A/N: Hello and welcome back! I didn't plan to update this before my other POTC fics but I simply love writing this. :P

So, a huge thank you to those who reviewed and posted such loving comments for me and our little couple: Jandra1969, dionne dance, Makrciana, TinkerbellxO, guest, SweetMusicDreamer, TinaG646, nuckythompson, Jess20706, LabyFan23, Leyshla Gisel, hannahhobnob, carmeleissle5cullen, smilin steph, xDARKxSHADOWSx, GloomDusk, BlooperLover, XantheXV, Jay D. Moore, AqoCJeyBee and IgnitingFireworks.

You are all awesome for sticking with me!

Song suggestion for this chapter: Set Fire To The Rain by Adele….

Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Shadows.

Chapter 13

Samantha tried very hard not to put her finger in her mouth and bite down on her nail but she could not help it. She was sitting in the kitchen and across from her was the man who had burst into the house, claiming to be her fiancé. As she gazed at him she couldn't help but fidget. He was tall with dark, almost black hair, and vivid blue eyes. His clothes were clean and crisp but she could tell that he was no nobleman. Probably a rich merchant or a successful farmer from Portland.

He was gazing at her with intense eyes and a calm inviting expression on his handsome face.

"Don't be nervous." He said quietly and she immediately pulled her finger from her mouth. His voice was smooth and quiet.

"I should probably not be saying that because I am nervous; extremely so but…" he laughed nervously and ran a hand through his hair as he trailed off.

Samantha noticed a silver ring on his finger; on the exact same finger Master Barnabas had one. At the thought of her Master her heart started beating faster. Since she had regained her consciousness she had not seen him. It terrified her. The thought of him jumping to conclusions terrified her.

"I don't understand." She whispered and the man cleared his throat.

"Obviously. But first of all, I haven't been introduced." He stood from his seat and approached her. She stood up rigidly as he got closer and looked at him beneath her eyelashes.

He smiled, "You probably won't remember me…You were just five or six and I was twelve but I still remember you. Hard to forget these eyes." He murmured as he reached out his hand for a shake, "Philip Bosworth. My father was working with your father when you were little…" he trailed off and she reluctantly took his hand. It was warm and his hold was strong.

"Bosworth, the merchant?" she whispered with wide eyes and he inclined his head.

"Exactly, Ms. Hawkins." He smiled and she pulled her hand away.

"I am sorry, I do not remember you…But, what is the meaning of this? Of your visit?" she asked directly and he bit his lip in thought before he started speaking.

"So, your father did not tell you about his…decision." He said softly and Samantha's gaze travelled in the room around her. The kitchen was surprisingly empty. She briefly wondered if it was Mrs. Filch's doing; giving them privacy that is.

She turned and looked at him, "No. No one told me anything…But, he could have written me…Letters are easily lost these days." She replied shakily, "So, I do not know what is expected of me." She whispered and he averted his eyes.

"Master Collins allowed me to stay here until our… situation is solved. We will have time to talk." He said softly with a small smile, but unsettlement was written all over his face. She wondered, or better she suspected, that he did not know she wasn't aware of their engagement. He probably had the misconception that she knew they were betrothed.

"Master Barnabas, you mean?" she asked and he frowned.

"Um…no. Not the son. The father." He replied and her stomach lurched dangerously.

"Oh." She murmured and uncomfortable silence fell upon them like a veil.

Philip took a deep breath and stepped a bit closer. She tensed and had to stop herself from moving back and out of his reach.

He noticed and winced, "It seems like I was given false information and reassurance." He whispered and as she looked up she could disappointment in his blue gaze. It made her feel bad because he too was played for a fool.

"I apologize for the inconvenience I put you through but I didn't know. I thought you were expecting me. Your Master's behavior does not make it any better." He muttered and that caught her interest.

"Pardon?"

"Um, Master Joshua's son? He stated that you were under his personal service and he should have been informed of any course of action that concerns you." Philip said with a frown.

Samantha's heartbeat thumped loudly against her ribcage, "I am Master Barnabas' chambermaid, indeed." She replied and he nodded.

"Just his chambermaid." He murmured and she stiffened.

"Are you insinuating something, Mr. Bosworth?" she asked as she stared at him hard and he took a deep breath.

"No, of course not. It's just…I simply wonder if he's always this short with people." Philip replied and Samantha for some strange reason felt angry that he was speaking poorly of her Master.

"Master Barnabas is a gentleman and I am sure that my situation unsettles him. Clearly, he has a right to be upset since you barge into his home, claiming that I am your betrothed when I have not given my consent to such an event, Mr. Bosworth. I am not sure what you're expecting but the fact that I was kept in the dark for such a monumental issue that has to do with my life is surely not working in your favor. Nor to my father's favor either. Goodnight." She said brusquely before she passed by him and headed straight for the servants' quarters.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"So, I heard that you're engaged." A smooth, sly voice said into her ear and she stopped polishing the silverware.

She looked up and found the blue gaze of Angelique. The woman was smirking at her as she arranged flowers in the vase.

"You heard wrong." Samantha replied curtly.

"Is that so? What is the fine gentleman doing here then?" Angelique asked with a mocking frown.

"It is all a misunderstanding but I don't think it's any of your business." Samantha snapped, her sour mood turning even sourer.

Angelique abandoned the flowers and walked towards her, the smirk still in place.

"So, you've been meddling with the young Master while being engaged. How shocking for a mousey girl." She whispered and Samantha turned to face her.

"I don't know how you got the ridiculous idea that I am like you. I am not doing anything with anyone. The same can't be said about you. Trailing after a man who does not love you and who is engaged to another woman." She said in a quiet voice and Angelique's eyes flashed.

"His being engaged did not stop you from making trips to his chamber at night."

"I am not going to explain myself to you. You don't understand."

"And you do?" Angelique asked sharply as she leaned closer, "Do you know how it is to be in love with someone? Do you know how it is for him to use you and then throw you to the side as if you were nothing but mere dirt on his expensive boots?" the woman hissed and Samantha swallowed hard.

"I know how it is to love someone and have no future with him, yes. But I don't think you understand what love is. When you love someone, you do not judge him. You do not force him into something he does not want. You don't ask for anything more than what he can give. You want him to be happy. That's all that matters. I have no childish perception of love, Angelique. I am not waiting for my prince charming. I am not hoping for someone to save me from my low status in society. I am simply being what I was meant to be. I ask for nothing more. I cannot say the same about you." Samantha said heatedly and the other woman stared at her with wide eyes and pursed lips.

"You think you know what love is, little girl?" she asked after a few moments and Samantha remained silent.

"Love means going into such dark places that you never thought you'd go to. Love is embracing hell when you know that it's going to swallow you whole. Your white, pure innocent martyr façade makes me sick because you're not fighting for your feelings. You just let them pass by and hurt you. Tell me, how did you like it seeing him with me? With his hand buried between my legs? Did you think him a saint before that? Do you think him as one still?" Angelique hissed and Samantha shook her head.

"No one is perfect." She replied quietly and the dark haired woman smirked.

"Not even you?"

"Especially not me." Samantha said sharply.

Angelique leaned back and cocked her head to the side, "I do hope he gets you out of here. And soon. You're stifling this house's air."

"Angelique!" Master Barnabas' sharp voice cut the air like a razor and Samantha looked up. From over Angelique's shoulder she could see his furious expression.

Angelique whirled around to face him and smirked when he approached them with rapid footsteps.

"Master?" she said sweetly and he snarled.

"Keep your mouth shut about things you do not know. Get back to your work or I'll make sure you don't have it anymore." He hissed and Angelique shrugged innocently before she bowed and walked away. As she passed by him she stroked his jaw with her hand and he recoiled, glaring at her back as she walked away.

When she was gone he turned and looked at Samantha. Her breath hitched.

"Finish your work and come to the study. Mr. Bosworth is there with my father." He told her distantly but before he could leave she boldly grasped his hand.

He startled and looked at her with wide dark eyes, "What is it?" he murmured and she gulped.

"Master, I did not know." She whispered and he furrowed his brow as he turned to her.

"I know."

"Then why are you angry?" she asked as she did not let go of his hand.

"The fact that you did not know does not change the fact that you are…" he trailed off as he scoffed angrily, "That you are not mine. You never were but now this happens!" he exclaimed and she shushed him.

He grasped her hands in his, "I am desperate, Samantha. Since the moment you stopped our lessons I am desperate. And now he happens! And do you know what's the irony?" he spat and she shook her head.

"No."

"I talked to him. He won't get a dowry from your father." Master Barnabas sneered, "He didn't ask for one. You know why?"

Samantha bit her lip, "He didn't want one?" she whispered.

"No. He will even pay to marry you. Because he is love with you! In love with you!" he abruptly released her and took a step back while she stared at him wide eyed.

"Impossible. I…I didn't even remember him." She whispered horrified, "He cannot be-…"

"But he is!" Master Barnabas cut her off and she could see his entire form trembling from fury, "He is. He agreed to give the dowry your father should have given. And the amount is nothing; trifles to my eyes. I had the urge to laugh because I would have given everything to be with you. Anything. And he…" a bitter laugh escaped his hoarse throat, "He gives scraps in order to get you. I never knew someone could be so cheap." He hissed and she gasped audibly.

"Cheap?" she whispered and he froze.

"I do not mean you-…"

"I know who you mean. My father." She cut him off and he swallowed thickly.

"Samantha-…"

"No one ever asks me what I want." she whispered in a dull voice, "No one asked me if I wanted to come here. You didn't ask me if I wanted your attentions. You didn't ask me if I could bear the debt you forced upon me by your kindness. You didn't ask me how I feel when I see you with another woman while you so openly show that you at least care for me. You did not ask me if I wanted your pity, you never asked me if I wanted to be a part of your business collaboration with the woman whom you call your love. My father did not ask me if I wanted to marry a man I don't even know and you do not even care enough to ask if I will accept the betrothal." She exploded and he stared at her with horror.

"Darling, I don't-…"

"No, you spoke your mind. I imagine that you'd think that my low status does not leave me many options. Of course, why would a servant refuse marriage with a wealthy man when he was kind enough to look at her twice? I imagine that the amount of money he intends to pay for me looks like scraps to your eyes because your family never had to think about money. But you forget something, Mr. Collins. You cannot buy me. Mr. Philips cannot buy me and I'd rather die than marry someone I don't want. Can you or your fiancée say the same?" she finished and he looked frozen as he gazed at her.

"Samantha." He breathed her name but she held a hand up while with her free one she wiped at her wet cheek.

"No, it's fine. I understand your logic. But my small mind does not allow me to think like a regular maid. Where others see profit, I see imprisonment. Where others see opportunities, I see death sentences. I am sorry, Master, but I do not need or want your love. Big declarations, small gestures. That's all you are." She whispered brokenly as she approached him.

As she came to stand in front of him he exhaled shakily and raised his hand to stroke her cheek. She flinched and grasped hold of his wrist.

"No, you cannot do that anymore. Don't you know? I am engaged." She whispered bitterly before she turned on her heel and walked away.

He stared after her in shock.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Ah, child. Do come in. We have been expecting you." Master Joshua smiled as soon as she entered the study.

Mr. Bosworth was sitting in a chair and as soon as he saw her he immediately stood and smiled in what seemed like hope.

She cringed, "Master. You called for me."

"Yes. You have been in our household for quite some time now and I always want what's best for the people working under my service. Mr. Bosworth has come with the best intentions and your father approves. His letter is proof enough. All we need is your approval." Master Joshua smiled and Samantha knew immediately why he was so eager to marry her off. She was a threat to his son's betrothal and he knew it. He suspected it. Master Joshua had never shown any particular interest in her so it was at least suspicious why he seemed so interested in her affairs now.

"Master, you must be aware that I was not informed of my father's decision. I mean no ill-will to Mr. Bosworth but I cannot give my answer so quickly. I…I have to know the man I intend to marry." She said as she gazed between the two men.

Master Joshua's expression soured and Philip Bosworth's hope was erased from his eyes.

"Of course. That is why I suggested that Mr. Bosworth should stay here in Collinsport. It is not proper for him to reside here of course. Well, Mr. Bosworth, shall we give some time to the young lady?" Master Joshua asked but Samantha could see that he was a bit irked.

"Yes, yes. Of course. I shall find accommodation in the local inn." Philip said with a small smile and Samantha was at least relieved that he was not going to stay there. She needed to think and contact her father. And soon.

"Well, I shall be going then for it is getting quite late." Mr. Bosworth said as he approached Samantha and took her hand. He nodded at her and then walked out of the study with tense shoulders.

Samantha watched him go and then she heard as Master Joshua stood up from his seat.

"Well, child." He sighed, "I wouldn't give it much thought if I were you. You won't get any better proposals, I am afraid. And I am not saying this with any ill-will. I am just telling the truth." He said and she turned to look at him. He seemed sincere enough.

"I will think of it." She whispered and he smiled.

"Good, my child. Ah, Josette! Barnabas. Come in. I have splendid news." He exclaimed and Samantha's heart dropped to her belly as the couple walked in.

Master Barnabas did not make eye contact with her as he stood next to his fiancée.

"Samantha will probably leave us soon. Now, I know that you wanted her in your service, son, but a well-off gentleman has decided to steal her from us." Master Joshua said and it seemed like he wanted to test his son's limits with those words.

Master Barnabas curled his fists tightly and glared at his father while Ms. Josette gasped with thrill.

"Oh, I am so happy! Well done. I never expected that but with your beauty I was sure you'd have a great future." She said as she patted Samantha's hand and then paused, "You're still coming to our wedding, yes? Ah, and who knows! The dress I made you might prove useful." Ms. Du Pres smiled but Samantha flinched at the words.

"My love, surely, Mr. Bosworth, the affluent man that he is, will give her anything she wants. She will have no use of your dress." Master Barnabas said gently but Samantha could sense that he was being sarcastic.

"Well, of course. Ms. Bosworth is a very successful merchant." Master Joshua smiled and Samantha had to get out of there.

They were talking about her life as if it was theirs. She barely stopped herself from gagging.

"Excuse me, but I have to return to work." She whispered and with a small bow she quickly exited the study.

Her feet carried her down the corridor and towards the stairs.

"Mrs. Filch, may I have a moment before I start on the dinner table?" she asked as soon as she saw the older woman at the parlor.

She didn't know if her expression gave her misery away but the older woman nodded, "Half an hour." She said and Samantha nodded gratefully.

"Thank you, ma'am." She whispered before she turned and headed for the kitchen. She was out of the back door in no time and she paused for a moment. She took deep breaths before she headed for the stables.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

A week later…

Samantha wanted to scream when Philip finally left and she was left on her own. He was making it extremely hard on her to actually dislike him. It was like everything was against her. Her father had not reply back to her but he had already sent another letter to Bosworth, telling him about his eagerness for the wedding to happen.

As she dragged herself from the kitchens to her room she felt as if she was about to crumble from sheer exhaustion. She couldn't even sleep and forget because all she could think was the longing looks the man she shouldn't be hurting for was shooting her all day long.

It seemed like young Mr. Collins had abandoned his duties as an obliging fiancé and was spending most of his time in the house; being around her. Not talking to her, just watching over her in a very strange way.

It was confusing and beyond painful to have him hovering like a ghost in Collinwood. She didn't know if he was still mad at her for speaking to him so boldly but she had convinced herself that even if he was, she didn't care. She was no one's stepping stone.

She entered her room and walked straight for the mirror. The image she saw frightened her. Her skin looked ashen and her eyes were red. Strange; she hadn't cried for a week.

Sighing she started pulling the pins out of her hair, her mind on the small talk Mr. Bosworth was constantly forcing upon her in hopes that she would finally say yes. She wondered why such a handsome man wanted her. He could do so much better without paying a single penny.

As her hair fell down her back, she picked up the brush and started running it through her locks. She paused when she noticed something strange. She put down the brush and touched a lock by her ear. It was shorter than the rest of her hair and the cut was uneven. She frowned.

"What in hell?" she whispered as she stared at the short strand. Her mind started whirling inside her head as she thought over it. She hadn't cut her hair in such a long time…So, why was that lock shorter? It was like someone had cut it off while they were in a hurry.

She didn't have time to think on it because a sharp knock resonated in the air around her.

She paused and turned to look at the door.

"Yes?" she asked softly and the door was opened a moment later by Master Barnabas.

She froze and stepped back only to collide with the small vanity.

"May I come in?" his voice was quiet and the look on his face made her nod her head in agreement.

He walked in and shut the door, locking it behind him.

She tensed, "May I help you, sir?" she asked and he took a deep breath before he approached her.

"I wanted to speak to you." He whispered and she swallowed thickly.

"Yes?"
"I am here to apologize." He looked up into her eyes and she blinked in surprise.

"Apologize?"

"Hmm. I gloat for my good manners but all this time I did not realize that I have committed the worst crime in the world." His voice was hoarse and contrite and she wanted to disappear because when he was looking at her like that it was difficult to ignore him.

"What is that crime?"

"I hurt you. I have tried not to." He shook his head as he came to stand in front of her, "Everything I did was because I wanted to be close to you. I did not realize that besides my…pain there was also your pain." He murmured and she bit the inside of her cheek to stop her mouth from trembling.

"I was selfish and I am sorry. If you allow me to make it up to you I will." He whispered as he hesitantly reached out and touched a lock of her hair.

"I do not understand." She whispered and he locked eyes with her.

"You said that I am just words and no gestures. Is that right?" he murmured and she shook her head.

"I should not have said that."

"But it's true. I cannot break my engagement with Josette. Not because I love her but because she loves me." He said before he gritted his teeth and closed his eyes, "She is…She is not like you. I was wrong. She is not so strong. She is dependent on me in such a degree that it is enough to make me sick because it is stifling. I cannot breathe, Samantha. And yet, I do not have the courage to leave her because she does not deserve it." His hand cupped her cheek and she felt her eyes stinging.

"But, I can help you. I can make that man disappear. You only have to say the words." He whispered desperately, "You don't have to live the life I have to live. I am being pressured by everyone. My mother, my father, Josette." He leaned his forehead against hers and closed his eyes, "I am forced to show affection to her and every time I do so, I want to rip my own hands off because they are burning me with shame. Can you understand me?" he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his chest.

"Master." She breathed, "You don't know what you're saying."

"Don't say that! I am not a fool, Samantha. I know what I want and what I cannot have. So, just because I am forced to do something I don't want to, I want to help you. Tell me, do you want him? Will you agree to marry him?" he asked her sternly.

"I don't…"

"You have to tell me. You have to tell me because I already did something. I did something and I want to know if I will lose you forever because of it or not." He cut her off.

Samantha stared into his chocolate eyes before she slowly shook her head, "I do not love him. How can I marry him?" she whispered and a spark of hope flashed in his eyes.

He licked his lips and then nodded his head, "Alright. I sent word to your father. I wrote to him that he will receive twice the money he asked for as long as he does not marry you with Bosworth." He said softly and Samantha froze.

"You did what?" she whispered.

"And guess what? He accepted. I do not know whose father is worse. Mine for forcing me to marry a woman I do not love or yours for selling you to the highest bidder?" he murmured in response and Samantha felt her world crumbling from under her feet. He was there to hold her up.

"Why did you do it?"

"To help you. And because I am selfish, and because I hate that man for spending time with you and forcing you to be in his presence. Is that so wrong?' he asked her pleadingly and she stared at him before she replied.

"What if he gets suspicious? What if he tells your parents, sir?' she whispered shocked and he smiled.

"I don't care. They make my decisions for me and now they have to accept the consequences." He said and she didn't know which was worse; the loss of the huge weight that had been pressing on her chest or the fact that now she was certain that the man in front of her cared for her.

"Master-…"

"If you call me that one more time I am going to throw myself over Widows Peak." He whispered as he stroked the hair away from her face and grinned at her.

Samantha blinked up at him and shook her head, "I cannot…I cannot accept what you did. If someone finds out-…" she was cut off by his fingers pressing against her lips.

"Hush." He murmured as he slowly pulled his hand away and leaned down, "Let them find out." He breathed before he covered her lips with his.

Samantha gasped out loud and he groaned as he pressed her back against the vanity with urgency. His hands coiled around her back and he pulled her closer as he deepened the kiss. His lips slid eagerly over hers and his tongue parted her mouth hungrily. Her mouth moved on its own accord and kissed him back until he stopped and pushed away from her.

He released her and placed his fingers on his mouth. He smiled and she flushed.

"Thank you." He whispered and she averted her eyes.

"Thank you." She murmured and his smile widened.

She pushed away from the furniture and walked over to her door. She unlocked it and he placed his hand on the handle.

"Don't worry. No one will know the reason why he declines." He said softly and she nodded.

With a last smile he opened the door and froze.

There in the hallway, just outside Samantha's room, stood Josette.

End of chapter 13

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Xxx Lina :)