Plans failed

 
 "Will you accept?" Barnabas asked.
"You still haven't answered my question, and I need your answer before I can give mine."
Barnabas sighed, he should have known that nothing was simple with Angelique.
"I do not marry you only because the deal we made. Your... Actions lately, are proven that you are getting better. As.. As you were, when I fell in love with you."
"So you love me?"
"I... Yes, I do."
Angelique narrowed her eyes, "If you'd love me, you wouldn't hesitate to say it like you just did."
"I only thought of that.. I am falling in love with you again. All the same I still love you at the moment."
"What about tomorrow? Will you love me then? Or is it just moments here and there when you love me?"
"Angelique.. Do not make this so difficult. I love you. Is that not what you wished?"
"It was, and still is."
"Then accept my proposal."
 Angelique took deep breath, "Fine, I accept it. Lets see if you really do love me enough to marry me."
"Is this... A test?" Barnabas asked, raising eyebrow curiously.
"So to speak."
"Hm.. Strange woman." Barnabas said and turned to leave.
"Where you're going?"
"To inform my family of wedding to come." Barnabas said, nodded shortly for goodbye and left.
 Angelique looked after him for while. "Oh no, you don't... You don't make it so easy for me to get you.. Whatever you're planning Barnabas Collins, it will not work. And you indeed will be mine."
 
   .... Angelique pulled her long dark hair up and looked at her reflection from old dusty piece of mirror. She didn't really feel like going to kitchen and start yet again to make breakfast for Collins family.
She had been feeling strange few days now and she doubt all the hurry and stress did no good for her situation.
 "Angelique, goodness sake you came." Old Mrs.Bennett whispered to Angelique.
Angelique lowered her head a bit, "Why? Has something happened?" She asked whispering.
Mrs.Bennett nodded, "Mr. and Mrs. Collins are going to sell two of us to this old couple who has just arrived."
Angelique looked at older woman, "Sell us?"
"Yes, this couple is going to move to countryside and they need two servants. Master had promised to sell two from Collinwood."
Angelique rolled her eyes, "Like Collins family didn't have money enough..."
Mrs.Bennett laughed, "Yes, yes, but so has this couple. You see they has no children. They most probably shall leave their house to maids after they die. I have a feeling you will soon get new home Angelique"
"What, why me?"
"You're young and most beautiful of us. They could easily even say you are their daughter. Yes, yes my dear, you have fine face and lovely form that you carry with pride. They will surely take you with them."
Angelique looked away, "I don't want new home. Collinwood is my home."
Mrs.Bennett nodded, "Such change may feel frightening, but trust me child, it will be best thing that has ever happened to you."
 "I dare to doubt that." Angelique said, suddenly feeling more sick than earlier. "Excuse me.." She run to nearest bathroom but even she felt really sick, nothing happened.
She leaned against the wall and held her both hands on her stomach, thinking hardly what all she had eaten past few days. Could she have eaten something that was not anymore good to eat.
 Nothing came into her mind and she go back to kitchen.
Mrs.Bennett seemed to know right away what was going on, "Angelique.." She whispered, pulling Angelique aside, "Who is it?"
"Who is what?"
"Angelique. Don't try to fool me, I have lived that through too when I got my son."
Angelique stepped back, "Excuse me?"
"For god's sake Angelique, you are pregnant."
"What?! I'm not. I can't, it's... It's.. Impossible."
"Come, come now child, you don't notice it by yourself but I do notice that you have acted very strangely past few days. It must have been few weeks since you.. You were-"
"Right, I got the point Mrs.Bennett." Angelique said quickly. She didn't want to hear about her own love life from others.
"So who is it?"
"N-no one you know.. I just.. Met someone while I was going to town to get more food."
"And you end up sleeping with him? A man you didn't know? Angelique, I know you're better than that.. It's Young Master Barnabas, isn't it?"
"No! It's not. He has nothing to do with it." Angelique said and left.
   Indeed, later that day, all servants were called to dining room and old couple watched carefully all of them.
Angelique who was serving tea for these visitors, could easily notice that old man hardly could get his eyes off of her.
 "I am terribly sorry I am late" Barnabas said as he came to dining room and sit down. "At the Company, there was little error to solve, but now everything is working as usually."
Barnabas' father looked proud of his son, "Our Barnabas here leads our company by himself. Of course I help him as much as I can, but I also know that our business is in good hands when my wife and I are traveling."
 Old couple looked at Barnabas, who smiled charmingly, "My father is flattering me. I only try my best."
 Angelique brought him teacup and poured some tea.
Barnabas looked at her and nodded his thanks to her as she left again.
 His father cleared his throat, "Barnabas, this gentleman and his lovely wife has come to buy few of our servants."
Barnabas looked at his father, "Our servants?" He looked at the couple and smiled a bit, "I apologize, I was not aware of this. I am little confused."
 "That girl looks like something we are looking for." Old man said, pointing to Angelique who brought tray of pies to table.
"What, me?" She asked, looking slightly shocked.
"Yes, you my dear." Old man said.
Angelique looked at all Collinses one after another to find support from them so she didn't have to go.
Finally her pleading looks did a trick to Barnabas, who cleared his throat.
"I'm afraid, my good gentleman, that Angelique is not for sale. She has been with us very early on and she is trusted to stay with us to take a lead to our other servants in time." He said, sounding very business like.
 "What a pity." Old man said.
Angelique managed to smile a bit and left the room.
 "I told you they would pick you." Mrs.Bennett said.
"Collinwood is my home." Angelique said and left to her own room.
Later that evening Barnabas came to her room.
"It was close." He sighed and sit down to her bed.
"Yes, it was. Your parents would have love to sell me."
"Indeed they would. You are young, you would have been treasure for them."
"My place is here. With you."
Barnabas smiled a bit, "Your loyalty is admirable."
Angelique wrapped her arms around him, "Hold me Barnabas.. Please hold me. Just for while."
Barnabas pulled her into tight embrace, burying his face to her hair.
 Angelique closed her eyes for while, imagining already how they could be happy family once she gives a birth to his child. She didn't dare to say a word to him yet, but she was sure he would be excited once he'd find out. She just didn't know how terribly wrong her plan would go....

  She snapped out of her memories when her phone ring.
"Yes?"
"Miss Bouchard, security guard has catch suspicious man spying from our windows and trying to get into your office."
"Is there any idea who he is?" Angelique asked.
"His name is Willie Loomis."
Angelique hissed angrily, "I will be right there." She said and left.
Collins family was still trying to ruin her plans, just when she thought for little moment that everything would be fine and she and Barnabas could become the family she's always dreamed about.
 "They'll pay for this. Everything is allowed in love and war.. And this is both"