Chapter 13: The Way We Were
"My name is Victoria Winters. The fabric of time, torn so recently, has now been mended, as the woman who was flung into the past has now been returned to her own present. But there is one man, who unknown to her, is a contemporary of both centuries. He is desperately afraid that she has learned his terrifying secret, and may resort to extreme methods to be sure that she did not."
SCENE 1
"What an amazing experience, to visit another time. I can only imagine." Barnabas poured Victoria another glass of wine. The couple sat in the drawing room of the Old House having dinner by candlelight. The tone was romantic, though the lighting was by necessity rather than for atmosphere; the house was not wired for electricity. But in spite of the intimate mood, an air of tension seemed to run through the conversation.
"Yes, I suppose it was," Victoria answered. "I just wish I could remember it more clearly. All I have are foggy memories and blurred images. Faces which seem so familiar, yet so different." She picked at her food with her fork. "A few things do stand out, however."
Barnabas shifted, trying to hide his discomfort. "Oh, really? And what do you remember? It must have been important if it stands out so much." He sipped his wine, listening intently.
"Not events, really. Faces." Victoria gazed into the candle flame, as if remembering something from the distant past. And she was - from over 200 years ago. "Two faces, actually. With all the faces I can't see, two are clear. A study of contrasts, as different as night and day."
"Whose faces are they? Some of our ancestors?" His nervousness grew. If she remembered his face, she might remember more than he wanted her to...
"No, they weren't part of the family. I doubt even someone as interested in history as you would know them. One was a servant, a maid who came with the duPres family." Barnabas stiffened, but she didn't notice, lost in the image. "Her hair was golden, shining like the sun, but her eyes held a coldness that betrayed her true nature. She was a witch, and she was intent on destroying me." She glanced up at Barnabas, and noted the worried expression on his face. Misinterpreting his thoughts, she smiled. "Don't worry, Barnabas. Angelique lived over 200 years ago. I'm safe now."
He chose to let her think her concern was for her. "Never be too comfortable in your safety, Victoria. It leaves you unprepared when it is taken away."
She giggled slightly. "Why Barnabas, I didn't realize you were subject to paranoia."
He smiled at her, genuinely. "In my life, I have learned that an amount of paranoia can be a good thing." He finished the last of the food on his plate. "But you mentioned two faces you remembered. I hope the other one gives you better feelings than the first."
A smile warmed her face. "Yes, he does. As I said, they were a study in contrasts. He was dark, with mischievous eyes. His grin softened his face like a child's. He had a passion for life and everything about it. And he was good to me. He believed in me when everyone else seemed against me. He tried to save my life, right up to the end. His name was Peter Bradford." She came back from her memories suddenly. "I'm sorry. Look at me, going on about another man while I'm sitting here having a lovely dinner with you."
"It sounds like you cared a great deal for this Mr. Bradford. Should I be jealous?"
Victoria laughed lightly. " If this were the eighteenth century, you might have something to worry about. But being jealous of a man who has been dead for 200 years would be a little strange."
He leaned back in his chair, relaxing. "Yes, I suppose it would. But then 'strange' is a relative term, don't you think? It would certainly be no stranger than what has happened in the past few weeks."
She grimaced. "I suppose you have a point. It's over now, though, and all I want is to lead a nice, normal life from now on."
Barnabas looked askance at her. "I feel the same way. A nice, normal life is exactly what I want as well."
Victoria lifted her glass. "To normality - whatever that is."
He laughed and clinked his glass on hers. "I'll drink to that."
"If only I didn't have this feeling..." She put her glass down. "Never mind. I'm probably just being silly."
"You are one of the least 'silly' people I know. What feeling is this?"
"It's just - I have the oddest feeling that I learned something very important in the past. Something that affects all our lives here in the present. But I can't remember just what. It seems to hang there, just out of reach." Barnabas started, then regained his composure. Victoria shook her head. "It's probably nothing."
"Perhaps it will come back to you in time. But you've become somber again. We must do something about that. Tell me more about this gentleman who captured your attention in the past. That seemed to brighten you up considerably."
She grinned slyly. "Trying to size up your competition?" She thought for a moment. "Actually, he reminded me a lot of Joe Haskell. I still think it's very strange how Joe just disappeared." She leaned forward. "No one has any idea where he went?"
Barnabas fidgeted. They were treading on ground just as dangerous as before. "No. We have no idea what became of him. He was here one day, then gone the next. Of course, maybe he decided to leave Collinsport. Joe never really seemed to get over his experience with Daphne."
"I don't know. I thought Carolyn was helping in that department. Maybe you're right, but it's hard to believe he would go without saying good-bye to anyone. It's so unlike him. He was always so considerate."
"Perhaps he wanted to make a clean break of things. Too many unpleasant memories. But there's no use in speculating. We will just have to wait to see if he turns up again, then we can ask him. That will be the only way we will find out for sure."
"I suppose you're right. As usual." The clock chimed nine o'clock. "My, I had no idea it was so late." She rose from her chair. "I must get back to Collinwood." Victoria went to get her coat. "Thank you for a lovely evening, Barnabas."
He followed her to the door. "Let me have Willie escort you back to the house."
"I'll be fine on my own, but thank you for the offer." She finished buttoning up her coat. "Good night, Barnabas."
"Good night, Victoria." He opened the door for her. "Pleasant dreams."
