Chastening of the Witch, Part 4
Date: 3/29/98
From: AngeliqueBouchard

Miranda sat in the drawing room in the early morning hours with the wooden doll given to her by Judah Zachary. She had tied an old scarf of her uncle Jeremiah's around it and was now contemplating whether or not to go through with this.

Was this a practical joke? The power of witchcraft in her family? Never. That was unthinkable. Miranda felt silly at the thought of talking to an inanimate object. She began to think about how plausible this actually was. Why was she so quickly manipulated by that odd man she met yesterday? That wasn't like her at all. Still, what if he was actually telling the truth? What if she did have an unknown power at her disposal?

Miranda brought the doll close to her face, "Jeremiah Collins, hear my voice and listen to my command. You are such a proud man, Uncle. Too proud even to bestow a little kindness on your faithful wife. Well today your pride shall take quite a fall, for you shall leave this house only wearing your undergarments." Miranda giggled despite her effort to remain serious.

"What on earth are you doing?"

Miranda whirled around while simultaneously shoving the doll behind her back. "Why Barnabas I didn't hear you come in."

Barnabas furrowed his brow, "What are you doing with that piece of wood?"

"Ohh," Miranda hedged, realizing how much he had witnessed, "this is just... a joke. It's rather silly actually."

It was Miranda's good fortune to be interrupted at that awkward moment by Quentin, Gabriel, and Rebecca running into the room.

"Good morning!" sang and enthusiastic Quentin.

"Good morning, children," Miranda greeted in return, relieved to have a diversion.

"You look very pretty, Miranda," Quentin said.

"Why thank you, Quentin." Miranda tousled Quentin's dark brown hair. He was such a charmer, even at the young age of ten. Miranda thought about the many hearts he would probably break in a few short years.

Sara's daughter, Rebecca, tugged at Miranda's dress, "Will you do my hair so I look pretty too?"

"You can't look pretty like Miranda," Gabriel corrected. "You have ugly brown hair."

"Her hair is beautiful," Miranda chided. "Of course I will do your hair."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you sounded like an old witch casting a spell." Barnabas was obviously not distracted by the children as Miranda had hoped.

Miranda rolled her eyes, "Really Barnabas, you're much to serious for only being nineteen years old. You act like an old cynical man." Barnabas was obviously not swayed by her comment and continued to stare at Miranda expectedly. "That strange man I met yesterday showed me this trick and I simply wanted to see if it worked."

"I still don't understand what..." Barnabas was interrupted by the loud laughter of the children. Following their gaze Miranda and Barnabas caught a glimpse of their uncle Jeremiah, leaving Collinwood in only his underwear, although he did remember to put on his shoes. The sight was enough to make even Gabriel, who was usually moody and unhappy, giggle uncontrollably.

Miranda raised her hand to her open mouth as Barnabas pulled her away from the children. "I want to meet this Judah Zachary!" He demanded then quickly ran after his uncle.

"Yes Barnabas I want to meet you too," Judah Zachary grumbled to himself as he watched the scene unfold in the flames before him. "You are perhaps the most intricate part of my plan. By the time your mother returns from her travels, you and your sister will be in my power." He turned away from the fire stared into space. His face contorted in rage. "Then you will begin to know my wrath, Angelique Bouchard, and you will rue the day you betrayed me!"

TO BE CONTINUED