Julia Hoffman entered the drawing room of the Old House, carrying a sheaf of papers. She sat at the desk and began to sort through them, separating them into piles that would be more workable - and more organized. The papers were dated around the time of and just after all the trouble Angelique caused Barnabas and his family in 1795 - 1796. As she was sorting through a pile of business contracts, one caught her attention. Julia drew it out and moved closer to the candles in order to read the faded ink of the document. It was a marriage contract. Julia felt her heart beat increase and found it difficult to breath for a moment or two. Whose marriage contract was this? Barnabas' and Josette's? Certainly not Barnabas' and Angelique's... Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Julia read the ornate yet faded writing, puzzling over the terms of the contract. Some of the stipulations were a bit odd. The marriage was an arranged one, to fulfill the obligations of an earlier business contract between the Collins and duPres families. Barnabas had never mentioned such an arrangement, and as Julia checked the date of the contract and marriage, she realized it had taken place after he was confined to his coffin in the mausoleum secret room. Barnabas didn't know of this arranged marriage. Julia continued to read, carefully separating the sheets of the document so she could continue on the second page. When she glanced at the signatures, the surprise took Julia's breath away.

"Julia, have you found anything of interest?"

Startled, Julia jumped slightly and turned to look at Barnabas. Her expression was incredulous and she just handed the document to Barnabas. She knew of no way to break the news to him. Barnabas took the papers and read them over. Julia moved slightly closer to him ready to offer support and comfort if he wanted it.

"No..."

Barnabas sat down quickly, staring at the signatures of his father, Joshua Collins, and Natalie duPres, Josette's aunt, on the contract of marriage.

"I... don't believe it. My father and the Countess duPres, they despised one another... No, that is not true, toward the end, when both had lost everyone, they... but I cannot believe the Countess would agree to such an arrangement."

"The contract clearly states it is a business contract, nothing more. There is even a clause in which both agreed the marriage would not be consummated, Barnabas."

Collins nodded absently as he re-read the document, trying to absorb the fact his father had married a second time, only months after his mother's death. Julia could see the way Barnabas was thinking, and returned to the pile of papers she had been sorting through. The next couple of documents revealed more information. She skimmed through them, and shook her head.

"Barnabas, this is the wedding certificate, dated the same day as that contract, but this in French, I'm not able to read it."

Reluctantly Barnabas put the contract aside and took the bound book Julia handed to him. He glanced at it, recognizing the cover and met Julia's gaze.

"It is Natalie's personal journal. I cannot read this..."

"You must, Barnabas. It may provide answers to the questions I know you have."

Taking a deep breath, Barnabas sat down and began to read the entries dated after he'd been confined to his coffin. As he read, his face reflected the emotions Natalie recorded in her journal. When he finished, Barnabas closed the book and leaned back against the chair. He finally glanced at Julia when she knelt beside him and placed a hand on his arm.

"Barnabas?"

"It... began as nothing more than an arranged marriage, then Angelique interfered and caused them to consummate the marriage when neither wanted to. When their reactions and hatred of each other was not strong enough, Angelique interfered again. Natalie left the house, very angry, having accused my father of rape, certain she never wanted to see Joshua again, but when she learned of Angelique's interference... she returned to Joshua. She realized they were being manipulated by Angelique and wanted to learn the truth of their feelings for one another... They were happy, Julia."

Barnabas' voice was soft, thick with emotions that Julia could not fully identify. She met his gaze and saw a mixture of anger and disbelief there.

"He was happy with her, Julia. He never was with my mother. Why?"

Julia shook her head as she met Barnabas' gaze. He needed answers she couldn't give him.

"I don't know, Barnabas. Perhaps... because of all the tragedy that he and Natalie shared."

"He betrayed my mother."

Barnabas stood, angry, all the animosity and dislike he'd had for his father surfacing again. Julia stood as well and planted herself in front of Barnabas, meeting his gaze and taking hold of his arms so he couldn't turn away.

"No, Barnabas. He and Natalie were forced into a situation not of their choosing, a situation made worse by Angelique. But they were able to triumph over her, Barnabas. They were able to turn her evil, vengeful intents into something good. They alone survived that terrible, terrible, time, and were able to find happiness with each other. Be happy for them, Barnabas. They did what no one else had been able to do - escape Angelique's jealous vengeance."

Barnabas looked at Julia for a long moment, then returned to where he'd placed Natalie's journal, picked it up and looked down at the pages again.

"Natalie wrote that she grew to love Joshua. She had not expected to, had not even wanted to, but she did..."

"Did Joshua love her in return?"

"Yes. She says that he never told her he loved her, but she knew. It wasn't the same way he loved my mother, but he did love her."

"Then he was a very lucky man."

"What?"

"He found love twice in his life, Barnabas, and was in return loved by two women worthy of the Collins name."

Julia's voice cracked slightly and she turned away, unaware of Barnabas' gaze resting on her with an intensity she would find uncomfortable had she known.

"Yes, he did..."

Barnabas reached out and turned Julia back toward him, his gaze meeting and capturing hers.

"My father was a stubborn, inflexible man, and if left on his own, he probably would have spent his last years in misery and guilt, believing everything that resulted from Angelique's presence in our lives to have been his fault. I know Natalie would not have allowed him that... indulgence. It is hard to accept that she could make my father happy in ways my mother could not, but... I am happy for them, Julia. Both deserved to be happy after what was done to them, to all of us... I wonder if being so blessed by the love of two good women runs in the family?"

Barnabas reached up and gently caressed Julia's cheek, his gaze intense. She took a deep breath and held it a moment to control the emotions that were welling inside her, then she swallowed and smiled sadly.

"It may... if you let it."

Barnabas nodded, and stepped closer to Julia.

"I believe I shall, and I need no witch's potion to make me see what is before me."

He bent closed and kissed Julia deeply. As her arms came around his neck and she returned the kiss, Barnabas began to understand how happy his father must have been.