Part 30 (2/2)
”Such as?”
Quentin lifted his shoulders. ”This is an old house. It makes all sorts of noises.”
”I didn't hear any.”59.
”I'm glad. What did you think of Barnabas?”
Again she touched the scarf. ”B-Bar-nabas?”
”My cousin,” he prompted.
”He seemed very - nice. Excuse me, but I have work to do.”
”Sure. I'll go - if you agree to go for a walk with me after dinner this evening.”
”Yes. Anything. Just - please let me get this done.”
”Anything you say, Miranda.” He had decided to take a few days away from the cannery to give Carolyn a chance to settle in, and to keep an eye on Miranda. Maggie hadn't understood when he had told her about his decision.
”Why do you have to keep an eye on her, Quentin? Barnabas is the one who should be -”
”But he can't, Maggie. Not right now. And I promised him I'd do it - make sure I was around in case she starts remembering.” She had still been angry. ”Hey,” he'd said, turning her into his arms. ”I don't intend to ignore you, you know. Tell you what, how about a late supper tonight?” She'd been mollified, and now Quentin began to worry that he might not be able to keep that date.
Julia returned later, then left again for the Old House, but Quentin didn't tell her about his suspicions. After all, he had no real proof, not even when he saw Miranda standing at the portrait of Barnabas. She seemed mesmerized by the eyes. Quentin was about to speak when Amy said, ”h.e.l.lo, Miranda.”
”Oh, Amy. I didn't hear you.”
”I just came down. That's a nice painting, isn't it?”
”Yes.”
”The resemblance is really amazing.”
”Resemblance?”
”That's the first Barnabas. He left Collinwood in 1795 for England. My Barnabas is his descendant.”
”I admit that I wondered about the clothing. You're right about the resemblance. They could be the same man.”
”Barnabas had one painted of himself in that same pose. It's at the Old House.”
”The Old House,” Miranda repeated. ”Of course. Carolyn did say it was the original Collinwood.”
”You have to get Barnabas to show it to you. Especially in the evening. Candlelight turns it into a really beautiful place.”
”He uses candles?”
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