The House on Blackstone Moor (The Blackstone Vampires)

by Carole Gill

I walked inside to read it.

  If I read it standing in the hall, and heard her, I would have enough time to put it back and slip into my room.

  This is one of the two entries I read.

  10 April.

  I fear he has not dissociated himself from them, those whose names I have sworn not to mention. How many times have I begged him to break away? Too many to count. Yet he says he loves me and will listen, but I fear he does not. There is no telling how it will end.

  Sometimes when I am at my lowest, I think I cannot go on. And yet, I can’t bring myself to do something dramatic which actually would end my suffering for once and for all. How much more must I endure?

  Why won’t he listen—why—?

  I stopped reading then for I could hear her on the stairs. I put the journal down exactly as I had found it and dashed into my room.

  I heard her sobbing and closing the door. I could well imagine what other sad entries she would write.

  But what was she writing about? What did she mean? I kept going over it in my mind.

  If only I could ask her.

  By the way, Alice—I happened to notice your journal lying on your bed and I perused it. I hope you don’t mind!

  Of course I couldn’t do that.

  I was awake thinking until nearly dawn. That was when I finally heard Dr. Bannion’s carriage. I flew to the window to see him alight from it.

  I think I would have thought he was with a woman if I hadn’t read the journal, and Mrs. Mott writing of people she didn’t approve of. There was such an undercurrent of terrible fear there as well, unrestrained terror, I thought. But what was it she feared?

  I shall make another confession now. I did wish to know. The drive to know was so great that I waited until I heard his voice call to her.

  She didn’t answer him immediately. But then she said something like, “Well, I can’t force you.”

  He spoke and then I heard the sound of the door being closed. He’d gone in.

  I stepped into the hall to listen. Looking back on it now I realize I could have been discovered and it makes me shudder to think of it. But my need to know was too great, you see.

  It sounded to me as though he was soothing her, trying to assuage her worry, for clearly she sounded nearly hysterical as the tone of her voice reached an ever higher pitch.

  At last he grew annoyed for I heard him clearly say, “Oh, for God sakes, Alice! How you do go on!”

  She shouted back at him, “God! That’s rich coming from you, you insane bastard! Don’t you know what you do?”

  I dashed back into my room and gently closed the door, which was just as well because I heard him come out into the hall. He closed her door none too quietly.

  There was something brewing, I knew. Something dark and evil.

  Then, I remembered speaking of it to Dr. Bannion recently when I told him of the evil my father had brought in—that presence I had come to recognize.

  Familiar dread crept up my spine and that icy chill made me shiver.

  Now, even here, at this time and in this place, it was again so close as if to touch me. Would I ever be free of it?

  Chapter 13

  My immediate concern was what I read in the journal. How could I trust Dr. Bannion after that? And I reasoned, if I could not trust him, how could I take a position he recommended me for?

  Yet, there was so much at stake for I would not consider returning to Marsh or starving in the streets.

  Now, in the bright light of day and with my position hanging in the balance, I found I was prepared to rationalize my fears away.

  If Alice Mott was having an affair with Dr. Bannion and kept a diary to record her probably erroneous observations and conclusions concerning sinister goings on with him, that was up to her and had nothing to do with me.

  After all, I was only staying in Dr. Bannion’s home temporarily. From there I would be going to take up my position at Blackstone House.

  I had no family or friends—and had it not been for Dr. Bannion’s kind intervention on my behalf I should have been in an awful quandary.

  Perhaps in retrospect, I was doing more than rationalizing. I was giving Dr. Bannion the benefit of any doubt and quite frankly, I was considering Alice Mott as unreliable. Why, therefore, I reasoned, should I be swayed by such an untrustworthy person?

  Despite all of this, I felt terribly sorry for her.

  She looked sad and very drawn and pale. “I’d like to wish you the very best of luck,” she said as she took my hand. “For you deserve nothing less!”

  “Nor you, Alice. Remember that!”

  Her eyes shone with tears when I said that. “You best go now, the carriage is outside.”

  It was and with Dr. Bannion alongside it. “Don’t you look lovely!”

  After thanking him, I turned and caught a glimpse of Alice at the window.

  And then we were off. Whatever happened, would happen.

  *

  “I think you will enjoy the ride. There is wonderful scenery to see, farms and rolling hills and some lovely villages. If you like we can stop for some luncheon on the way.

  “That would be lovely.”

  Listen to me, I thought. I sounded like a lady and not a frightened girl which in many ways I was.

  We eventually did stop on the way at a small country tavern. It was called the Duke of York and it was quite rustic but attractive, too. The gentlemen, if I may call them that, were much taken with me. Dr. Bannion noticed and smiled.

  We took our seats and our driver sat elsewhere, of course. This is England, remember.

  The tavern keeper, a fat-cheeked jolly sort of fellow, brought tea for me and ale for Dr. Bannion, as well as some fine steak and kidney pies.

  I couldn’t remember enjoying myself as much as I did, although I did feel uncomfortable with the long pauses in conversation.

  Polite chit chat can be terribly difficult at the best of times and under these circumstances, with me anxious anyway, I was nearly speechless.

  Mercifully, we were soon on the road again. I knew how much closer we were getting as Dr. Bannion kept me abreast of such matters. But, the closer we got the more anxious I felt.

  Suddenly—and I shall never forget this—he said, “Look there, you can see it from here!”

  I looked out to see the most amazing sight I had ever seen in my life—a great stone house looming up before us, a house literally in the middle of nowhere. “Are those the gardens?”

  It seemed they were the most beautiful gardens. I couldn’t see the flowers, we were too far away, and all I could see were great splashes of brilliant color.

  “Yes, they are, Rose. And wait till you see the roses in summer. Mrs. Darton is very proud of her roses.”

  And then we drew closer still and I saw it was indeed beautiful yet it seemed entirely out of place, for it gave the impression of something lovely that had been obliged to hover on the edge of desolation—like something about to be sucked into oblivion and beyond.

  “It has an air of mystery about it.”

  “Indeed it does,” Dr. Bannion replied.

  An odd remark, but I didn’t question it then.

  The carriage stopped and I beheld a beautiful property—elegant and stately too, with a portico and majestic Grecian columns. It could have been the home of a lord and his lady.

  “What do you think of it, Rose?”

  “I think I’ve never seen a more impressive building in my life!”

  I would have wanted time to study it, but the front door opened and a solemn-faced woman stepped outside. She was dressed in black with no apron. I imagined she was the housekeeper. She came toward us when Dr. Bannion stepped out to help me down.

  “Keeping well, Mrs. Sternwood?”

  What a perfect name for her, I thought—for she was grim-faced, even when she smiled, as the smile did nothing to soften her features.

  Oh dear, I thought—I hope she isn’t like Marsh’s staff.

  “Rose, this is Mr
s. Sternwood.”

  I expected her to smile; she did but only briefly. “The new governess.”

  I wanted to add, I hope so.

  “Mrs. Darton is with the children at present.”

  Her eyes regarded me coolly, as though she were choosing a roast for Sunday dinner and wanted to be careful about her choice.

  She motioned for us to come inside. “Molly has set out some provisions already. This way, if you please.”

  I followed Dr. Bannion into the great house.

  I wasn’t prepared for the hall. It was circular, marble floored with gleaming Greco-Roman statues all around. “It’s beautiful!”

  Oh, why did I say that? She’d have thought me a peasant for certain. And I didn’t wish her to, for I was proud of my new position.

  Dr. Bannion and I had discussed it: “Some governesses don’t even have their own room nor do they eat with the family, but Mrs. Darton is not like that. You will have your own room, and quite a nice one it is too as I understand it.”

  I was thrilled yet somewhat frightened. The idea of sitting with the family to eat was overwhelming. I hadn’t exactly arrived from boarding school. My most recent tablemates were lunatics and half-mad creatures who lived in their own little worlds.

  “They do understand…”

  I had asked him for reassurance so often, I don’t know how he didn’t run out of patience. “Of course, Rose. They like you.” He was watching me now with an amused smile. “Quite a lovely home, don’t you think?”

  “Oh I do, sir!”

  Mrs. Sternwood was regarding me again with those hooded eyes of hers. “If you’d like to go into the dining room, I will tell Mrs. Darton you’re here.”

  Mrs. Darton? I was hoping that Mr. Darton would be about. Yes, I know. I was so hoping to see him, just a glimpse would do.

  I glanced at Dr. Bannion, wishing I could confide all of my secret thoughts, but I knew I could not.

  After all, who was I to have these desires? I had no right for so many reasons.

  Knowing this, my heart still leapt when Dr. Bannion asked, “Well, isn’t Mr. Darton about at all?”

  “No, sir. He is due back later.”

  “I see. It must be important business that calls him away.”

  He led me further inside.

  If I thought the entrance hall impressive, I wasn’t prepared for the dining room. It was magnificent. The walls were covered in scarlet, which brought out the richness of the mahogany sideboard and chairs. The table was set for us, with glittering gilt china and crystal. I tried not to gawk.

  Mrs. Sternwood suggested we sit. She seemed disappointed we had already eaten but suggested the soup, which Dr. Bannion quite agreed would be lovely.

  I expected we would not dine alone but Mrs. Sternwood told us that Mrs. Darton and the children had already had theirs.

  “Aren’t they eating with us?” I asked Dr. Bannion. He smiled and shrugged.

  Molly the cook served us. She seemed somewhat less horrible than Mrs. Sternwood but not much.

  A man came in later to clear away. His name was Tom and he was Molly’s husband. A more sulky looking man I have never seen.

  Dr. Bannion said he wasn’t the most affable handywright or all-duties man, but he did his job and wasn’t ever drunk.

  Mrs. Darton and the children came in a short time later. She greeted Dr. Bannion and asked me how I found the trip then she introduced first her son and then her daughter.

  They were beautiful children but quite delicate, I thought. Much more so than other children—they were dark haired with the lightest green eyes I had ever seen.

  The little girl rushed over to me and took my hand. “I am Ada, Miss Baines, and I am so delighted you have come here.”

  I quite thought this must have been a little speech Mrs. Darton had her prepare yet it was charming just the same. “Thank you, Ada. I know I shall love being here.”

  Now the brother stepped forward. “I am Simon and I shall be twelve in five months.” Mrs. Darton looked proud but then she looked as if she might cry. Moments later, though, she smiled and seemed to shake it off.

  As we’d all finished our soup, we adjourned to the parlor. “Perhaps Miss Baines would like to see the nursery and her room, children? Would you care to show it to her?”

  I was delighted and so were they. Ada excitedly drew me up the stairs with Simon walking behind us, his face thoughtful, his hands clasped behind him.

  Ada prattled on happily. At last we came to the landing. “The nursery is just above, Miss Baines, and all the bedrooms are there as well, yours and Mama and Papa’s and the guest rooms too.”

  “And do you sleep in the nursery?” I asked, for that was the common arrangement.

  “Yes, we do. Come and see.”

  The nursery was quite large and cozy. There was a fireplace and a small fire going.

  “Shall I read a story to you later?” I asked this though I felt certain Simon would say he was too mature, but he didn’t. Instead he just stood quietly, smiling.

  “Ada loves stories. Knights and their ladies are her favorite, although nothing more modern than that. Isn’t that right, Ada?”

  I was not prepared for Ada’s reaction to that. It was as if a black cloud had settled over us and rained hail upon our heads.

  “Make him take that back!” she wailed.

  “Ada, you mustn’t cry. Simon didn’t mean to upset you, did you Simon?”

  Simon shrugged. “No…”

  “Right then, well?”

  “I’m sorry…”

  Ada stamped her foot. “I was happy and you spoiled it! You spoiled it! I was actually happy!”

  What an odd thing to say. “Are you so unhappy then Ada?”

  “No, Miss Baines, but not as happy as I’d like to be.”

  “Ada, please forget it. I didn’t mean it. Truly I didn’t,” Simon said guiltily.

  She looked as though she had for she giggled. That’s when it happened. There, in a split second, as I gazed at her smiling, her face appeared to change for a moment. It was as though something fearful and horrible had revealed itself suddenly before vanishing.

  It was so shocking, I nearly swooned.

  “What’s wrong, Miss Baines? Do you need to sit?”

  I did clearly and was grateful when they showed me to my room.

  “Thank you.”

  I think they wanted me to tell them how I liked the room so I did. Actually, it was nice. It wasn’t large by any means but it was cozy and nicely decorated. There were small framed drawings of various landscapes and also one or two still lifes.

  The bed’s curtains matched the bedspread and window curtains. The fabric was fine gold brocade, very elegant, and the ornaments on the mantelpiece were very pretty. Bone china—possibly one or two Wedgewood pieces.

  “It is an elegant room, I shall stay here forever!”

  Ada clapped her hands. “Do you hear, Simon? We shall have Miss here until the end of time!”

  Simon smiled brightly. “And even after that!” he announced.

  “Will you, Miss Baines? Will you stay here forever… please?”

  I was so overcome with emotion that I nearly cried. “I promise!” I said. “Now then what would you care to show me next?”

  Chapter 14

  It was Ada’s idea to show me the garden. “Please Miss Baines, you’ve seen your room and the nursery. Now you must see the garden. Mama’s roses are divine, although they are not yet out!”

  She was prancing happily in front, turning her head every so often to tell me something about the garden.

  Simon walked by my side. He was smiling too, but in a far more reserved manner, as if he didn’t approve of his sister’s immature behavior. I, on the other hand, thought it charming.

  And while she chatted happily, I discounted what I thought I had seen earlier as being caused by nerves. Nerves can do that. Besides, I reasoned I was tired from my trip and felt certain I had imagined the whole thing. These were
lovely children and I was delighted to be their governess.

  As we reached the foot of the stairs, I noticed a young woman, near my own age I thought, who had just come from the kitchen. She glanced at me and then at the children. Simon introduced me.

  “Dora, this is the new governess!”

  Dora looked a little shy. “How do you do?”

  “Isn’t she nice, Dora? We are lucky!”

  She smiled again and dashed off after telling us she had to change into her uniform.

  Ada took my hand. “She’s ever so nice but a bit timid. We do try to be understanding.”

  I nearly laughed to hear her express herself in such a manner, but I kept my composure.

  We discovered Dr. Bannion in the hall. “I am going to leave, Rose. I am meeting Mr. Darton later. But I see I leave you in good hands.”

  “Yes, sir. The children are showing me the garden.”

  He waved as we made our way toward the French doors. With the sunlight streaming in I quite thought I might be the happiest person in the world.

  “I do believe it is warmer!” Ada made her pronouncement with a mature sort of nod. “Isn’t that nice, Miss Baines?”

  “Quite nice.”

  She flung open the doors. “The garden!” she exclaimed. “Is it not beautiful?”

  I stood for a moment to take it all in for it was lovely with its winding gravel walks and beautiful flowers. The splashes of color I had seen before I now realized now were yellow daffodils and blue crocuses, just starting to bloom. I breathed in the sweet heady scents, mixed but so pleasing.

  “Roses in summer and sweet peas and the hydrangeas—oh Miss, isn’t it wonderful?”

  “It is quite the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.”

  “There’s a wonderful statue just ahead. It’s my favorite part of the garden.” Ada said. “See, there it is!”

  We paused before a lovely stone cherub. “I’ve never seen anything as nice!”

  It was a beautiful thing, like a small winged boy sitting atop a short column.

  “Look! He has a bird on his arm, you see?” Ada cried, pointing to it.

  I hadn’t noticed the little stone bird at first. “It looks so real!”

  Simon reached out to touch it. “It flies sometimes—the bird and the cherub.” He looked proud when he said that but Ada got angry. “No, it doesn’t, Simon. You are a wicked boy to say such things! Whatever will Miss think? Do you want to scare her away?”