A More Consistent Origin -- 10 to 13
From: Whitey Pale

Part 10

The Du Pres plantation was a beehive of activity, with all of the servants up especially early. The cooking staff began cleaning utensils and preparing for a special five course meal of the best food on the island. The maids were scouring the floors and dusting the furniture in the main house. The gardeners were out pruning and shaping. All this because a messenger had arrived at 3 a.m. with the news that the ship carrying Barnabas Collins had been sighted and would dock shortly. All of the servants were working hard to ensure that the guest from the United States would find perfection at the Du Pres plantation. Well, all except one.

She had said that her name was Rae Ann Welsh, and appeared to be a middle-aged woman who had recently been hired as a seamstress. Rae Ann was behind a locked door in the servant's quarters, neatly arranging several piles of dirt on a tray. Today would be the day that she would earn her 100,000 francs.

She laughed as she remembered the day that Evan Dawson had stopped by her house in Wales to enlist her aid. The note that preceded his arrival said that Dawson had heard that she was the direct descendant of one of the most notorious and fierce witches in history, Rhiannon. She had known the note was genuine because of the occult markings that accompanied it, but she also knew that Dawson was a lackey because he had not been told that she was, in fact, the real Rhiannon. Because of the money promised, Rhiannon had decided to hear Dawson out, and took the guise of a middle aged woman to put him at ease.

Rhiannon, of course, had learned the secret of eternal youth and had preserved her deadly beauty--the beauty that had in turn seduced many men and led them to their doom. She had been spurned once, early in life and had taken horrible revenge on many lovers and would-be lovers in the centuries that followed. When she had heard Dawson's plan, she was intrigued: grooming an unwitting, budding witch to lead a man and his family to their doom.

Still, for the trouble of crossing the ocean to pose as a common servant to perform tricks that were beneath her, she needed to be well paid. The 50,000 francs Dawson provided up front, with the promise of 50,000 more upon completion did the trick. Dawson said that his master, Judah Zachary, wanted Rhiannon's "descendant" to ensure that the most important part of the plan occur--and knew that Rhiannon would play by the rules: Barnabas and Angelique must fall in love naturally, and without the aid of witchcraft.

"Judah Zachary!", Rhiannon scoffed under her breath as she prepared the mounds of dirt. She had never heard of him before Dawson's letter and considered him a two-bit warlock who couldn't even keep the townspeople from beheading him. When she met Evan Dawson, Rhiannon respected Zachary even less. But he paid well.

The previous week, Rhiannon had cast a spell to make Angelique violently ill with severe symptoms of stomach flu and abdominal distress. This spell had to be done very subtly so that Angelique and her mother would not detect it. Rhiannon did this so that Angelique would be unable to accompany her mistress, Josette, who was being sent to stay with relatives during Barnabas Collins's visit. Andre Du Pres did not want to leave his lovely young daughter around as a temptation or worse, as a bargaining chip--unless, of course, he was the one who used it.

After Josette had left, Rhiannon had begun lifting the spell, gradually to avoid suspicion, because she knew of Barnabas' impending arrival. Rhiannon had followed the ship's progress by a simple mirror spell. She had taped to her mirror a page of one of Barnabas' letters to the Du Pres, which she had stolen, and splashed across the mirror some ocean water. This conjured a vision of the ship and enabled her to sense its distance.

Rhiannon began this important morning by completely lifting her spell on Angelique, leaving her well, but weak. Then Rhiannon began sorting out mounds of dirt that she had collected from three different parts of the plantation. When she had finished, she pulled out an ancient amulet and began chanting an arcane spell. Storm clouds gathered slowly, and about an hour later, thunder and lightning split the skies. There was no rain though. Rain was not in Rhiannon's plan.

Rhiannon took a taper and lit it with the fire of a candle. She then placed the taper on the first pile of dirt. "Fires that serve my master, do my bidding! Fires that burn in hell, burn for me! Fires that know no quenching, know my thoughts and follow!"

Soon afterwards, Rhiannon heard a cry of "Fire!" and a number of servants broke towards the direction of the plantation where a small conflagration had begun. She smiled and lit the second pile of dirt, chanting the same incantation. More cries of "Fire!" from another direction. Then she lit the third, creating more confusion.

Rhiannon moved her hands above the three flames, directing their movement. She did not want them too high, so as to divert the oncoming Barnabas. She did not want them to appear too difficult too quench so as to avoid suspicion--these were meant to appear to be lightning fires. She felt the attempts of the servants to douse the fires, and she deftly reduced the flames with each attempt. All the while, Rhiannon kept an eye on the mirror, and the carriage that was carrying Barnabas Collins. (This time, she had smeared the mirror with dust from the road leading from the harbor.)

When Rhiannon realized that the carriage was almost near enough to the house for the fires to be seen, she placed her hand in each one to completely douse them. Rhiannon had been one with the fire, she was not burned. Then she looked out her window and waited.

Soon a carriage pulled up to the front door of the Du Pres mansion, and out stepped a dapper Barnabas Collins, dressed in the best finery, ready to impress his host. While the footman gathered his bags, he strode to the front door and knocked. No one answered the door. After a minute, he knocked again. Still no answer. By then the footman had arrived with the bags, and Barnabas attempted to quiz him on whether or not his arrival had been announced. The footman did not know.

In the house, Angelique, feeling much stronger, had begun setting the table. All of the menservants, including Pierre, the butler, were out fighting the fires. When Angelique heard the door, she froze, unsure if she should answer it. By the third knock, with no one coming to her aid, she knew that she must do so. She walked to the door and opened it.

Barnabas Collins looked at the beautiful blonde woman that had answered the door. Angelique looked at the handsome, cultured man before her and could not help looking him directly in the eye--an enormous breach of protocol for servants. "May I help you Monsieur?" she smiled.

Barnabas Collins could not take his eyes off of hers. "My name is Barnabas Collins," he said with a slight bow, which he quickly corrected since he realized that he was addressing a servant, "Monsieur Du Pres is expecting me."

Up in her room, Rhiannon cackled gleefully. Within a few days she would suddenly quit the Du Pres on the pretense of rejoining relatives in Wales. She would actually, of course, be returning with 50,000 francs that a sniveling Evan Dawson would give her. Rhiannon smiled. Her work was done. Nature would do the rest.

Part 11

Angelique suddenly realized that she was staring directly at the visitor, and making him somewhat embarrassed. She immediately lowered her eyes and quieted her voice to a subdued, subservient tone. "Come in, Monsieur Collins," Angelique beckoned and turned to lead the visitor. "Monsieur DuPres--" she quickly corrected herself "my master has been expecting you."

Barnabas Collins entered the long hallway and was peripherally impressed with its opulence, but he was mainly riveted on the young girl who at first had seemed too self-assured for a servant. As he followed her, Barnabas noticed that the servant girl was walking with great poise and posture, as if she had studied the ladies of the house. None of the servants at the Collins estate were like this. He was fascinated by her.

Angelique led the visitor into a large drawing room. "Please sit down Monsieur. I am sure that my master is sorry that there is no one around to formally greet you. The recent storm started a number of fires around the estate and all of the men have gone out to quench them. I will go look for someone." Angelique found herself staring at Barnabas again, and hesitated in leaving. Realizing what she was doing, she quickly lowered her eyes and turned to go.

"Wait!" Barnabas said, and Angelique quickly turned, her heart beating faster. "Perhaps I should assist in putting out the fires. Could you direct me where I can be of some help?"

Angelique smiled and said, "It is very generous of you to offer Monsieur, but I am sure that my master would not want his guest to spend his first hour here fighting fires. I will go find someone." She slowly turned to leave again.

Barnabas did not want to end the conversation. "Thank you!" he quickly said, "you have been most kind Mademoiselle--what is your name?"

Angelique turned and broadly smiled. "My name is Angelique Bouchard. But please Monsieur, you need not call me Mademoiselle. I am but a servant. I know that in America things are different, but here we do not deserve such honor."

Barnabas was intrigued. "Have you been to America?"

Angelique laughed demurely, "Oh, no Monsieur. I just know what I have heard and read."

"You read?" Barnabas asked in amazement. Angelique felt that she should probably leave, but she could sense that she was impressing the handsome visitor.

"Yes, Monsieur. My mother taught to me read a little. Then, for awhile I took lessons. I'm sorry, I should really leave and find a member of the household."

"Well!" Barnabas said, "Angelique, you are certainly unlike any servant that I have known in America. To me, at least, you certainly have earned the right to be called a Mademoiselle."

Angelique blushed. "Thank you, Monsieur. You are very kind."

"Are all of the servants here as learned and poised as yourself?"

"Oh no, Monsieur." Angelique replied with deliberate pride, "I believe that my mother and myself are the only servants here who read and write. And I am the only one to have taken lessons."

Barnabas was impressed and curious. "And where did you take lessons, Mademoiselle Bouchard?" Barnabas made a point of accenting the word "Mademoiselle" to Angelique's obvious delight.

"For awhile I took lessons with my mistress--"

"Angelique!" The stern voice froze Angelique. She pivoted and saw standing in the archway the Countess Nathalie Du Pres. "Why did you not tell me that we have a visitor?"

The Countess was obviously very displeased. Flustered, Angelique lowered her eyes and said rapidly in a timid voice. "I'm sorry Countess Du Pres--there was no one else here--he knocked and knocked. . ."

Barnabas came to the rescue. He rose and bowed. "Permit me to introduce myself. I am Barnabas Collins. I have come from America as a guest of Monsieur Du Pres. I knocked several times before Angelique came to show me in. She has been most courteous."

The Countess scowled at Barnabas' mention of Angelique's name. Servants should not be so familiar as to reveal their names to visitors. She knew that Andre should never have allowed Angelique to be so close with Josette growing up. Angelique still did not know her place.

"I am the Countess Du Pres. My brother was out supervising the quenching of fires that had broken out on the estate as a result of the storm. The fires are now out and my brother is changing clothes to properly meet you. I am sorry that there is no one to show you to your room Monsieur Collins. Allow me to show you the library. Hopefully you will find some book to occupy yourself while you are waiting."

Barnabas almost said that Angelique had already told him about the fires, but thought better of it. "Thank you Countess," he bowed. "I would appreciate that very much." He turned to Angelique who began walking in the direction of the library.

The Countess said icily, "I will show Monsieur Collins to the library, Angelique. As I see that you are feeling much better, perhaps you should help prepare the table for dinner, being that we are already way behind schedule."

"Yes, mistress." Angelique curtsied meekly and hurried out. Still, she stealthily took a look back at the handsome, courtly stranger as the Countess led him to the library, even though she risked the wrath of the Countess if she were caught. She glided to the dining room to begin her duties with a light heart. She had impressed a stranger, a handsome and polite one at that. She began to daydream ways of arranging to see him again.

Barnabas and the Countess continued their walk to the library. "I hope that Angelique did not offend you, Monsieur. She is more spirited and forward than our other servants. I apologize for her attitude."

Barnabas smiled and bit his tongue to avoid saying what he really wanted to say for fear of getting the young servant into further trouble. Instead, he just politely said, "Not at all Countess. No offense taken."

Part 12

The Countess Du Pres had left Barnabas Collins alone in the library, while she went to get dressed for dinner. Barnabas absent-mindedly looked through the bookshelves, occasionally pulling out a book and leafing through it, but his mind was clearly elsewhere.

"How many of these books has Angelique read?" he wondered. Remembering the Countess Du Pres' attitude towards educated servants, he mused, "I can just see her sneaking into the library in the middle of the night, daring to 'borrow' a book, risking her position." Barnabas smiled at the thought.

No, he had never met a servant quite like Angelique. She was beautiful, of course. But Barnabas was also attracted to Angelique's innate independence and self-assuredness, her apparent ambition as shown by her attempts to rise above her status.

Barnabas thought of his own servant, Ben Stokes, who, though he was very loyal and trustworthy, was illiterate, awkward and superstitious. Because Ben was an ex-convict, Joshua Collins refused to allow him to accompany Barnabas to Martinique. Joshua believed that Ben would escape at the first chance, taking whatever booty he could carry with him. Barnabas had defended Ben, but this only yielded another angry lecture at how naive and immature he was.

That night at dinner, Angelique was one of the servers. Barnabas was uncomfortable all through the meal, despite its being sumptuous and filling. Barnabas tried to be polite and engage his hosts in conversation, but he was also fighting to avoid looking at Angelique. He was even afraid to thank her when she brought food and drink, for fear of offending the Du Pres and creating more trouble for Angelique. At the conclusion of the meal, Barnabas apologized for not being better company, claiming that he was tired from the long journey.

Barnabas spent a restless night. He kept hoping for scenarios where he could see Angelique alone, away from her masters and mistresses. Barnabas wanted to know much more about Angelique, and to be near her. He was disappointed when Angelique was not present to serve breakfast the next morning. He took it as a relief when Andre Du Pres took him on a tour of the plantation. Focusing on the reason he came to Martinique, to prove himself to his father as a shrewd businessman, Barnabas finally was able to put Angelique out of his mind.

Little did Barnabas know that the reason that Angelique was not at breakfast was because the Countess had given her the job of changing the linens and cleaning the bedrooms. Barnabas still did not know that Angelique's real job was serving Josette, and that Angelique was being used in other jobs as needed during Josette's absence.

Angelique spent all of the previous night thinking about how handsome and polite Barnabas Collins was. How he had treated her as an equal. She could not stop thinking of him and also began scheming scenarios in which she could see him again, uninterrupted.

When Angelique got to Barnabas' guest room, she impulsively had an idea. Carefully looking to make sure no one else was around, Angelique quietly opened one of the drawers and removed one of Barnabas' ascots from the bottom of the pile. She placed it in her apron and hurried about her duties.

When Angelique was finished, she quickly returned to the room that she shared with her mother, Alexis. Angelique was pleased to see that her mother was not there, having not finished her daily tasks. Angelique locked the door and draped Barnabas' ascot across the mirror, and began chanting the spell that her mother had taught her only weeks before. Much to her excitement, the image of Barnabas Collins appeared, talking to Andre Du Pres out in the sugar fields.

Angelique sprawled across the bed and gazed dreamily at the man she was falling in love with. About an hour later, when Alexis returned to find the door locked and demanded an explanation, Angelique hid the ascot and explained (truthfully) that she had been "practicing her lessons."

This went on for three days. Barnabas spending the evenings with the Du Pres, looking over his shoulder occasionally, looking in vain for a glimpse of Angelique. Angelique spending every spare moment alone gazing at her love through her mirror spell. It did not even occur to Angelique that the same ascot could be used to compel Barnabas to appear to her.

But Angelique was feeling glum. The Countess was either punishing her for her effrontery by assigning her jobs in which she had no chance of seeing Barnabas Collins, or hiding her to avoid future possible slights to the visitor. On the fourth night of Barnabas' stay, Angelique was restless. She told her mother that she was going out for a walk, as the night was unseasonably warm for November, and the sky was bright with stars and a full moon.

Whenever Angelique became angry or depressed about her subservient situation, she enjoyed walking in the well-manicured gardens of the Du Pres plantation, particularly at night when there was no one around, just the sounds of nature. There, in the dark, she could imagine her fondest wishes coming true.

This night one of them did. Angelique had been sitting on a bench near the gazebo, gazing at the stars for not more than 15 minutes when she heard an excited voice exclaim, "Angelique!"

Excited, Angelique turned around and came face-to-face with a very happy Barnabas Collins.

Part THIRTEEN!!

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to startle you like that, it's just that--" he caught himself, "I mean--I did not expect--I mean, it is a beautiful night so I thought that I would go for a walk. . ." Barnabas felt flushed in his cheeks as he unsuccessfully tried to play down his initial outburst.

"Oh no, not at all! Monsieur Collins, you need not apologize," Angelique said, smiling at his discomfort. Then, remembering her place the smile vanished and she curtsied, saying halfheartedly, "I will go back to the house Monsieur, if you would like to be alone."

Barnabas regained his composure and smiled. "Now this is not the Angelique that I met when I first came here. I am not the Countess Du Pres and, while I cannot say that I am representative of all, or even most Americans, I do not treat servants as if they were subhuman beings. Of course, you may stay. In fact, I was hoping to have a chance to talk with you."

Now it was Angelique's turn to blush. "Thank you, Monsieur Collins."

"And that is another thing," Barnabas continued with a sweep of his hand, enjoying the advantage, "I do not want to start an international incident when the Du Pres are around, but if I ever see you alone, I must insist that you call me Barnabas," then he added with a sly grin, "Mademoiselle."

Angelique took a step towards him, "You are much too kind, Mons--" Barnabas raised his hand. "--excuse moi, Barnabas," she laughed, and so did he. Barnabas motioned for her to sit down on the bench, and he then joined her.

"I was concerned that I have not seen you these last few days. I was afraid that the Countess Du Pres had discharged you on my account for some imagined slight."

"Oh no, Mons--Barnabas. You have not seen me because serving food and answering doors are not usually part of my duties. We were shorthanded on account of the fire the day you came."

"I see. And what are your true duties?"

"I am a personal servant to--to the Du Pres family." Angelique had nearly mentioned Josette, but something in her feminine wiles decided that bringing up a beautiful contemporary would not be a wise subject of conversation here.

Barnabas shook his head and slapped his knee. "Of course, I should have guessed. That is why you do not give the appearance of a servant. You have been studying your masters. Why don't you leave the Du Pres' service and find a job in town?"

Angelique stood up and stared into space. "How often I have longed to do so! However, we are poor"--Barnabas frowned at the word "we"--"and times are hard in Martinique these days. Not as much business since the Revolution. It is not possible, not safe, two women living alone."

Barnabas brightened when she realized that Angelique did not mean by "we" that she was married. "I take it that your sister is a servant here as well?"

Angelique returned her gaze to Barnabas. "No, my mother. She was placed here by a charitable agency shortly after I was born. My father was lost at sea, and it was the only way my mother could afford for us both to survive." She added wistfully, "my mother always tells me that my father loved her very much."

Barnabas rose and stood before Angelique. "I really wish that I could help you get started somewhere else. But in reality, I am as poor as you. I am totally dependent on my father, and he, alas, is not much of a charitable man."

Angelique gazed into Barnabas' eyes. "I find that hard to believe, that such a man could have fathered such a kind and gentle person as yourself." Barnabas suddenly felt very flushed again as he felt like sweeping Angelique up in his arms.

"Now it is you that are being kind," he said. "But I have no doubt that if you have the chance, you will succeed. You are bright, ambitious, poised. . . beautiful."

Angelique laughed. "No, Monsieur Barnabas. I am not so beautiful. Take a closer look at my face. No fine make-up or perfume, just smudges of dust and ashes."

Barnabas drew his face next to hers. "From here there is no one as lovely as you." He placed his hand against Angelique's cheek and moved his lips towards hers. She acquiesced and soon her lips began exploring his, finally pressing tightly together against his mouth.

Barnabas wrapped his arms around Angelique and held her tightly, feeling the firmness of her chest against his. Angelique returned the embrace, vigorously rubbing Barnabas' back as they ferociously kissed. Soon Barnabas was rubbing her chest and Angelique, breathing hard, began removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt. Soon both were in a race to remove each other's clothing and, shortly, Angelique and Barnabas were rolling on the wet grass, naked and groaning, flesh pressing against flesh, in a violent display of lovemaking.

When it was over, and they both were drenched in sweat from their efforts, Barnabas began caressing Angelique's cheek, and then ran his hand gently through her hair. Angelique looked up at him and smiled serenely. "I love you Barnabas Collins," she cooed as she rose up and embraced him, and they began another round of lovemaking. When they were finished, Angelique led Barnabas to a nearby creek where they washed each other and dressed. They embraced again. Angelique whispered, "I never want to leave you." Then they noticed the dawn coming.

"What are we to do?" Angelique giggled. Suddenly, deep in Barnabas' mind, he realized what this all meant and began feeling a growing sense of unease. He needed time to think.

"We must see each other again tonight," Barnabas said, "At the same time. At the same place." They locked in a passionate kiss.

"My darling, I cannot wait," Angelique exclaimed, coming up for air.

Barnabas pulled away. "We must hurry before we are discovered and we both get into trouble. Until tonight," he said, depositing one last kiss on Angelique's moist lips. Then they departed to their respective rooms and their respective thoughts.