Part 50 (1/2)
”As a matter of fact, I do, Cousin. Julia called me from the hospital and told me that good news. I thought I'd come over and help celebrate.”
Angelique's blue eyes flew to her husband. Of course. Why hadn't she seen it herself? He was cured. Giving silent thanks, she decided the only way to hide her happiness was in anger. ”You're cured? And you didn't tell me?”
”I wasn't sure you would care one way or the other. You have so many - ” he glanced pointedly at Quentin, ”other interests lately.”
”That's unfair, Barnabas. You know I want you to be free of the curse.”
”Really? You certainly couldn't prove it by the amount of interest you've shown in the last week.”
Quentin moved nearer Angelique. ”Come on, Cousin. She's right. You're not being very fair.”
”Stay out of this, Quentin. You've done enough, don't you think? I will remind you once more that she is my wife. I think you had better go now.”
”Not without Angelique.”
Glancing at Barnabas' set expression, Angelique spoke softly. ”I think I should stay, Quentin.”
”You're sure?”
”She said she was staying, Quentin. She knows where she belongs.”
”At least walk me to the door?” he asked.
She walked cautiously around her husband with Quentin at her side. At the door, he whispered, ”Meet me later. My room.”
”If I can get away.”
”You will, my dear. I know you.”
She returned to the parlour and started to question Barnabas, only to be motioned to silence. Understanding that Quentin might be outside listening, she heard Barnabas say, ”I told you to stay away from Quentin.”
”I may be your wife, Barnabas, but that doesn't mean you can order me to stay away from my friends. Why didn't you tell me that the serum had taken effect?”
”Would you really have cared?” he asked coldly.
”Of course -”
”Spare me more of your lies, Angelique. I don't believe them anymore. Excuse me. I have to make sure that Willie is airing a room for me upstairs.”
Angelique poured herself a gla.s.s of port, lifted it in a silent toast to the portrait of Barnabas over the mantle. And you once complimented me on my acting, she thought. She was just finis.h.i.+ng the drink when Willie came down the stairs. ”I'm going to my room for awhile, Willie.”
”Okay. It's good news, isn't it, Angelique? About Barnabas, I mean.”
”Yes. Yes, it is.”
Barnabas was standing beneath her portrait, looking up at it. ”Barnabas.”
He turned and held out his arms in silent invitation. She went into them without hesitation. ”I'm sorry for not telling you about the curse being finished, my darling. So much was happening -”
”I understand. The portrait?”