The House on Blackstone Moor (The Blackstone Vampires) (12 page)

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 smi
led 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?”

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 st
r
eaming 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?”

Simon looked chastised. “I am sorry.”

I gently admonished him. “You have an excellent imagination, Simon but I am certain such things do not come alive.”

He didn’t say anything. Ada spoke for him. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I love this statue. I always have.”

Simon smirked. “You didn’t always like it when it flew Ada, don’t you remember?”

Ada’s lower lip trembled and she looked like she was about to cry. I felt awful. “Ada please, Simon didn’t mean to upset you!”

I thought I was making peace but there was something going on that I didn’t understand. Simon, I was beginning to understand, had this way of getting at Ada by saying strange things that were upsetting to her.

I was so new; I thought I’d better mind what I said and tread carefully, but happily the moment passed and Ada was staring at the moors. “What do you think of the views, Miss Baines? Your room faces them, you know.”

“Yes, I know,” I said as I gazed at them. They were certainly dramatic looking with their rocky mounts and rough terrain. Not my absolute favorite sight but I did want to say something positive. “I think it’s remarkable.”

“You should see it in July when the heather blooms. It looks like a carpet of purple, and it’s just gorgeous.”

“I imagine it is. I shall look forward to that.” I continued to look and found it really was beautiful. Sheep dotted the land from distant farms, most of which I could barely make out.

“Do you know any of the farmers… I mean do your parents?”

Ada shook her head. “No, but there are two ladies who live at the Grange, that’s on the other side of Egton. We like to go there sometimes. They love us!”“Do they, indeed, how nice!”

Simon nodded. “You can walk to town across the moors, you know. Ada and I will show you, Miss Baines. It just can be very dangerous though. There is quicksand and it is quite impossible sometimes to tell where it is.” I think I must have looked horrified because Simon added, “Yes, it is dangerous like most things if you don’t know what to do.”

“I shall be very careful!”

“Ada and I pick heather there, just as we do Mama’s herbs.”

Ada shot Simon a look. Then she looked at me and smiled. “Mama has a wonderful herb garden. She makes poultices and things. She’s quite brilliant really.”

“Can you show me?”

Ada took my hand. “It’s over there, under the oaks, near Papa’s greenhouse.”

“Oh, how nice, a greenhouse.”

“Oh yes, Ada replied. “Papa is very clever and that is why he can grow anything all year round. Some of the plants though are irritating to the skin.”

“Are they indeed?”

Ada nodded. “There are special gloves you must wear if you should ever—”

“Be foolish enough to want to touch the herbs.” Simon interjected, adding, “Of course the sap is worse!”

Ada whirled around when he said that. She didn’t say anything, only glowered at him.

Just then someone called out. I barely heard it but the children knew at once. “It’s Mrs. Sternwood.” Ada said. “She probably wants to tell you something.”

There she was, old sour puss herself. I made certain to smile pleasantly as I turned toward her and hoped for a miracle. “Yes, Mrs. Sternwood?”

“Dinner will be at seven, Miss Baines.”

I thanked her. As soon as she walked away Ada tugged at my skirts. “Miss, I have the most wonderful idea! Simon and I should like to show you something on the moors, something we haven’t yet told you about!”

I tried to beg off but it was no good. “Please, Miss. It will be light for some time yet.”

“Very well,
”
I said.
“
We shall go after dinner.”

*

The children and I dined alone. Mrs. Darton and Dr. Bannion had both left to go to Manchester
. T
hey were meeting Mr. Darton to settle some business.

We were served rabbit stew, though they only picked at theirs, much preferring a meat pudding which Molly served, quite a nice pudding if a bit rich. I understood it was their favorite. “Well you shall eat it then, by all means. The rabbit is fine with me,” I said.

Molly smiled. She seemed friendlier. The children told me she and her husband took their meals at the oddest time.

Unfortunately, that was not the case with Mrs. Sternwood for she eventually joined us.

What a dour looking woman. I did try to be pleasant to her but it was hopeless. Whatever I said was answered with one or two words.

The worst thing was her studying me and looking away the moment I looked up.

We had apple crumble for dessert which the children and I liked. The strangest thing was the tea. “It is not to everyone’s liking,” Mrs. Sternwood said. “Some say it is an acquired taste. But we drink it. Perhaps you might like to try it.”

I did, and nearly spat it out. It was foul.

Mrs. Sternwood smiled. “Yes, it is what they call a natural remedy for various complaints.”

Ada nodded. “It makes us feel better!”

I was surprised at how sharply Mrs. Sternwood looked at her then, as if she didn’t approve of what she said.

I was pleased she had at least spoken to me although she didn’t speak after nor did she have anything to say when I told her the children and I were going out for a stroll.

*

The air was still and somewhat warm. Low clouds hugged the horizon. There was thunder too from somewhere far away. I would have preferred to see the moors in the sunshine, for the moody atmosphere made it look grimly forbidding. Yet I didn’t wish to spoil the children’s fun.

“When you walk to town, go along through there—you see at the bottom of that cliff, there’s an old footpath there—too, you can’t miss it.”

I made a mental note of it, although I didn’t know when I might go.

The children both held onto me. “Mind your step.”

I listened, as they had already frightened me as to the moor’s dangerous conditions.

“And the weather changes so quickly, too.” Simon’s voice was grave. “Sometimes an entire herd of sheep have been known to perish!”

Ada shook her head. “Not so many as that, Simon; don’t be such a liar!”

Simon looked angry. “It’s true, I know it is so.”

“Well,” I said. “Whether it is or isn’t, I’m certain I shall be very careful where I tread.”