Subj: Taken to Task, Part 7
Date: 7/19/00 10:57:25 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Carol H. Monterosso
Dianna decided she wasn't going to let Willie's absence spoil her Sunday. She was going to the house by the sea and take the tour. Her parents had gone for their usual Sunday afternoon drive. Those two were like clockwork. Up at the crack of dawn every Sunday, her mom whould prepare a simple breakfast for them, put a roast in the oven, and off they'd go to church. Once home, they'd read the papers while her mom would occasionally get up to check on dinner and ask for help when needed. Dianna always offered to do the dishes so they could start their afternoon drive and be back by 5pm for sandwiches. They'd spend the evening watching TV, one or both falling asleep and then retiring to bed at 10pm. She loved them dearly.
She drove to the house by the sea in early afternoon before the crowds would begin. She parked her car on the grassy field as directed by the lot attendants and walked up the rocky path to the house. A queue had formed but was moving quickly. Two women on the porch were taking money and handing out brochures. Dianna graciously accepted hers and spoke briefly to the women that were friends of her mom.
Once inside, she was totally absorbed with the detailed woodwork that she didn't notice that she was being followed. He kept his distance and appeared to be a visitor as well--brochure and hat in hand.
Stopping to look at an ornate mirror in the parlor to check her appearance, she saw his reflection over her right shoulder.
"Are you pleased with what you see?" he asked cordially. Taken aback by his smooth demeanor, she didn't know whether he meant the house or herself.
"Yes. Yes, I am," she responded, disarmed by his boldness yet answering both questions at once.
"Good. You seem fascinated by the interior," he mused, ushering her around the parlor and pointing out antiques.
"I love old homes. My boyfriend...I mean my friend is working on one now," she offered, happy to relay Willie's skill.
"Is he now? Which house would that be?", he asked, curious but knowing the answer.
"It's the Old House. He works for Mr. Barnabas Collins. Do you know him?"
"Not as well as I'd like. My sister has met him several times, though."
"Has she? Does she like him?" Dianna realized she spoke too bluntly to a stranger. "Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound harsh but I found him very...very unusual to say the least."
"Yes, I've heard he can be difficult."
"Does your sister live nearby?" The well-dressed man chuckled to himself.
"No. She lives south of here. Way south. Occasionally she'll make her presence known. In fact, I think she's about to make a return appearance. Quite soon, I fear."
"You fear? Isn't she nice?"
"To the untrained eye, she's quite pleasant but to those that really know her and know of her, she quite a bitch!" Dianna giggled at his description and he was pleased that he had made her laugh.
"I'm sorry but I haven't introduced myself. My name is Dianna. Dianna Fancher." She offered her hand in friendship.
Expecting a solid handshake, she didn't expect him to delicately raise her hand to his lips and lightly brush them with a kiss. She blushed vermillion as his gesture.
"Nicholas. Nicholas Blair." Dianna now realized who he was: the tenant that everyone was talking about.
"Oh, my! I feel warm," she gasped.
"Let me take you outside," he offered, ushering her to the tiny deck off the parlor that overlooked the vast Atlantic. The breeze felt cool against her face.
"I'm so embarassed. Please forgive me!" She hung on to the railing trying to catch her breathe.
"Nothing to worry about. It's a hot day and the rooms quickly overheat with many visitors. It's understandable."
"I do feel better now. Thank you," she said, inhaling deeply through her nose and exhaling slowly through her mouth.
"You're entirely welcome, my dear."
"So, you are the tenant that I've heard so much about."
"I do hope you've heard nothing bad. I tend to live quietly."
"Oh, no! I didn't mean it like that! It's just that this house has had some strange things happen to it and no one could imagine who would want to live here."
"I assure you that nothing has happened here. My stay has been pleasant."
"I'm glad. Do you plan to stay over the summer?"
"No. I'm here on business. As soon as that is finalized, then I will be on my way."
"That's too bad,"Dianna replied, honestly feeling sadness at his imminent departure. "Well, I guess I better get back to the tour or I'll miss seeing everything," she started to return inside when he stepped in front of her.
"Anytime you wish to see this house for a private tour, please let me know. I'm at your command."
She blushed again at his flirting.
"Thank you. I'll let you know."
"Please do, lovely lady."
Dianna had never been one to catch anyone's eye much less someone as handsome and gracious as this sly snake. She literally ran from the house and down to her car. A few people looked at her mad escape, shook their heads and returned to their place in line.
Why was she running? she thought. Had he affected her that much? She caught her breathe once she reached her car. Yes, he was handsome. Yes, he did flirt with her. She looked at herself through the outside rearview mirror. Her face was still flushed from running but it had an internal glow she had seen before. She liked the way she looked-- all hot and tingly like the tussels she had with Willie in his car. She knew he wanted more than she was willing to give. He'd pout and then try again to run his hands up her leg to her thighs and into her panties. It was getting harder to fend him off.
And, then it dawned on her. Willie's car! If he had gone away, he would've taken it but why did she feel she needed to check on the Old House barn? She needed to look inside/
"Oh, Willie, where are you? I need you!" she implored to the air and an accomodating, iridescent hummingbird caught her sigh and flew off with it.
Nicholas had run out of the house, too, after his new informant. Nicholas knew very well who she was and how she was associated with Barnabas Collins. His mirror had shown him how cruel Barnabas had become to his servant for no apparent reason. Something has occured before his ordered arrival and he needed to know what had happened.
"Please, Miss Fancher. I didn't mean to scare you off," he contritely approached her. Dianna wished she had unlocked her car so she could quickly escape his advances.
"You didn't. I'm just not used to being..." she couldn't think of what she had planned to say.
"Admired?" he asked, tipping his head to see her green eyes. She blushed again.
"Yes. I mean, no. I'm used to being with my friend. I was hoping he'd be with me today but Mr. Collins sent him away on business," she replied, looking up into his handsome face. He was older than she but so charming.
"Did he now? Do you know where?"
"No. And that's what worries me. Willie would've called me to say he'd be away but he didn't."
"Willie? Are you referring to Willie Loomis?"
"Yes! Do you know him?" she was excited that he possibly knew her boyfriend.
"I've met him a few times. Likeable sort. Easy to get to know," Nicholas said, remembering a few instances of hypnosis.
"Yes, he's quite nice. We get along fine for two people from different backgrounds. He hasn't told me much but I think he's had a hard life. Mr. Collins doesn't seem to make it better but Willie's never said a word against him."
"He wouldn't" Nicholas Blair knew the whole story.
"Why not?" she questioned. She sensed that he knew more than he was telling.
"Oh, nothing. He just seems like a closed book when it comes to details."
"That's for sure." They awkwardly stood together while Dianna fumbled in her purse for her keyes.
"Would you like something to eat? Or drink? It's quite warm today." He was hoping she'd say yes. He still had much to find out.
"I am thirsty," she replied, dumbfounded by her reply but he was so easy to talk to.
"There's a quaint roadhouse by the shore, a few miles up. We can have something to drink, watch the ocean, feed the seagulls. What do you say?"
"Yes, I'd love to!" she said quickly without thinking.
"Then, let's go!" He helped her open her car door and let her be seated before he went tothe passenger's side.
She put the key in the ignition and started the car;putting it next in reverse. Eyeing her passenger, she wondered how interested he'd be in a secret midnight mission to the Old House.
The ocean breeze on a hot day would be conducive to open her mind. He still needed to know more about Barnabas' behavior, Willie's absence, and his sister's request for redemption. It had been given in good faith but knowing Angelique, she stirred up more trouble than she was worth. But, if it took a twilight reconnaissance to an old barn, then so be it.
to be continued.......