Subj: Angelique Meets Somone -- 3
Date: 5/15/99 6:20:39 PM Central Daylight Time
From: beverlylacroix

Ch. 3

Josette Goes Riding

Barnabas' Jealousy

Barnabas' jealousy had taken seed, and grew at a rapid rate. The DuPres' family and servants had left Collinsport a week ago, and left Angelique behind at the request of Duncan McLeod. And old Andre had approved, he didn't want to ruffle the feathers of McLeod, thereby making his father upset. There was a secret about McLeod that he suspected his father knew, and knowing his father it would go to the grave with him. Right now he hated Duncan McLeod more than he had hated Jeremiah when he was running after Josette, and had actually married her. Well, he had killed Jeremiah in the duel, and he would take care of McLeod also. It was uncanny, the resemblance between the two men, Barnabas thought as he opened the front door, and looking straight into the face of his enemy, McLeod.

"Barnabas, how nice to see you," Duncan said in the rich tones of the British aristocracy. The man looked like a pirate, but his clothes, and social abilities, and bearing told anyone that was not so. "Duncan, come in." Barnabas said with false cheerfulness.

"I'm sorry to barge in on you like this, but your father assured me it would be okay," Duncan said with his hand on his sword.

"Well, is there something I can do for you?" Barnabas questioned.

"I'm really here to see Josette," Duncan said nonchalantly. With that statement, Barnabas' eyes widened.

"Darling, did I hear my name?" Josette said walking into the drawing room.

Barnabas heard Duncan McLeod's intake of breath at the loveliness of his wife. She was exceptionally beautiful. The riding habit she had on did her justice. Hers was a navy blue, it went very well with her coloring, making her eyes shine and sparkle.

"Josette, how beautiful you look," Barnabas said greeting his wife.

"Thank you," Josette said.

"I believe Duncan is here to see you, my dear." Barnabas said, frowning at the look of anticipation in his wife's eyes when he said that. He noticed McLeod walking over to her, taking her hands, and saying he was ready to go riding. Riding! Josette, alone with Duncan McLeod! He was modern in his thinking, but he was not insane. He had watched McLeod alone with Angelique for awhile now, and they were obviously very fond of one another. Somehow, Angelique had finagled her father into letting her stay at Collinwood, and he had agreed so long as McLeod was there. He couldn't believe his father, after all the trouble Angelique had caused, he was letting her stay.

He was going to Collinwood now, and find his father and demand an explanation! Then he was going to find Angelique and make her his again. She would belong to no other Barnabas thought wildly as visions of Angelique and Duncan McLeod locked in an intimate embrace clouded his mind, then Angelique would turn into Josette.

What would Mother say about Josette and McLeod out riding alone he thought as they walked out the door together, looking like a very happy, and very good-looking couple.

Barnabas was powerless to stop her, he couldn't find an excuse at this short notice. He couldn't let Josette think he didn't trust her. A look of despondency clouded his handsome features. Then with a purpose, he took his cape and cane, and decided he would find Angelique before talking with his father. He didn't feel like staying here alone with his raging jealousy.