of what he must have appeared when he met her mother.

Handing the book over to her mother Elizabeth glanced down and then her eyes widen. "Oh my God." She whispered softly. She was looking into the eyes of her ex-husband Paul Stoddard. "But he looks nothing like his brother." Elizabeth had felt her world tilt when she looked at Paul's youthful face and well remembered over twenty-three years past. Liz's hands shook and her eyes began to tear up. "This is impossible his name was Stoddard!"

Carolyn having never seen her father jerked the book from her mother's hands and peered down into the second youthful man's face. "They look nothing alike!" Carolyn turned to look at Alexandru. Alex could see her confusion that was now evident by the shocked look in her eyes and written upon her face.

"That is because they are what is called paternal twins, not identical. They were two separate eggs that were impregnated at one time. Where most identical twins are from one egg that separates and is then fertilized.

"How did he take the last name Stoddard? If he was a Florescue?" Carolyn was the first to recover. She looked from her mother to her host waiting for an explanation.

"Stoddard was his mother's maiden name. When he traveled and was out of this country that is the name that he used and apparently he found you and married you." Alexandru secretly hid the glee that was dancing in his soul; his two Uncles were not fully exposed to the two most important women in their lives. Elizabeth stood from her chair she was feeling numb and knew more secrets were about to be exposed.

With shaky hands Elizabeth turned to face the window, closing her eyes she let out a soft breath. "Carolyn, your father . . . "

Carolyn followed her mother to the window. Carolyn was concerned by the way her mother was acting. "I know mother he deserted me and left you with the shame of not having the courage to be a father or a husband." Carolyn drew her mother's shoulders against her chest wrapped her arms around her shoulders and laid her head on her mother's shoulder.

"No, Carolyn, your father is dead." She felt ill to her stomach and the thought of what she was about to confess made her feel her life was no longer her own due to two men in her life that had caused her so much pain and anguish. Elizabeth thought back to that night so long ago, when Paul had come into the drawing room. Three bags were packed and he was looking quite smug. Following him into the room was Jason Maguire, a man that had shown up the month before claiming to be an old friend of Paul's.

1969

Collinwood

Paul sauntered into the room where Liz sat by the fireplace, her white knuckled hands gripping the chair arms. She glared at Paul, having just had a loud and very harsh argument. She had taken the jewels, cash, and bonds and locked them away in her father's back up safe. She glared dangerously at Paul.

Paul turned with a knowing wink to Jason, "Take our bags to the car, the small bag leave it." Jason chuckled and looked over at Liz Stoddard sitting stone faced and rage filled staring daggers of hate at them both. "Well Liz, where is my share of your inheritance?" He walked to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a stiff drink. "I have to say I am going to miss the fine liquors kept by this house." Turning he saw the look but paid no heed to it as he sipped his drink sliding his hand into his pants pocket to lean back against the liquor cabinet and cross his ankles.

Liz stood in her elegantly designed dress of satin and velvet; the elegant set of double strand pearls graced her neck. She had dressed for a night out only to discover Paul had been pilfering Carolyn's inheritance out of the safe. The argument had escalated and Paul had stormed from the room to go and change out of his dinner clothing. He now wore traveling clothing and his friend Jason had clung to his side like a tenacious leach. Walking to the sideboard by the window she lifted up a check and turned handing over the check she turned her back on him.

That is when his true nature came out. Paul looked down at what he considered was the paltry sum of one hundred thousand dollars and laughed, tearing up the check. "Not enough to get rid of me Liz, I want the one million I am entitled to and you will write me a draft for that amount or so help me I will strangle the life out of you!" With a brutality never before experienced by Liz, he jerked her around and began to choke her. "If I choke you to death then I inherit it all."

Liz had clutched for the only thing within her reach and that was the crystal decanter on the table by the window, lifting it she smashed it against his head. The affect was immediate. The blood poured from his forehead, his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed to the floor. All Liz could think was she had just killed Paul. Crying hysterically she staggered choking to the phone and started to call George Patterson.

Jason had entered the room and saw what was happening. Stopping her from making the phone call he assured her he would take care of everything, she just needed to leave it to him. Liz shocked and feeling sick to her stomach allowed Jason to lead her to the library where he sat her and had her wait for his return. Jason was gone for what seemed forever. When he entered the room he stooped down in front of Liz and spoke softly. "Elizabeth, Paul is dead. I have buried him in the woods out by that god forsaken hill you all call Widow's Hill, we will tell no one about this. This will be our secret, do you understand?"

Elizabeth's eyes were filled with grief and tears and she nodded slowly. "I had to hit him, he was choking me! He said he was going to kill me and he was going to take Carolyn's inheritance. I could not let him do that."

1991

Castle Florescue, Library

"Jason left but he would not let me forget what I had done. He would send letters requesting a small amount of money to stay quiet over the past twenty-one years." Her voice had sounded hallow in the room where she stood looking out the window not seeing the beauty of the gardens or just beyond the green field of eerie light. Carolyn was shocked to learn this but knew her mother was in a lot of pain just remembering her father that way again.

"Odd, you should say you killed him Mrs. Stoddard, when I know for a fact he lives not more than ten kilometers from his brother's castle with his wife Angelica and has lived there for over the past twenty years." Alexandru frowned deeply he studied the woman and knew the cost of her actions so long ago and had lived for most of Carolyn's life with this knowledge locked deep within her mind that she thought she had kept a deadly secret, which had now been brought out in the open.

Liz and Carolyn both turned their eyes wide and filled with surprised shock. "Alive? My father is alive and not far from this place?" Her voice had grown raspy with her own pent up anger and emotions.

"Yes, we never knew the name of the woman he married and frankly Stoddard here is not that uncommon a name. I had no idea you were Paul's wife." Alexandru again curbed that tingle of excitement as he played his part well, he was going to make sure that Andréas' and Paul would never have any claims on his family's wealth once they were revealed to be the debauched charlatans they had always been.

Elizabeth shook her head. "We never divorced because I thought he was dead. Apparently, he decided to take back his name and remarry here?" She glanced at Alex and then felt the soft hold of her daughter's arms around her. "How will this affect his marriage here?" Elizabeth was angry but she had years to hide her anger behind a polite mask of reserve.

Alex shrugged his shoulders, "He is royal, although the church would excommunicate him for being a bigamist but for the most part it would not affect him. However it would make his two children bastards and not ligitmate heirs to the family's fortune." Turning to Carolyn he smiled an apology. "It would seem you are discovering more siblings as we go along. Your father had twin daughters with his current wife."

Carolyn was curious, very curious about her father and her two sisters but she was a Collins first and foremost and would not for anything allow that nature over rule her mother's feelings. Being protective of her mother Carolyn sighed softly and said, "I think today we will not pursue this mother, we have been through far more than I can say. I am curious though why did he not come to the big banquet that Drake Darkhart held? Especially since it was to announce his pending marriage? They obviously should have been on the list of attendees. As I recall you wer not there either.

Alex chuckled softly, "But my dear I was there, I was there at the back of the room and much to the consternation of Drake who has had a feud with my family and his for years. As for Paul, he declined attendance and sent word his wife was unwell and needed his attention. I strongly suspect that Paul knew you would be in attendance since he knew the name of the bride to be and her mother and father. Which his actions do not surprise me in the least. He has always been a coward unless it was to beat on women or terrorize children." The tone of his voice indicated the total lack of respect he held for his cousins.

They were interrupted by the appearance of one of the servants. "Milord a word please it is most important." He had bowed to Alex who turned and bowed to the ladies.

"Excuse me please." He walked to the door and closed it behind him. From inside Carolyn and Elizabeth could hear the raised voice of Alexandru. "WHAT! WHEN? DID YOU DO A SEARCH? ARE YOU SURE? TOUCH NOTHING IN THAT ROOM. I WILL BE THERE MOMENTARILY."

Alexandru opened the door and stepped in with a look of apology. "Ladies, most distressing news. It would appear that Victoria has disappeared. You will excuse me while I attend to this and go the most likely source of the disappearance. I am pretty sure I know who was behind this and will have your daughter safely returned shortly." He bowed again leaving Carolyn and Elizabeth unsettled and worried.

Alex closed the door turned and started to hurry towards the front foyer and main staircase when another servant intercepted him. "Milord, a moment. Prince Drake is in the drawing room with Count Petofi, they are demanding to be seen and they are harassing the servants over whom you are hosting as guests."

Alex frowned and swore softly under his breath in his native tongue, turning to the servant he ordered. "Secure Miss Winters room let no one in. I will deal with the Prince and the Count. Also make sure that Mrs. Stoddard and Miss Stoddard are safely escorted to a safe room in the cellar, explain who is here and that they are being moved for the purpose of their safety only and they will be safe in my inner chambers and you know which ones I am referencing?" He noted the subtle nod from his servant. "Good now off with you and be quick."

Alex turned squared his shoulders planted a superficial smile on his face and marched into the drawing room. "Gentlemen to what do I owe the displeasure of your visit?" Alex filled his room with his personality so huge that it was over whelming to those under his employ whom had turned bowed and scurried from the room. "And why are you harassing my servants? Don't you have enough of your own to terrorize rather than come here to torment mine?"

Petofi puffed up his chest and glowered, "Where are they Alex we know they are here, we demand . . . "

"DEMAND?" Alex furrowed his brow in that manner that always intimidated Andréas in the past. "WHO ARE YOU TO DEMAND UNDER MY ROOF ANDREAS?" He lowered his voice and took a deep breath, which brought a calmer demeanor but Andréas knew that he was still seething with anger. "The last time I checked you are in my house and are suppose to be a polite guest."

Diablos stepped forward. "We want to know is Victoria here?" Diablos frowned deeply he was not amused and he wanted his bride back and was not about to abide by polite means to obtain her. Before Alex could reply, a brilliant flash of heat and fire appeared in an explosive ball in the center of the room. Which caused them to flinch and close their eyes. Diablos growled low, "Ra!" All three men turned to peer at the newest arrival. "What are you doing here?"

Ra waited for the effects of his arrival to dissipate then sauntered to the gathered group. "I am here to collect what belongs to me." His words were clipped and filled with an edge. "You should know better Diablos to take what belongs to another an if you expected no consequences then you should quit living in your delusional world that you play in." He darted that glowing gaze at the other two men to see if they would challenge him.

"What belongs to you? What in the name of Hades are you talking about you pompous over inflated ego fool?" Petofi stepped forward with hands on hips and glaring at Ra. "It is bad enough you think you have claim over this dominion when you are not the only one that has investments or real estate here. We have nothing that belongs to you."

Ra turned extended his hand and with a flick of his wrist another smaller less dramatic ball of flame exploded and a beautiful woman with blond hair, piercing blue eyes and what appeared to be a permanent scowl obscuring her beauty stepped next to Ra. "Laura Murdock Collins, gentleman my handmaid and devotee to the order of the Phoenix. Laura they are denying they took your son."

Diablos and Petofi turned wide incredulous looks from one to the other. "David Collins is your son?" Diablos demanded as he shot a cold and dirty look to Petofi who now stood with a sheepish look on his face. Laura glared at Petofi then to Diablos.

"Yes, and you have taken my son and I want him back! I not only want him back I demand to have him brought to me now." She stood defiantly in front of the two men and then shot a curious glance at Alex. Both men turned and glared at Alexandru.

"Yes, Alex where is David Collins, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard and Carolyn Stoddard as well as Victoria Wnters."

Ra yawned and sighed dramatically. "He does not have Victoria Winters, I do and she is safe from the two of you. Now where is what belongs to me."

Diablos was ready to take the challenge until he heard that Ra had Victoria. Turning his gaze to Ra he demanded, "By what right to you lay claim to David Collins his mother is your handmaid not the boy."

Ra stiffened turned those cold impervious dark eyes that now glowed with an inner fire at the man that had just dared question him. "I claim him through the right of succession. When his mother takes her next life she will need her son to be with her as a sacrifice, so she has petitioned me to help her bring him back. Do you wish to challenge me Diablos? That puny human body you occupy will not last one round with me."

From the inner recesses of his mind and buried deep behind the forceful control of Diablos Drake Darkhart trembled at the thought of dying. He had through Diablos been allowed to be bold enough to finally have tasted the lips of a woman and to have held her flesh close to his body and if he came out of this alive he was determined to find her and win her for himself. It was when Diablos could feel his yearnings or desires that Diablos suffocated him enough to bury him back deep within the possession. A part of him prayed that he would soon be released or at least saved.

Alex smiled watching Diablos consider his options and he waited for a decision to be made. Most of his questions had been answered when he heard that Victoria was under the control of Ra now all he had to do was wait for the arrival of the other Collins family members and this would be resolved once and for all.