Subj: M. et Mme Quentin Collins de Le Domaine De Collins -- 2
Date: 12/11/98 12:43:12 AM Central Standard Time
From: Beverly LaCroix

Chapter 2

Married

Reaching the stables, Quentin went and talked to a groom, while Julia patiently waited outside. Looking at the stars, Julia was thinking about going back to Wyndcliff, and taking a renewed interest in her medical practice. It had been ignored too long, and needed her attention. Startled by the clattering of horses, Julia jumped, and turned around and tumbled right into the arms of Quentin Collins. He took the opportunity to draw her into him as close as possible. She felt a thrill go through her, and looked up into his intense ice blue eyes staring deeply into hers. Julia thought she would die right then and there, she couldn't catch her breath, and for some reason could not move to break the embrace. Her body was betraying her, she leaned even further into him, if it had been possible. He leaned down and kissed her passionately, and she returned his passion with equal fervor. Julia pulled away from him, not wanting to, but knowing this was very very foolish. No! She admonished herself, Barnabas was foolish.
"Julia, Quentin said softly still holding her in his embrace.

"Quentin, what is that carriage and horses doing there?" Julia asked still clutching him not wanting to let go ever. He felt so good. It felt good to be held and treated like a woman by such a young and handsome man. Well, not really young she told herself with a smile.

"Well, my dear, Dr. Hoffman, I'm going to give you the tour of Collinwood by moonlight the good old-fashioned way," he whispered in her ear very seductively.

"All of Collinwood? That would take days," Julia said.

"Yes, won't it? Did you have something else to do?" Quentin asked her.

"No, Mr. Collins, I do not. And I would love to see Collinwood with you the old-fashioned way," Julia said gazing at the beautiful starlit sky. She could hear the roar of the ocean so near to them. The ocean is very romantic she thought to herself, so are the stars. All of a sudden everything seems romantic, she said to herself feeling silly and giddy.

Quentin kissed her until she couldn't breathe. They discussed what was happening between them since the carriage ride, and decided to marry. It wasn't a romantic wedding, it was a double ceremony with Barnabas and Maggie, and Quentin and herself. She could look at Barnabas and not feel any jealousy or longing, because she had let him go even before Quentin and she had discovered one another. They were going to France to Quentin's ancestral home, and Barnabas and Maggie were going to accompany them as part of their honeymoon. Quentin wanted to stay in France and live their with Julia. Quentin had told her he had been away from the family business too long, and although, it was in very capable hands, he needed to oversee it. Roger had also mentioned that he wanted to merge some of the American Collins business with the French business, and Quentin, being the astute businessman that he was agreed. Roger and David were going to travel to France in a couple of months with Roger's business lawyers in tow, and combine a vacation with business. Quentin was actually looking forward to it. He would miss his evening chats with Roger in the evenings that had occurred in Roger's study over brandies and the occasional cigar. It had been quite cozy.

Most of all, he would miss his Cousin Elizabeth, and had wrenched a promise from her to come visit them seasonally. The Spring would be a good time for her, and Carolyn could get in all the fashion shows in Paris that she could handle. Elizabeth Collins Stoddard had provided him with a warmth and acceptance that he hadn't felt in many many years. She had accepted him into her family right away, just as his Cousin Barnabas had taken care of him when he was at his very lowest. Quentin Collins never forgot that kind of care and loyalty. He married Dr. Julia Hoffman so as to ensure him a place in the Collinwood hearth and home for as long as he needed and desired it. Barnabas would always make sure that Julia was okay, Quentin was counting on that. His own insecurity stemmed from many many years ago, and establishing the so-called French branch of the family had done very little to appease that particular loneliness that only one other knew about, and that was Barnabas.

Quentin was shaken out of his reverie with the Justice of the Peace calling his name, and Quentin automatically said "I do," and he and Barnabas kissed their brides, and prepared to set sail for France. Barnabas' coffin had been readied earlier in the day, so everything, and everyone was ready to say their "final" bon voyages, Quentin thought to himself, as he recalled making sure that his lackey had secured the crucifix to the top of Barnabas' coffin.

To be continued --