2: A Proscribed Venerable Love

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: Surprise Encounter"><U><B>1:  Surprise Encounter</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>2:  A Proscribed Venerable Love</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Stalked by the Vampire"><U><B>3:  Stalked by the Vampire</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4: Flight to the Auld Country"><U><B>4:  Flight to the Auld Country</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id29.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5: Ally From Nowhere"><U><B>5:  Ally From Nowhere</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id30.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6: Tales of Pookahs and the Sidhe Peopl"><U><B>6:  Tales of Pookahs and the Sidhe People</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: The Middle Kingdom"><U><B>7:  The Middle Kingdom</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8: My Lady Healer"><U><B>8:  My Lady Healer</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id33.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9: Triple Betrayal"><U><B>9:  Triple Betrayal</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: A World Apart"><U><B>10:  A World Apart</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Flight From Tara"><U><B>11:  Flight From Tara</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id36.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12: Imbas Forosna"><U><B>12:  Imbas Forosna</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Wheel of Fortune"><U><B>13:  Wheel of Fortune</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14: Wednesday, the Best Day of All"><U><B>14:  Wednesday, the Best Day of All</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>2:  A Proscribed Venerable Love</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>      Quentin and Julia got to Collinwood at noon, talking and laughing.  He'd suggested they jolly Mrs. Johnson into helping them make a picnic basket.  Although it was a little breezy, he thought it would be fun to walk on the beach and eat there.  As they entered the foyer, Elizabeth came out of the drawing room, smiling at the sound of their laughter.  “Well, hello!  I missed you two at breakfast.  I thought you must've left early for your appointment, Julia, and I just assumed you slept in as usual, Quentin.”</div> <div>      Before Quentin could say anything, Julia said smoothly, “We met just outside.”  She looked up at Quentin.   “Quentin was out walking and asked me to join him.  I could use a stroll after that long meeting.”      </div> <div>      Quentin was a little annoyed at the lie but he didn't want to embarrass Julia by contradicting her.  “Yes, it's a nice day-do you think Mrs. Johnson would mind fixing us something to take along?”</div> <div>      Elizabeth laughed.  “I wish I could say no, she wouldn't-she seems to mind everything.  I'm sure if I ask her she'll be pleasant about it at any rate.”  Elizabeth went to the kitchen to talk to Mrs. Johnson.  </div> <div>      Quentin grabbed Julia's arm and momentarily prevented her from following.  “Why did you lie to her?  Are you ashamed of us?”</div> <div>      “No!”  Julia protested, but he wasn't sure he believed her.  “I just don't want to be obvious about it.”  She saw the look on his face and sighed.  “Please don't misunderstand-it's just that I don't think the family would approve, and I'm not ready for a confrontation or an explanation.”</div> <div>      “Why should there have to be either one?  We're adults!”</div> <div>      “Please, just bear with me for a little while!”</div> <div>      He smiled at her crookedly.  “Oh, all right!” he consented.  Maybe she really was insecure about what the family would say.  He'd have to build up her self-confidence so she wouldn't care.  He could be patient and discreet, he thought.  They caught up with Elizabeth in the kitchen, who'd used her charm or authority to persuade Mrs. Johnson to make a picnic lunch for Quentin and Julia.</div> <div>       Quentin thought she gave them a somewhat resentful look as she went about making the sandwiches.  “Would you like to join us, Cousin Elizabeth?” he asked, hoping and expecting her to say no.</div> <div>      “It's a little to chilly for me, I'm afraid.  I'm not quite ready to stroll on the beach yet,” Elizabeth replied with a smile.  “Thank you for asking, though.  Will you be back for dinner later?”</div> <div>      “Maybe,” Quentin replied, and this time he was sure that Mrs. Johnson glared at him.  “I was thinking of seeing a movie.”  He nudged Julia.  “Want to go see `Fiddler on the Roof' with me?  Have you seen it?”</div> <div>      “Not yet,” Julia replied, looking surprised and uncomfortable.</div> <div>      “Nominated for best picture.  Topol is terrific in it.  Come on-you like musicals, don't you?”</div> <div>      “Well-“</div> <div>      “How about you, Cousin Elizabeth?  Want to go too?”  Once again, he hoped she'd say no, even though he gave her a mild variation of his “aw, please” look.</div> <div>      Elizabeth laughed.  “Well, thank you for thinking of me again.  I think I'll pass.  So I'll tell Barnabas that you won't be here this evening as well?”</div> <div>      “Oh?  Was he looking for me last night?” Julia asked.  She seemed really interested in finding out, Quentin thought, feeling a little jealous.</div> <div>      “I assume so-he sent Willie over here.”</div> <div>      “Oh, I see.  Yes, tell Willie that I won't be in if he comes again,” Julia said with a nonchalant shrug.</div> <div>      For the first time, a frown furrowed Elizabeth's brow as she looked from Julia to Quentin.  Quentin strolled over to one of the cabinets, searching around until he found a bottle of wine.  He snagged it, intending to take it along.  He turned and smiled innocently at Elizabeth.  “Yes, well,” Elizabeth began and stopped as the inkling of an idea she didn't relish thinking about took hold.  “I hope you enjoy your stroll.”  She left the kitchen.</div> <div>      “Wine?  Not iced tea or lemonade?”  Mrs. Johnson's voice scaled up a little as Quentin set the bottle on the table.</div> <div>      “It's cold on the beach,” Quentin explained.  “This'll keep us warm.”</div> <div>      “Yes, it sure will,” Mrs. Johnson said in a complaining, disapproving tone.  “I suppose you'll want some wine glasses to go with that?”</div> <div>      “Only if it's not too much trouble,” Quentin said and smiled charmingly at her, looking at her intently.</div> <div>      She backed down a little under his gaze; he knew it was his blue-eyes that could melt the hearts of the stone-coldest women.  “Well, I suppose not,” she muttered, finding two glasses.  Quentin turned to Julia and grinned at her in triumph.</div> <div>      He leaned over and whispered to her, “Why don't you dress in something that'll keep your legs warm?  Do you have a pair of jeans?  And I'll bring a blanket.”  She pressed his arm and nodded.  He followed her out of the kitchen.  “Come to think of it, I'd rather be wearing jeans, too.” He said.  “We'll be right back, Mrs. Johnson!”</div> <div>      He and Julia went up the stairs together.  He could tell that Elizabeth had come to the doorway of the drawing room and was watching them.  He escorted Julia to the door of her room and stopped there with her.  He put his arms on her to stop her at the door and kissed her.  “You don't care that Barnabas was looking for you?”</div> <div>      Julia shrugged.  “He's going to have to get used to me not being at his beck and call all the time anymore.”</div> <div>      “Good for you, Julia!  I'll see you in a few minutes.”  He left her to change and went down the hall, whistling. </div> <div>      He wished that he'd been able to persuade Elizabeth and Roger to let him move back into the West wing but had been unsuccessful so far.  Right now he was staying in one of the guest bedrooms on the other side of David's room; Amy had stayed there once.  This room was between David and Hallie's, and he didn't like it very much.  It didn't allow him the privacy he'd grown accustomed to, but Elizabeth and Roger had been adamant about keeping the west wing closed.  Something to do with the damned energy crisis and saving money, they claimed.  He sighed as he changed.  He grabbed one of the blankets from his bed and folded it up into a small bundle, hoping no one would mind too much.  </div> <div>       He met Julia back in the kitchen.  She'd changed into a pair of jeans (he was genuinely surprised; he didn't think she owned any) and was wearing a light sweater and sunglasses.  She'd tied a scarf around her hair to keep it in place, he assumed.  He took the picnic basket in one arm and Julia by the other and they headed toward the beach.  They took a rough path down from Widow's Hill to the small beach below.  It was mostly rocky, but there was a little bit of sand they could sit on to eat.  He spread the blanket out on the sand and set the basket down.  “I'm not hungry yet.  Are you?”</div> <div>      She shook her head, no.  “Why don't we walk first?”</div> <div>      “Great idea.” He sat down and pulled off his shoes and socks.  He looked up at her, expectantly.</div> <div>      “The water's freezing, isn't it?  Are you planning on wading?”  She sounded surprised.</div> <div>      “Where's your sense of adventure, Julia?  Don't worry, I'll keep you warm,” he teased.  “It's too late for beachcombing, but you'll never know what might turn up.”</div> <div>      She kicked her shoes off and stepped on one foot at a time to pull the sock off with her other foot.  Quentin stood up and grabbed her hand.  He walked with her right down to the surf line.  He put his arm around her and hugged her to him as they started to stroll along.  She gasped as the water rolled over their toes, and he laughed and kissed her.  “I'll warm you up again, don't worry,” he promised again.  He felt her arm slip around her waist and turned to her and smiled.  He was a little worried, though.  He was worried because she wanted to keep their budding relationship a secret-was it just that she thought the family would disapprove, or was it really Barnabas' disapproval she didn't want to face?  He wanted to talk to her about it but wasn't sure how to bring it up.</div> <div>      They would have to climb over some rocks in order to keep walking along the beach.  He climbed up; the rocks were slippery, but with his bare feet he managed to keep his balance.  He reached for Julia's hand to help her up.  As they stood facing each other, he felt a sudden impulse and reached out to take the scarf off.</div> <div>      “What on earth are you doing?” Julia asked, laughing.</div> <div>      “Let the wind blow your hair around, Julia,” he replied.</div> <div>      Surprised, she started to say something and then stopped.  She put her hands in her hair and shook her head, fluffing her hair out with her hands.  “Like this?”</div> <div>      “Just like that-your hair should be loose and free. “  He helped her with it, then stroked her hair slowly.  He pulled her toward him, tilting her face up to his.  “Your hair should be like you-wild and free.”  He kissed her.</div> <div>      “Mmm,” she said.  “You're going to make me fall,” she whispered into his ear.  “Wild and free, eh?”</div> <div>      He laughed, going down the other side of the rocks and reaching for her again.  “You are a warm-blooded woman, Julia, not the cool professional you make yourself out to be.”</div> <div>      “And is this the real Quentin I'm hearing, or the Quentin who speaks blarney to the women he's attracted to at the moment?”</div> <div>      Now that he'd been intimate with her, that hurt.  “It's not blarney,” he assured her, deciding he wasn't going to let her know she'd hurt him by doubting his sincerity.</div> <div>      “I do take being a doctor very seriously,” she said, sliding her arm around his waist again.  “I don't want you to be under any illusions about that.”</div> <div>      “That's not what I said nor what I meant.  I know you take being a doctor very seriously-Doctor.  I'm just saying that you're not the cool, detached professional you make yourself out to be.”  His arm moved to her waist, and his hand strayed down further and squeezed.  “You don't fool me, Julia.”</div> <div>      She laughed.  She didn't ask him to move his hand.  Even better, she let her own hand move down below his waist, slipping her hand into his back pocket.  He smiled to himself, and they walked on.</div> <div>      They walked as far as the caves that opened onto the beach from the Old House and turned to go back.  He decided to broach the subject of Barnabas again with her.  “What will you tell Barnabas if he asks you where you've been tonight?”</div> <div>      “I can't imagine him asking,” she said a little nervously.  He thought she was being evasive.</div> <div>      “He might.  He is demanding of your time, you know.  He expects you to come and keep him company, doesn't he?”</div> <div>      “Well, I don't know if that's the word for it.  He may have come to get used to it, maybe.  I wouldn't say he's ever-“ she broke off suddenly.</div> <div>      “Ever what?” he pressed her.  “He's never invited you?  You'd just show up on your own?”</div> <div>      “You could put it that way, yes,” she answered, obviously uncomfortable.</div> <div>      “Do you think he won't notice that all of a sudden you're not showing up unannounced anymore?”</div> <div>      “Quentin, this is making me very uncomfortable.  Do we really have to talk about this?”</div> <div>      At least she was being honest about how she felt.  “No, I'm sorry, not if it's going to upset you.  I just wondered what you'd tell Barnabas if he saw us together in town, say.”</div> <div>      “I'd say I was going to the movies with my friend.”</div> <div>      “Oh.”  He was disappointed.  He moved away a little but continued to hold her hand.</div> <div>      “Quentin, you're jealous!”</div> <div>      She'd told him she was uncomfortable; he supposed he ought to tell her the truth, too.  “Yes, I am jealous, Julia.  What if he did invite you to come to dinner with him tomorrow night because he'd been without your company for two days and all of a sudden he missed you?”</div> <div>      “I guess it depends,” Julia began.  She stopped walking and faced Quentin again.  </div> <div>      “On what?”</div> <div>      She reached out and traced the outline of his jaw with her hand.  “On whether or not we were doing anything.”</div> <div>      “And if we had made plans?”</div> <div>      “I'd have to give my regrets, of course.”  At his obvious relief, she laughed and kissed him.  Then she became serious.  “Quentin, please be patient with me.  I am so mixed up about how I feel.  I'm trying to sort everything out-how I really feel about me as well as how I feel about you.  The way you've been with me is affecting how I look at myself-am I making sense?”</div> <div>      “No,” he answered honestly, confused.  “Do you want to be with me?”</div> <div>      “I don't want to be anywhere else right now but with you.  And if Barnabas asked me to come to the Old House, a part of me would want to go.  I'm not going to lie to you about that.  But I wouldn't go-not now.”</div> <div>      He understood that much, and it was enough for him.  He threw his arms around her and kissed her again.  The salt spray from the breeze was causing her hair to become very damp and curly, and he thought she looked incredibly sexy that way-like a young Katherine Hepburn, he thought, looking at her appreciatively.</div> <div>      “What are you thinking now?” she asked, teasingly.</div> <div>      “That your hair wants to curl-it wants to hang loose, in waves, framing your face,” he answered, touching her hair again.  “And that I'm hungry now.”</div> <div>      She smiled, touching a lock of her hair.  “You are so romantic, dearheart,” she said, sounding embarrassed again.  “But you're right, I'm getting hungry, too.  Let's go back.”</div> <div>      “Okay,” he said agreeably, putting his arm around her waist again.  “I didn't mean food, though.”  Julia gasped and then burst out laughing.</div> <div>      She turned toward him and beckoned, indicating she wanted to whisper to him.  “You make me tingle all over, Quentin-you say something to me, and all of a sudden I burn for you.  I almost feel like I'm on fire now, and if it wasn't so cool outside, I'd be tempted to tear your clothes off you.”</div> <div>      He put his arms around her and leaned over to whisper in her ear.  “If it wasn't so cold I'd have you right now on the sand, Julia.  But let's just keep the fires burning for later, shall we?”  He kissed her again, looking at her, seeing himself reflected back in her eyes, full of promise for more loving to come.  They turned and walked back to the blanket with their arms about each other to enjoy a companionable lunch.</div> <bR> <div>      <I>Fiddler on the Roof</I> was playing in Rockport.  They returned to Collinwood after their picnic lunch.  He wanted her to have dinner with him before they movie; they could go to an inn near the movie theater.    Julia decided she would continue her genealogy research for an hour or two and then take a nice long bath.  Quentin was curious about her work and hung around with her in the study as she pored through old books.  He thought he'd take a shower while she was off taking her bath and wondered what she'd look like in a tub full of suds.</div> <div>      He wasn't concentrating-not with that image in his mind.  “What are you looking for anyway?” he asked, trying to refocus his attention.</div> <div>      “Well, Elizabeth did ask me to continue to research the real family history.”</div> <div>      “I thought you were a doctor, Doctor, not a historian.”</div> <div>      “Ah, but I am interested in genealogy, Quentin, and I don't really have a practice here.  My research in hematology doesn't take up that much of my time anymore, and I don't really have a practice here.”</div> <div>      He was puzzled.  “You said you take being a doctor seriously.”</div> <div>      “I do.”</div> <div>      “Doesn't it bother you, then?  What would you be doing, if you were at Windcliffe and not here?”</div> <div>      She shrugged.  “I'd have a caseload there.  I've turned it over to a colleague.”</div> <div>      “A caseload?  Really? I thought you were the administrative director or something.”</div> <div>      “Technically, I am, but that wouldn't stop me from seeing patients.  I delegate a lot of the administrative work-or, I did.”</div> <div>      “Until Barnabas.”</div> <div>      “Until Barnabas,” she agreed.  She looked thoughtful.  “Perhaps it's time I begin to take over my caseload again.” She looked down at the book she'd been reading.  “This hobby of mine-I could still help Elizabeth with it, but it's a project that would take years to complete anyway.  I'm still working on my own family history.”</div> <div>      “Do you want to go back?”</div> <div>      Julia's eyes took on a thoughtful look.  “I miss it, Quentin.  Yes, I think I'd like to go back-part time, to start with.  I don't want to stop all this, either-I find it fascinating.  But I would prefer to be a doctor again, yes.”  As always when she felt uncomfortable, she reached for a cigarette.</div> <div>      Anticipating that, Quentin already had a lighter out ready to light it for her.  He didn't smoke but had in the last couple of days had taken to carrying a lighter with him.  “You shouldn't smoke, Doctor,” he chided gently.</div> <div>      “Yes, I know,” she agreed with a smile.  “Are you going to be my conscience now, too, dearheart?”</div> <div>      “Only if I think you might hurt yourself,” he answered, smiling.  “I know you're hooked, though.  I promise I won't nag you too much.”</div> <div>      Her eyes flashed at him suddenly.  “Excuse me?  Did you say, hooked?”</div> <div>      “Hooked,” he repeated as if she hadn't heard him right.  He knew that she had.  He was going to needle her and see how far he could go.  “You know-addicted.”</div> <div>      Julia suddenly looked very annoyed.  “I am NOT addicted.”</div> <div>      “It's okay, Julia, I understand.  That stuff is bad for you, and I'd hate to see you get sick, but I know how it just gets ahold of you so you can't stop-“</div> <div>      “That's ridiculous!” Julia snapped, stubbing the cigarette out in an ashtray.  She glared at him irritably.  “I am NOT addicted!”</div> <div>      He grinned at her.  “If you say so.”  She didn't smile back.  “Don't be angry with me, Julia.  I won't nag you, I swear.  Come on, kiss me, would you?  So I know you're not mad?”</div> <div>      “No, I won't,” she said firmly.  “You are impossible, Quentin.”</div> <div>      He leaned forward on his elbows so that they were almost nose to nose.  “Better than a cigarette, come on, Julia, kiss me.  I'm hooked on you.  I've got to have a kiss from you, please?”</div> <div>      “Oh!” she exclaimed, exasperated.   She gave him a peck.</div> <div>      “What was that?” he protested.  “I want a real kiss, come on!”  She started to laugh then, and he was glad he'd jollied her through it.  She gave him a real kiss then, one he didn't want to end so quickly.  When they parted, he stayed close to her for a few moments and whispered, “When you want a cigarette, Julia, that's when I want a kiss from you.  A real kiss-like that one.  And like this.” He kissed her again.  “You make me hot,” he whispered to her.</div> <div>      “Okay, that's enough then,” Julia decided.  “I'm getting too hot, too.  We have tonight-keep the fires burning, remember?”</div> <div>      “Oh, they're raging now.  That shower of mine-I think it better be a cold one.”  Laughing, he got up and left the room.  He wouldn't be able to stop himself if he didn't leave now.</div> <bR> <div>      The movie was over three hours long.  He'd seen it on Broadway; she hadn't.  He was amazed that she didn't go to New York more often to see the shows.  “Hey, I know what we can do this weekend, “ he said excitedly as they drove back to Collinwood.  “We can go to New York-we can book a room some place nice, like the Waldorf.  We can see one show-maybe two. How long's it been since you've been to the Statue of Liberty?”</div> <div>      “Years,” Julia answered.</div> <div>      “Good, we'll go to Battery Park, too.  I'll get another chance to see the wind whipping your hair around,” he said enthusiastically.</div> <div> “I think that would be nice,” she said, half dreamily.  She put her hand on his knee tentatively.  He took one hand off the wheel to clasp it.  Then he put it back where it was.</div> <div>      “That's fine, right there.”  As they pulled into Collinwood, he asked, “To the cottage?”</div> <div>      “Yes, there first, dearheart.  I've been burning all day.  This time, though, I really have to keep my appointment there so we can only stay a few hours.  I hope you understand.”</div> <div>      He did understand, but he didn't like it very much.  Although their lovemaking was just as passionate as the first two times, if not more, he wasn't happy that he couldn't spend the night with her.  They drowsed together until just after midnight, and then Julia sat up.  “I need to go, dearheart.  You can stay here and sleep.  I'll drive back.”</div> <div>      “No, no, not alone, you're not,” he declared, getting up, too.  He dressed quickly and took her to the car.  It was just a short drive to Collinwood.  They came into the foyer and, as usual, someone was up.  It was Elizabeth.  </div> <div>      “Did you enjoy the movie?” she asked pleasantly, coming out into the foyer to join them.  “It must have been a very long one.”</div> <div>      “Well, we had a nice leisurely dinner and went to the late show,” Julia answered casually.  Quentin noted that she looked different, and that Elizabeth noticed.  Julia looked flushed and sexually sated; she had the look of a very happy and satisfied woman.</div> <div>      “Too bad you missed the movie, Cousin Elizabeth,” Quentin added, wondering if he had the male version of that expression on his face.  He thought Elizabeth was looking at him oddly.  They stayed long enough to share a nightcap with Elizabeth, and then Quentin walked Julia to the door of her bedroom again.  </div> <div>      He stopped her before she could go in.  “I'll miss you tonight,” he whispered.  “I'll be thinking about you.  You think about me, too, will you?”  He kissed her, and then kissed each of her hands.  She slipped into her room and he walked down the hall to his own empty room.  That lasted for about an hour.  He heard Elizabeth come up and turn in; he was still unable to sleep.  Fuck it, he thought, and slipped out of his room and down the hall.  Julia's door wasn't locked.  He eased the door open carefully and shut it noiselessly behind him.     </div> <div>      He crept over to the bed and slipped in beside her.  She started, badly startled out of a sound sleep.  He leaned over her and whispered soothingly, “Ssh, I'm sorry-I didn't mean to scare you.”</div> <div>      “Quentin!  What are you doing here?” she hissed softly.</div> <div>      “I was lonesome.  Don't make me go.” He put his arms around her and put her close.  “I just wanted to sleep with you.”  It was too dark to be able to see her face.  She reached out and caressed his face.</div> <div>      “I got used to sleeping alone a long time ago,” she said softly.</div> <div>      He stiffened, stung.  “You want me to go?”</div> <div>      “No, dearheart.  I'm just surprised to hear you say you get lonely.  Snuggle up to me-but you really need to be out of here before everyone wakes up, all right?”</div> <div>      “Mmm,” he murmured contentedly, moving closer to her so that she was in the curve of his body.  She rolled over so that her back was to him.  He could feel himself becoming aroused as her soft buttocks pressed against his belly.  He maneuvered so that he could slip himself between her legs, seeking to enter her.</div> <div>      Julia laughed softly.  “Is there ever a time you're not in the mood?” she teased him.  However, she reached with her hand to guide him inside.</div> <div>      “Oooh,” he gasped, pleasantly surprised.  “Is there a time you're not, either?”  He moved in her lazily, just enjoying the warm snug feel of being inside her.  Julia sighed contentedly; apparently she liked it too.  She gently rocked with him.  He thought he could keep this up for hours, but apparently Julia couldn't.   It wasn't long before he felt her shudder and moan.  That excited him, and he began to move faster, bringing on his own climax.  “This is so nice,” he whispered to her.  “I don't feel all alone now.”  Julia didn't answer, but he felt her squeeze one of his hands gently.  He drifted off to sleep, satisfied and happy.</div> <div>      Too soon, he felt Julia nudge him in the ribs.  “Quentin,” she was whispering. “Time to wake up, dearheart!”  He mumbled in protest and covered his eyes with his arm.   She tickled him under the arm, and he jumped.  He opened his eyes and glared at her.  She chuckled softly.  “Sorry, but you've really got to go before everyone gets up.  I think you'll be all right on your own now, don't you?”</div> <div>      “I guess,” he grumbled crankily.  He was not an early morning person.  “What time is it?”</div> <div>      “Almost six.”</div> <div>      He moaned again.  “Julia!  Whoever heard of almost-six-in-the-morning?”</div> <div>      “Still,” she insisted.  “I have to get up myself and get ready to go, so I'd be leaving you on your own anyway.”</div> <div>      He put the pillow over his head.  “So let me sleep here.  I'll sleep until everyone gets up and then sneak out.”</div> <div>      She shook him violently by the hip.  “Out!  If you want me to let you in my bed, you keep to our deal!  Out!”</div> <div>      He sighed.  “Oh, all right,” he muttered grudgingly.  He sat up and found his underwear on the floor.  Julia sat up in bed behind him and leaned on his back, kissing his neck.  It was arousing, so he turned to kiss her back.  </div> <div>      She didn't allow him to go very long.  “I enjoyed the company, dearheart, and I'll see you later.  Now, scoot.”</div> <div>      “Scoot?”  He cocked an eyebrow at her.  He couldn't imagine himself scooting anywhere.</div> <div>      “You know what I mean!  I'll see you later!”</div> <div>      “Okay,” he said.  He'd pulled on his underwear and slipped out the door, shutting it very quietly.  He was going to head back down to his room and crawl back into bed for another two hours.  As he began to walk quietly down the hall, he noticed David's door was propped open.  He could see the boy's eye in the crack of the door.  Oh, great, he thought.  “BOO!” he said, and David abruptly shut the door.  Nosy kid!  He hoped that the kid was just nosy, not a blabbermouth.  He'd better make sure, though, so he knocked softly at David's door.</div> <div>      David popped the door open and glared at him suspiciously.  “The bathroom's free if you want it,” he told David.  </div> <div>      “I thought I saw you come out of Dr. Hoffman's room,” David said, with that snotty superior teenager tone Quentin couldn't stand.</div> <div>      Quentin laughed at him, a tactic he knew would upset the boy very much.  Teenagers hated to be laughed at.  “You must need glasses, kid.  When was the last time you had your eyes checked?”</div> <div>      “What'd you knock at my door for?”</div> <div>      “I saw you peeking out in the hall.  I just figured you might need to use the bathroom.  Forget it, David.”  Quentin went off down the hall, whistling, back to his own room.  He hoped he'd taken care of it. </div> <bR> <div>      Quentin slept in another few hours.  When he got up and came downstairs, everyone had had breakfast and went about their business, except for Elizabeth.  She came into the kitchen while Quentin was attempting to entertain Mrs. Johnson, who was grumpily fixing a brunch for him.  “Good morning, Quentin.”</div> <div>      “Good morning, Elizabeth,” Quentin greeted her cheerfully.  </div> <div>      “May I join you?” Elizabeth asked, and Quentin got up to pull out a chair for her.</div> <div>      “Can I get you a cup of coffee, Mrs. Stoddard?”  Mrs. Johnson asked, with just a bare hint of aggravation in her tone.</div> <div>      “Yes, thank you, Mrs. Johnson.”  Elizabeth looked at Quentin a moment and then commented, “You've become quite friendly with Julia recently.”</div> <div>      “I like her.  She's a very interesting person, Julia is,” Quentin said cautiously.  “I helped her a little with this genealogy project she's working on for you, and I have to say that I'm intrigued, too.  I don't know very much about our ancestors.”</div> <div>      “Well, Julia's uncovered some very interesting information.  For example, it seems that there is an inaccuracy in the family history.  It seems that our original ancestor is from County Sligo in Ireland-not from England at all.”</div> <div>      “Ireland!  Is that so?  Maybe that's why we seem to attract so many beasties,” Quentin mused.</div> <div>      “I hadn't thought of that, but yes, I suppose,” Elizabeth agreed.  She seemed unable to know how to proceed.  “I'm surprised that you two haven't included Barnabas in the evenings.  I gather he's been lonely the last couple of evenings.”</div> <div>      “Oh?  And are you his social secretary, Cousin Elizabeth?”  Quentin asked mildly, with a slightly kidding tone in his voice.  He was hiding the irritation and resentment he felt.</div> <div>      Elizabeth looked at him sharply, as if she wasn't sure what he meant.  “Barnabas and Julia seem suited for each other, don't you think?”</div> <div>      “I hadn't noticed, to be honest with you.  They don't seem to be a couple-at least not that I've noticed.  He treats her like a sister.”     Elizabeth didn't have an answer to that.  Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, Quentin got up.  “Excuse me, Cousin Elizabeth, I just remembered that I had an appointment I have to keep.”</div> <div>      Mrs. Johnson turned around, frying pan in hand.  “You mean you're not going to stay and eat?”  She sounded betrayed.</div> <div>      He was in trouble with Mrs. Johnson now, he knew, but he preferred that over to the conversation about Barnabas and Julia with Elizabeth.  He gave her a deprecatory smile.  “I'm sorry, Mrs. Johnson-I forgot.”  He nodded to his cousin and went out the back door, listening to Mrs. Johnson grumbling behind him.  Damn!  He was hungry, and now he'd have to go into town to eat.</div> <div>      While he was in the coffee shop eating, he checked the New York paper he'd picked up, looking for a Broadway play he thought Julia would enjoy.   There were several musicals and comedies; he liked either.  He thought about asking her which show she'd like to see and then decided she might just enjoy the surprise.  It was his dime, anyway.  And a suite at the Waldorf-that would be romantic.  He'd have them send champagne on ice and have it there when they arrived.    He saw something in the paper about “No, No Nanette” that caught his interest-it would make a good human-interest story, he thought.  He'd seen the play when it originally opened in the 20s and had enjoyed it then.  The interesting thing was that Ruby Keeler was coming back to the stage after being retired for over 40 years.  He thought she'd be willing to talk to him and went across the street to call his editor.</div> <bR> <div>       Quentin holed up in the study at Collinwood the rest of the afternoon, typing furiously on his Selectric.  He didn't look up when the door opened, but he stopped typing immediately when he felt Julia press her lips to the back of his neck.  He grinned, and turned in his chair to kiss her back.  “I have a surprise for you.  How was your appointment?  It went long, huh?”</div> <div>      “Rather,” Julia said, looking a little tired.  She sat down on the corner of the desk.</div> <div>      He stretched and reached out for her hand.  “Tell me about it.”</div> <div>      “I had two, actually.  I was meeting with a genealogist at the university in Bangor-“</div> <div>      “For our family?” he asked, surprised she'd go to the trouble.</div> <div>      She smiled.  “Actually, no.  For mine.  And I found out something absolutely fascinating.”</div> <div>      “What?”  he asked, enchanted with her smile.  Her lips looked absolutely kissable, and so he got up and kissed her, pulling her to him.  He had a sudden erotic image of taking her on the desk.  He thought he'd be able to slide right into her from this angle with no trouble.</div> <div>      Julia, though, was more disciplined and said softly, “I know what you're thinking, but now isn't the time, dearheart.  Do you want to hear or not?  It's a remarkable coincidence.”</div> <div>      She was right, and he really was intrigued, so he sat back down, still holding her hand.  “All right,” he said, laughing.  “Tell me.”</div> <div>      “My mother's maiden name was Kiernan.  I actually had very little information about her, except that she was born in the Bronx.  She herself seemed to know very little about my grandparents.  I knew they were Irish-“</div> <div>      “I thought that's where you got your red hair!” Quentin exclaimed, interrupting her.</div> <div>      Julia smiled.  “Wait-it gets better.  My grandparents came here to New York around 1892.”</div> <div>      Quentin started, surprised.  He'd been in New York, then, too, but didn't say anything about that.  “They didn't come because of the Famine, then?”</div> <div>      “No, and do you know why?”  He shook his head, no.  “It's because they're from County Sligo.”</div> <div>      Again he started.  “Elizabeth said…” he began.</div> <div>      “Yes, I know.  The Collinses are from County Sligo, too!  I didn't even have that much information when I went to see my friend in Bangor.  I only knew generally the month and year they'd emigrated from Ireland.  We managed to track down the ship and the departure point from that, and we managed to trace them back to County Sligo!”</div> <div>      “Maybe we were neighbors!”  Quentin said with a laugh.</div> <div>      “I wonder,” Julia said, with a thoughtful look on her face.     </div> <div>      “Well!” Quentin exclaimed, surprised and impressed.  “It sure was productive for you, wasn't it?”</div> <div>      “I also met with my staff at Windcliffe,” Julia went on.  “I think it's time that I began to make myself visible there again.”</div> <div>      “Oh, you do?”  Quentin asked.  “Planning on being a doctor again, are you?”</div> <div>      “Perhaps-until my next leave of absence.”  Again he was surprised.  She laughed at the expression on his face.  “Quentin, I was thinking-I know that you do freelance writing for several papers. What would you think about helping me trace our roots?”</div> <div>      “Go to Ireland?”  Quentin asked, his eyebrows shooting up with surprise and with interest.  He looked at Julia appreciatively.  He'd never been to Ireland, but he heard it was beautiful there.  “When?”</div> <div>      “So you're interested?”</div> <div>      “Ah, Julia, so many fields to make love to you in-the sooner the better,” he said softly.</div> <div>      “You have a one track mind,” she said, but she laughed.</div> <div>      “Well, of course, we'd be talking to the auld folks back home an the wee little people as well in between,” he kidded, using his best Irish brogue.  It was convincing, and Julia thought, he is Irish all right-black Irish through and through with that wild dark hair and blue eyes.  “Julia, you say the word and I'll be on the boat with you-or the plane.  Whatever.  I have a surprise for you, too.”</div> <div>      “Really?  What?”  She looked as pleased as a child being offered a surprise gift.  Maybe she didn't get very many surprised.</div> <div>      He pulled out the last sheet of paper he'd been typing on.  “How'd you like to meet Ruby Keeler with me when we go to New York?”  Her eyes widened with delighted surprise.  He grinned at her.  “I've got us tickets to see `No, No Nanette', a suite at the Waldorf-Astoria, and an appointment to meet with Ruby Keeler.  You know she's coming out of retirement just for this?  I hope you're free this weekend.”</div> <div>      She winked and said, “Oh, I think I can re-arrange my busy schedule. What a wonderful surprise!”</div> <div>      He stood up, stacking his typed pages neatly.  Then he moved to her, moving between her legs and pulling her close to him for another kiss.   She tasted of cigarettes and a minty liqueur.  Ah, he'd have to keep encouraging her to replace her cigarettes with his kisses.  He tickled her lip with his tongue, and heard her sigh contentedly as she relaxed and leaned toward him to allow him to explore her a little further.  Someone was clearing his throat in the doorway.  Surprised, Quentin pulled back and looked over his shoulder.</div> <div>      “Hello, Barnabas!” Julia managed to gasp.  Barnabas was in the doorway, staring at them in shocked disapproval.  Behind him stood Elizabeth, with an equally shocked and also a very disapproving look on her face.  In spite of the affection he felt for his cousin, Quentin looked him in the eyes with a challenging smirk.</div> <div>      “Good evening, Barnabas,” Quentin said.  “I haven't seen you in a couple of nights.  We've been <I>busy,</I> Julia and I.  How are you?”  He actually felt very nervous but covered with it well with an air of bravado.  He was pleased to see that Barnabas, who was always so sure of himself, suddenly looked uncertain.</div> <div>      “I am well, cousin,” Barnabas answered, also trying to cover whatever unease he might have felt.  “I thought you might be `busy' again this evening, and so I thought to stop by earlier and see Julia.  I would like to see you, Julia, if you don't mind?”</div> <div>      Julia had recovered her composure and was standing at Quentin's side.  “But of course, Barnabas.  What is it?”</div> <div>      Barnabas looked momentarily uncomfortable again.  “It is a matter which I need to discuss with you privately.”</div> <div>      “Oh!  I see.”  Julia looked at Quentin and took his hand.  He could tell she was enjoying herself.  “Would you excuse me, please Quentin?”  She looked at Elizabeth, who was still bug-eyed with consternation.  “Elizabeth?”</div> <div>      “Of course,” Quentin said politely, smiling warmly at her.  He offered her arm to Elizabeth.  “Cousin Elizabeth?  Shall we retire to the drawing room?  It's almost supper time, isn't it?”</div> <div>      “Yes,” Elizabeth replied, taking his arm.  She walked with him down the hall and into the drawing room. As soon as they got in the room, he immediately headed for the brandy decanter.  He felt threatened by Barnabas' presence here.  He could imagine what Barnabas must have been saying to Julia now.  He was afraid of his cousin's persuasive powers.  “Quentin-” Elizabeth's voice broke into his thoughts.  </div> <div>      He turned to look at her.  She looked mildly annoyed.  “Forgive me, I wasn't thinking,” he apologized.  “Can I get you a brandy?”</div> <div>      “Thank you, no.  That isn't what I wanted to talk to you about, and I think you know it, don't you?”</div> <div>      “I'm sorry, I really don't know,” he answered innocently, refusing to meet her challenge.</div> <div>      Elizabeth sighed.  “Quentin, we couldn't help but see you kissing Julia when we walked in…”</div> <div>      “Ah.  So?”</div> <div>      Elizabeth turned red.  “Don't you think it might be more appropriate for you to be seeing women more-your own age?”</div> <div>      “Are you saying Julia's too old for me?” Quentin asked in disbelief.</div> <div>      “We're about the same age, Quentin, and I know I am old enough to be your mother.”</div> <div>      “Begging your pardon, Cousin Elizabeth-but this really isn't any of your business.  Julia and I are both adults, and we enjoy each other's company-” Quentin broke off with an uncomfortable laugh.  “I really don't think I should have to defend myself to anyone.”</div> <div>      “What about Barnabas, then?  Don't you have any respect for his feelings?”</div> <div>      “Of course I do.  But in regard to what?”</div> <div>      “He and Julia have had a long term relationship-“</div> <div>      “A long-term platonic friendship,” Quentin corrected politely.   He didn't want to get into an unpleasant argument with Elizabeth.   He genuinely liked her very much but also resented the fact that she was intruding herself into his business.</div> <div>      Elizabeth was genteel enough to sense what he was feeling.  “Forgive me if I'm intruding into your private affairs.  I care about all three of you, and I don't want to see anyone get hurt.”</div> <div>      “Thanks for your concern, Elizabeth, but I really don't think you need to worry about any of us,” Quentin tried to reassure her with a smile.  She smiled back, but it was a vague, uncomfortable smile.</div> <div>      Roger came in from town, greeting them with an affable smile.  If he sensed anything amiss, he didn't remark on it.  He poured himself a drink and began talking to his sister about what had gone on at the plant that day.  It sounded very mundane-boring-to Quentin, and he wondered why Elizabeth liked to listen to that drivel every day.  He wondered if he and Julia would ever fall into such a relationship and then decided it probably would not.  As a doctor, Julia would always be treating interesting cases.  As a writer, he dealt with all sorts of topics-human interest and possibly not all that important, but different at the very least.  </div> <div>      He could hear Barnabas and Julia's voices coming toward them, arguing.  He thought about going out into the foyer to see what was going on when he heard Julia say, “There's really nothing more to say about it.  I'll see you another time-you can call me whenever you need me, you know that?”</div> <div>      “Julia-“ Barnabas' tone almost had a pleading sound to it.</div> <div>      “No, Barnabas.  I will talk to you in a few days,” Julia said firmly.</div> <div>      “Very well.  Good night, Julia.”</div> <div>      A few moments later, Julia came into the drawing room.  Quentin tried not to stare at her but couldn't help glancing over at her.  She coolly went over and helped herself to a small glass of sherry, greeting Roger pleasantly.  Roger chatted on ,completely oblivious, as Julia, Elizabeth, and Quentin all tried very hard not to stare at each other.  As the activity in the house began to pick up as it grew nearer the time for Mrs. Johnson to announce supper, Quentin finally had enough and leaned over to whisper into Julia's ear:  “Let's blow this joint.”</div> <div>      Julia drew back a little, startled, and then shook her head, whispering:  “I can't.  If you like, I can meet you later-at the cottage.”  She managed to smile pleasantly at Maggie, who sat down next to Elizabeth.  David and Hallie had also come in, arguing loudly and attracting most of the adults' attention.</div> <div>      “It's not fun if you don't come with me now.  All right, I'll sit through this only if you come with me for ice cream.  Then we can go back to the cottage.”</div> <div>      “It's cold for ice cream,” Julia began to object, but it was obvious she didn't want to draw attention, so she quickly nodded.  “All right-ice cream. “</div> <div>      Satisfied, Quentin sat back and watched the two teenagers needle each other with amusement.  They'd probably end up in bed with each other at the rate they were going, he speculated.  He remembered his young crushes that always began with feelings of loathing for the girl, to be followed by a deep yearning and lust for her almost immediately afterward.   These days, kids fooled around with each other at much earlier ages.  He wondered if Roger had ever bothered to have “the talk” with David.  He looked over at Julia and smiled, and was secretly pleased when she winked back at him.</div> <div> They went to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor in Rockport and ordered a double vanilla rootbeer float.  It was the only thing Julia was willing to try on such a cool evening.  “I haven't had one of these in years!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with delight.  They each took a straw and shared it. </div> <div>      “What did Barnabas want?” Quentin asked, trying to sound casual.</div> <div>      Julia looked a little uncomfortable.  “He wanted me to have dinner with him.”</div> <div>      She'd refused!  Quentin was delighted but had a feeling it would be better to keep his feelings to himself.  Julia was looking sensitive about it, so he placed his hand over hers and gently squeezed her fingers.  “I'm glad you're here with me, Julia.”</div> <div>      Julia smiled.  “That's one of the things I enjoy so much about you, Quentin.  You never fail to make me feel special at least once an hour.”</div> <div>      “I can do better, too,” he promised, winking and then looking steadily into her eyes.  I want you, his look said.  I want you naked, squirming with pleasure, and dancing under me.  Julia turned a bright rosy red, almost as red as her hair.  “Do you feel special now?”</div> <div>      “Well, turn-about is fair play, I always say,” Julia replied, recovering some of her composure.  She looked back into his eyes with an expression that told him she was undressing him.  Her eyes would move from his, slowly down his body and then back up again.  She scooped a spoonful of ice cream into her mouth and moved it around, very slowly.  He got the idea, and found himself becoming quickly aroused.  “Why, Quentin, love, you are blushing,” Julia teased, laughing.</div> <div>      “Do that again,” Quentin said.  He spooned a little ice cream and moved it toward Julia's mouth.  She laughed, surprised, and willingly complied for him.  She made an elaborate show of enjoying the taste of the ice cream, savoring it, moving it around her mouth, and then swallowed, very deliberately.  He watched her, wide-eyed, feeling himself become redder and hotter-if that was possible.</div> <div>      Julia picked up her own spoon and scooped up a little ice cream.  “Fair is fair,” she said to him, very seductively.  “Show me what you'd do to make me feel special...”  He wasn't expecting anything like that; none of the women he'd been with before had ever been so bold.  He liked it very much.</div> <div>      He put his hand over hers, bringing it to his mouth.  “Okay, watch,” he said, and very slowly licked the ice cream off the spoon.  He took the spoon out of her hand, checked to make sure that no one was watching, and then brought her hand to his mouth, gently teasing her forefinger with his tongue and nipping with his teeth.  Then he pressed her hand in both of his.  “I think we need to get out of here, Julia.”</div> <div>      “I agree-and quickly.”</div> <div>      It was still early so they returned to the caretakers' cottage, tearing each other's clothes off in frenzy brought on by their love-play at the ice cream shop.  They each wanted to act out what they'd done with the ice cream, and Julia was brought to a shattering climax.  She screamed, and he was glad they were here-if they had been at Collinwood, everyone surely would've heard and come running.  As for himself, he really wanted to make love to Julia but couldn't bring himself to stop her from what she was doing.  No one had ever taken the time to bring over the edge of ecstasy that he felt now-her tongue teasing and licking him, her mouth gently sucking gently first and then moving more quickly and becoming more determined.  He cried out, too, spent.  </div> <div>      “Wow!” he exclaimed, when he was able to.  He sat halfway up on the bed, pulling Julia to him.  She laid her head on his chest, stroking him gently.  He wanted to tell her what it had meant to him, and so he tried.  “That was the best, you know, because you were so patient with me.  Did you like it?” When he nodded, he went on, “I don't think many women like to do that because they've always been in such a hurry-`hurry up and get hard so I can stop doing this.'  But not you, Julia-not you.”</div> <div>      “I have a secret for you, too,” she said.  He couldn't see her face, just the back of her head, her red hair damp and curling from exertion.  “Nobody's ever-I mean, not even my husband has ever-“ she broke off and laughed, apparently unable to continue.</div> <div>      He was shocked.  “You're kidding!”</div> <div>      She turned toward him, smiling, her face flushed with the satisfied fulfillment of lust.  “It was-maybe it still is-considered nasty.”</div> <div>      “Not nasty,” he told her.  “Sweet-like honey.”</div> <div>      “And so are you, precious,” she answered teasingly.  “I don't think I've enjoyed myself more, not even with my husband.”  She looked a little troubled.  “You know, Elizabeth mentioned that I am old enough-“</div> <div>      “To be my mother,” he interrupted, completing the thought.  “She may think so, but we know the truth, don't we?”</div> <div>      “Yes, but no one else does-except for, well, Barnabas.”</div> <div>      He took her hand and kissed it gently. “Julia, you don't really care about that, do you?  Appearances, I mean.  The hell with everybody and what they think.  Besides,” he went on mischievously, “don't you know that it's always better for an older woman to be with a younger man?”</div> <div>      “Oh?  Who says so?”</div> <div>      “Oh, Dr. David Reuben.  Did you ever read that book <U>Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex But Were Afraid to Ask</U>?”  When she shook her head no, he felt relieved.  He thought the information was in the book somewhere but couldn't be positive.  “Well,” he continued, “according to this book, I'm just past my sexual prime but you are at yours.  So we're perfect for each other!”     Julia laughed, delighted at his reasoning.  “Besides, I'll tell you something else I know for a fact-whether it's in that book or not.  I know that a woman can come over and over again.  Well, a guy my age can accommodate you that way-give me a few minutes and I'll show you.  But someone Barnabas' age-if he was human-they have to wait a long time before they can get it up again.”</div> <div>      Julia laughed again.  “Oh, is that so, young man?  I just need wait a few minutes?”</div> <div>      “Less,” he replied with a lustful whisper.  He urged her to sit up next to her, then rolled over on top of her, kissing her deeply.  “Kiss me just like this,” he said softly.  “I'll take you over the top again.”  He stopped talking then and bent back down to kiss her again.</div> <bR> <div>      Thoroughly sated, they walked back to Collinwood through the woods, arms around each other's waists.  “I must look a wreck,” Julia commented.</div> <div>      “You absolutely do,” Quentin agreed.  “If you're worried about how it looks, we can go in one of the side doors.  There's one I used all the time when I lived in the west wing.  We can hope that no one's locked the door, and I'll take you to your room.  No one'll know a thing.”</div> <div>      “Yes, let's do that, Quentin.  What will we do if the door IS locked?”</div> <div>      “Go to my room for more passionate fucking.”  They both laughed.  Then, because he knew she was concerned, he answered, “You fix your face up, we go out the way we came, and back in the front door.  And we just ignore them.”</div> <div>      “All right,” Julia agreed readily.</div> <div>      Quentin found the door leading to the west wing. “Julia, how long are we going to be a secret?”</div> <div>      “We don't seem to be much of a secret anymore-not with Elizabeth, anyway.  And Barnabas-he's not an idiot.”</div> <div>      “Yes, he is-for ignoring you.”</div> <div>      Julia smiled a little bitterly.  “Well, be that as it may-“</div> <div>      “Okay, I guess what I meant is-when can I kiss you in the open?”</div> <div>      “Oh!”  Julia seemed to think and then took his hand.  “You can kiss me anywhere you like from now on-no tongues in front of the family, though.  I draw the line there for the sake of propriety, if nothing else.”</div> <div>      He laughed heartily.  “All right, Julia-that's all I wanted to know anyway.  I can give chaste kisses, too-as long as I can do it when I want to now and we don't have to sneak around anymore.”</div> <div>      Roger and Elizabeth had stopped locking the door to the west wing, so Quentin and Julia were able to slip into the main hallway unseen.  “Do you mind if I come in again, tonight?” he asked.  “I'll wait until everyone's gone to bed, I promise.”  They stopped at her door.  She cupped her hands in his face and kissed him.  As she opened the door to her room to go in, she nodded at him and smiled.</div> <div>      Cool!  Quentin thought.   He wasn't nearly sleepy yet, so he went back into the west wing and made his way back to his old room.   There were still candles in here, and he pulled out his lighter.  Comes in handy, he thought, using it to light a couple of candles.  There was dust everywhere.  Again, he wished that Roger and Liz would let him move in here.  He couldn't really push them too hard about it, though; they'd be suspicious and would want to know why he wanted <I>this</I> particular suite of rooms.  He sighed.  </div> <div> He went to his shelf of books and looked around until he found one that he wanted.  He thought Julia would be amused by it; maybe it would help in her research, too.  It was small enough to go into his jacket pocket.  He blew out the candles and left quietly.  Well, now what?  It wasn't quite eleven; he was sure Elizabeth was still up.  Back out the way he and Julia had come in and in the front door-that was the ticket, he thought.</div> <div>      Sure enough, both Elizabeth and Roger were up when he came in.  He heard the murmur of their voices from the drawing room.  “I can try reasoning with him, “  Roger was saying.</div> <div>      Uh-oh, Quentin thought.  He strolled into the drawing room, giving them both a charming smile.  “Good evening-or should I say, good morning?” he said pleasantly.</div> <div>      “Oh, hello, Quentin!”  Roger looked off-balance, obviously not expecting to see his cousin.</div> <div>      “Quentin, where is Julia?”  Elizabeth asked.</div> <div>      “I believe she's retired,” Quentin replied, pouring himself a drink.  “I'm not positive, though.”</div> <div>      “I didn't see her come in,” Elizabeth said.</div> <div> “Maybe you were too busy talking.”</div> <div>      Elizabeth turned away, obviously uncomfortable.  Roger cleared his throat, also uncomfortable.  However, he pushed forward.  “Quentin, may I speak to you a moment?”  Quentin raised his eyebrows and nodded, shrugging his shoulders.  “Liz tells me that you and Julia have become-involved, is that right?”</div> <div>      “Involved?” Quentin laughed.  “We're <I>close</I> friends, Roger.  Very, very…close.”</div> <div>      Roger's own eyebrows shot up.  “I am just concerned about Julia's feelings and-er, appearances.”</div> <div>      “Appearances, Roger?”  Quentin folded his arms and looked at Roger, challenging him.</div> <div>      “Quentin, you are so much younger than she is.  I don't want people getting the wrong idea or misunderstanding what is between you two.”  He paused.  “Just what IS between you two?”  He sounded worried.</div> <div>      “I don't think that's your business, Roger,” Quentin replied politely.  “It's mine and Julia's.  You don't need to worry about her feelings-I have no intention of hurting her.  She's very special.  And as for appearances, well, that's no one else's business, either.”  He set the drink down as calmly as he could.  “Good night.”  He left the room before he lost his temper.</div> <div>      Even though Roger and Elizabeth were still downstairs, he didn't anticipate that they'd come knocking on Julia's door to talk to her at this hour, so he paused outside her door and then slipped in quietly.  The room was dark, and he could hear Julia breathing slowly and evenly.  He could see her outline in the light of the moon, streaming in through the window.  Unbuttoning his shirt, he looked out and saw the full moon, just beginning to go down.  He was grateful he no longer had to be afraid of it.  He finished undressing and slipped into the bed next to her, snuggling close to her.  She murmured contentedly, and took his hand as he was slipping his arm around her waist, holding it in hers.  Contented, too, he fell asleep.</div> <div> Julia nudged him awake.  “Time to go, dearheart,” she whispered to him.</div> <div> He stretched sleepily and yawned.  It was still dark out.</div> <div>      “It's still early, isn't it?” he murmured, shutting his eyes and trying to snuggle with her again.</div> <div>      “Just a little, but I want you to go crawl into your own bed now,” Julia whispered.  “I'm going to take a nice, long bath.  I don't want you falling asleep in here and sleeping until past dawn.”</div> <div>      His eyes opened immediately.  “Can I take one with you?”</div> <div>      She laughed softly.  “Save it for the Waldorf, dearheart.”</div> <div>      “Okay,” he said, agreeably.  Then, concerned, he asked:  “Can't sleep?”</div> <div>      “It happens sometimes, “ she explained.  “It's nothing to worry about.  It's just something that started happening over the last couple of years-as I've gotten older, my sleep pattern has changed a little.”</div> <div>      “Really?”  He hadn't heard of that before.  “As long as it's not us you're worrying about-“  He picked up his shirt and pants, intending to sneak down the hall in his underclothes.  No one would see him.</div> <div>      “Not at all.  Come here and kiss me before you go, and I'll see you later.”</div> <div> He leaned over and kissed her, then kissed her again.  He would have kissed her a third time but, laughing, she pushed him away.   “Don't tempt me, Quentin.”</div> <div>      “Ah, but you tempt me to tempt you,” he said with a smile.  He left quietly and went down the hall to his own room.  He got inside, shutting the door quietly behind himself.  Dropping his clothes on the floor, he was headed toward his bed when he felt two powerful arms grip him tightly by the shoulders, turning him.  He couldn't tell who had hold of him; it was too dark in his room with the shades drawn.  He could see the outline of a powerful man, not as tall as he, but obviously very strong.  He felt himself being shoved roughly on to the bed.  “Hey!” he exclaimed, starting to get up.</div> <div>      He felt a hand grip his throat painfully, pressing him back down.  “Now then, cousin,” he heard Barnabas whisper harshly in the darkness.  “Let's have a little talk, shall we?”</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: Surprise Encounter"><U>1:  Surprise Encounter</U></A>    <A HREF="id27.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Stalked by the Vampire"><U>3:  Stalked by the Vampire</U></A>    <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>