Part 30 (1/2)
”This - this has happened before.”
”Oh?” It had, Barnabas thought. Many years ago, on Martinique.
”I don't know when - I suppose I'm just tired, being very silly -”
”Not at all. It's quite possible,” he told her.
”Mr. Collins, I have to know the truth.”
”Is it so important? Why dwell on the past when the future can be so much more interesting?”
”Do you really believe that?”
”With all my heart,” he said, placing a finger beneath her chin to raise her face toward the moonlight. ”Don't think about the past nor the future. Only now. That is all that matters.” As his lips touched hers, he felt her respond, yet purposefully held his emotions in check.
”Barnabas?” she said, her eyes s.h.i.+ning softly.
”Don't say anything,” he whispered, pulling her head down to rest on his
shoulder, exposing the vulnerable curve of her neck. He couldn't allow Quentin or anyone else to take her away from him again, he thought. She moaned softly as he sank his fangs into that soft skin.
She didn't attempt to fight him, and when she collapsed against him, Barnabas realized with a sense of self-loathing what he had done. In silence, he carried her back to her room and laid her gently on the bed. Looking down at her pale features, he was surprised when her eyes fluttered open.
”Barnabas.”
”I am here. Rest. I will see you tomorrow night.”
”Yes. Tomorrow night.” She relaxed into a light sleep.
Barnabas watched her for a few minutes, then left, promising himself that he would not do this again.
Julia was called to the hospital in Collinsport for an emergency, so she wasn't at breakfast the next morning to notice Miranda's preoccupation. She greeted Roger, Maggie, and the children, carried on a conversation, but Quentin sensed that she was only doing what was expected of her. Going through the motions.
He found her in the study soon after breakfast. ”Working hard?”
”Not really. Mrs. Stoddard just left, if you're looking for her.”
”I'm not. I saw her leave for town.” He sat on the edge of the desk. ”How about a coffee break?”
”It's too early.”
”Then we'll talk.”
Miranda adjusted the scarf around her throat. ”About anything in particular?”
”No. How did you sleep last night?”
”Never better.”
”Nothing disturbed you?”