Dane

Chapter 14

Dane paused at the end of the path that led to the Old House. As usual, it looked deserted from the outside, from this distance. And yet he knew, that Barnabas and Willie were inside. A muscle in his jaw twitched, as he prepared himself for the confrontation ahead. He was doing this for Julia's sake, he reasoned to himself. For her, and her alone. To make her see that Barnabas Collins would never be good enough for her. But she loves him, another part of his mind whispered. Have you the right to interfere?

"She deserves better," he answered himself, and pushed on through the trees, vainly trying to silence the voice.

He quickly climbed the steps and entered the house, without bothering to knock.

Willie, stoking the fire, turned at the unexpected sound. "Wha-" he managed, before Dane, forced him savagely to his feet.

"Where's Barnabas?" he demanded.

"He ain't here!" protested Willie, trying to wriggle free, but Dane held onto him, with a vice grip.

"Don't lie to me, Willie!" said Dane, giving him a little shake. "Julia was here not half an hour ago! Now, tell me where he is!"

"I'm tellin' ya the truth! He went out after she left!"

Dane eyed him furiously. Clearly undecided if he should believe him or not. He shoved Willie away from him. His cowering disgusted him.

"I'll take your word, for now, Willie. But give Barnabas my warning. Tell him, to stay away from Julia. Or I won't be responsible for what happens. Do you understand me?"

"Yeah, I understand," he acknowledged. "But you're the fool, if you think Barnabas will do as you want, because he won't. And he's not the kind of guy you want to be on the wrong side of."

"Then he's in excellent company isn't he?" responded Dane. "From now on, Barnabas doesn't go within a mile of Julia."

"And how to you plan to stop him, or Julia?"

"I have my own way for dealing with Julia, your problems with Barnabas, are your concern."

"Why are you so afraid of Julia being with Barnabas?" Willie wanted to know.

"I'm not," Dane assured him. "But I don't mind telling you, that I've asked her to marry me, and she's indicated that she will."

Willie's jaw dropped open. "She's agreed to marry you?" he asked in a whisper.

"Not yet, but she will," said Dane assuredly. He turned to leave, but he turned back, a smug look on his face, "And you have my permission to tell Barnabas. I'm sure he'll want to congratulate us." He chuckled at his own joke, and left a stunned Willie, and the Old House behind. Unaware that at least part of his conversion had been overheard.

/

The day, showed signs of being the warmest of the summer. But the heat of the day was lost on Willie Loomis, as he paced agitatedly in the foyer of Collinwood, waiting for Julia to make an appearance.

He groaned inwardly, on seeing that the first person to descend the stairs was Dane Spencer. He eyed Willie carefully, as he removed an imaginary speck of lint from his shirtsleeve.

Willie gulped at the close scrutiny, and averted his eyes. "Yes Willie, what is it?"

"I have to see Julia," he gushed. "It's Barnabas; he's sick."

"Barnabas," said Dane, in a carefully controlled voice. "What did I tell you last night, Willie?"

Anxiety coloured his voice. "But he really needs her! He's really sick!"

"There are other doctors besides Julia, Willie. And besides, she no longer makes house-calls."

"But she's been treatin' him!" blustered Willie, beyond caution. His worry over Barnabas overruling his normal level headedness, where Barnabas was concerned. "Only she knows how to help 'im!"

Dane remained unmoved. "I'm sure a doctor from the town can help him, just as well. Good-bye, Willie."

"But -"

The next instant, he was shoved outside, and the door firmly closed in his face. He was tempted to burst through the doors, and demand to be allowed to see Julia, but the look in Dane's eyes held him back. Besides, he'd already left Barnabas alone far too long. Torn between duty to Barnabas and the help he needed, he deliberated on what to do. Returning to Barnabas won out, and he returned to the Old House, wondering on what else he could do.

As Dane closed the door, Julia was descending the stairs. She glanced over towards the doors, and then looked to Dane. "Was that Willie I heard?"

"No," said Dane, his expression carefully neutral. "If he was here, I never heard him."

Julia frowned. "I'm sure I heard his voice," she worried.

"I've just come in from a walk, and I never saw him. If you ask me, you're spending too much time reading those history books; they're making you hear things," he smiled, broadly.

She shook her head, and he knew he had won her over. As she turned to head towards the dining room, he breathed a sigh of relief; it had been close.

"Have you any plans today?" he asked, falling in step with her.

"First, I plan to have breakfast, and several cups of coffee. Then I plan to head to Wyndcliffe. I have a special case, arriving, and I want to make the arrangements myself."

"Oh? And how special is this special case?" Dane wondered.

They had reached the dining room, and she paused in pouring her coffee.

"Too special, to be discussing it with you, I'm afraid."

"Of course, I understand. Doctor's confidentiality. Do you plan to remain at Wyndcliffe all day?"

"Most of the day, there is a lot of organising to do. Paperwork to fill in. Instructions for the other medical staff to adhere to."

"Well, if you need help, I'm offering my services."

"I'm sorry Dane. But I must do this alone."

Disappointment was clear on his face. But he smiled, and "I'm sure I can amuse myself while your gone. But, at least say you'll have dinner with me, tonight."

"I can't tonight. I promised Barnabas, I'd spend an evening with him," she said, apologetically.

"I see," said Dane, looking down at his hands. "I was hoping that we could spend the evening together, perhaps make plans for when I have to leave Collinwood."

The veiled reference to his marriage proposal wasn't lost on her. But, it was true that he was only at Collinwood a short time. Surely it wouldn't hurt to spend one more night with him?

"Alright. I'm sure Barnabas will understand. But you must understand, that I may be late returning from Wyndcliffe, and so all your plans might be for nothing."

"I'll take that chance."

An hour later, Julia left for Wyndcliffe, still unaware of the events prior to her appearance downstairs.