Subj: Fiery Forbidden Love: Burning Embers Chapter 1
Date: 12/30/98 6:12:12 AM Central Standard Time
From: beverlylacroix

Nicholas was in a quandary, but a thought occurred to him, don't appear to be so eager, Old Boy, you've all the time in the world.

"Why, Elizabeth, you are the picture of loveliness. Alexandria was the perfect prescription for you. You are blooming like a desert flower, just positively radiating beauty. Wouldn't you agree with me, Maggie?" the suave, silken-voiced warlock asked the woman who would have been his bride.

Maggie smiled, and nodded, when she noticed that Mrs. Stoddard was positively beaming, and hanging onto every word that Nicholas was saying.

"Why thank you, Nicholas. Come and let me pour you a drink," the sophisticated woman replied.

Maggie felt clumsy and out of place with Nicholas and Mrs. Stoddard, she had never felt that way around Nicholas before. It was as if they shared a secret that only the very rich and powerful, and, yes, famous, shared. Interlopers, such as herself were not allowed in. Barnabas sometimes, had made her feel that way, she knew it wasn't intentional, but it was his breeding, something he wasn't even aware of. Maggie did not like this feeling, and wanted to escape, run and hide. She chided herself for being silly. You're not a child anymore, she scolded herself, as she heard Mrs. Stoddard asking her a question about the next day. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you, "Maggie replied, feeling ashamed for her thoughts when she looked at Mrs. Stoddard, and knew that nothing but kindness and concern was what the woman felt for Maggie, maybe even some form of affection.

"I asked you, if you shouldn't be running on to bed. You do have an early day tomorrow. Cassandra and Roger will be flying in from London, and, I believe, they may have had to stop in Paris, but Cassandra, Roxanne, and probably Julia will need your services. So, it's probably a good idea for you to get sufficient rest." Elizabeth said in the cultured tones of the upper class.

"Yes, as usual you are right, Mrs. Stoddard.

"Good night, Mr. Blair," Maggie said as he rose from the sofa. taking her hand, and looking directly into her eyes. It was then that she felt a shock go through her entire being, and it was desire that pervaded her. She still wanted him, and wanted him badly. She saw it his knowledge of that mirrored in his eyes. He knew it. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment, as she stuttered a good night, and left the room quickly. She heard his laughter in the foyer, hot crimson tears of shame fell down her cheeks. She ran up the stairs, and into her room. Finally, she was able to go to bed, and fell into a restless sleep. Her dreams were of Nicholas Blair.

"Roxanne," Quentin whispered looking at the beautiful, and quite voluptuous, Mrs. Barnabas Collins, pregnancy agreed with her Quentin thought as he walked over to her softly. He was still stinging from Julia's unwarranted rebuff. He'd just about had all he could take from this nightmare that Laura had created -- why blame Laura, it was Barnabas. He could never leave anything alone when he should. He had dared to threaten him. Called him a betrayer, my God, Barnabas had betrayed his children, his family, his wife, and the only loyal friend he had had, and that was his wife, and now his cousin was becoming a
burden to his own marriage and children. Looking at Roxanne, he was glad Julia had taught him a way to block his thought, so she couldn't read his every thought. These were private and angry thoughts, he didn't mean them. Barnabas was his friend, his cousin, and he loved him, and would always help him when he needed it.

"Roxanne, what is it?" Quentin asked as he walked to her door.

"I'm sorry. I heard the door slam, and I heard Julia yelling at you. I didn't mean for this to happen," Roxanne said softly.

"I know. It's not your fault," Quentin said bringing her into his embrace. He felt Roxanne clinging to him, and his own desire begin to overtake him. He wanted her, and he wanted her badly. He pushed her in the doorway, and into the room. When the door was closed, neither one of them saw Julia retreating back into her room.

"Laura, can you hear me?" Barnabas sobbed into his pillow. He would let no one know of his feelings. They would eventually think him normal, then he would repay Quentin and Roxanne for their betrayal. Especially Quentin. Roxanne, he would dispose of immediately. She would go back to England with her child as soon as it was born. She would never take Jamie from him though. Jamie was the product of his and Laura's love.

The voodoo and magic he had learned in the Caribbean would serve him well now. Getting a kleenex, and wiping himself, he took a deep breath, and stood very erect in the dark, sparse room, and began his incantation.

The Old House was full of strife, secrets, and dread this night. But for Quentin, his torture hadn't started. Ready to lay in the arms of his cousin's wife, he heard a voice calling his name, seductively, sensuously. He threw Roxanne from him, and stood up, as if listening. "Quentin, what's wrong?" Roxanne asked him.

"This is what's wrong," Quentin answered her. "We can't do this. You love Barnabas, and I love Julia." Quentin told her softly.

Roxanne walked over to Quentin and put her arms around him, showing no shame at her nakedness, she did not try to cover herself, as Quentin had already pulled his pants on.

"Quentin, I need you. Don't leave me like this. I can't take any more rejection," Roxanne was pleading by now.

Quentin pushed her away, and walked out of the room. He walked down to the drawing room, and lit a candle, wondered why Barnabas refused electricity, and immediately pushed that thought away. Running his hand through his unruly hair, couldn't believe what he had almost done. He loved Julia. Why was she behaving this way to him. They had never had problems of this sort. Maybe she was confusing him with Barnabas. Always Barnabas. That was it. It was Barnabas she really loved and wanted, had always wanted. Now, he was tucked safely away at Wyndcliff and Julia could be with him alone night and day if she wanted. His rage was starting to boil as he stood looking at the portrait of his cousin.

Well, he was Julia's husband, and had a say so in her life now, and as far as he was concerned Barnabas was not going to be a part of his wife's life, doctor or otherwise. They were going to leave this house tonight, and go back to The Abbey where they belonged. Roxanne could deal with Willie AND Barnabas.

Determination was on the face of Quentin Collins, when he walked up the stairs to retrieve his wife. "Quentin." He heard the voice again.

"Barnabas, is that you?" Quentin asked, feeling foolish, knowing full well that Barnabas was at Wyndcliff, and no longer a vampire, so quite incapable of supernatural devices, so shaking off what he thought he heard, he took another step, when he heard the voice again.

"Quentin, go to my portrait," Barnabas said.

Quentin, feeling he had no choice, obeyed the voice, and walked to the portrait, and looked at the eyes.

"Remember, Quentin, in Alexandria when I showed you a tiny portion of my powers as a vampire, how frightened you were, because you had no control over your desires." the voice said low and seductive.

"Yes, I remember, Barnabas. Why are you bringing that up now? You aren't a vampire anymore. You can't control me like that again, Barnabas, and I don't know why you would," Quentin said, fear invading his being.

"Quentin, it was only your dreams that were touched, now it will be your waking hours that you will crave my touch, and no one else's." Barnabas said, as his voice faded. Quentin heard the laughter very faint, but it was there.

"Cousin Grant, are you all right?" Willie asked.

Quentin jumped, and stared at Willie like he didn't know him, "oh, yes, Cousin Chris, I'm just fine," Quentin said sarcastically.

"Grant, you know I don't like to be called Chris, could you call me Shane, like you always did before." Willie said.

Quentin just stared at him, wondering before what.

Maggie watched from her bedroom doorway as Mrs. Stoddard and Nicholas Blair walked down the hallway, he had his arm around her, and they were whispering in lovers' tones, and they entered Mrs. Stoddard's bedroom, and the door closed, and Maggie heard the lock. She stood at her door, if anyone saw her, they would have seen the look of pure hatred that was meant for Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, because Maggie Evans had decided that she wanted Nicholas Blair back.

To be continued....