Chapter 25

Old House Collinwood

1992

Elizabeth stood, lacing her fingers together and smiled tensely. "Prince Drake, please don't go and do come down, it appears I owe you and apology and would like to extend an invitation to you." Elliott had stood with Elizabeth and now he gently placed his fingertips to the small of her back. "When I first arrived home, I was under the impression that you were that other Drake, the one that held me prisoner for the past four weeks. Elliott explained what had happened and told me that perhaps you were as much a victim of what was happening as my family and I were." She did look sincerely aggrieved for his current situation.

"I was less than gracious and for that I apologize, please it would be my honor to have you join us at Collinwood and no longer will I allow one of my guests to put my cousin out by offering what I should have." She instinctively stepped closer to Elliott as she spoke, hoping to gain some courage and strength from him. Elliott stepped forward.

"Duke Drake, my name is . . " Before he could introduce himself Drake nodded formally smiled politely.

"I know who you are Dr. Stokes. Or in this country you are called Professor? I have read most of your books you have written on the dark arts and the practice of those arts. I find that you are quite prolific when it comes to such studies. It did not surprise me that when you arrived in Romania that the government would wish to how is it you American's put it rake your brain?"

Elliott chuckled, "I think the euphemism you are searching for is 'pick' my brain which means to try and glean as much information from me as they could to see if they are tracking with my thoughts or practices in that field." He stepped forward to shake the man's hand. Releasing his hand he stepped back to stand next to Elizabeth.

"I do hope you will forgive me." She stepped forward and offered her hand to him. "I was still somewhat traumatized and saw the deplorable way the other you treated my daughter and I am a mother, so I would hope you would understand?" She waited for him to take her hand. He had reached forward and took her hand and this hand was warm. He smiled peering down into her eyes.

"My dear Mrs. Stoddard, it is I that should apologize to you for that treatment and the treatment your daughters and nephew received by my recently departed possessor. I suppose that is how you should view it. Were I in control never would such a act or acts been allowed to happen. I can assure you never would I have even remotely thought to be so cruel or sadistic to you or any member of your family. I took the opportunity today to extend my apologies to Victoria and she graciously accepted my apology, I now extend the same to you." He bowed slightly over her hand and released her hand.

Elizabeth let out a small sigh of relief, "Then I take it you accept my apology as well?" She watched him cross to a chair and take a seat. Elizabeth awaited his response, sitting on the sofa and waiting for his response. She was close to folding her hands primly in her lap when Drake smiled and nodded.

"Of course, there is no doubt that I would not have expected any less than your reaction my dear lady. I can sincerely say that it is with regret and pleasure I got to make your acquaintance this way. Had Diablos not possessed me I would still be locked in my library with my books and blithely allowing the world to pass me by and never had met you or your charming and gallant family. So the experience had its positive and the negatives to say the least. "

Barnabas had taken this opportunity to slip quietly from the room. His intention was to go to Collinwood and see Victoria, he had to see what her feelings were regarding him and he was most anxious to take up where they had left off while visiting Eric Lang in Portland. He had missed her and he needed to see her. Slipping on his Inverness cape he lifted his cane and opened the door stepping out in to the brisk night air. Lifting his eyes he peered up at the full moon and smiled. There had been many such nights in Martinique when he had taken Josette on strolls along the warm sea washed beaches of her father's plantation.

1795

Martinique duPres Plantation beach

One such night shortly after they had become engaged, he stopped to recall that they had argued and later he found her crying on the shore. Her shoulders heaved with her silent gasps. He had called to her softly, "My darling Josette. Please do not cry over this silly argument. You know you mean more to me than I could ever hope to convey." He watched, as she turned smiled and dashed into his arms and held onto him. "Mon Cheri, do not ever hate me! It is you I love and only you and I would surely die if you were to be so angry with me ever."

He had drawn her into his arms, kissed her passionately and knew then she had sealed his fate to hers. He had forever and always fallen in love with her. "How could I ever be angry with you my dearest one, you are my life, my very existence. I think of no one but you because that is how deeply I love you my love." He felt her press into his body and it was all he could do to not take her then and there on that moonlit washed beach. She had wanted him as much as he had wanted her but his code of gentlemanly conduct would not permit him to take his virginal intended before they wed.

Walking with her back to the house he noticed the pretty blond maid standing on her balcony watching them and knew she had been watching them on the beach. She had a sultry winsome look to her and Barnabas knew where he could seek his needs this night. Their eyes had locked together and she had appeared to understand what he needed and wanted. Later she was there at his door, wearing nothing much but a filmy shear nightdress and a smile.

From that moment on it had been always like that, when he had desired Josette and could not have her, he had Angelique. Now the name turned his stomach. He had unintentionally redirected his footsteps from the path to Collinwood and now found he was on Widow's Hill. It was here he finally had to admit; he had started what had happened to him. He never promised her he would love her. If anything he just wanted her because she was a release for his needs, lust and desires he had always held for Josette. However, somewhere along the way; Angelique had fallen in love with him and expected him to return her affections for what she was giving him.

She had not come to him as a virgin and oft times wondered if she had been invited into Andre's bed after the death of Josette's mother. He had wanted and needed her to keep his hands off of Josette. So for him she was a servant and she was there to serve those that occupied that house. "Barnabas, you know you betrayed our love when you went to her. We were to be married. YOU could have come to me I would have gladly given myself to you." Barnabas heard her voice and shifted turned and looked at the transparent radiant beauty in front of him.

"Josette!" He whispered her name with his pain filled anguished voice.

"Yes, my darling it is I. You think Victoria is me reincarnated, she is not. I am 'ere my love. I 'ave always been 'ere for you. But we can never be together! You live forever, I died." She looked down the tragic figure of regrets and loneliness. "Victoria is confused and so alone right now. I know as you know many will seek after Victoria. You will need to let 'er figure how where her 'art lives. If she chooses you do not compare 'er to me. I am truly gone my love."

"Do you honestly think I have feelings for her because I thought she was you?" He asked his own voice showing that is what he suspected from the first day he saw her in the drawing room of Collinwood.

"I think you wish to replace me and she looks very much like me. You see some of my qualities in 'er because she is related to me my love. If you are to love again, you must let me go to find your next love. You must know that to be truly 'appy you must find love with someone that can complete you as much as you complete them." She smiled that sad lost smile and slowly disappeared in front of him.

Barnabas so overcome with emotions dropped to his knees and covered his eyes. "Do not go! Please Josette do not go!" He covered his face and began to weep. He wept for Josette, his mother, his sister, Victoria and himself. The sobs were heart rendering and filled with so much anguish and for this night he was glad the wind lifted his cries and carried them out to sea. He was glad no one witnessed the total capitulation to his sadness that now filled him.

However, he had not expected a soft voice to speak from the encroaching shadows. It was a tender sweet voice that arrested his momentary loss of decorum. A voice that sounded truly concerned and worried for Barnabas. "Sir? Are you unwell?" She had stepped into view and Barnabas was not sure if she were an apparition too.

Rising on unsteady feet he turned his head so the woman could not see the tears that trailed down his cheeks and soaked the cape of his coat. "I . . . I am well enough." He sniffed lightly and felt her join him. She reached forward and took his hand and squeeze.

"You are troubled, is there anything I can do for you or help?" There it was again that tenderness in her voice. It was the kind of voice that melted the coldest of hearts. He peered down into the purest blue eyes he had ever seen, hair the color of spun golden silk and skin so creamy he felt he had to reach forward and caress it. Then remembering what he had done with Angelique he dropped his hand before he had touched her face.

He drew himself up and looked to the ocean. "No, there is nothing my dear. What brings a pretty girl like you out here to his desolate spot at this hour?" He was not sure how long he had been there and was sure that perhaps he had been there for hours instead of a short span of time. The emotions in his voice had enhanced his accent and she surmised he was from Great Britain.

"Well," she chuckled softly. "I was actually sent to get you. My name is Melanie. I am Mrs. Johnson's nurse Dr. Hoffman hired before everyone went to some far off country." She squeezed his hand one more time and smiled encouragingly. "Roger and Quentin saw you from the second story library window and wanted to ask you something and they asked me to come and fetch you. I thought it was rather rude to use the term fetch since you are neither a bone nor I a dog."

The glib and honest response made Barnabas smile. "Very astute of you my dear. Well, allow me a few more moments to collect myself and I shall be happy to join them in the library." He watched her smile and there was just the barest hint of mischief dancing in those eyes and a soft flush when she realized how closely he was studying her profile.

"I don't know what caused so much pain from that cry. For what it is worth, I have found that for the most part, it usually is because of a woman. Take it from me Mr. Collins, that much grief the woman is not worth it." She winked smiled and turned walking back to Collinwood. He watched her disappear into the shadows that surrounded the woods and sighed deeply.

"For one so young you are so right." He knew what he had to do was to allow Victoria to be Victoria and not a shadow of Josette. That it was important that he got to know Victoria for whom she was. He would allow her to live and choose whom she wanted and he would be one of the contenders for her attention. He just needed to be patient. He did have one favor over the rest of them. She felt safe in his home and in Josette's room. He would not use that advantage but allow her to seek it and him out.

Turning he walked slowly towards the front of Collinwood and paused to look at the great structure perched high upon the hill that was an extension to Widow's Hill. The night sky held a luminous glow to it and he smiled. They had done right in building the house here, using the wide expanse of the deep and wide Atlantic as a backdrop. He had to wonder how many Collins children had played on these grounds? What had happened to them? He had hoped they were happy and had lived full good lives.

Second Floor Library Collinwood

Roger looked over the documents that were handed to him by Quentin. "So, as you can see Roger, here is where we need to concentrate on upgrades to the cannery to make it more efficient and productive which means higher profits and currently there is a big demand for shrimp and lobsters. They are going for as much as gold per ounce."

Roger could not concentrate Maggie was late getting back from Portland and it was not like her to not check in with him. "I know what you are saying Quentin, but frankly I don't now if we have the funds to do the upgrades you are saying we need. I would need some other backing, are you willing to invest some of that hard-earned book money of yours into the business? For that matter do you think Barnabas and you would consider investing in the upgrades for a percentage of the profits?" Roger walked to the desk that faced the double doors with the back to the large picture window.

Quentin had turned and looked out the window and saw Barnabas heading their way then take a detour heading to Widow's Hill. Standing there he appeared to be considering Roger's proposition. Instead he was watching a very interesting meeting between Barnabas and an apparition that looked exactly like the one he had chased his first night back. "Quentin, are you considering my proposal?"

"Huh? Oh yes Roger I am, I think its an excellent idea we could split it four ways, with twenty-five percent going to each of us." He saw Melanie passing down the hallway, and for a moment he was transported back to 1845 when an image just like her had shown herself in their house as his wife. "Excuse me, I just saw Barnabas going to Widow's Hill, will you wait while I send Melanie to bring him here." He stepped around Roger hurried to the doorway and caught her just before she went down the stairs. "Miss? Melanie?" He watched her stiffen just like Daphne used to do and turn on the balls of her feet and stare at him with what appeared to be infinite patience." Another trait Daphne used when dealing with him.

"Yes Mr. Collins?" Her words were precise and clipped with only the barest and briefest of polite smiles.

"I was wondering if you would be so kind as to trot yourself down to Widow's Hill. My cousin Barnabas Collins is there and Roger and I have something of importance to speak with him. Oh and if Mrs. Stoddard comes back, please tell her to join us here." He saw her consider his words, tilt her head slightly and that was another trait that Daphne had while considering anything he asked of her.

"Mr. Collins, because I am a kind person and would gladly be happy to do anything this family requested, that is within reason and not illegal. I do not trot; I am not a horse, a goat or any other such animal that performs those functions. However, I shall be happy to walk to Widow's Hill and request your cousin to join you."

Quentin chuckled and shook his head. "Be a good girl then and go fetch him." She was being baited and she knew it and it did the trick she chuckled with him.

"I see now you think I am a dog going for a ball or a bone. Well again, I shall walk to the requested location and I shall be happy to request his presence be presented here. Excuse me while I "fetch" my coat so I might bring your cousin to you." She turned smartly marched off down the stairs.

"My god she is a spitfire!" He muttered softly and turned to walk to the library. "Well we will get Barnabas in here and see what we can do to make some money for this family."

Seaview Cottage

The sad house by the sea

Collinwood Property

Vlad waited and then he sensed she was near, he smiled and looked around the room. The candlelight was romantic, the setting as close to a reproduction as he could make it when he first had Josephine brought to him. The difference was it was a grand castle and he was much younger and naïve. His Josephine who was so much like the delectable sweet young thing coming at his bidding. He turned and watched the door. She lifted her delicate fingertips and opened the door and she was transported back to the day Sarah, Daniel and she had come to this sad house by the sea.

Stepping through the door she paused and looked around at the lovely setting. A table set for two, candle light, the curtains around the open window danced in the light sea breeze. Victoria stepped further in the room. The door softly shut on its own causing her to turn with soft gasp then she spoke softly, "Hello?"

From the darkest shadows he stepped into view. He was tall commanding, wearing a tuxedo he smiled, his gaze locked to her gaze and held her mesmerized. "Victoria." He spoke her name with a hint of velvet seduction. He held his arms up and for the reason known only to him she walked into his embrace. She was under his thrall. He smiled down into the sweet purity of her face and spoke softly. "You belong to me now. Come sit and dine with me and allow an old man to relive his youth again." Curving his arm around her shoulders he led her to a chair and seated her, wrapping both arms around her to push her up to the table.

She watched him enchanted by his youthful good looks and his manner was so tender and old world. She smiled shyly. "I don't know your name." She felt it was wise to whisper in this setting as her gaze was held by his gaze and she watched the slow easy smile spread over those lips. "Who are you?" She tilted her head and studied him under a fall of thick lashes.

He had noticed she had dressed in a pair of slacks and a white blouse that hugged her body and draped from her shoulders. Her hair had been pinned up off her shoulders and her manner had suddenly become shy and retiring. Dropping her chin to blush softly with his intent gaze.

"Do you know my dear how utterly beautiful you truly are? You know me, look into her heart and into your past memories, I am there always at the back of your mind and barely conscious in your thoughts, I am there in your dreams when you sleep at night and seek shelter against the cruelties of the day. That is where you find me and I am there watching out for you."

The words to her made no sense but the meaning meant everything she had felt from the inception of thought for her. She had always seen a darker figure that was hidden in the deepest recesses of her mind and had reached out to him when the scary lady had come to visit her at the foundling home. There was always and had always been this dark figure with mesmerizing eyes that watched her when she slept and in her dreams a figure that saved her from the darkest fears of the night.

"Are you my father?" she asked softly and wondered how that was possibly he could be barely five years older than she. She had suddenly grown child like in his presence and felt him watch her with an amused stare.

"My dear child what I feel for you this night hardly constitutes as fatherly. So, no your father is a relative of my wife's. Unfortunately he had sought other designs for you. I on the other hand wish to use you as a means to an end." He had planned this for sometimes he just needed the right vessel.
"You shall be my deliverer of the truth and you will do as I say because we shared blood." He took the seat across from her. Reaching for the bottle of special wine he had brought he poured the deep dark liquid into her goblet. "Drink from my cup my dear, drink and see the truth of the night."

Victoria watched the liquid flow into her goblet and thought it seemed thick and appeared to be sweet. Her slender hand reached for the goblet and she lifted the glass and pressed it to her lips, her tongue touching the thickness when the door burst open and the room was filled with a wind dervish that had snatched the glass form her hand and sent it flying across the room to land against the wall with a crash, the liquid staining the wall running down it in thick long rivulets. Alexandru grabbed Victoria by the wrist pulled her into his arms glared dangerously at his father. "NEVER! YOU WILL NOT!"

Speaking words of arcane he was gone from the room with Victoria in his arms. Vlad shouted to the disappearing two "Zeii fi al naibii Alexandru blestem tine! O voi găsi și ea va fi a mea! Ea este a mea! M-ai auzit? Ea îmi aparține! " The room was now sheltered in darkness and Vlad slumped to the chair and sighed. "This is not over son, not by a far shot. She will belong to me, she has my blood in her and she will come to my call whenever I send for her. Tonight I give to you."

Alexandru had appeared on the beach and he had heard his father shout at him and easily translated his words "Gods be damned Alexandru curse you! I will find her and she will belong to me! She is mine! Do you hear me? She belongs to me!" Alexandru shook Victoria and looked at her and saw she had tasted some of his blood and now he was concerned.

"My dearest little one we must get you away from here and his influence. If he is this intent on taking you then my mother will be just as intent of destroying you to keep you from him. We have ourselves a problem and frankly I am not sure how we will deal with this."

So ends Season Three. . . Next Season Four The Season of Compromise and the Witch