Winds Of Eternity Part 47

"Good. He should be in with Julia for about five minutes and then he'll come up here. Open the door and get ready." When she heard the sound of footsteps on the cellar stairs, she slammed the door loudly, then said, "I can't believe that woman. How dare she talk to me like that!"

"I'm sure Elizabeth didn't mean anything, Angelique."

"Oh, of course. Come into the parlour and have a brandy."

Quentin followed, saying, "She didn't actually say anything."

"Oh, she didn't have to. They way she said what she did was enough. Honestly, Quentin. She all but accused me of marrying Barnabas for his money. All because of that story I told about Ca.s.sandra and Nicholas."

"I'd make allowances for her if I were you. She's upset about Roger -"

"That's no excuse. Oh, I wish I could pay her back for what she said to me this evening."

"Now, Angelique. Don't start that again."

"You're right. But I will think about it."

"And I just bet you enjoy every minute of it."

Barnabas' voice cut into the air like a knife. "I didn't know you were here, Quentin."

"Good evening to you, too, Cousin. I just brought Angelique home. I'll see you later," he told Angelique.

Seeing the look on her husband's face, she was silent until the door closed behind Quentin. "I'm tired. Spending all day at Collinwood exhausted me."

"How is Elizabeth?"

"Elizabeth? She was much better. When I left, anyway. Goodnight, Barnabas."

"Goodnight."

"Julia, I want you to go to Collinwood and keep an eye on Elizabeth."

Looking up from the microscope, Julia frowned. "Why?"

"I just overheard Angelique talking to Quentin. She and Elizabeth had an argument this evening and I'm worried that she might do something."

"Surely she wouldn't, Barnabas. Not after just arguing with her."

"I'll go myself, then," he said. "Every minute we stand here is another in which Elizabeth's life may be in danger."

Julia sighed. "I'll go."

Elizabeth was sitting on the drawing room sofa trying to keep her mind on a report that Carolyn had brought from the plant. Suddenly she began to feel as if she were on fire. The papers dropped to the floor. Her voice weak, she called for help as Quentin came into the room. "Elizabeth? Is something wrong?"

"Quentin. Burning."

He placed a hand on hers. "My G.o.d. You are burning up. I'll go get Julia -"

She grasped his hand. "Don't leave -Quentin. I'm - frightened."

"I have to find Julia," he told her. Pulling an amulet from his pocket, he held it up for her to see. "Look at this, Elizabeth. I found it yesterday and bought it for you."

Her heat glazed eyes slowly focused on the medallion. "What is it?"

"A - good luck charm. Let me put it on for you." He fastened the clasp around her neck. "There. Now, how do you feel?"

She took a deep breath. "It's - strange. I don't feel hot anymore."

Julia came in, and was immediately concerned to find Quentin hovering over Elizabeth. "Elizabeth. What's wrong?"

"Nothing now, Julia. But just a moment ago, I felt as if my entire body was slowly burning up. I don't understand it."87.

"Are you sure you're all right now?"

"Yes."

Julia checked her pulse. "A little rapid. It was probably just nerves. You shouldn't have let Angelique upset you."

"Angelique? What are you talking about?"

"Someone told me that you and she had an argument earlier."

"Whoever told you that was wrong. Angelique was here most of the day, but we didn't argue about anything. She's been a great help since - Roger became ill."

Julia saw the medallion. "That's a lovely medallion, Elizabeth. I don't think I've ever seen you wear it before."

"No. Quentin just gave it to me."

"And I expect you to wear it," he said softly, with an undercurrent of iron in his tone.

"I certainly will. I need all the luck I can get right now."

"Why don't you go on up to bed, Elizabeth? I'll be up in a minute - unless you need some help?"

"No. I don't think so. I feel quite myself now. Thank you for the gift, Quentin."

"You're very welcome."

Quentin saw her to the door, then turned to pour himself a brandy as Julia came to him. "Would you please tell me what is going on around here? Barnabas told me that he heard -"

"Barnabas heard exactly what Angelique wanted him to hear, Julia. There was no argument. Angelique came up with this plan to prove that Barnabas is being possessed by Judah Zachary."

"No." Julia fought to control her panic. "Not Judah. He - he was destroyed."

"Gerard Stiles was destroyed," he pointed out. "Not Judah. Evidently, he's just been biding his time until he could try again."

Julia felt faint, and sat down heavily. "He can't succeed. We have to stop him, Quentin. I'm not sure at the moment whether he's using Angelique or Barnabas