Late 1796

The cold wind was particularly bitter on this ominous night as Angelique Bouchard made the long dark walk to the Old House. She had been busy at the "New House" or "Collinwood" as it would be referred to soon. She along with the other servants were making preparations for the move which would take place before Barnabas and Josette wed. Her mistress would be arriving any day now to claim Barnabas, a man who was rightfully Angelique's betrothed, at least in Angelique's mind.

Was she doing the right thing? Angelique contemplated the consequences for what she was about to do as she neared the glowing warmth emitting from the Old House windows. As she avoided the front door and walked around to the servant's entrance, Angelique felt a hard bitterness constrict her chest. How hypocritically the upper crust live. They receive accolades for doing good deeds for the poor, but it was the subtle messages, such as this one, demanding the servants use a separate door, that revealed their true nature.

Angelique entered the large house and easily found her way to Barnabas' room. Barnabas opened the door in response to her knock. He immediately lowered his eyes. He knew what she wanted and perhaps if things were different he would have chosen Angelique to be his wife, but as things stood, that was impossible.

"May I come in for a moment, Barnabas?" Angelique asked.

Barnabas met her gaze and stood aside granting her access to his bedroom. He shut the door. "We already discussed this while we were in Martinique. I can not marry you. It's just not possible."

"Barnabas, I know you are an honorable man," Angelique began. "I know your father has certain expectations of whom you will marry. I want you to consider one more thing, however, before you make your choice." Angelique began to unbutton her bulky clothes.

"Angelique, please," Barnabas said. "This won't..." Barnabas stopped in mid sentence and gasped as Angelique revealed her swollen stomach.

"This is your child Barnabas," Angelique said. "As I said, I know you are an honorable man, and it would be such a dishonor to myself and your child if you cast us out just because I don't have the same wealth and prestige as Josette."

Barnabas couldn't take his eyes off Angelique's middle where his unborn child grew. "My child," he whispered.

Barnabas Collins married Angelique Bouchard shortly thereafter. His father, Joshua, was lived at Barnabas for bringing such a scandal to the family. He the town of Collinsport were quite open in their disdain for Angelique. She remedied this by using a simple spell to charm Joshua and certain key townsfolk. Unexpectedly, however, Angelique's reliance on her dark powers waned as she started her new life with Barnabas and acquired the Collins name. Angelique possessed a certain nobility that demanded respect. Soon it was due to her own charm and dignity that the townsfolk were drawn to her. As the scandal died down and the family embraced Angelique as one of their own, Barnabas allowed himself to truly love his wife and come to view his past actions, which he once only thought of with regret, as a unexpected blessing. He eagerly embraced his son, thankful he did not allow the temptation to let him be born into the world a bastard overtake his judgment. Two years after the birth the Barnabas Collins II, Angelique gave birth to a blond haired beautiful little girl whom they named Miranda.

Time passed bringing a content happiness to the Collins family, until pure evil made its dark arrival.

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1816

Miranda Collins basked in the sunlight of the clear summer day as she strolled through the lush Collinwood gardens. Seventeen years old and the perfect image of her mother at that tender age, Miranda captured the hearts of all the young men in Collinsport. A slight breeze lifted her long blond curls that tumbled down her back and ended at her waist. She stopped to smell a blossoming pink rose. As she breathed in its sweet fragrance she felt the air take on a sudden chill. Miranda let go of the rose and wrapped her arms around her body. She abruptly noticed a man sitting under a small tree a few feet away. He was quite an unappealing man and Miranda didn't recognize him to be one of the servants.

"Hello Miranda," the man called. His smile appeared to be almost a sneer, but the tone of his voice was as if he were pleasantly familiar with Miranda.

"Do I know you?" Miranda asked. Some said it was a trait inherited from her mother, but Miranda was not one who was easily scared. Even though she was alone with this odd stranger far from the ears of anyone she could call to for help, Miranda boldly approached him.

"You don't know me," the man said, "but I know you. I've watched you all of your life."

Miranda remained unaffected, "Well you obviously know my name. Would you mind telling me yours?"

"But of course," the man replied. "My name is Judah. Judah Zachary."

TO BE CONTINUED

Cast
Barnabas and Angelique- two children Barnabas (age 19) and Miranda (age 17)
Joshua - deceased
Naomi
Jeremiah and Melanie - no children
Sarah (age 26) married to a local man, Thomas Elder - one daughter Rebecca (age 5)
Daniel and Harriet - two children Quentin (age 10) & Gabriel (age 8)
Ben Stokes - Barnabas' servant