Chapter 23

Drake stood by the front window of the old house the morning sunshine played over the beauty of the gardens. This was a place very much worthy of his presence except it lacked modern conveniences. He gave little thought to the fact that Barnabas had kept the house much as it had been in the day that his family had lived here. He was very much aware he was an in between. Someone had tried to help him with the curse that had been placed on him by Angelique. She had been a wicked woman at his home while he was being controlled by what he learned was his true father.

Stepping out into the warm sunshine he actually felt glad he as no longer being held under the darkness that was his father. He glanced around and then he saw her slowly walking towards the house. He could not help himself; he smiled watching the way the sun captured the highlights of her hair and the grace she held with each step she took. He remembered her while under the control of his father and this was the very same woman he had longed to know better. Oh not because she looked so much like Josephine but because she was everything that Josephine was not.

Victoria Winters was charming, caring, sensitive and sweet natured. She was what every man sought to build his life around. The epitome of goodness and purity and it would be a shame to destroy what she represented. Despite the fact he had recalled Diablos saying she had been sexually active, it had been with but one man and that was his host in this house. She walked towards the front doors and paused. The look of uncertainty filled her eyes staring into the face of a man that had been so cruel to her.

Hesitantly she took a step back and he halted her. "No, please. It is not he. I have my own body back and I very much want to know you on my own. Please come in. I fear Mr. Collins left this morning with Quentin. They were going to the airport."

"Oh?" Smiling she knew that meant that Julia, Elliott and Eric were back. With less trepidation she continued up the stairs to stand next to Drake. "Hello, I am Victoria Winters, and I heard that some very evil demon had taken possession of your body and now you are free of him?" She followed him through the double doors into the house and walked to the drawing room. She was at home here as she was in Collinwood.

Turning she smiled and sat on the divan. Drake followed her into the drawing room and felt totally at ease with her, sitting next to her on the divan he noticed initially she was still having trouble being close to him and with regret how cruelly his father had treated her. Keeping a polite distance between them he sat back and relaxed in her company. "I hope to get to know you better and show you that I was nothing like the Drake you knew when you were being held in the castle. I am rather tame compared to the other Drake you unfortunately knew before me."

He had offered his apology and watched the way she brushed the hair back from her neck. He had felt Vlad's presence close by and had worried he might have tried to stake a claim on her. Not seeing any bite marks on her neck he relaxed but a part of him felt there was something a little off about Victoria. She was different than he remembered. Perhaps it was his own imagination wondering at what had changed and in fact nothing had changed.

Victoria shifted around and smiled. "It is something about this house that calms me and makes me feel secure." She stood and walked to the fireplace and looked into the flames. "I wanted to thank you for your courtesy to me earlier. You really should know when I first saw you standing on the front stoop, I was frightened and was ready to leave." She turned to place her direct gaze on him.

He smiled and looked down. "I fear I allowed myself to be taken over by that demon because I had isolated myself from my people and my friends. It was not until you and your family arrived and I was no longer in control of my own body that I realized what a fool I had been. It was easy to be frank and honest with you because I felt I knew you through his association and I knew how cruel he had been."

Vicki was feeling a little embarrassed in his presence, there were a lot of negative memories involving him. "I would like to forget the past meeting that was and so ask that we use this time to get acquainted." Stepping forward she held out her hand. "Hello, my name is Victoria Winters." Her smile was enchanting and he felt his heart flip, standing he took her hand and gently laid a kiss on the knuckles.

"My pleasure Miss Winters, my name is Duke Florescue, Duke Drake Florescue and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He smiled charmingly into her gaze and watched as a soft flush of color spread across her cheeks. Gently disengaging her hand from his she stepped back and locked her hands behind her back.

"So tell me your grace, how are you finding your stay in Collinsport?" She was going to play this out as if they had just met and that was how she would deal with her mixed emotions concerning this man. She walked back to the sofa and sat again. Neatly folding her hands in her lap she waited for a response.

He bowed then set next to her and smiled widely. "I was a little disappointed in the beginning. It seems I am very limited on my knowledge of the local color but now that I have met you, I find that I am fascinated to learn more. I would love a tour sometime if you would be so kind as to give me a tour I would be forever in your debt." He folded his hands in his lap and smiled looking around the house.

"Why not start with this house and the grounds, I am sure you would like a little history lesson on Collinwood and this is the original Collinwood that was built in the late 1600's by Isaiah Collins, he had a son named Joshua who became the head of this household and Joshua Collins was the one that bore three sons and a daughter, Barnabas was the oldest, Jeremiah was the next oldest, and then there was Daniel. Then there was a lovely child named Sarah Collins. Rumor has it that she still haunts the house and the one on the hill, the current Collinwood. She has appointed herself the protector of those that are named Collins." Vicki stood and nodded to the door, "Shall we continue your tour." She led him across the foyer to the front door and opened it. "I am going to take you to widow's hill to continue the story."

Drake offered his arm, and she laced her arm through his arm and walked to the front entrance. "This house has a very sad history. You see it was rumored that back in the late 1700's a beautiful woman by the name of Josette duPres was to be wed to the original Barnabas Collins. She was traveling from Martinique to wed the eldest son and thereby connect the two wealthy families in finance and business." Victoria led him down the stairs towards the pathway to the woods. The early spring was allowing the day to be warm and inviting. The woods were just beginning to show new birth and growth.

"Barnabas and Josette were very much in love. However, there was another that was not happy with the union, she had her own tender feelings tied to Barnabas." Victoria furrowed her brow as she recalled her first meeting with Angelique. She was not aware that Angelique had been having nightly visits to Barnabas' bed. She just knew she had an unhealthy interest in the new upcoming master of this house. "At that time Joshua had hired a wonderful man by the name of Peter Bradford who was good friends with Jeremiah and Barnabas to build the current Collinwood, he was going to turn this house over to Barnabas and his new bride."

They walked along the pathway and Drake was entranced by her story she seemed to know this story intimately. He was raptly interested in her version of the story of two great houses. "The maid to Josette was named Angelique Bouchard. She had her heart set on obtaining Barnabas for her own; she had fallen in love with him. So, when Josette arrived, Angelique began to ply her trade as a witch. She bound two figures together and cast a spell that would have deadly consequences."

Vicki had grown distant as she spoke of Josette and Jeremiah and how they had instantly became attracted to each other and then one night eloped and were married. "Much to the chagrin and heartbreak of Barnabas, who found them together in a local inn consummating their marriage. Barnabas was upset for good reason his brother and his fiancé had betrayed him. So, he issued a challenge to his brother for a duel." She paused and took a breath and continued. He noticed she had a hard time discussing this part of the star crossed lovers relationship and wondered why?

"So on the break of dawn in that field over there." She nodded to the field near the south end of the house she sighed and closed her eyes. "The two brothers met. Now it had been Barnabas intent to not load his weapon and not fire, his brother was not as good a shot as Barnabas but he did not want to hurt his brother but when he fired his weapon discharged and hit Jeremiah in the chest." She sniffed lightly, the affects of that day still found an emotional chord in her and she shook her head smiled sadly and continued to walk with Drake towards Widow's Hill. "The shot killed Jeremiah instantly. Josette was beside herself with grief over her love for her husband and told Barnabas she would hate him forever."

Victoria had been arrested shortly after that for witchcraft so she had to draw on what was told to her by Peter's daily visits to her in jail. "It was later learned that Angelique had cast the spell and they had found the two dolls that had been used to bring them together, once the dolls were separated the spell had worn off. However it was later discovered that Barnabas had suddenly died, they found his body lying on the floor. But, it was one of those diseases that made it appear he was dead when he was not really dead."

Victoria had taken a deep breath, 'Unfortunately, Josette did not know that Barnabas was not dead and in a fit of depression she had ran towards the top of this hill." They had arrived and she stood poised on the hill wit the wind whipping her hair and clothing about her body. "They say that she was driven mad with grief, losing Jeremiah and then Barnabas she threw herself from the hill to her death below." Her voice had grown incredibly soft as she spoke of the tragic end of a beautiful woman's life. "It was a romantic story much reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet." She sighed softly having grown a fondness for Josette in the brief time she had known her.

"Is Josette the portrait of the woman whose picture hangs in one of the bedrooms upstairs?" He had noted how much she looked like Josephine when he found her picture. He watched her slowly nod her head.

"Yes, and when we first met, Barnabas thought I might be her reincarnated and he was the reincarnation of the original Barnabas and we were perhaps to correct history and play out the roles again." She sighed softly thinking about that and wondering now if she really were the reincarnation. Drake stepped forward taking her hand in his hand.

"I would like to think you are Victoria and that perhaps you are here to change all our lives. That the past belongs in the past and the future is where we need to focus our attention to build a new life and appreciate the past as it should be appreciated." He smiled taking her hand in his and allowing his thumb to play over her knuckles. "May I ask a personal question?" He looked up into those dark eyes and saw his future reflected in her gaze.

"Depends on how personal you want to get." She smiled and he heard the teasing tone in her voice. Again there was that soft flutter of her lashes as she shielded her gaze from him and looked down at the hand holding her hand, which had brought a soft flush of color to her face.

"Are you and the current Barnabas involved in a relationship?" He had held a hopeful note to his voice as he asked the question. He saw the look in her gaze go distant and she sighed softly. Breaking his hold on her hand she wrapped her arms close to her body and turned her back on him.

"I thought we were getting closer before I was brought to your castle. I had felt at one time that I was a part of his new life here in the United States; unfortunately, I have not had any further contact with him to know where I stand with him. I thought we were falling in love." She had hugged her body close as she spoke of her feelings and to him it sounded as if she had become conflicted with her own emotions concerning Barnabas.

"I see, so if someone else wanted to say ask you for a date you would not be opposed to share a friendship evening with that person?" He had to start slow with her, there had been a lot of damage done before now and he needed to take his time with her, he could tell she had her emotions locked down and was attempting to insulate her self against any more damage.

Turning she smiled, "I would enjoy taking you around town and showing you the points of interest and if we should happen to find a place to dine we could sit and become friends if you wish your grace."

He sighed softly shook his head and smiled. "Please call me Drake and I hope you would allow me to call you Victoria?" He turned to peer at the wild coast of Maine the way the waves rolled in to crash on the beach below and beat against the rocky abutment below.

"I would be honored have you call me Victoria, Drake." She flushed using his name and looked down to the beach below. "The tide is going out would you care to stroll along the shoreline to the edge of the property?" She nodded to the pathway that led to the beach below. "I cannot imagine the countless number of Collins children that must have scrambled down that pathway to the beach to play in the surf and sand." She chuckled softly and it filled his heart hearing her laugh. She had not laughed much when she was with Diablos.

"I would enjoy that very much Victoria allow me." He again extended his arm and escorted her down the pathway to the beach below. "This is so different from the mountains where I was raised. We had lakes but they were cold and not made for swimming. They were made form the melting snows from the mountain caps." Vicki chuckled and could imagine the waters being like ice and not for swimming.

"I can only wonder that you would learn to swim at all. But then I did see the swimming pool in the rear garden so surmised that a lot of summer days were spent in that pool enjoying a cool dip and not a frigid one." She walked easily at his side and started to feel comfortable as she escorted him along the beachfront.

Bangor Airport

Barnabas adjusted his sunglasses. He looked around the airport and read the arrival times for the flights. "What flight were they on?" He turned to stare at Quentin. Quentin was about to answer Barnabas when some girl squealed out.

"It is you! You are Grant Douglas!" She reached into her purse and pulled out her book. "Please autograph my book! Nobody in my book club is going to believe I met you!" She poked a pin in his face and smiled excitedly.

Quentin looked apologetically to Barnabas. "Sorry, I do need to keep my fans happy." He quickly scratched out his name and smiled charmingly to the young woman. "There you go my dear and may you enjoy your book for a long time to come."

"When is the next one coming out? I have been waiting anxiously. We need to know that Melinda is going to escape and be reunited with Thomas! We have just fallen in love with those characters."

Quentin was not about to tell her that Thomas had been killed and Melinda was so distraught that she had flung herself from the Verrazano Bridge and her body had not been recovered. Instead he patted her shoulder politely and said softly, "I sent my last chapter off to my publisher two weeks ago. I am sure you will find that the next Chapters in the life of Melinda and Thomas are about to change forever!" The girl so excited to be the first to hear his next book would be out soon jumped up and hugged him tightly then feeling embarrassed backed away.

"I am so sorry. Thank you for that bit of information Mr. Douglas and again I am so excited to have met one of my favorite authors." She turned and walked away feeling she had just met the President of the United States.

"I don't think she is going to be too happy about this next book. I had to bring their lives to an end and well I ended their lives very dramatically too. I am sure there are a lot of my fans that will be unhappy with me, but I figured we could bring them back in another form or another." He was being droll then remembered Barnabas' question. He had noted Barnabas was growing bored with his self-absorbed persona of Grant Douglas.

"Yes, the flight is 1421 due to arrive in fifteen minutes at gate three so shall we go there now?" He began to walk towards the aisle that would lead them to gate 3. Barnabas fell into step next to him but again before they had gone very far, another excited fan saw Quentin and demanded an autograph. Quentin was delayed enough that they were beginning to announce the arrival of flight 1421. Barnabas tapped his shoulder.

"I will meet you down there if you think you can avoid your fans." Barnabas turned and sauntered off down the long hallway heading to the gate to await disembarkation of the plane. Standing with his back to the wall he allowed his gaze to go over the sterile and busy airport and wondered at how much his life had changed since he was released from his coffin. Fortunately for him he had the last injection to keep his hunger at bay. He watched those around him and found they were as self absorbed as Quentin, they were caught up in their own lives so much they had not noticed that they were growing old before their time.

When the ramp's door from the plane opened and the passengers started walking out Barnabas watched anxiously and then he noticed a man in a black cap and wearing some kind of chauffer's uniform was holding a placard that had the name of Hoffman, Lang, and Stokes written on it. Pushing off the wall he walked to the gentleman and asked. "Why are you here?"

The man glanced to the tall-distinguished man at his side. "I am here to pick up my passengers if it is any of your business." He had been more than rude he had been insolent and Barnabas frowned and was about to dress him down about his impudence. When Quentin arrived and stopped the potential berating that the man had coming to him.

"Excuse me but we are here to pick up those people, who ordered the limo service?" The chauffer frowned and looked to the door.

"Look I was told to be here the company got paid and I am doing my job why the big fuss, I know they are coming in on a private jet but that does not give you the right to question me doing my job."

Quentin reached into his pocket and handed the man a one hundred dollar bill. "Take that and go, consider your services rendered and you don't need to tell your employer you got paid an extra one hundred, which I figure you could use am I right?" He had given the man a knowing look with a slight wink. The man pocketed the bill and nodded.

"After they unload that plane your party will be coming in that door there." He nodded to the door next to the one that was starting to thin down with the passengers leaving the plane. Turning he threw the placard in the trash and walked towards the exit.

"He was lucky you intervened on his behalf he was about to get his ears boxed." Barnabas folded his arms and turned his attention to the door the chauffeur had indicated. When the last of the planes crew had left the plane the other door opened and Elliott, followed by Eric and then Julia exited the door carrying their cases and looking exhausted. Julia brightened when she saw Barnabas and Quentin.

"Did you see Vicki? Is she all right?" She walked past Eric and Elliott making her way quickly to the two men that stood patiently waiting for her companions to catch up with her.

"Yes, she is fine Julia, she is a little tired and confused and somewhat disassociated due to her experience in Transylvania but for the most part she is adapting to being back very well. And there were some interesting developments that have occurred since your departure."

Elliott was the first to show his concern or curiosity, "What an odd statement to make. So what has been going on in our absence?"

Quentin was directing them to the luggage carrousel as he explained what had occurred with Ramon, Diablos and Drake and the arrival of someone that could be Vicki's double by the name of Josephine and how Alexandru had used his special talents to manipulate everyone and make off with Victoria. This naturally concerned Barnabas who was immediately informed that she had returned to Collinwood late last evening.

Elliott sighed and shook his head. "I thought I was going to have a tough time with Diablos and expelling him from Drake's body but you say he left willingly why?"

"Because Ramon and Alexandru along with this new woman Josephine said he would not be able to claim Victoria as long as he held Drake captive in his body and to say that there were some interesting family secrets exposed during this confrontation would be an understatement."

Barnabas had grown extremely morose when the name of Josephine was mentioned. "Why are you reacting to this information so negatively Barnabas what else has happened?" Quentin frowned deeply too. He spoke before Barnabas.

"Because we know who killed Daphne and turned Barnabas and it was none other than Alexandru's aunt Josephine who happens to look exactly like Josette and Victoria."

Julia was shocked, "You found your maker? You found the one that brought Daphne over too? Why is she not dead?" Elliott felt Eric growing restless they were all tired.

"Why not table this discussion for later in the ride home, I hardly think the middle of a public airport is the proper place to discuss this topic." Julia flushed and nodded.

"Of course, shall we head back to Collinwood, I am sure you have used your last shot?" She glanced at Barnabas awaiting his response. Barnabas nodded slowly looking away from Julia's inquiring glance. Quentin helped gather their luggage and led them out to the car and they set off to Collinwood in relative ease and calm.