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

housekeeper. Anything that developed after that was their business and no one else’s.
    *
    If she had been pleasant and chatty, everything changed by evening for Dr. Bannion hadn’t come home for dinner.
    “He can have it later when he gets here.”
    I had eaten some but she hadn’t touched hers, she looked far too distraught.  “I wonder what’s keeping him?” she asked as she wrung her hands.
    “Perhaps he is just late in leaving, Mrs. Mott.”
    She shook her head and gave me a tremulous smile, but she didn’t reply.
    The tension was awful as the hours wore on—finally her mood began to affect my own.
    It got so bad that by half nine , I stood up to say I had to turn in for I could not stand the long silences any longer.
    She nodded toward me and mumbled a good night.
    “Yes, good night then, Mrs. Mott , ” I answered.
    I left her sitting in the parlor.
    I was nearly asleep when I heard a carriage drive up. It was his. I hurried to the window to see him step down.
    The sound of the front door reached me, as well as some conversation I could not make out, even though I am ashamed to say I did try.
    The exchange ended with the sound of Mrs. Mott’s voice—high pitched and accusatory.
    For a few moments there was no reply.
    I did sincerely hope they wouldn’t argue, but they did and for some minutes. Then there was the sound of footsteps past my door. Finally, I heard a door slam and I sighed.
    But then I heard soft talking and giggling, too.
    “He has apologized , ” I whispered out loud. “Good, I am glad.”
    And I was too, but I was thoughtful.  I was up for quite a while thinking. I was wondering, you see, for I had no other example to measure it against, if most men troubled their women.
    Why would Dr. Bannion stay out late if he knew it upset her?
    It could have been innocent, just some work he had to see to.
    I honestly thought that was the case.
    On the other hand, Alice Mott wouldn’t have been so glum without reason to be suspicious, would she? Perhaps he had used up his excuses and was no longer believed.
    It must have upset me far more than I realized for I had the most awful nightmares after it.

Chapter 10
    I woke up to find Dr. Bannion standing in my room, looking at me . “You screamed, Rose. You were having a nightmare, nothing to worry about. It happens; it is to be expected really in cases such as yours.”
    Cases such as mine. I was a case and would be for an indeterminate time.
    “I am sorry for disturbing you.”
    Mrs. Mott suddenly appeared, both of them now standing in their dressing gowns. “Would you care for something, tea perhaps?”
    She glanced at me and Dr. Bannion, too. She looked pleased when he nodded.
    “That’s a good idea, Mrs. Mott, but before you do that just bring me my bag.”
    Actually I was pleased ; only a pinch and then relief. I was tired of suffering.
    “Don’t worry, Rose. It takes time. You’ve been through so much.”
    “Yes, but…” I began to cry. “I honestly don’t think I will ever be well… you see I was happy with the new clothes and so looking forward to things…”
    My eyelids felt so heavy.
    “Yes, that’s right. Close your eyes.”
    I nearly smiled for I had come to like the feeling the medicine gave me. It was like warm honey flowing through my body. Calming and soothing me, bringing peace to troubled nerves, and comfort to a troubled heart.
    He wouldn’t always be close by to help me. Indeed I wondered how I would manage without him. I’d be on my own, in just a few weeks with two charges to care for. That was a lot of responsibility. Perhaps I wasn’t ready, and perhaps I’d never be ready.
    Maybe Dr. Bannion was wrong. I wasn’t right yet to leave.
    One morose thought began to replace another, but before I could voice any of my worries, I heard Mrs. Mott ask if she should leave the tea, to which Dr. Bannion replied that she should.
    I did say thank you, just before I fell asleep.
    I heard the door close softly and I