Some wishes never change

  As Angelique got out of her car and looked at her house, she remembered time when she had lived in Collinwood. She could recall that part of that time, even she was just a maid, was best time of her life. Even Barnabas was hiding their relationship well, she was happy. She knew he would keep coming back to her.
He was too busy to look for future wife  because he wanted to guarantee business to be successfull. Of course he still couldn't resist Angeliques company when it was so willingly offered to him.
 She opened her door and turned lights on. Her house was clean and beautiful.
Here and there was old paintings, but otherwise it was modern and lightful.
She had fireplace in her living room, and above that was one of the old painings of herself. In her bedroom, she had painting of Barnabas. She had successfully got to steal it from Collinwood when she left there.
 She took her night clothes from her bedroom, go get glass of wine from kitchen and go to bathroom, filling bathtub with hot water.
 As she took off her clothes and got into water, she lean back in bathtub and closed her eyes to relax, every now and then sipping her wine.

  ... "Bouchard!"
 Angelique winced and turned around, "Yes master?"
"My son has fallen ill. I and my wife are now leaving to short trip, he insisted that you will be the one taking care of him."
Angelique nodded her understandment. "What may be bothering young master Barnabas?"
"Cold, last night he has got terrible fever."
"Has doctor visited him yet?"
"Yes, he has got medicine, and he must take one every day until two weeks has passed."
Angelique nodded again.
Barnabas's father looked at her carefully, "I never understood why he insisted so much that we should take you with us..."
Angelique looked at him with wide eyes, "Master... I.. I don't know, but I.."
"But you have proven yourself to be good maid." He nodded. "Obviously my son wished to have someone of his own age to help him."
Angelique didn't know was that compliment or not, but she nodded, "Thank you, sir. I try my best to help him, where ever he wants my help."
"You're doing good job Bouchard. I strongly consider that once our son gets married, and has his own children, you will no longer be a maid, but governess."
Angelique felt numb. Thinking about Barnabas marrying someone else got her blood boil, but she knew it  won't be easy to make his parents accept their love, so she tried to stay calm and smiled thankfully: "Thank you sir, that would be wonderful."
"Good job needs proper thanks. Now excuse me."
Angelique watched as he left and took deep breath. She should speak with Barnabas about that how they could get his parents blessing for their love.
Surely it would save Barnabas from a lot of trouble to look for a wife, and he already was happy with her.
  Later that day when Barnabas's parents were left, Angelique go to his room to see how he was feeling.
Gently knocking the door before going in, finding Barnabas sitting on his bed, leaning against pillows and reading a book.
 "Hey, how you feel?" Angelique asked as she sit down on edge of his bed.
Barnabas smiled a little, "I guess the fever has gone down, but I still feel ill"
Angelique placed her hand on his forehead, "I'm afraid the fever will rise again. You're hot... And I don't mean in playful way, seriously."
Barnabas laughed, "I think you have some kind of magic touch, it feels much better to have you here."
Angelique smiled, "Never know... Maybe I have. Or maybe that I'm able to make you laugh, makes you feel better."
"Maybe."
"How's the book? Is it good?"
Barnabas showed it to her, "I don't know, start seems boring."
"I guess most exciting part is always in the end." Angelique said and got up.
"Wait, where are you going?" Barnabas asked, looking lost at the thought being left alone.
Angelique kissed him quickly and smiled, "I go get you something to eat and come right back."
Barnabas seemed to relax more, knowing he won't be left alone for long time.
"Alright... But take something for yourself as well."
"Barnabas... You know I'm not allow-"
"I insist you to have dinner with me."
Angelique laughed softly and hold her hands up. "Alright, alright. As you wish."
Barnabas nodded, "Good."
Angelique left to kitchen, looking around to make sure no one was near and took small bottle from her pocket and poured potion in Barnabas's drink. She wanted to help him with every possible way, and knowing that someone may realize what she truly is, she was willing to take a risk in order to help man she loved.
She quickly hide the bottle in her pocket again and took all food with her to his room.
 "Here you are, hot soup, toast and tea. Should make you feel better."
Barnabas looked at her, "What do you eat?"
"Soup, just like you do." Angelique answered, sitting down next to him and gave him his bowl of soup.
 "Smells good." Barnabas said, carefully tasting his food.
Angelique gave him cup of tea. "Try this as well. I made this by myself, something I learned to make to take care of illness."
Barnabas raised eyebrow and took the cup, "Where did you learned such thing?"
"Back in Liverpool. The old healer who worked for your family, teached us."
"Ah, right. I remember her." Barnabas smiled and tasted the tea.
Angelique watched him carefully as he took another sip.
"Well?"
"I think... I think it works." Barnabas said, "This is miracle! I feel much better already"
Angelique smiled and placed her hand on his forehead, "Fever is gone"
Barnabas kissed her, "This is miracle my dear, thank you."
"Maybe you should still rest over the night, just in case"
"My dear, I feel better than ever!" Barnabas got up, "I feel like I could do anything!"
Angelique laughed, "Alright, then you have to do what you want."
"Angelique, my dearest, I want to thank you. What ever you want to do, we will do. We have all day time! All night!"
Angelique knew it was useless to try to talk to him now about her wish to get married with him, so she decided to enjoy her time with him now, and talk about it later...

 In 196 years, her deepest wish haven't changed. She still wanted to marry Barnabas. Angelique hold her wine glass so tightly it broke in her hand. She opened her eyes and looked at the broken glass.
 "That might as well be my heart... "
She got up and took towel. As she saw herself from mirror, she stopped to think for while. She did look exactly same as couple centuries ago. Maybe her game was not over yet. Barnabas would fall in love with her again, way or another.
 She smiled, "Well, everything is allowed in love and war."
If her sweetness once made him fall for her so well, no one said he won't fall for her again. And since Victorias innocence was so fascinating to him, all Angelique needed to do was to play same game.