Part 37 (2/2)
”At least four weeks, possibly a little longer.”
”Four weeks.”
”You sound as impatient as he did earlier,” Julia said with a smile. She had been concerned when Barnabas had reluctantly admitted what had occurred in this room early this morning, concerned that he had taken a dangerous risk. But seeing Angel-ique's glowing face now, she found it almost impossible to caution the woman against being with Barnabas.
”It's strange, isn't it, Julia? After all these years, and all that's happened, I'm afraid to believe that it's anything more than a dream.”
”It's not. If nothing else, this room should be proof.”
”Yes. This room. When did he do all of this?”
”After word came that you'd been killed in France. He had me go out to Little Windward to get the portrait.”
Something in the doctor's voice drew her attention. ”Under protest?” Angelique took a sip of coffee before continuing. ”Barnabas and I may have settled our differences, but you and I, well, we have to talk, Julia.”
”About what?”
”I've known for some time how you feel about Barnabas. I'm sure my return must be difficult for you.”
”Angelique, I was forced to accept that you were the only woman who could ever make him happy when I saw how your death affected him. Amy's arrival was the only thing that kept him from going mad. He had ordered me to stop my experiments, and I'm not sure how much longer any of us could have controlled him, protected him. He was happier this morning than I can recall ever seeing him. That in itself is worth more to me than you can possibly know. Barnabas' happiness is the most important thing. I know you and I haven't always agreed on what that happiness should be, but I value Barnabas' friends.h.i.+p too much to allow our past differences to colour my judgement.”
”Then we can make a fresh start?”
”Yes.”
There was a knock on the door before it was opened by Quentin. ”Good morning, ladies.” He sat beside Angelique. ”Willie told me the news. You're looking very well, Angelique.”
”Thank you. I hope Mrs. Stoddard wasn't too worried when Julia and I didn't return last night.”
”She understood that you had probably been caught by the storm and decided to stay here.”
”I'd better go and let her know that my memory has returned.”
”If you're worried about leaving her without a secretary, don't be,” Quentin said. ”She told me last evening that there had been several answers to her ad. She wasn't sure why she chose yours, unless it was because you had recently been in France, and when you arrived she hired you because of Barnabas.”
”That was my reason,” Elizabeth confirmed later. ”Something told me to choose Miranda du Bois' letter over the rest, and that feeling was justified when you arrived. One look at Barnabas' face, and I knew I had to keep you here until your memory returned, and the only way to do that was to give you the job.”
”You're very fond of Barnabas, aren't you, Mrs. Stoddard?”
”Yes. I think it's past time he was happy. I get the impression that he hasn't had very much happiness in his life.”
”No, and I certainly didn't contribute any. Remind me to tell you about it sometime,” she said, seeing the curiosity on the older woman's face. ”I'll stay on if you want me to, Mrs. Stoddard, until you find someone else.”
”Nonsense. You're a guest here. And I'm sure you'll soon be a member of the family.”
”Thank you.”72.
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