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Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.

Chapter 5

The teapot swayed precariously in Samantha's hand as she leaned over to pour tea into Mr. Evans' cup. She could feel him staring at her, a small smirk on his face and she had the urge to glare at him. However she resisted said urge and carried on with his tea until she moved onto Mrs. Collins' cup.

The woman smiled at her and Samantha returned it warmly. She moved onto to Master Barnabas' cup next who was staring at her steadily while the rest of his company was speaking animatedly to each other.

Angelique was serving biscuits and cakes but Samantha could feel that she had her eyes on the young Master as she did so.

Trying very hard to stifle a sigh, Samantha made to move back but Master Barnabas' hand shot out from under the table and grasped her skirt. She tried hard not to jump or seem startled and when she did not move but busied herself with slipping some sugar into his drink, he grabbed her skirt tighter and slipped his hand into her apron pocket.

Samantha blinked and offered him a smile which he returned with a small one of his own before he slowly released his grip on her skirt and allowed her to finally move away.

She pulled back and placed the teapot on the table and then stepped back and away.

Angelique did the same and eyed Samantha studiously before she lowered her eyes on Samantha's skirts. The dark haired woman narrowed her eyes before she looked away, her knuckles white around the fabric of her apron as she stood still.

"Did you see the new boats Jonathan sold to us, Barnabas?" Mr. Collins spoke up and the young Master looked up from stirring his tea.

"I will see them today. After my ride, father. You two go ahead and I'll join you before we get back for supper." He said with a small smile.

Mrs. Collins smiled fondly at her son and cleared her throat before she spoke up, "So how do you like Ms. Du Pres? Isn't she lovely?" his mother gushed and he smiled widely.

"She is indeed lovely, mother."

"From a good family as well." Mr. Collins added and the young Master inclined his head.

"She has excellent manners too!" Lady Collins nodded her head as she picked up her cup and took a sip, "She looks exactly like our Samantha here. All rosy cheeks and pale hair."

Samantha flushed three shades of crimson as four pair of eyes settled on her.

Angelique gazed at Barnabas who had his eyes on Samantha and she scowled, her lovely face twisting up in an ugly grimace.

"Indeed." Mr. Evans drawled and the young Master glared at him while gripping his cup.

"You disagree, my friend?" he quirked an eyebrow and Jonathan leaned back in his chair.

"I most certainly do not. But what would Ms. Du Pres think if she knew that you have been comparing her with a mere servant girl?" he replied with a shrug and Samantha flinched at the insult.

"Jonathan!" Lady Collins exclaimed in reprimand and the young Master placed his cup on the table calmly.

"I do not see how beauty can be judged through the social status of a person."

"No, you don't. That's obvious." Jonathan replied and Mr. Collins tutted.

"Come, come, boys. Do not fight. You are making the ladies uncomfortable." He said as he stood up, "Come on, Jonathan. Time to go. Son, I shall see you later." He patted his son's back before he walked away with Jonathan following close behind him.

Once they were gone, Lady Collins sighed, "Do not provoke him, Barnabas. You know how he is." She said and then turned to Samantha, "I apologize if we made you uncomfortable, my dear." She smiled and Samantha quickly shook her head.

"No, ma'am. You didn't."

Angelique snorted before she started picking up the cups and plates. Barnabas shot her a sideways glance before he cleared his throat and stood up.

"I will see you later, mother." He leaned down and kissed her cheek before he walked away.

Angelique hurriedly finished with the dishes before she too walked hastily out of the room.

Lady Collins shook her head and looked at Samantha, "Young men." She shrugged before she looked at her cup, "Pour me some more tea, dear?" she asked and Samantha complied.

"Oh, Jesus." Lady Collins sighed and Samantha frowned.

"Madam?"

"My son forgot his gloves. It's quite chilly out today. Do you mind heading over to the stables to give them to him?" Lady Collins asked and Samantha smiled.

"I will."

"Thank you, dear."

Samantha picked up the gloves from the table and quickly headed for the back door. The stables were closer through there.

"Samantha, I need you-…" the cook started but Samantha nodded.

"Just a moment, Mrs. Marge." She called on her way out of the door.

As soon as she stepped out, the cold wind made her shiver but she picked up her pace.

As she got closer to the stables she was relieved to see the young Master standing next to his black horse, gently petting its head.

Samantha smiled softly at the image but she stopped short when he spoke up.

"What are you doing here, Angelique? Someone will notice you gone." He muttered and it was then that Samantha saw that the dark haired woman was standing next to him behind the horse.

"You didn't come back to me last night." Angelique whispered hotly as she stepped in closer. He pushed her back with his forearm.

"I was busy." He replied curtly and Angelique stared at him hard.

Samantha realized that she should make her presence known and soon.

"Master?" she called and he looked up. His face softened.

"Samantha?"

Angelique looked at her and she tightened her shawl around her shoulders before she stomped away towards the house. Samantha moved out of the way as the other woman passed past her and then looked at young Mr. Collins.

"You forgot your gloves, sir." She said as she took a step closer. He smiled and walked towards her with the horse.

"Thank you." He frowned when he noticed her attire, "You will catch your death in that flimsy dress. Head back inside." He told her as he took the gloves and slipped them on.

"Yes, sir." She nodded and turned to walk back into the house.

"And Samantha." He called and she turned to look at him.

He mounted his horse and then gazed down at her, "Read the note." He told her before he nudged his horse.

"But, sir, I cannot…" she trailed off.

In a flash his horse was galloping away from her.

With a small frown and a flush she slipped her hand into her apron pocket and pulled out the note. She infolded it and all she saw was a small sketch. The painted image of his chamber and the carved C that adorned his door greeted her. She pursed her lips and put the note back in her pocket.

He was stubborn after all.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Samantha did not know for how long she had been standing outside his chamber. She knew for certain that her palms were sweaty and that her face was flushed.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to get it over with. So she knocked.

The door was opened a moment later and he smiled at her, "Welcome. Come on inside." He opened the door wide and Samantha stepped in.

He shut the door behind her.

"No one saw me."

"Good." He murmured as he stepped around her.

"Why am I here?" she asked as she looked nervously around.

The young Master tied the sash of his dark blue robe around his waist and beckoned her over to his desk, "Come."

He pulled the chair of his desk back, "Sit."

Samantha's eyes widened, "What for?" she asked him shakily.

He let go of the chair and approached her, "You, my dear, are in need of some lessons. I decided to give in to this challenge." He smiled and she blinked in confusion.

"Challenge? I did not present you with one." She shook her head.

"Is that you declining my offer?" he tilted his head to the side and gazed at her.

"Your offer?"

"Yes. I am asking if I can tutor you." He said slowly and her eyes widened.

"You wish to teach me how to write?" she whispered and he nodded.

"Of course. What else?"

She flushed, "I…was so confused." She stammered and he chuckled.

"It is quite alright, my dear. So, do you accept or not?"

Samantha gulped, "You really don't have to…"

"No, I do not. But I want to." He smiled and she lowered her gaze.

"What if someone takes notice of it?"

"So? It is not illegal to tutor you." He said softly as he reached out and grasped her chin, "I hate to see embarrassment on your lovely face every time you come here, asking me to write a letter on your behalf. I want to change that. Will you let me?"

His fingers gently stroked her chin, "Hmm?"

"Alright." She whispered as she felt her face heating up.

His lips broke into a smile and he gently stroked her lower lip with his thumb. She swallowed hard as he did so.

"You do blush quite often. Ladies these days do not blush like you do." He noted and she averted her gaze, "It's refreshing." He murmured, "I will make sure you don't feel embarrassed ever again. Now come." He released her chin and motioned to his chair, "Take a seat and we shall begin."

Samantha quickly nodded and walked over to the chair. She sat down while he perched himself on the edge of the desk. He pulled out a piece of paper and picked up a quill.

He handed the quill to her and smiled, "Ready?"

"Yes."

"Good. We will start with the letters first." He told her and she nodded in silence. It took her four hours to learn the alphabet but he did not complain one bit.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

A few days later…

"Now…that is better." He chuckled into her ear, his hot breath fanning over her right cheek as he stood there leaning over her, his hand clasping hers, guiding her as she formed various letters.

"Good." He murmured as together they made the elegant arch of the letter R, "This was quite difficult for me when I was little…I refused to write this letter." He laughed and Samantha smiled, her eyes focused on her work.

"It is not easy." She replied and she felt him nodding against her hair.

"Hmm, it sure isn't." he whispered as he let go of her hand and watched as she did the work on her own, his hand right next to hers as she worked, "You have a nice handwriting. I am impressed." He told her and she looked at him.

"They are too thick." She objected and he narrowed his eyes.

"Mine were worse at the beginning."

Samantha sighed, "My eyes are tired." She said quietly and he gazed at the wall clock.

"It is after three in the morning…" he paused, "Then we shall stop." He gently plucked the quill from her hand and put it aside. He straightened and she stretched.

His eyes were on her as she arched her back and massaged her fingers.

"I'd better go." She murmured and he nodded.

"Of course, my dear. More tomorrow." He smiled at her.

She cleared her throat, "I cannot tomorrow."

He paused, his brow furrowed, "Why not?"

"It's…it's the dinner with the Du Pres family, sir. Have you forgotten?" she whispered, feeling a bit odd when his face lit up.

"Oh yes! Then the day after that." He grinned at her, "Practice on your own."

"I will." She nodded.

They stood staring at each other until Samantha looked away and grabbed her shawl, "Good night, sir." She whispered and he smiled at her warmly.

"Sweet dreams, Samantha." He murmured back as she opened the door.

"Well, well. Busy indeed." Angelique's voice greeted them both and Samantha froze while the young Master rubbed his eyes.

"Angelique. What are you doing here?" he asked her as he gently pulled Samantha out of the way.

"I couldn't sleep." The dark haired woman answered shortly, her accent thick now that she was angry.

"And that is my problem because?" he eyed her peculiarly and she snarled.

"I know she knows about us. No need to pretend. She is not as innocent as she seems."

He glared at her, "Lower your voice and watch your tongue."

"Me? And what is she doing here?"

"That is not your concern. Return to your room." He told her in a low voice and Samantha shivered at the look Angelique sent his way.

"How can you dismiss me like that? When you know-…"

"Go back to your room. I will speak with you tomorrow." Master Barnabas was vibrating with anger by then.

"Is she better than me?" Angelique asked in a strained voice and Samantha's eyes widened at the implication.

"I am not-…"

"You are making a fool of yourself right now. Please, leave." Master Barnabas raised his hand, motioning for Samantha to stop her speech.

"I am a fool now?" Angelique flinched as if he had just slapped her.

"Angelique. Go away." He hissed and the dark haired woman stared at him with watery eyes for a few moments before she turned on her heel and walked away.

"Sir, I am sorry-…"

"For what?" he turned to look at her and she gulped.

"For all this." She whispered and he shook his head.

"I need to have a talk with her anyway. She cannot behave like this." He muttered as he reached out and tucked a lock of her golden hair behind her ear.

"She…" Samantha took a deep breath, "I think she cares for you, sir." She said quietly as he rubbed the strand of hair between his fingers.

"What does that mean?" he asked her and she blinked.

"My mother always told me…She told me that if you're in love with someone you never have to apologize for anything you do or say." She replied in a quite tone and he frowned.

"Is that so? Does that go for unrequited love as well?" he murmured as he gently ran his finger over the outline of her ear.

"I wouldn't know, sir." She shook her head.

He took a deep breath and shook his head, "You really do look a lot like Josette." He murmured and she stilled.

"Sir?"

His finger followed an invisible line down her neck before he pulled his hand away.

"Nothing. Have a good rest, Samantha." He told her as he stepped back from her.

She quickly nodded and she fled his room, her heart beating loud and fast against her ribcage.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

A splinter from the mop prickled Samantha's finger and she winced.

"Ow!" she placed her hurt finger in her mouth as she looked up at Mrs. Filch, "We need new mops, ma'am." She said as she carried on mopping the kitchen floor.

"Hmm, we shall get some new ones then." The housekeeper did not look up from her papers.

Samantha sighed and shook her head while the cook, Marge, snorted.

The only sound that could be heard was the wet slapping voices of the mop as Samantha worked and crunching of papers as Mrs. Filch handled her correspondence.

So, when footsteps approached all three women looked up.

Samantha flushed at the mere sight of Master Barnabas.

"Hattie." He called as he nodded at Samantha and the cook.

"Sir?" the housekeeper stood up immediately.

"I need a favor." He spoke gently.

"Of course, sir." Mrs. Filch nodded her head.

"I want you to replace Angelique. She will no longer be my chambermaid." He spoke firmly and with his hands behind his back.

Samantha was surprised at his request.

"But…is there something the matter?" Mrs. Filch asked with a frown.

"No. Nothing is the matter. I just want you to replace her. Give Samantha her post back. If Angelique complains pay her no heed. Do as I told you. Is that clear?" he quirked an eyebrow in challenge and Mrs. Filch quickly nodded her head.

"Of course, sir."

"Good." Master Barnabas' gaze left the housekeeper's face and settled on Samantha who was gazing at him shocked.

He locked eyes with her before he turned on his heel and walked out of the kitchen.

Mrs. Filch shook her head, "Another caprice…Samantha, leave that and go clean Master Barnabas' chamber. Make haste." She ordered before she walked out of the kitchen as well.

Samantha could only stare after her in surprise. Hurriedly she abandoned the mop and obliged, her cheeks flushed with curiosity and something more.

End of chapter 5

Author's note: Thank you for reading! Please review before you go! Feedback is always appreciated!

Do you think either of them will endure Angie's wrath in the next chapter? Hmm?

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Xxx Lina :)