Subj: Angelique's Cure, ch. 3
Date: 6/20/99 9:50:35 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Beverly LaCroix

Chapter 3
Janette and Quentin

Angelique was speechless! She didn't know if this stranger was toying with her or if he was telling the truth. Obviously, a joke, and one she didn't appreciate.

LaCroix had his arm possessively around her waist as the doors opened, and allowed them entrance to the Great House. LaCroix noticed that Madam Collins had made no move to remove his arm, and he pulled his embrace a little tighter, and she seemed to lean in to him. Maybe this little trip would be amusing after all, LaCroix was thinking as he entered the mansion. Looking around he was impressed, not because he hadn't seen bigger, but because it was elegantly decorated, and not ostentatious. He very much liked it, and he had also been impressed with the older mansion that Mrs. Collins resided with her absent husband, Barnabas Collins. He had met Quentin, because of Barnabas Collins and his son Nicholas de Brabant. If it had not been for the interference of Quentin he would have destroyed Barnabas then and there.

Then Janette had met Quentin, and had become just as entranced with him as he with her. They spent all the time together they possibly could. Janette and LaCroix had taken Quentin to Paris with them, and he stayed with them for six months, and then he and Janette had quarrelled over Nicholas. Nicholas was happy to be rid of Quentin, although to be fair they had gotten along for the most part. Once in a while they would fight, they would actualy go to fisticuffs, which LaCroix found amusing until they had damaged one of his antiques from Pompeii. They found an empty lot after that, no more romping in the LaCroix Estate. Quentin was a lot of fun, although, LaCroix could tell he was very troubled, and he had told Janette about his life and family in America. He was from a very wealthy family, and, of course, he and Nicholas knew the DuPres family well. at least, the branch in France. LaCroix personally had known the Countess Natalie Dupres -- ah, what a woman, he thought.

Broken out of his reverie was the voices of Janette and Quentin with their enthusiastic greetings, and embraces.

LaCroix cleared his throat to let Janett know, he was standing in the foyer in a strange house, with his arm around a very beautiful woman she had not met.

Quentin finally let go of Janette, and walked over and shook hands with LaCroix, and they exchanged greetings, and Quentin invited them in to the drawing room.

"Angelique, I see you've met Lucien," Quentin said giving LaCroix a puzzled look.

"Yes, we've met," LaCroix said softly, looking into Angelique's eyes.

"Yes, Quentin," Angelique finally managed to say, but did not seem able to pull her eyes away from LaCroix'.

"I'n afraid I've been remiss in introducing Janette to Angelique," LaCroix said looking at Quentin.

"Well, allow me to introduce the lovely Miss DuCharme," Quentin said.

"Of course," LaCroix said.

"Angelique Collins, this is Janette DuCharme, the woman who broke my heart in Paris, and she's also known as the daughter of Lucien LaCroix." Quentin said, as he watched Angelique relax at those words. Dear dear Angelique, always jealous. He could tell that LaCroix had interested Angelique very much. Well, at least LaCroix was nothing like Barnabas, and would not hurt her over and over. Maybe he would encourage a romance between them, and that bastard Barnabas could go screw himself. If Barnabas were true to form, as Quentin knew he would be, he would come in and find out someone was interested in Angelique, and be amused, so secure in her love for him -- that is until he met Lucien LaCroix. Quentin smiled an evil smile at the thought.

Angelique and Janette were chattering away in their native language when Edward walked in. He was immediately entranced with Janette, and she found herself surrounded by Quentin and Edward vyeing for her attention, which she happily gave. LaCroix, having met Edward, and Edward having made the formal acquaintance, saying hello to Angelique, found himself alone with Angelique.

"Do you think they would miss us, if you were to show me around?" LaCroix whispered to Angelique.

Angelique laughed lowly, and told him no they would not be missed, his daughter had their attention.

"Let me ask you, Monseiur, what makes you think I want to show you around?" Angelique asked him huskily.

"Because the desire in your eyes says you want to be alone with me." LaCroix answered her lowly.

"You are very impertinent, Mr. LaCroix," Angelique said trying to jerk away from -- not wanting to make a scene, because darn it, he was right.

"Yes, I know. But I've found an audience to be annoying when I'm seducing a beautiful woman for the first time, Mrs. Collins." LaCroix answered her, drawing out the word yes, and with an emphasis on the "Mrs." laughter in his eyes, and voice.

He was laughing at her! Angelique was furious. "Are you going to bite me, Monsieur?" Angelique asked him between clenched teeth.

"Would you like that?" LaCroix answered her in a low seductive growl. He was getting very aroused by this woman he thought, when he yelped. She had bit his ear, and very hard. It had hurt. Quentin, Edward and Janette were staring at them now. Janette looked very amused.

"Are you all right, Lucien?" Quentin asked him with a show of concern.

"Never better, Quentin. Mrs. Collins has offered to show me some of the house, assuming that's all right with you, Edward?" LaCroix said locking his gaze on to Edward's, he could feel Edward's heartbeat slowing down, and knew there would be no problems.

"Oh, of course. Angelique, why don't you show him the tower room, my dear. You might even want to regale him with a legend or two," Edward said, as he was looking at Janette, laughter in his voice.

"Yes, Angelique, that's a good idea," Quentin said amused. Wouldn't it be funny if Cousin Barnabas walked in on them, kissing or locked in an embrace? Serve him right, Quentin thought with a smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, Edward, I didn't hear that last part. What were you saying about Barnabas?" Quentin said.

"Did I hear my name?" Barnabas said entering the drawing room.

To be continued...

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.