Winds Of Eternity Part 34

"What about Collinsport?"

"Nothing in particular. A certain view, things like that. I was drawn here, doctor. From the moment I read the towns name in Mrs. Stoddard's advertis.e.m.e.nt, I knew I had to come here, even if I didn't get the job. There's a key to my memory here somewhere. I just have to find it." She walked to the window. "I may be getting close."

"Oh?"

"I don't understand how, but when I first saw the Old House last night, it looked -familiar. And - Josette's room. Then, last night, I had a dream."

"Tell me about it." Julia listened closely. "That's where it ended?"

"And I woke up. I'm not sure how much was Barnabas' influence. He told me about his ancestor and how he met Josette and the woman he finally married. But he didn't tell me her name, and I can't seem to recall it from the dream. Do you know it, by any chance?"

"I may," Julia said reluctantly.

Miranda's blue eyes narrowed. "Dr. Hoffman, have I been here before?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Mrs. Stoddard's reaction to my arrival. She looked surprised to see me. As if I were someone she knew and hadn't expected to see again."

"If I said you were right, would you leave it at that? Not ask any more questions right now?"

"Why?"

Julia sighed. "In order for your memory to return as it should, it would be best if you aren't told anything more about your past."

"Not even my name?"

"I think that when the time is right, you'll recognize it when you hear it."

"And the time isn't right?"

"No, not yet."

Miranda paced around the room. "If you think it's that important, doctor, then I'll wait."

"A very wise decision. I want you to feel free to discuss anything with me, Miranda. Whether it concerns your memory, or -"

"Or Barnabas?" she asked.

"Yes."

Quentin caught up with Julia as she was on her way to the Old House. "Did you talk to Miranda?"

"This morning. I think Angelique's memory is trying to return."

"How about Barnabas? Any progress there?"

"I'll know something this evening."

She was filling a hypodermic needle when the door to the lab opened. "Good evening, Barnabas. I have the first injection prepared."

"You've isolated it?" he asked, removing his jacket and rolling up his sleeve.

"I told you I would. Now, I won't have a time frame until I can measure the rate of progress," she cautioned, administering the serum.

"I understand. How is Miranda?"

Julia told him about her conversation with the woman.

A storm blew in and Barnabas decided not to go to Collinwood that evening. Miranda stood by the window in the drawing room, watching the fury of the elements clash in the sky. Carolyn came to join her. "See anything?"

"Only the storm."

"They've always seemed more severe at Collinwood than anywhere else. We've been lucky these last few days, having such good weather. I hope storms don't bother you?"

"No. No, they don't," Miranda a.s.sured her, then suddenly realized that she had spoken the truth. There was something about a storm that made her feel totally alive.65.

"They do me. that's strange, isn't it? Especially since I grew up here. But every time something happens here, it seems there's a storm. Or maybe it's the other way around." The lights flickered and went out, leaving only the fire in the grate to illuminate the large room. "I'll get some candles."

Miranda remained at the window, wondering if Barnabas were standing at the parlour window of the Old House, thinking about her.

Her dreams that night were much as before, only this time she was at the Old House with Barnabas. She had just arrived earlier in the day, and went to his room for a grand reunion. But Barnabas had been so cold and distant, insisting that he loved Josette and would marry her. That what had happened between them was over, and he had sent her away. Miranda woke, wrote down what she recalled of the dream, just as Julia Hoffman had suggested she do.

Falling asleep again, she had another dream near dawn. In this one, she was in her room at the Old House, furious, seeking a means for revenge. A wooden toy soldier and one of Barnabas' handkerchiefs were on a nearby table. Josette had arrived only minutes before, and bitter memories of another scene between herself and Barnabas, when he had kissed her, then asked if they could be friends, fired her fury to fever pitch.

She tied the handkerchief around the toy soldier's neck, began to slowly tighten it. From downstairs, she heard Josette's voice, calling frantically for help.

Suddenly she was with Josette at Barnabas' bedside, and sent Josette for the medal of St. Pierre to help them pray for his recovery. Barnabas told her he was dying, and panic-stricken, she ran back to her room, began trying to loosen the tightly knotted piece of cloth. Finally, it was free, and she realized that killing Barnabas would solve nothing. But that preventing the marriage would, and she vowed to find a way to stop Barnabas from marrying Josette.

After telling Julia about the dreams, Miranda turned to face the doctor. "Is it possible that I could somehow be that woman's reincarnation?"

"Who do you mean?"

"The first Barnabas' wife. I still don't know her name."

Julia was thoughtful. "There is a way to see if your dreams have a basis in true memory."

"Then tell me how, and I'll do it."

"The two rooms in your dream. Barnabas' and - his wife's before their marriage. I know which rooms they are. If you can show them to me, then that will be proof."

"I have the day off -"

"I'd rather Barnabas be there, and he's not available until later. Why don't you explore the grounds?" she suggested.

Miranda was walking rather aimlessly through the woods when a glimpse of white through the trees caught her eye. Approaching, she saw an ancient cemetery and a large, white marble building at the back. She felt drawn to the iron gate guarding the entrance to what was obviously a mausoleum.

There were three marble tombs in the open room, and Miranda examined the bronze plaques mounted on the back wall. "Joshua Collins." Barnabas' father. "Naomi Collins. And - Sarah Collins." Her hand reached out to touch and trace the third one. Sarah. Why was that name familiar? She didn't recall having heard it in her dreams. What was it?