Her smile was seductive again. "I tried to tell you that," she reminded him. "We've wasted so much time."

"Then we shall just have to make it up as best we can," Barnabas said, pulling her more fully into his arms.

It was well after midnight before Quentin and Julia heard the front door open and Angelique say, "Goodnight, Barnabas."

"Goodnight."

"Will you be over early tomorrow evening?"

"As early as I can. Enjoy your day with Amy." There was silence, then the door closed.

Quentin went to the doorway to see Angelique starting for the stairs. "Coming in rather late, aren't we?"

"Quentin."

"How about joining Julia and I for a nightcap?"

"Why not? I thought everyone would be in bed," she told him, slipping her arm through his. "How did your evening with Maggie go?"

"You know me, I never kiss and tell."

She laughed softly. "h.e.l.lo, Julia."

"h.e.l.lo."

"So why are you two still up? Not waiting for me, I hope."

"I'm a night person" Quentin said.

"And I just couldn't sleep," Julia explained. "How did your evening go?"

"Wonderfully." ,

Quentin shook his head ruefully. "How does he do it, I wonder?"

"How does who do what?" Julia asked.

"Barnabas. I've never been able to understand why every woman he meets practically falls at his feet." He saw the look of understanding that pa.s.sed between the two women. "Oh, I don't expect an answer from either of you. You're both too - involved to be objective. I'll see you both tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The next day's outing to Bangor was very enjoyable for both Amy and Angelique. But during the drive back to Collinwood a heavy fog began to roll in, making driving difficult - and dangerous.

They were on the most hazardous stretch of the two lane asphalt when Angelique was forced to swerve suddenly to avoid hitting a car which appeared out of the fog. She lost control of the vehicle on the wet road, only barely managing to keep it away from the cliffs edge and the rocks below.

Amy regained consciousness quickly, found herself in the gra.s.sy culvert. When she moved her left arm, she cried out in pain, but somehow managed to scramble to the car. Angelique was slumped over the steering wheel, still unconscious. Amy couldn't smell any gasoline fumes, so she decided it best to leave her where she was. Getting the blanket from the back seat, she wrapped it around the injured woman as best she could. "Don't die, Angelique. Please. Don't die." Using the flashlight from the glovebox, Amy flagged down the first car that pa.s.sed.

"Carolyn what are you looking at?" Elizabeth asked her daughter. "You've been at the door for a quarter of an hour."

"Angelique said she and Amy would be back before dinner."

"The fog probably slowed them up. Come into the drawing room."

The telephone's shrill ring sounded eerie in the quiet house, and Julia picked it up. "Collinwood...Speaking...Where?...What76.are their conditions?...Yes,...Yes, I'll be right there."

"What is it, Julia?"

She had gone into the foyer and started putting on her coat. Carolyn followed, her uneasiness increasing. "Julia? What is it?"

"There was an accident on the coast road. Amy and Angelique are at the hospital in Collinsport."

A small army of Collinses followed Julia into the building, agreeing to wait in the lobby. Julia went directly to the emergency room. Amy, her left arm in a sling, came running to meet her. "Thank goodness you're here, Julia. She's so still."

"How are you, Amy?"

"Dr. Morgan said that my arm is fractured. Julia, you've got to help Angelique. She's the important one."

"You're just as important." She turned to the nearest nurse. "Meg, take Amy to a room and make sure she lies down. I'll prescribe something for the pain later."

"Yes, Doctor."

John Morgan looked up as Julia entered the room. "I thought I heard you in the hall."

Julia tried to remain detached from Angelique's pale features as she checked the woman's' pulse. "What's wrong with her, John?"

"Concussion, broken ribs, possible ruptured spleen. I was about to take her into x-ray."

"let's go."

The family gathered when they noticed Julia's approach. "Amy has a fractured left arm and she's in mild shock. I'm keeping her here overnight for observation."

"What about Angelique?" Elizabeth asked.

"Her injuries are more serious. Dr. Morgan is taking her into surgery right now for a ruptured spleen."

"Oh, my."

"The trouble is, she's still unconscious, but I don't want to take the risk of internal bleeding."

"Why is she still unconscious, Julia?" Maggie asked, standing with Quentin.

"Mild concussion. The x-rays didn't show anything severe. She also has a couple of broken ribs."

David spoke. "Can I see Amy?"

"Of course. But I'd prefer you not to mention anything about the surgery just yet. She's upset enough as it is. Would you go with him, Maggie? Meg can show you the room."

Maggie slipped away from Quentin. "Come on, David."