Part 32 (1/2)
”d.a.m.n it, you know how dangerous it could be.”
”Yes. And it won't happen again.”
”I don't believe that. You called her here tonight. If I hadn't been with her - what might've happened?”
”Nothing. I knew she was with you. Julia told me that you had gone for a walk.”
”So your jealousy got the better of you. My G.o.d, if it wasn't so frightening, I'd laugh.”
”What is that supposed to mean?”61.
”You and Angelique. Her jealousy was one of the things about her that you hated. And now you're just as jealous as she ever was.”
”I told you to stay away from her last night - ”
”And to insure that if I didn't she wouldn't have anything to do with me, you-that's the reason, isn't it?”
”Perhaps. I was afraid of losing her. I can't risk that happening again.”
”But to -”
”Don't you think I regretted it?! The moment I realized what I had done, I swore it wouldn't happen again. But tonight, when Julia told me you were together, I - lost control.”
Quentin poured himself a brandy and downed it in one swallow. ”Look, I can promise not to come between you - except to protect her.”
”Yes. Until Julia can isolate the serum, she must be protected.”
”Should I take her back to Collinwood with me - or can I leave her here safely?”
”Leave her. Willie and Julia are both here. You have MY word, Quentin. No further harm will come to her.”
”Then I'll be going.”
Willie came to the bottom step as the door closed behind Quentin. He'd overheard the conversation - not that he'd needed to figure out what was wrong with -Miranda. ”Do you want me to bring her back down here?”
”No. I'll see to it.”
”Barnabas, should I tell Julia she's here?”
”Not just yet, Willie.” He climbed the stairs slowly.
Miranda was looking up at Josette's portrait over the fireplace when he entered the room. ”Is everything all right now?”
”Yes. Quentin agreed that I should see you back to Collinwood later.”
”Who was she?” Miranda asked, looking up at the portrait again.
Watching her closely, Barnabas answered. ”Her name was Josette du Pres. She came here in 1795 to marry my ancestor.”
”The one whose portrait was at Collinwood?”