A/N: Welcome back, loves! A huge thank you to: guest, juuuuuustpeachy, Sagacious Rogue, Zylia Gregorvich, dionne dance, TinkerbellxO, Night-Weaver369, nuckythompson, Makrciana, IgnitingFireworks, Jandra1969, GloomDusk, ForeverACharmedOne, Leyshla Gisel, Jay D. Moore, hannahhobnob, Loki-Lover18, guest, Lovely Rain Dancer, LabyFan23, BlooperLover, 88dragon06, Jessica20706, smilin steph, Undertaker's Hattress, I'mGoingMental, AqoCJeyBee, CharlieCats, XantheXV and music is life 99 xxx.

You are all wonderful!

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.

Chapter 11

"She is awake." Maria whispered as soon as Samantha stirred and started opening her eyes, "Go and get the young Master!"

"But it's too early in the morning. What if he's asleep?" Rosy asked hesitantly and Maria clicked her tongue in irritation.

"Don't you remember what he said? He said to inform him when she wakes up. So, go!" Maria snapped and Rosy groaned.

"Fine. I will get in trouble not you if someone sees me." She muttered and the telltale sound of her footsteps alerted Samantha of her exit.

She opened her eyes and blinked, trying to push the fog out of them.

"Samantha? How are you feeling?" Maria asked as she touched her hand gently.

Samantha turned her eyes on the other woman, "My ribs hurt." She croaked and then looked around, "What happened?"

Maria bit her lip, "Master said that you fell from his horse…He did not say that to his parents though…You understand how they'd react to that. So, he simply told them that you fell and hurt your ribs and arm…Just telling you so you don't give anything away by accident." She whispered.

Samantha nodded, "Of course."

What else could he say? That he carried the maid on his horse? Ridiculous.

"Can I have some water?" she asked hoarsely as she lifted her good hand and rubbed at her sore throat, "How long was I unconscious?"

Maria poured her some water and then helped her drink some before she replied, "Two days…Master Barnabas has been hovering around here all the time. He even missed half of the family's dinner with the Du Pres folks." Maria smiled knowingly and Samantha frowned.

"Why would he do that? Did he speak of the earthquake?" she asked and Maria frowned.

"What earthquake?" she asked with confusion and Samantha paused.

"Um…"

"Samantha?" Master Barnabas chose that moment to storm into the room and save her from further trouble.

She turned and looked at him and the sight of him groggy and only in his pants and long dark blue robe made her insides tremble.

"Master." She said softly as he came to her bedside and took her hand in his. His skin was so warm and it did wonders for her chilled hand.

"Your hand is cold…Are you cold? Fetch us another blanket immediately." He ordered Maria and she quickly bowed her head in compliance before she hurried away to get the blanket.

"Are you in any pain?" he asked as he gently sat down next to her.

"My ribs hurt…"

"Understandable. How's your head?" he asked as he lifted his free hand to finger the purple bruise on her temple.

"Heavy…" she replied as he touched her skin.

He looked down at her and smiled, "I am so glad you're awake." He murmured as he raised her hand and pressed his lips against her palm.

She flinched but didn't pull her hand back.

"I missed your eyes." He whispered and at that she pulled her hand away.

He gulped and averted his gaze, his expression one of disappointment and regret.

"Maria did not know of the earthquake, sir." She said after a moment and he turned to look at her.

"No, I imagine she wouldn't." he cleared his throat.

"Why?"

"Because she probably did not feel it." He said as he gazed at the door to make sure no one was listening.

Samantha sat slightly up, "What? How's that possible?" she whispered and he rubbed his eyes before he replied.

"I don't know…I…Once I brought you here I asked my mother if they felt it." He paused, "When she simply stared at me I realized that something was wrong. So, I didn't press the matter and kept my mouth shut." He finished quietly.

"Sir, we were only just outside Collinwood…How could they not have felt it?" she asked and her voice quivered.

His hand found hers again, "It is not the first time that strange things happen to my family, Samantha. Strange things, unexplainable things. Please, do not mention this to my parents. Just say you fell. Alright?" he pleaded and she quickly nodded.

"Of course…But, there was no one there, sir." She whispered and his eyes darkened.

"There wasn't? Are you sure?" he asked her and a shiver went up and down her spine at the implication.

"Are you suggesting witchcraft, Master?" she asked in a barely audible voice and he stiffened.

"Am I?" he replied with a question and she swallowed hard.

"Sir, I may be insane but…" she took a deep breath.

"Yes?" he encouraged as he coiled his fingers tightly around her smaller hand.

"Do you think it possible…that my mother's death was not natural?" she finally blurted out and he paused.

"Your mother was sick, no?" he frowned.

"No, sir. She had been sick because she had caught a very nasty cold…But then she was fine. She was young…She was strong. It does not make sense." She shook her head and he gazed at their joined hands with a furrowed brow.

"I-…"

"I've brought it, sir." Maria walked in with the blanket and Master Barnabas stood up to take it from the maid's hands.

"Thank you, dear." He murmured before he draped the blanket over Samantha. He tucked it firmly around her before he stepped back.

"I shall come by later." He told her, his expression still troubled, "Feed her some soup, please."

With that he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, his footsteps heavy and determined. He disappeared with a billow of his thick robe.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Two days later…

Samantha winced but carried on pulling on her stocking with determination. When she was done with one foot, she leaned back and waited before she started on the other.

A knock on her door made her pause, "Yes?" she said quietly and the door slowly opened.

When she realized who it was she froze and a frown appeared on her forehead, "Angelique?" she murmured.

The dark haired woman walked towards her bed and her eyes perused her form.

"I heard you are getting better." She said coolly and Samantha swallowed.

"I am…"

"Hmm. I am glad nothing really bad happened to you." She said as she came closer and leaned down to help her pull her stocking up her leg. Samantha watched her dumbfounded.

"Um…"

"But maybe this…little accident," Angelique looked up at her and quirked her eyebrow and she pulled the stocking harshly up her leg, "Should give you a lesson, little girl." She smiled, showing off her pearly white teeth that resembled those of a mischievous wolf.

"What lesson? To not walk in the woods?" Samantha asked her with irk.

Angelique chuckled and the sound made Samantha shiver, "No. You need to learn your boundaries and you need to learn not to stretch your legs beyond those boundaries. See what happens to people who are not careful?" she finished with the stocking and then she straightened her posture, her gaze dark and unfathomable.

"What do you really want to tell me?" Samantha asked her as she sat up, "Speak without riddles because they do not scare me. They only annoy me." She snapped and Angelique only smiled.

"Oh, my little Samantha." She leaned down towards her and green collided with blue, "I haven't even started scaring you." She whispered before she patted her cheek and swiftly walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

Samantha stared after with wide eyes, comprehension slowly sinking in.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Barnabas! Stop, stop." Ms. Josette giggled and the young Master obediently stopped the horse, "I want to talk to Samantha." She said as she jumped from the horse and walked hurriedly towards the other woman who was hanging out laundry.

"Josette, please be careful when you climb down from the horse." Master Barnabas murmured as he stroked Abraxas' mane who had found his own way back home the day after the accident.

It shocked Samantha that her master kept riding that horse. But then again he knew it was not the horse's fault.

As Ms. Du Pres approached her, Samantha stopped what she was doing and bowed her head.

"How are you? Are you feeling better?" Josette asked politely and Samantha nodded her head.

"I am, my Lady. Thank you. And you?" she asked as Master Barnabas guided his horse closer to them, his expression curious and a little weary.

"I am well. Do you have free time tonight? I have arranged a fitting appointment for you." Ms. Du Pres said with a wide, heartfelt smile.

Master Barnabas slightly pursed his lips and gazed down at his gloved hands that held the reins.

"Oh…for the…dress?" Samantha said quietly and the other woman nodded enthusiastically.

"Do not worry. We won't put any corsets on you. We will simply take your measurements since I know you're still tender from the fall." Josette said and Samantha swallowed thickly.

"I have time tonight, my lady. You may call upon me any time you like." She smiled and Ms. Du Pres grinned happily.

"Oh, that is so nice. I will let you know then." She said as she walked back to Master Barnabas and outstretched her hand up to him.

He smiled with amusement and reached out to clasp her hand in his.

Samantha watched as he lifted Josette up and placed her between his legs and her heart clenched painfully at the familiar scene. The only difference was that the last time she had been the one in his arms.

She quickly looked away as Ms. Du Pres kissed her fiancé's cheek and focused on her work instead. It was better like that.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Samantha gazed at the long mirror as the dressmaker placed the pins in the fabric. The silky cloth fell down her back and legs like a caress and Samantha could only stare at the lilac fabric with wide eyes.

"Oh, I knew this would look lovely on you." Ms. Josette said as she sat in the settee, slowly drinking her tea.

Samantha smiled in response and raised her arms at the dressmaker's command.

"Perfect." She said and then stepped back, "I will have the first try ready soon, Ms. Du Pres. You can take it off now, dear." The dressmaker said with a smile as she patted Samantha's arm, "Careful of the pins." She called as Samantha walked behind the screen to remove the dress.

"May I step in?" Master Barnabas poked his head into the room with a smile.

Samantha tried hard not to seem startled as she started removing the fabric.

"One moment!" Josette called hurriedly, "Samantha is not dressed yet. Please, Barnabas." She said and his eyes widened.

"Oh." He murmured hoarsely, "I…shall wait for a while then." He said before he disappeared.

Josette shook her head and shared a laugh with the dressmaker while Samantha tried hard to keep her breathing under control.

When she was done, she stepped out of the screen and smiled, "Can I be excused, my Lady? I have work in the kitchen." She said softly.

"Oh, yes. Yes, of course. I shall see you soon." Ms. Josette said and Samantha nodded before she headed for the door.

When she was at the foyer a hand clasped her arm and she startled, her hand going to her chest.

"Oh!" she exclaimed and Master Barnabas frowned.

"It's just me, Samantha…Are you alright?" he asked as he slowly released her and took a step closer.

"I-I'm fine." She said quickly.

He narrowed his eyes, "Have you been avoiding me?" he murmured and she gulped.

"No, sir. Why do you say that?" she asked as she smoothed down her skirt and averted her eyes.

"It just seems like it…Something has happened? You've been…shaky and restless the last couple of days." He noted and she shook her head.

"I am fine. Nothing happened."

"Are you in pain?" he asked as he leaned close and placed a hand on her bruised rib, just under her breast. She jumped back as if he had burned her.

"I am fine, sir. Do not worry about me." She tried a smile but failed miserably.

Master Barnabas pinched the bridge of his nose before he placed a hand on his hip.

"We need to talk about that day. I can see that it has unsettled you. Come to my chamber after your work tonight." He said firmly before he turned and walked into the parlor and to his fiancée.

Samantha sighed before she walked towards the opposite direction, her cheeks flushed and her heart beating rapidly in dread.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

The sound of her door closing rang loudly even to her own ears but she knew that it was just because of her sheer fear and nervousness. It was so ridiculous and shameful for her to be intimidated by a woman who was obviously a little more than just mean. The woman was mad. There was no other explanation for it. And yet, there she was, walking on her tiptoes in order not to arouse suspicion. She tightened her shawl around her shoulders, ignoring the fact that she was still in her dirty work clothes, and walked towards the stairs that led to the upper floors from the servants' quarters.

As she climbed them, she felt her nervousness increase but she knew that she would have to tell him what had happened eventually. He would surely not leave her alone until she told him what had her so on edge.

She arrived at the second floor and then slowly tiptoed to his chamber. A small sliver of light fell onto the corridor and as she walked closer she realized that it came from his chamber. She paused and took a deep breath before she stepped forward.

As she placed her hand on the door, ready to push it open, she stilled.

"You shouldn't have come here again." Master Barnabas' voice was hoarse and breathless and Samantha flushed at the realization that he was not alone.

Her hand froze on the door when she heard who was with him.

"Oh, please. What would stop me?" Angelique's voice was honeyed and sharp and seductive at the same time.

"I told you not to come back here." There was some rustling and Samantha could see their shadows, as Master Barnabas grabbed the woman's arm and tried to drag her to the door.

"Why? So you can have your new favorite plaything come for a lesson at any time she pleases?" Angelique spat and there was a tearing sound and a startled groan.

"What are you doing?" his voice was angry and winded.

"Oh, I know all about your meetings. Do you think I should let your parents know what you're doing with her?" Angelique hissed and Samantha's eyes widened.

"You're out of your wits." His voice was shocked.

"I am just in love, Barnabas. You know-…"

"Stop it!" his voice was dark and angry and it sent a shiver up and down Samantha's spine. She knew that she should go but she couldn't move from her spot.

"I wonder, what your innocent future wife would think if she knew of your meetings with the servant girl!" Angelique pushed him against the wall hard and their figures became visible to Samantha's eyes.

She froze when the dark haired woman pressed herself against their master and pressed her lips against his.

Samantha's heart dropped to her stomach when she saw him grabbing Angelique's arms. He turned them over so he had her pressed against the wall and broke the kiss.

"You wouldn't dare. Because then I'd have no problem telling them what we've been up to all these years." He hissed as his hand fell to her breast and then slipped lower down her side until he was clutching her hip in a death grip.

"You think I'd care? I wonder what would happen to dear little Samantha if Master Joshua knew that you have touched her improperly." Angelique hissed before she pressed her lips back against his mouth and sharply bit his lip.

He groaned and placed his hand on her neck while he used his free one to gather her skirts up. He pushed her head backwards and it collided with his chamber wall with a resonating thud.

"What do you want, you little devil? Hmm? This?" he thrust his hand between her legs and tightened his grip around her slender neck.

Samantha staggered backwards and her hand flew to her mouth as the scene continued to unfold in front of her eyes.

Angelique moaned hoarsely and her eyes drifted closed as he touched her but her pleasure was cut short when Master Barnabas pulled his hand from between her thighs and grabbed her hair in a death grip.

Samantha's face lost all color. He was angry and not at all seduced. Dear God, his eyes were almost spitting fire as she stared at his profile.

"Listen to me and listen well." He murmured darkly and Angelique glared at him. Behind the glare was blatant hope though. That look made Samantha feel a strange mixture of emotions.

"I have tried to be polite, I have tried to be nice, yet you still meddle with my affairs. You dare threaten me after declaring that you love me? My God, what is your definition of love?" he looked at her with utter distaste, "What does your sick mind believe that love is? Love is not threats, love is not revenge and it definitely does not stem from pity because let me be honest with you," His voice became lower as he leaned in close, his lips a breath away from Angelique's trembling ones, "What I feel for you is only pity. Do you understand me?" he finished and Samantha felt a tear sliding down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away and took a step back.

Angelique visibly crumbled at his words but he was undeterred as he pulled his hand away from her neck and grabbed her arm instead.

Samantha's eyes widened when she realized that they would see her but it was too late for her to leave.

A moment later the door was pulled open and Master Barnabas' furious expression froze on his face at the sight of her.

Angelique quickly wiped the single tear that had escaped her eye and tugged her hand from their master's grip with a snarl.

"Samantha…" Master Barnabas whispered as his face lost all anger and fury and became a mixture of shock, dread and regret.

Samantha gulped and looked at his torn shirt before she bowed her head and muttered a quick apology.

She was gone before either of them had the chance to blink, let alone speak.

End of chapter 11

Author's note: Ahem, yes. Thank you for reading. Please review before you go. It is free, easy and puts a smile on this poor author's face.

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Xxx Lina :)