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

edge of a moor, Miss Baines, Blackstone Moor. It is quite desolate I’m afraid. But it’s quiet and sometimes quietude is comforting.” He gazed deeply into my eyes. “But would that suit, do you think? We are rather cut off.”
    “Yes it would, I’m sure.” I replied as I recalled Marsh and its iron gates.
    Mrs. Darton looked pleased. “That is good. And it isn’t so far that you can’t walk to town, the town being Egton. And you’ll find the children are lovely and bright, won’t she, Louis?”
    Mr. Darton nodded. “They are charming children. So you agree, Miss Baines?”
    “Oh yes, sir!” I replied. “I am quite willing.”
    Dr. Bannion spoke up then: “Well, Miss Baines will be staying at my house, for a bit. Just to get used to the world again. And that, I should think, will leave you time to do any renovations.”
    “So shall we say a month, then?”
    Mrs. Darton answered. “One month from today, exactly. That is wonderful!”
    “Well!” Dr. Bannion smiled. “Then it is settled.”
    “Yes, it is!” Mrs. Darton replied. “It has all come to a most satisfying conclusion. Now, before I forget.”
    I was amazed to see her reaching into her purse. “Dr. Bannion, perhaps you will put this in a safe place and permit Miss Baines to buy some clothes and shoes and things with it.” Mrs. Darton nodded as she handed him some money.
    I was overwhelmed. “I shall pay that back…”
    “No need, my dear. I am happy to do it. I am so delighted you have accepted the position, you will be so happy there I am sure!”
    *
    Dr. Bannion spoke to me at length in the carriage. “That was a surprise. But truly I think you are best suited to work as a governess. The Club is pleasant enough—but I think you would like the children and they you, Rose.”
    I felt so excited at the prospect, particularly relieved I didn’t have to go back to Marsh to wait in the interim.
    “It won’t be far to Clegton.”
    “Clegton, sir?”
    “That is where I live . I t isn’t far from Marsh.”
    I bit my lip at the mention of that dreadful place. Would I ever erase those desolate hallways, the personal tragedies that filled them, the horror and the cruelty from my mind?
    Dr. Bannion looked startled. “Are you alright, Rose? You must forget about Marsh now and think of other things.”
    It was true and I smiled. “The clothes sir, that was so kind of Mrs. Darton.”
    “Yes it was, rather. She is an elegant lady and is quite taken with you, my dear. I shall send Mrs. Mott to assist you when you go to the dressmaker’s; she’s my housekeeper and a very able lady. You will like her, I’m sure.”
    I felt excited and happy. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt that way. Surely my life was turning full circle.
    Suddenly, Dr. Bannion cried out, “Clegton, Rose, take a look!”
    It could have been a million miles from Marsh. I realized that as soon as the carriage crossed over a bridge.
    “There are swans and ducks there. Perhaps you will see them before you leave. My house isn’t far from here.”
    It was a lovely village, and stone-fronted shops lined both sides of the high street—there were book shops and food shops, as well as a dress and hat shop.
    “Yes, we have all the shops here that you could need.”
    At last , we turned onto a drive. “I live just at the end,” Dr. Bannion said before tapping the roof for the driver’s attention. “He’s new or he should know where I live.”
    I felt so happy, so full of expectation, I nearly cried.
    And then the carriage stopped and we were there.
    “There it is, home.”
    I looked to see a three-story stone house, not large, but modest, fronted by a lovely garden.
    “It’s beautiful,” I gushed.
    Dr. Bannion smiled and got out first. As he turned to help me out, the front door opened and a woman appeared. She was smiling but when she saw me alight, the smile vanished. Dr. Bannion turned to her. “Mrs. Mott, this young lady is staying with us for a short