Winds Of Eternity Part 27

Carolyn looked up from her drink, about to suggest that they leave when the door opened and a woman entered. She froze. "My G.o.d. Quentin - " She squeezed his arm tightly.

Quentin, facing the door, looked in that direction, his handsome features revealed his surprised shock. "I see her - but I don't believe I see her."

Curious, Barnabas turned in his chair to look at the new arrival. "Angelique." His voice was barely audible. She crossed the smoke-filled room and began speaking to the bartender. Without a word, Barnabas rose and went to the bar himself.

"Collinwood you say? You just keep on the main road going north - Oh. Mr. Collins. This lady's trying to get to Collinwood."

Those blue eyes held no recognition as they turned to him. "You're a Collins?"

"Barnabas Collins. Miss - ?"

"du Bois. Miranda du Bois."

"Why are you going to Collinwood, Miss du Bois?"

"I have an appointment with Mrs. Stoddard concerning a job."

"A job?"

"As her personal secretary. Really, Mr. Collins, I fail to see how this concerns you."

"Forgive me. I had no idea that Cousin Elizabeth was considering hiring a secretary. Do you have a car?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll go with you." When she looked as if she might refuse, he added, "To show you the way."

Carolyn and Quentin were in shock as they watched the couple leave. "What's going on, Quentin?"

"I wish I knew, Carolyn."

"She looked like Angelique, but I'm sure she didn't know Barnabas."

"I'll ask Hank what he knows," he said. As he stood, Julia entered, looking around the room. "Julia. Over here."

She came over, frowning. "Have you seen Barnabas?"

"He just left. Carolyn, why don't you fill Julia in while I talk to Hank?"

Curious, Julia sat down. "What happened?"

"It was the strangest thing, Julia. We were just sitting here when - she walked in."

"Who?"

"Angelique."

"Angelique is dead, Carolyn," Julia reminded her.

"Then this woman was her double. She went to the bar and so did Barnabas. They talked for a few minutes and then left together." Both women looked up as Quentin returned. "What did Hank say?"

"Her name is Miranda du Bois, and she's on her way to Collinwood."

"Miranda?"

"Collinwood? Why?"

"Apparently she's meeting Elizabeth about a position as a secretary."

"Of course. Mother did mention the name. She was very impressed with Miss du Bois' letter."

"Did she say why?" Julia asked.

"No."

Julia rose to her feet, "i'm going to Collinwood."

"We're right behind you."53.

Elizabeth was just entering the foyer when Barnabas and the young woman entered the house. She stopped, staring in surprise. "Barnabas?" she asked.

"Good evening, Elizabeth. May I present Miranda du Bois? Miss du Bois, my cousin, Elizabeth Collins Stoddard."

"Miss - du Bois," Elizabeth said haltingly.

Miranda's smile gave away her nervousness. "How do you do, Mrs. Stoddard? I hope I'm not too late -"

Recovering her composure, the mistress of Collinwood smiled. "Not at all. Did you have any trouble finding the house?"

"I did until Mr. Collins offered to show me the way."

"I see. If you'll excuse us, Barnabas, I'll take Miss du Bois into the study for an interview."

"Of course. Where is Amy?" "In her room, I believe." "Then I'll go up and see her. I look forward to seeing you again, Miss du Bois."

"Do be seated, Miss du Bois. May I call you Miranda?"

"If you wish, Mrs. Stoddard." Elizabeth sat behind the desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. "Your letter said that you had recently returned from France?"

"Yes. I worked as a receptionist/ secretary for a doctor there."

"Are you from France originally, then?"

Miranda lowered her eyes to look at the carpeted floor. "I - I'm not sure where I'm from, Mrs. Stoddard." "Oh?"

"I suppose you're ent.i.tled to know the entire story before you've decided whether or not to hire me. You see, I have no memory prior to six months ago. The first thing I recall clearly is waking up in a small, private clinic in an isolated part of France. The doctor said I had wandered in a week earlier, dazed, babbling in English, then collapsed. Dr. du Bois tried to find out who I

was, but he had no luck. I had no identification, and my clothing had both French and American labels, and although I could speak French fluently, my native language appeared to be English. American English. Dr. du Bois gave me his dead daughter's name and offered me a job as his receptionist."