Part 9 (1/2)

In her room later, Angelique pulled the talisman from its hiding place. ”Barnabas is your reincarnation, Aaron. I am sure of it. He does not remember. One look at this - ” She stopped, closing her fingers around the golden s.h.i.+p, feeling its contours bite into the palm of her hand. ”No. The time is not right. If I went to him now, he would not believe me. There is time. Now that I have found him again, I will not lose him. Most certainly not to Josette du Pres.”

Barnabas stood by the window of his room later that evening, unable to sleep. He was haunted by a pair of blue eyes. A movement in the garden below drew his attention. There was a flash of moonlight on blonde hair. She was down there. It was a chance to speak to her alone, without the Countess' presence. Unless she was there to meet another man. That thought sent a surprising haze of jealousy through him. Shaking his head to clear it, he left the room and made his way quietly downstairs and out the garden doors.

She was beside a fountain on a terrace hidden from most of the house, surrounded by flowers. ”Excuse me.”21.

She turned, surprised, her blue eyes wide. ”M'sieu Collins. You startled me.”

”I did not mean to. I was unable to sleep and decided to take a walk.” It was a lie, but he found himself loath to tell her that he had come down to see her.

”I always come down here at night after my mistress is in bed. It is the only time of the day that I can truly call my own.”

”Would you prefer to be alone?”

”No. I do not mind the company.”

Almost against his will, Barnabas reached up to lightly touch the brightness of her hair. ”You are so beautiful.”

Angelique moved away. ”Please, m'sieu.”

”What is wrong? I only spoke the truth.”

”We should not be here. You are my mistress' guest, and I -I am but a servant.”

”That does not matter. The fact that you are a servant makes you no less important than I.” Her blue eyes were s.h.i.+ning up at him. ”Why is this happening? When I first saw you this afternoon, I felt - as it if had happened before. As if I had seen those blue eyes before. I wanted - ” He stopped, afraid of frightening her.

”What did you want, m'sieu?” she asked softly.

”To hear you say my name.”

She smiled. ”That is very easy, m'sieu. Barnabas.”

The feelings evoked by hearing her say his name were strong, and he fought the urge to pull her against him. ”Oh, Angelique. This is madness.”

”Is it?”

”Yes. Please. Forgive me. I have never acted this way before.”

”I am sure you have not.” It was happening too quickly, she realized, watching his confusion. It had happened quickly the last time as well, but Barnabas was not Aaron in one important way: He did not take what he wanted without regard for the consequences. But strangely enough, the realization deepened her growing feelings for Barnabas until they were at least as

strong as those for Aaron. In that moment, she knew she would never show him the talisman. ”It is late, and I have work to do in the morning. Goodnight, M'sieu Collins.”

”Goodnight, Angelique.” Barnabas returned to his room soon after, but he still did not sleep until almost dawn, his mind still too full of Angelique's soft voice.

He saw her several times the next day, but she continually refused to meet his eyes, always lowering or averting her own. Unable to remain confined in the house with her so near, he went for a ride, but the memory of Angelique stayed with him.

He could barely recall what he had seen later when the Countess quizzed him. She laughed at his preoccupation, mistaking the reason for it. ”No doubt you are anxious to meet my niece. The time will fly. Until then, enjoy the island.”

Again finding himself unable to sleep, and he went to the terrace to wait. To wait for her. She came down the path and stopped. ”Excuse me.” She turned as if to go.

”Angelique, don't go. I hoped you would come.”