1795 - Martinique - the duPres plantation, 2:30 AM

Josette duPres, blushing, walked slowly towards Barnabas Collins' room. Papa and Aunt Natalie would kill her if they knew what she was contemplating. Oh, she would not allow Monsieur Collins all the liberties she WANTED to allow him, she could not dare to be that bold. A few kisses, perhaps. . .his fiery touch on her breast. . .no more than that. Men did not marry women who permitted them to. . .kisses, perhaps one touch on her breast (OUTSIDE her nightdress, of course). She was falling in love with him, of that she was sure, and whenever they were together, she sensed he felt the same. His restraint when he kissed her hand, her cheek, her mouth, lightly brushing across her lips, the passionate look in his eyes. . .she knew he wanted her, he had hinted of marriage, something she wanted, too, oh, yes, but--oh, perhaps she would give him just a little bit more! If they were engaged, more would be expected, of course, right? Perhaps it was time to say yes. . .

She had to pass through the servants' quarters along the way. As she drifted along the corridor, she heard a sound that drew her, that. . .aroused her. What WAS that? It was coming from Angelique's room. . .moans? Sighs? It sounded like Angelique, as if she were in pain. . .no, not pain. . .something else. . .

Josette cocked her head to one side and moved closer to the closed door, pressing her ear shamelessly against it. That's when she heard the other voice, groaning mingled with Angelique's, a deeper voice. . .a man! Yes, Angelique had a man in her room with her!

Josette hesitated, unsure of what to do. There were strict rules for the servants in the duPres household, and if Angelique were. . .entertaining a male caller, she was in violation. Who was in there with her? Josette HAD to know!

She flung open the door, looked, saw, gasped, her hands covering her mouth--then her eyes, too. She would never forget this sight, oh, no; it was tattooed in her brain for all time. Barnabas, naked, with Angelique, also naked, him on top of her, arms and legs twined, thrashing, the two of them moaning. Virgin though she was, Josette knew what was happening between her maid and her--oh, dear God, this man had asked HER, Josette, to marry him! And here he was coupling with. . .

Barnabas, horrified, drew away from Angelique, rolled off her. He grabbed the sheet and covered his sweating body with it. "Josette, I can explain," he blathered. Angelique lay back, not bothering to cover herself, smiling evilly.

Josette, her hands still covering her eyes, screamed, "No, Monsieur Collins, there is no need to say anything! It is plain what is going on here, under my nose, in my very house! You have the gall to propose to me, then lie with. . .get out of here, both of you! Now! I wouldn't marry you, Monsieur, if you were the last man on earth!"

She raced away, sobbing. Barnabas, frantically trying to shrug himself into his nightdress, followed on her heels, but he knew it was useless--he had lost Josette.

Angelique, grinning, blew a kiss, seemingly to the floorboards in her bedroom and stretched her splendid, naked body full length on the bed. "It's always better to be bad than good," she purred. "Something you always taught me, Master of Darkness."

Love, RobinV