A CONVERSATION BETWEEN ROGER AND ELIZABETH

"Mrs. Stoddard, you're going to wear out that rug if you don't stop pacing," Mrs. Johnson said, as she was emptying out the ashtrays in the drawing room.

"Mrs. Stoddard? Mrs. Stoddard?" Mrs. Johnson inquired again, her voice raising a little bit.

"Yes, Mrs. Johnson, what is it?" Elizabeth finally answered absentmindedly.

"I said you're going to wear the rug out if you don't stop pacing." Mrs. Johnson repeated just a little louder this time.

Elizabeth just looked at her as if she didn't understand what she was talking about.

"Is everything okay with the Evans girl?" Mrs. Johnson asked.

"Yes. Why do you ask that?" Elizabeth asked her.

"Well, her father, and Mr. Haskell were here acting like she'd disappeared again. The way they were carrying on, I was just wondering if everything was all right." Mrs. Johnson said, as she continued tidying the drawing room.

"Yes, of course. Ms. Evans was just spending the afternoon with Mr. Barnabas, and it was getting kind of late, and they were worried. I'm sure they will be for a time to come, considering what Ms. Evans went through." Elizabeth said.

"Well, I was just wondering, because you've seemed a little upset ever since they were here," Mrs. Johnson said in a pragmatic tone.

"Oh, no, I'm not thinking about that. I knew Ms. Evans was with Mr. Barnabas. I'm waiting for Mr. Roger. Oh good, there he is now," Elizabeth said glad to end this conversation with the housekeeper. Ordinarily she would not tolerate this kind of questioning from a servant, but Mrs. Johnson was like family. Elizabeth knew she was genuinely concerned for her, and not just trying to get gossip.

"Well, if you don't need anything I'll go see to Mr. Roger's dinner. David has already eaten, and Carolyn is still out,"Mrs. Johnson said, leaving the room.

"Roger, I'm glad you're home. I need to talk to you as soon as you freshen up," Elizabeth said anxiously.

"Very well, Liz. Is everything all right with David and Carolyn?" Roger asked.

"Yes, yes. It has nothing to do with anything being wrong with David and Carolyn. I'll discuss it with you when you come down, and we'll have a drink." Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth could not stop thinking about Barnabas and Maggie Evans. There was more there than either was letting on. She saw the look between them, watched them, and she was convinced, and did not like it one bit. It would be nothing but trouble for Barnabas. If she could prevent it, she would use whatever resources she had. Barnabas was a Collins, a stranger in this country, and a gentleman.

Barnabas had always seemed to be there at the critical moments for her. The scene of her staring down at the raging waters pounding the beach below Widows Hill, the jagged rocks that had looked so inviting to her, and if one more moment had passed it would have been her final resting place for eternity. But Barnabas had come out of nowhere, and reached out and grabbed her; thereby, stopping her from doing something so very very foolish. At the time, it had seemed to be the answer. Barnabas had stayed there with her, talking to her, offering his assistance, telling her that he knew she was troubled. He had told her that interfering in people's business was not something he often did, but for her he would make the exception. And she had believed at that moment he would have moved mountains, just to remove her unhappiness. He had walked her home, and said the right things to her that had convinced her what to do. She had carried through at the last moment, at that farce of a wedding with Jason, and admitted to killing Paul Stoddard. She shuddered thinking about that whole situation. Staying locked up at Collinwood for 18 years, protecting her secret that had been a lie. Jason had disappeared after that, never to be seen nor heard from since. She didn't know why, but she had always thought that Barnabas had something to do with it. Of course, she would never say anything to anyone about her thoughts on the matter. But she felt at peace, concerning Jason, and just knew he would never come back.

Roger and Barnabas got along wonderfully. They had from the time Roger had met Barnabas. Elizabeth could remember Roger talking and trying to convince her to let Barnabas have the Old House, and she had finally given in. Barnabas had been extremely happy when she had handed him the deed, saying it was rightfully his. He had even offered to pay for it. Elizabeth refused. It would have been unthinkable to accept money from Barnabas for the Old House. It had been run down, ready for ruin, but Barnabas had restored it to its former beauty and glory. It was like she and Roger told Barnabas, they felt the house was rightfully his.

David adored Barnabas. Barnabas spent quite a bit of time with David. When they would go out for the evening, and Vicki was out with Burke, Barnabas would come and spend the evening with David. David taught him to play board games, and Barnabas was very patient and would play with him for hours at times. Barnabas taught David to play chess, and David was getting quite good at it. David would take Barnabas for walks around the estate to familiarize Barnabas with every inch of Collinwood. David told his father that while they were on these walks, his cousin would tell him the history of some of their ancestors, and he made it a lot more interesting than Vicki did at their history lessons. It seemed that Barnabas and David had one thing in common: their fascination for Josette. Before this business with Maggie Evans and Ms. Hoffman being at the Old House every evening, David and Roger would sometimes go down and visit with Barnabas, she and David and Carolyn would from time to time.

Barnabas got along well with Carolyn. Carolyn and her friends thought he was "groovy." Elizabeth smiled at that thought. Barnabas was a part of their family now, and she was going to do whatever she had to do to prevent a scandal that was sure to ensue if this nonsense with Maggie Evans went any further.

When she walked down the stairs earlier that evening, she had had the distinct feeling that she had defused unnecessary trouble for Barnabas. She didn't know why she thought that, but she did. Sam Evans had started for the phone to call Sheriff Patterson when she had walked down the stairs, and asked what the problem was, and being told, she immediately told them that Ms. Evans was with Barnabas.

Fortunately, she had been walking the grounds earlier in the afternoon, and had seen Ms. Evans park her car by the cliffs, and go in the direction to where the Old House was. Elizabeth had assumed that Ms. Evans was taking the longer route to the Old House, enjoying the day as she was. She was going to join her, but when she reached the spot of the car, Maggie was gone from sight. So, she had walked back to the path to the Rose Gardens. She really hadn't thought about it any further. Knowing that Barnabas was probably home, and Willie had confirmed it when had had dropped by later on in the afternoon. Elizabeth had asked him if Ms. Evans had found Barnabas, and Willie said oh yes, they were off walking in the forest and along the beach. Willie had seemed nervous, but he was always nervous.

No sooner had she told Sam where his daughter was, that she and Barnabas came walking through the double doors of Collinwood. When they had left, leaving Ms. Hoffman and Vicki with Barnabas Elizabeth immediately told him she needed to talk to him in the drawing room. After excusing Barnabas and herself to Ms. Hoffman and Vicki, they were alone in the drawing room, Elizabeth poured a drink for herself, and one for Barnabas. Her sole intention was to get him away from any questioning by Ms. Hoffman, or remarks by Vicki. Vicki wouldn't so crass as to come out and say anything to Barnabas, she would just express relief that Maggie was okay. She wasn't so sure about Ms. Hoffman. Now, she had him in here she might as well tell him about the engagement party she was planning for Burke and Vicki. She knew how Barnabas felt about Vicki, and did not want him to find out from anyone else.

After telling him, his face gave away nothing. Of course, breeding and good manners would not permit any display of disagreement on the matter, anymore than it would allow Elizabeth to ask Barnabas about Maggie Evans. Barnabas and she made some small talk, and then he excused himself and left.

"Roger, finally," Elizabeth said shaken out of her reverie. "Now, what is so urgent that you need to talk to me about, Liz?" Roger was asking in a playful like tone.

"Roger, this is serious. We need to talk about Barnabas." Elizabeth said seriously. Elizabeth then preceded to tell him what had gone on before he came home.

"Well, Liz, I don't see a problem. Ms. Evans spent the afternoon with Barnabas. Seems perfectly harmless to me," Roger said. They had moved to his study by this time. Roger sat facing his sister, and for the life of him he could not understand what th problem was.

"The problem was, Roger, no one knew where she was. Normally, that wouldn't be so bad, but considering what she's gone through, it can and will be a problem for some time to come. Really, Roger!" Elizabeth's voice edged with irritation.

"Well, surely, Barnabas understands that," Roger said. "I'm sure he does, and the afternoon, and part of the evening, according to Barnabas just got away from them," Elizabeth replied. "Well, that doesn't sound very responsible coming from Barnabas, but he probably didn't know that no one knew where she was," Roger said.

"Well, Roger, no one is saying Barnabas is responsible for Ms. Evans. According to her father she was coming to see Vicki, but never made it here. And anyway that is all beside the point. I wanted to talk to you about Barnabas and Maggie. Sam Evans was ready to call the sheriff when I came down, and diffused the situation. I no sooner got the words out of my mouth when Barnabas and Maggie walked in laughing and talking, and, Roger, they were very intimate with one another. I saw it, and I'm sure Ms. Hoffman noticed it, not that that matters, but" --

"Well, dear, Barnabas is single, and so is Maggie Evans. She came looking for him at his house, not the other way around. Oh, I know she had flimsy excuse about coming to see Vicki, and seeing Barnabas walking ,and time got away, so I don't see what your concern is." Roger was saying in sort of a sing-song voice, that told Elizabeth that he wasn't taking her very seriously. "It's not like he's going to marry the girl. She's not exactly his type people, and you and I both know what happens when one marries outside one's class, "Roger said.

"Roger, you are such a snob!" Elizabeth said. I am not saying that Barnabas is too good for anyone, I am just saying that nothing but trouble will arise out of a relationship like that."

"You, dear sister, are letting your imagination work overtime, Roger replied conversationally."

"Roger, I want you to go and talk to Barnabas!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "I will do no such thing!" Roger replied.

"Roger, you didn't see them together. I did. You would have be blind not to see that she is totally infatuated with him. You must go and talk to him," Elizabeth said in a stern voice that Roger had grown to dislike immensely over the years.

"What on earth am I supposed to do, waltz over to the Old House, inform Barnabas that Ms. Evans is smitten with him, and he should not allow her around him. Is that how you want me to make a complete and utter fool of myself?" Roger asked, very exasperated by now. Pouring himself another drink, he continued on, "Liz, I am NOT going to interfere in Barnabas' personal life. I would be embarrassed, but you don't seem to think twice about sending me to tell a perfectly grown man how to run his personal life. I am sure that Barnabas has had many a young lady develop a crush on him, and he's perfectly capable of handling it. After all, he is wealthy, single, foreign, a handsome man, what do you expect, Liz, Barnabas live as a monk.

Liz, I cannot believe for one minute that Barnabas would consider anything serious going on between him and the Evans girl. Do you, Liz? Roger asked.

"Oh, I don't know what to think. When you put it like that it seems so logical, but I know what I saw. I saw them together, and they are a lot closer than anyone knows." Liz said quietly, concern creasing her forehead.

"Oh, what is that supposed to mean? Why is she down at the Old House night after night anyway?" Roger asked. Walking over and sitting down again, he said to his sister, "What of Ms. Hoffman? Hasn't Barnabas been seeing quite a bit of her?" Roger asked this hoping to get his sister's mind off him going to the Old House to talk to Barnabas about his personal life, especially Ms Evans.

"Liz, even if what you're saying about Barnabas and Ms. Evans is true, I will this again, Barnabas' _ personal _ life _ is_his _ business. I refuse to interfere. Oh, I can just see it now, 'Barnabas, Liz and I have decided you cannot see -- or you're seeing to much of so and so, and people will talk.' Oh, Liz, don't be ridiculous. If I do as you ask, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Barnabas showed me the front door. Liz, you're just guessing, anyway." Roger finally said.

"I am not wrong, and if you had seen them together you would agree with me," Elizabeth retorted.

"Liz, you saw them once. Barnabas has been her just about every since Maggie Evans has been working at the Old House with Ms. Hoffman. And speaking of Ms. Hoffman, she sees a lot of Barnabas, and seems quite taken with him. Do you know if he returns the sentiment? No, no, I guess you wouldn't think so, after what you've been telling me about Barnabas and the Evans girl," Roger mused aloud.

"He likes her well enough, I suppose, but that does not have anything to do with the problem at hand, and doing something about it, before it turns into something we don't want to think about. Roger, you've had your run ins with Sam Evans, you don't want Barnabas to go through anything like, now, do you? Liz queried her brother, knowing she had hit a sore spot, but didn't see any other way to get him motivated enough to talk to Barnabas. "Ouch! Now, Liz, there's no need for that. You've convinced I'll get David and walk down to the Old House." Roger sighed.

"Roger, I want you to suggest to Barnabas that no good will come out of a relationship with someone of Ms. Evan's class and his. Use any words you want, just be very tactful. Barnabas is very sensitive" --

"Liz, I think I am making a mistake by letting you talk me into this," Roger surmised.

"Roger, Barnabas is our cousin. He is a stranger her, and we as his family, have to look out for him, and make sure that any kind of unnecessary trouble is avoided. I told Barnabas about Burke and Vicki's engagement party I'm giving here, and you know how he feels about Vicki," Liz said. "Well, how did he take it?" Roger asked. "Barnabas being Barnabas was gracious as usual, never showing how he feels. That's another factor is Maggie Evans is engaged to Joe Haskell, and he was not very pleased about his fiancé spending the afternoon and half the evening with Barnabas alone. I just think you had better talk to Barnabas about this, the sooner the better, Elizabeth said.

"Oh, all right. Very well, Liz, you win. I'll get David and we'll stroll on over to the Old House, and I'll talk with Barnabas. But I warn you, Liz, I am not going to directly confront him," Roger said, as he was walking out of the room to get David.

"Very well, Liz" agreed.

David, of course, was excited at the prospect of walking over to the Old House with his father to visit his cousin. It had been a while since he had been over to the Old House, and he wanted to go and see if Josette's Ghost would appear to him, while his father was talking to Barnabas.

Barnabas was rolling down the sleeve of his shirt, buttoning it, as Julia was putting away the needle and vial that she had used for his injection. She warned him again about Maggie Evans, telling him that she didn't know how Elizabeth Stoddard had known they were together, but she knew.

Barnabas, jacket in his hand, walked over to Julia, and in a quiet deadly tone of voice, said "Dr. Hoffman, Maggie Evans is mine. She belongs to me." The vampire's e;yes were starting to blaze red, as he held her in his gaze, smelling her fear. "You will do nothing to stop Maggie Evans from seeing me. You will help. Am I making myself clear to you, Dr. Hoffman?" Barnabas said in the same deadly tone.

Roger and David continuing to walk to the Old House noticed a wind was starting to blow through the huge trees in front of the big mansion. "I hope it doesn't storm before we get back home. You can always count on a storm up here." Roger grumbled.

"Oh, good, Barnabas is home," David said as the doors opened and Dr. Hoffman was walking out, with Barnabas right behind her at the entranceway.

"Roger. David, it's good to see you. Come on in," Barnabas said to his cousins.

To be continued...

Beverly Collins-LaCroix
Cousin/GSS/DP/NA
"Death hath no dominion"