Chapter 9

Darkness crept across the dimly lit room like a cloying cloak of suffocating silence that filled the very air with its evil intent. The sun was setting into the west in a cloak of gathering thunder clouds building for what Vicki surmised was going to be one heck of a wind coming in from the Pacific. The very air held a charge of apprehension as the storm sent its rolling thunder vibrating over the ancient house.

She glanced up from her desk and chewed her bottom lip nervously. She had not felt this unsettled since her early days at Collinwood. Rising slowly from her desk, she moved with an unconscious grace across the room to peer out the window at the sky.

A soft knock at the door announced she was going to have a visitor. Turning from the window as a brilliant flash of lightening illuminated the night sky she called, "Come in." She watched anxiously not sure who it might be since Barnabas was in town, Sarah and Jeremiah was still at school.

The door opened slowly and Vicki pursed her lips releasing the tension from her bottom lip and watched in anticipation. Patiently she waited for the person that knocked to enter. The door opened slowly and for a reason only known to her, instinctively she held her breath and watched with baited breath.

The door opened with a disturbing creak, which reminded her, that she should have someone oil the door. "Hello?" When no one appeared she with a great deal of apprehension moved cautiously over to the door. Almost with a degree of stealth she approached the door and in one fluid movement, she jerked the door opened to peer into the now near pitch-black hallway.

Turning to the room's interior she moved to turn on a light and the lights flickered then went out. "Great now all I need is for the dark creature with evil intent to come in and try and kill the innocent maiden. Except I am no more a maiden and I am suppose to be here alone."

Moving to the 17th century cupboard she shuffled around for the candlestick holders and candles. Readily finding the items she for which she searched. The generator in the cellar kicked on and the light she had turned on earlier popped on. The sudden action of the room lighting up nearly startled her.

Unexpectedly to dispel the tension she chuckled softly. "Right on time." Moving about the room, she put on a couple of more lights and then moved to the hallway, flipping the light switch expecting the lights to come on. Unfortunately, this is the part where she expected that someone must have unscrewed the light bulbs thereby leaving her in the long hallway without light and a heavy feeling of being watched. "Hello?"

She called out softly as she moved by instinct down the center of the hallway towards the upstairs balcony. "Barnabas?" Her voice growing less secure she put her hand out to feel along the hallway to the end of the hall. From behind the movement was subtle but quick enough that it appeared only as a blur.

"Josette?" Again that questioning tone in her voice as she made her way down the hallway towards the upstairs landing. Even the lightening could not penetrate the interior walls of the upstairs bedrooms.

All doors were closed allowing no outside source of light to come through. "Jeanette?"

She cocked her head trying to listen she was sure she had heard deep breathing and movement from behind and she twisted around and allowed for the darkness to adjust her sight. "Is anyone there?" She cocked her head and turned back around and continued down the hallway towards some dim lighting from downstairs that barely made its welcoming comfort up to the second floor hallway. "Please? Is anyone there?"

Moving slowly and using caution she felt her way down the hallway, and her own heart now wanting to beat a rapid pace in her chest. Forcing herself to calm she closed her eyes for just a moment and that was all it took. From behind it came quickly and with viciousness she was not prepared to accept.

The pain was intense and the very air around her felt oppressive she felt a set of rude hands shove her into the wall, hitting her head with a resounding thump sending shards of brilliant flashes to encompass her sight and then darkness gathered with darkness and she felt her legs beginning to slump and she was falling and was no longer aware.

The voices were buzzing around her in her confusion. They spoke in an ancient language and their hands were rude upon her person. She could feel her jacket being removed, her clothing being taken and then the coolness of the air over her near nude body as she was covered again in heavy brocade clothing and soft whispers of accusations being leveled against her.

"Is she a witch?" The voice was vaguely familiar and it reminded her of a past she had long hoped to forget.

"I think not, I believe her to be of another country perhaps?" This was another female voice that held a heavy accent of perhaps French if not Italian decent. "Her clothing is most odd and very indecent, from what country do they dress as such?"

Vicki forced her eyes to remain close but tempted to open them a slit and peer at two women that stood at the foot of a bed. They wore clothing from another era and Vicki was very much aware of the era she had after all lived in almost a life time for her.

The storm outside was raging with its fury it lashed at the shutters of the windows and then Vicki realized she was in Josette's room and the two women that now stood at the end of her bed was none other than Natalie DuPres and Abigail Collins. Unable to contain her fear she moaned, "Oh no!"

Both women turned to peer at her. Sitting up she felt her hair fall over her face and she was more than just a little confused. "What? Where?"

She got up and staggered towards the small vanity and peered in shocked wonder. She had not aged from the time she had been here before. She was once again twenty-two years old and apparently from the appearance of Natalie and Abigail she was back in time. Dread and a sickening feeling of surreal foreboding filled her very existence she studied her appearance and the room.

Letting her gaze travel over the room she realized there were subtle differences to the room. Josette's picture was no longer hanging over the mantle, instead the picture that hung there was very much like hers the night she came to Old House for Barnabas' masquerade dinner.

She wore the same white gown and her hair was stylishly groomed to allow her hair to lie in ringlets over her shoulder. "Madam?"

The Julia look alike that was Natalie DuPres stepped forward. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Vicki looked at the picture transfixed and then glanced to Natalie. "I am sorry, do I know you?"

She felt her head and there was the beginning of an obvious bump on her head. "I know who you look like, but that is impossible. She is dead and now you are here? Who are you?'

Vicki moved to the portrait that was so like her and had been displayed at her wedding reception. "My name is Victoria Winters and you are?"

Natalie gasped and drew her hand to her mouth, her eyes going wide." Abigail crossed herself. "I told you she was a witch!"

Before this got out of hand much more than it had the first time Vicki shook her head. "No Madam, I am no witch. I do demand to know what you are doing here in my house in Josette's room!"

Natalie collapsed on to the petite settee her face going to a sickly pasty white. "How do you know this is Josette's room and how do you call this home your home?"

Vicki sighed deeply and moved to the vanity and picked up the brush and played with it and then with tender fingertips she lifted the lid to the music box. "Because Barnabas and I were married and made this our home."

Abigail screamed out. "Liar! You are a Liar! I will send for the Reverend Trask and have you arrested spawn of evil and hell!"

Vicki turned and frowned. "I think not Abigail, I am no witch and I am not from hell and you will do no such thing! Now where is Barnabas?"

Natalie choked out. "He and Josette died, she tried to throw herself from the cliffs on Widows hill and he trying to save her fell from the hill and died with her. They were buried and have been gone for over five years now."

It was Vicki's turn to collapse on the small vanity stool her face turning a pasty white. "No, he can't be dead! He is the love of my life!"

The door to Josette's room was thrown open and in came a tall commanding figure with ice blue eyes, dark thick hair and a sinister smile. Vicki seeing him rushed to him calling softly, "Quentin! Thank God you are here and can take me from this madness."

The voice was soothing if not calculated to be charming. "Here now my dear. What is this? Who is Quentin?"

The words filtered into her confusion and she slowly lifted her grey gaze to his and then realized he was not Quentin. Though he bore a striking resemblance to Quentin his confusion was not contrived. "Then who are you?"

He smiled and Vicki could see no humor was reaching his eyes as he held her gaze and looked with a deep intensity into her gaze. "Why I am Jeremiah Collins my dear. Now the question of the hour is who are you?"

Vicki broke from his hold and moved to the center of the room. "No, this can't be happening, not again!" The rush of air was filling her ears and once again she felt herself plunging head long into the darkness that seemed to be her only escape. Jeremiah rushed forward and scooped her into his arms peering down into her lovely delicate face. "I don't know who you are but I think you will do nicely. Natalie go fetch the parson, Abigail see the servants dress her in Katherine's gown. We are having a wedding this night and I have a bride to secure my holdings for my brother's estate."

Abigail looked at her brother as if he had lost his mind. "You are not thinking of using this strumpet as the means to meet Joshua's codicil to his will are you brother?"

Quentin turned and pierced her with his cool appraising gaze. "And why not sister? She is the means for us to take over the wealth and estate. Now hurry woman before the servants go tell Naomi of her arrival and we are thwarted once again from taking possession of Collinwood!"

Abigail bustled out of the room her own plans being made she moved past her brother. She was most certainly tired of residing here in this house and longed for the wealth and comforts of Collinwood. Now, if what Jeremiah had in mind were to actually come to fruition, she would be surrounded by the wealth she deserved.

Jeremiah carried Vicki to the bed and gently placed her on it. Then pulling a chair over he studied her and the picture on the wall. "How is it you look so much like Katherine? Where did you come from?' He gently traced his long soft fingertip over her jawline and studied her features then looked to the woman in the portrait.

"Josette was foolish to jump as she did to the rocks below, and that fool Barnabas chasing her as she fell, it was almost too perfect. Then the appearance of that silly girl Katherine claiming to be Barnabas' wife was almost too much. She was easily taken care of and now you are here. Well, now I know what Joshua had intended why not see it to fruition and marry you. You can be as easily disposed of as that other woman that claimed her rights to our fortune."

He studied her features and frowned, "Though I think I like the idea of marrying you myself, then we will see what happens. If you can give me an heir in a year then I will secure my position as the head of this family."

He traced his finger over her face. "Of course my dear you are going to have to accept I am a faithless man and do have my needs and desires and should I wish to dally in the affairs of others hearts well you will just have to understand. However, once I have my heir we will not be so concerned over your health, now will we?"

He smiled and the cold flinty look in his eyes sent a chill through the house he chuckled forming his plans and weighing his options. He stood and moved to the portrait. Looking up at the beauty portrayed in the portrait he smiled.

"It was a shame to see that lovely neck broken and you are now resting in an unmarked grave. You became just another one of Collinwood's legends and possibly a ghost?"

He laughed and it was a most unpleasant laugh he leaned to the mantle and peered up at the delicate creature that the artist had so lovingly set to canvass. Turning he looked at the pale figure on the bed.

"I think this is going to work out just fine." The door opened and two female servants walked in carrying a white gown of pure satin done in ornate satin braiding. "Dress my bride and be quick about it. We are having a wedding. Oh and after you have her dressed, send word to Collinwood that Katherine Harridge has agreed to be my wife this night and do invite my dear sister in law Naomi and that twit Millicent to our nuptials."

The ladies scurried with chins tucked past Jeremiah to the woman that lay on the bed in a heavy brocade gown borrowed from one of the other lady guests of Jeremiah. They began to disrobe her making a quick order of redressing her in the gown. Jeremiah stood by and watched impassively while they made the transformation. "The hair needs to be dressed. Awaken her, and make her ready."

Lucy patted Vicki's cheek softly, "Madam? Madam?" Vicki's eyes fluttered open and she peered up at the face of the barely sixteen-year-old servant girl. "Madam, please we need you to rise so we may dress your hair."

Obviously the shock and the confusion over what was happening to her were beginning to take its toll on Vicki's reasoning. Like an automatism, Vicki sat up and glanced at Jeremiah. He smiled at her and Vicki likened the smile to s slithering snakes smile of pure evil.

Moving on wooden legs she let the servants lead her to the vanity table and seat her. Jeremiah moved to the settee and sat crossing one elegantly covered leg over another and watched the servants move with deft fingers and artistic nature born to be a true ladies maid begin to curl and style her long dark hair into long curls matching the same style represented in the portrait. Finishing, they turned and peered at Jeremiah. "Does M'lord approve?" They both dropped curtsies to him. He waived them away and stood unfolding himself in an easy graceful stand. "She will do. You may leave."

Jeremiah moved to one of the wall panels and pressed against one of the ornate decorative cornices. The wall shifted and a safe hiding place appeared. Reaching in he pulled out a jewel chest. Setting it on the side table he opened it and pulled out an ornately decorated necklace of emeralds and sapphires. "Now, to dress you for our wedding."

He moved to put the necklace around her throat snapping it into place. Then moving to the closeted dressing room area he came out with a veil of Spanish lace. Laying the lace over her dark hair he was struck by how lovely she appeared and what a treat she would be to share his bed and his charms.

He could almost taste he innocence and it was exhilarating to his senses. He began to cover her face with the veil he bent and placed an exploratory kiss upon her lips tasting her fear and her confusion. "You could steal my heart my dear. With this wide grey eyes and that oh so innocent look. I will make you a promise. Give me a heir and I will make sure you will come to no harm. Obey me, do not question me and we will have a long and happy and healthy relationship. I leave it up to you."

Vicki swallowed the huge knot in her throat and took a deep breath and studied the man before her. He was most certainly not the Quentin she knew or remembered; this man was a monster. She decided to bide her time, she had dealt with monsters before and in different time frames and for that matter in alternate realities.

She knew she was still herself no matter what name they placed on her and this was beginning to take on the feel of another alternate phase of the past life of the Collins family. What she had not figured out was this due to the temporal flux her last displacement had caused.

She just had to keep her calm, appear to cooperate and await the outcome of when she would be returned to her home and her life. This man that claimed to be Jeremiah was not the kind and loving man she had remembered from her past.

The man that now stood before her representing him self as Jeremiah did not look like the Jeremiah she knew from her past experience. Vicki had known that Jeremiah whom had so strongly resembled Burke Devlin was only that a memory from her distant past.

No, this man was a cold calculating murderer from what he must have done with the original woman that the portrait represented. Though she was choked with uncertainty and fear she had to bide her time and wait. She was not that ignorant naïve little girl from so long ago.

She had a young body but she had her own wit and her own knowledge. She just had to wait and see how this was going to play out. She knew she would have to prepare herself when she saw Naomi, for she knew a part of her would want to cling to her as her mother.

Then there would be Millicent who would look like Carolyn. Finally, she had to wait and see where Angelique would play into this timeline. She just had to keep her wits. Then she realized he must have said something to her. His gaze was intensely penetrating and his look one of expectancy as if he had asked a question.

"I said girl do you have a voice and what is your name?" She dropped her gaze from that cold glare he was subjecting her with and cleared her dry throat. "My name is Victoria Winters Collins."

He quirked a well-groomed eyebrow and smiled. "Really, you would have me believe we are related?"

Vicki watched the floor looking at the familiar pattern of the rug that covered the hardwood floor. "I would expect nothing from you. I am merely stating the truth of the facts. If you want to know, I am Victoria Collins born to Elizabeth Collins Stoddard in the year of our lord nineteen hundred and forty-nine and I married Barnabas Collins in Nineteen Hundred and sixty=five. We have five children, Josette, Jeanette, Joshua, Sarah, and Jeremiah."

He chuckled and it was a most unpleasant sound as he let his chuckle roll into a hate filled laugh. "You would have me believe you are out of your time and here? My dear woman you are delusional and that confession alone would be enough for me to make sure you were locked in the tower and treated as demented. But as I have plans for you and would hate to see this happen. . . "

He took a dramatic pause walking away from her to spin around and grab her by her arms and pull her close to him. "All you need to do is pretend you are Katherine Harridge and you are going to become Mrs. Jeremiah Collins and will produce for me a male heir that will secure me the Collins fortune. If you do not then I am sad to say you will find yourself locked away and treated as the demented soul you appear to be at this moment."

He had placed his face a bare breaths length from her face while he spoke and Vicki could have sworn she looked into his soul and found him devoid of any humanity. She saw he was soulless and his life had already been turned over to the darkness that seemed to want to claim any willing Collins.

Taking a deep breath she spoke softly her gaze only faltering slightly "Yes M'lord, I understand." Her tone was flat and held nothing but a hint of fear and that was all he needed to hear to know his plan was taking form and he would have his way. The look on his face changed and he suddenly smiled and stepped back.

"Good, now come along we will await the Pastor in the drawing room. You are going to make a lovely bride for my dear Sister in law to approve of and submit to me as the new Laird to the Collins fortune."

Grabbing her arm he led her out of the room and once again Vicki felt like her life was no longer hers and prayed silently this was merely a dream and she would wake up soon.