The House on Blackstone Moor (The Blackstone Vampires) by Carole Gill

family. I understood I was to work here…”
    She took my hands and clasped them in hers. “But I do not think you belong here. It is,” she made a sweeping gesture, “not for you.”
    “It isn’t?”
    “No, it is not. I shall speak to my husband, but in most matters he does agree with me. I can be persuasive.” I smiled for she had a way about her that made a person smile. “Ah, it is good that you smile. Permit me n ow to tell you of my children…”
    A strange thing happened then. She was smiling one minute and the next she looked sorrowful.
    “Are you alright, Mrs. Darton?”
    Her eyes still looked sad, as if a veil had come over them. Then suddenly, the veil lifted, replaced by a strange harsh glow. It reminded me of something from my childhood. Once, before my father’s illness, I had seen prisoners being transported. Father told me they were bad men and were being taken to Newgate. One of them caught my eye and smiled. And although he smiled, he had about his face such a look of hatred as I have never seen. Now I saw it again and from such an unlikely source.
    I think Mrs. Darton was aware of my staring and smiled. “I have my own sad memories you see.”
    I wanted to ask her about it, but I knew it was not my place to. Instead I asked her, “So tell me about your children, then. Please.”
    “Yes! Oh, they are good children. Ada and Simon. Ada is—”
    The same thing nearly happened again, but this time she shook it off and continued. “Ada is ten and Simon is twelve. They really are good children, kind and considerate. You will like them…”
    “I’m sure I will. Is Simon leaving for school , though?”
    “No,” she replied, looking grave. “He will be taught at home as his sister is. They have had tutors, you see. But now I think they might also have you to be their governess.”
    I was just about to reply when the door opened and Mr. Darton invited us inside.
    *
    I detected an air of tension in the room for I had a sense that something important had been discussed and was still troubling each of them, though they smiled politely.
    I am no seer but I can sometimes see beyond what is in front of me. I thought Dr. Bannion particularly unsettled.  But that was before I noticed Mr. Darton looking at his wife. Or not looking so much as staring.
    I think he felt my eyes on him and he smiled.
    Just then there was a knock at the door and our tea was brought in.
    As the tea was handed out, I thought I detected a rather unpleasant scent from somewhere, especially from the tea itself. Mr. Darton appeared to be studying me.
    “It’s a special brew,” he said. “Special herbs. Quite beneficial.” I smiled politely as he went on, “Of course it is an acquired taste and my wife and I are the ones who will drink it now. We should not burden you with our own eccentricities.”
    “Quite right,” Mrs. Darton replied, as she daintily stirred hers. Then, glancing at her husband, she added, “You know Louis, I really think Miss Baines might be more suited for a position at Blackstone House, looking after the children.”
    If Mr. Darton looked mildly surprised, Dr. Bannion looked shocked. “Yes,” she went on, “I think Miss Baines would be far more suited to being governess. I quite think it is just the position for her.”
    “Whatever you say, Eve. It is your decision.”
    Mrs. Darton appear ed pleased. “Thank you.”
    This was one of those interesting moments that occur sometimes when there seems to be so much to say but it is left unsaid for whatever reason. Such was this moment between them, I thought.
    Mr. Darton nodded toward me. “Well, how nice. Of course there is some renovation we are doing—has my wife told you about our home, Miss Baines?”
    “Not yet , sir, only to mention its name.”
    “Yes,” he smiled. “Blackstone House. We have a house in town here too, but we shall be living solely at Blackstone now.” He glanced over at Dr. Bannion and then again at me.  “It is on the