Subject: Where are the Angels?
chapter 19
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2000 02:43:21 EDT
From: Melissa
His marriage with Angèlique wasn't working, he could get Josette out of his mind, maybe never could, he had tried. He had to win her love back, somehow.
Peter Bradford came over to the office for lunch. He was usually came with Noah, but today Noah was out with Louisa. They had gotten together after the wedding party.
"Barnabas, what did you think of Therésè?" Peter asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I really like her."
"All I know is that she's engaged to some artist back in France."
"Yeah I knew that, she told me all about him," Peter said. "Hey what's the matter man?"
"I think I made the worst mistake in my life."
"You got to forget about her," Peter said.
"I can't I love her."
"And what about your wife?"
"That was a mistake. I thought that if I married her that I would be able to forget about Josette. Angèlique loves me, I thought that would help."
"I don't know what to say," Peter said. He could see that his friend wasn't happy. "You'll think of something," he said.
After lunch Barnabas went into town. He walked into one of the shops, in the windows were some of the most beautiful music boxes he had ever seen. They were gold, and delicately carved. The one that he picked out played a hauntingly beautiful tune that reminded him of Josette the moment he heard it. When it was opened two tiny figures came out and began to dance. They looked so real inside. He had them wrap it up, but not before he put a note inside the box to Josette.
When he got home, he set on his desk in his room; he would take it over to Valrosa, the house that he had given to Josette.
He decided to take a quick shower before.
Angèlique had had a good day; she had gone shopping in Bangor with Naomi for Sarah's birthday. When she got into the bedroom, she saw the beautifully wrapped gold box on Barnabas' desk. She heard the shower running.
"This must be a wedding gift," she said to herself. "It must be from Barnabas," she said when she couldn't find a card. "He wants to make up for all the time that we lost."
She sat on the bed and began to open the box. She caught her breath when she saw the beautiful music box. She lifted the lid carefully. The music began to play. She saw the note and took it out, and read it.
Dearest,
I don't deserve to call you that. How foolish I have been. Is there no way that
we can forget the past and move on to the future. I love you and everyday I
realize how much I need you. I was meant for you, as you were meant for me.
Remember what I told you that day at the villa? I would die before I left you.
I can forget what has happened between us. Darling Josette, my love for you
has no end.
Your loving Barnabas.
She couldn't believe what she was reading. How could this be?
"Angèlique," Barnabas said coming out of the bathroom.
"Do you still love her," she asked.
"Why did you open that?" he asked angrily.
"I thought it was for me," she said.
"Well it would have been with your things if it were."
"You didn't answer my question," she said.
"No I didn't and I won't," Barnabas said and walked out taking the music box with him.
The incident with Angèlique had shaken him; he didn't want to go over to Valrosa anymore. He decided that he would set up something for her here. He called the florist and began preparing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Mother, I need your help," Barnabas said.
"What is it," she asked.
"I need to see Josette."
"But. . . "
"I know, but I love her, and I made a mistake. My marriage to Angèlique was nothing more than an attempt to get her to notice me. Please Mother help me I need her."
"What do you want me to do?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Josette walked into Collinwood, she had hoped she wouldn't be returning that soon after the funeral. She was surprised when Barnabas gave her the house that they were to live in if they had been married. No one was there; Naomi had told her that it was very important. She decided to check Naomi's room, she went up the stairs. But no one was there. Josette walked down the stairs, she could hear music playing from the ballroom. Curiosity getting the better of her she walked to the door and looked inside.
The room was filled with flowers, the room was filled with their intoxicating aroma. She walked into the room and picked up one of the flowers, it was a calla lily.
Then a man began to sing, and Barnabas emerged from behind on of the pillars.
"Stars shining bright above you,
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you,
But singing in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me.
Stars fading up I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I long to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Say nighty night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me.
So in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me. . . "
Josette couldn't believe what she saw before her, she tried hard to fight the feelings that she felt inside, she could not love this man, he had destroyed her love. But with him standing before her like this all those old emotions seemed to pour out of her. She had never really hated him, deep in her heart she didn't, all the hate was in her head, and it pounded like a hammer in her head. But her heart was stronger now, and it was getting clearer in her head.
"Josette, will you forgive me?" Barnabas asked holding onto her hand.
"I can't so much has happened, with you and Jeremiah and me," she said.
"I love you Josette, I wish I could take back all that has happened."
"Your married Barnabas, what of Angèlique?"
"I thought I could forget you if I married her, but I couldn't you're the only woman I could ever love."
Josette pulled her hand away and walked further into the room, she was amazed at what he did for her.
"Did you do all of this?" she asked.
"Yes," Barnabas said. "I got this for you too." He handed her the music box.
"It's beautiful," she said, she turned to him, "Barnabas I hate myself for this, but I still love you. I do not understand what had happened to me, I . . " she said.
"Oh Josette," Barnabas said, taking her into his arms, "I love you."
"You must give me time Barnabas," she said.
"I'll do anything for you," he murmured.
Angèlique watched this from behind the door; all that she had done was falling apart. She had to do something. She called for Ben, but he never came. Then she remembered that he took a leave of absence. Things hadn't been the same since Jeremiah's death. He hated her so much that her powers over him had little effect. She didn't have to worry about him talking, that spell still worked.
The next day, things were peaceful once again at Collinwood. Barnabas hadn't come back. At dinner he came with Josette, Angèlique knew that they had been together. The family was surprised at the change, and was a little curious about what was going on with the marriage of Barnabas and Angèlique.
"I thought that we could take Sarah and Daniel to see a movie tonight," Joshua said to Naomi, "Millicent and Nathan are visiting his parents tonight."
"I think that is a wonderful idea," Naomi said.
When the four were gone, Josette said goodnight for the evening. Natalie and André were leaving tomorrow so she wanted to spend sometime with them. Virginie, Louisa, and Therésè said that they were going to do some shopping with Peyton, and never showed up for dinner.
So Angèlique and Barnabas were alone. Angèlique no longer felt any love in her heart for Barnabas, just anger. But she would never let him go she would never let Josette win.
"Where were you?" she demanded, as he poured a brandy in their room.
"I don't think I have to answer to you," he said.
"You were with her weren't you? When you were making love to her did she call out his name?"
Barnabas slapped her hard. "I don't want to talk about this with you."
"Why not, she's just your mistress. Tell me who it was, was she just as good?"