Part 35 (1/2)
The sound of the iron gate squeaking on its hinges made her turn quickly. ”I thought I saw you come in here.”
”Quentin. Were you following me?”
”Just trying to make sure you didn't get lost. Cousin Barnabas would never forgive me if you did. It's easy to do in these woods. Why did you come in here?”66.
”I don't really know. Joshua and Naomi were the first Barnabas' parents, weren't they?”
”Yes. And Sarah was his younger sister.” He noticed that her hand reached out again. ”Let's get out of here.”
She paused beside Jeremiah and Josette's graves, then at another, well-kept grave, an oddity in this forsaken place. ”Valerie Collins. Died -1840. Who was she?”
”The daughter-in-law of the first Barnabas. She died while she and her husband were visiting Collinwood.”
”How did she die? Do you know?”
”She confessed to having been a witch and was shot by a religious fanatic.”
”What about her husband?”
”That was the irony of it. The marriage had been in trouble for some time. Barnabas, the son, thought Valerie selfish, uncaring of other people's troubles. But when she risked her own life by admitting to being a witch in order to save the lives of her husband's cousins, Barnabas was confused, uncertain of his feelings. He was about to tell her that he loved her - that he always had - when she was killed.”
”How tragic.”
”Oh, Barnabas, returned to England, eventually remarried, but he never recovered from Valerie's death. His heart was still here. That's a problem with most men in the Collins family. Our big weakness is always a beautiful woman.”
Her blue eyes met his. ”Are you speaking from personal experience?”
”Could be. Come on. By the time we get back, lunch will be ready, and Maggie is due back from the village.”
”She's very understanding, isn't she?”
”She has to be.”
Julia left early, Miranda agreed to meet her at the Old House later. The doctor gave Barnabas his injection, telling him about Miranda's latest dreams. He agreed not to pressure her, but Julia could see that he was disturbed by the things she told him.
When Miranda arrived, Barnabas poured her a gla.s.s of port. ”Did Dr. Hoffman tell you about my dreams?” she asked.
”Yes. They coincide with entries in my ancestor's journals,” he told her.
”Why don't we go and find those rooms?” Julia suggested.
”A good idea, Julia. Which one first?”
Miranda thought for a moment. ”His room, I think.” She led them unerringly to a room on the second floor, then opened it, entering. ”Yes,” she said, turning to look at Barnabas. ”This is the one. The furniture is-almost the same.” She seemed uncertain. ”It was his, wasn't it?”
”Yes. What is different about it?” He watched in silence as she moved to the window, began to finger the drapes.
”These. They were a different colour, material.”
He nodded at Julia, then looked back at Miranda, uncertain of what he saw in her eyes. She smiled. ”And now her room.”