The dream Natalie had the next night was even more intense - and compelling - than the first one. She woke herself again, but could not break the spell of the dream, her physical responses very real and... unmanageable. When at last the effects of the dream abated, Natalie lay exhausted, staring up at the lace canopy over her bed, confused and troubled. Why was she having such a response to Joshua Collins in her dreams?

A terrifying thought came to her and Natalie sat up. She fumbled to light the candle beside her bed. The wick flared and Natalie carefully examined the back of each of her hands. There was no mark upon either one, no sign of the Devil's pitchfork. She sighed slightly. The mark had caused Josette to act against her will, and prevented her from realizing what she was doing; it had deprived her of the ability to control her own actions. Natalie had to wonder if she were not under such a spell as well. It was entirely possible, for although Angelique was dead, only her body had died; her spirit continued and her spirit still controlled her powers. But there was no visible physical evidence of a spell.

Natalie extinguished the candle and lay back down. She closed her eyes, but sleep would not come. Her mind raced with possibilities. If she were not under a witch's spell, could it be possible she was actually, genuinely attracted to Joshua Collins? The idea was absurd, and yet... he filled her waking thoughts and her sleeping dreams... Was this some bizarre message; was her heart telling her what her mind refused to accept or acknowledge? No. That was ridiculous.

Exasperated with herself, Natalie sighed, turned on her side and closed her eyes to sleep. In the morning she would give Andre and Joshua her decision.

In the Master bedroom, Joshua Collins tossed and turned. His body was responding to the images he saw in his dream, acting out the events involving the Countess duPres as they took place in his slumbering consciousness. He groaned out her name but did not awaken. Instead he rolled to his side and tightly embraced the pillow, believing it to be Natalie, come to his bed.

All through breakfast, Natalie had silently rehearsed her speech, not noticing that Joshua Collins seemed unable to look at her directly or to meet her gaze. He shifted uncomfortably several times, and was preparing to excuse himself when Natalie asked if she might speak privately with both her brother and himself. Sensing she had reached a decision, Joshua agreed to meet them both in his study that evening before dinner.

Joshua was coming to realize he should not have postponed the meeting so long, for he was again unable to concentrate that day, wondering what Natalie's decision might be and lingering on dream memories of the night before, dreams that had involved Natalie. He almost hoped she would agree, even though he knew the possibility to be extremely remote. She did not really like him - that was clear and he had no true desire to wed her. Then why was he dreaming of her in such an... intimate way? Not even as a young man, lusty and robust, had he experienced such dreams. It made no sense.

Forcing his thoughts away from Natalie duPres and back to his work, Joshua made himself concentrate for the rest of the day. The Countess would do as her conscience demanded.

(next chapter)