“I do not believe in ghosts. However, I’m uncomfortable with the idea of bodies buried on the land that I live on,” said Sophia. She gave a nervous laugh.
“Mrs. Stirling,” said Mary, looking hard at Sophia. “I do not believe that you will be able to move them. If you don’t mind, I have work to do.”
“Thank you for telling me about your sad, gruesome tale. I think I will go for a walk in the sunshine now.”
Sophia had to get some air. It was all too oppressive.
Why did I ask about the portrait again?
Chapter Five
Dr Vincent Stirling was respected in Derbyshire. He might not maintain the family estate, also known as Stirling Mansion, as they might have expected, but the townsfolk needed a doctor and he was all that they had.
Vincent’s father, Dr George Stirling had moved his small family into the vast property when he took Lady Victoria as his wife. She soon bore him a son, whom he felt no great affinity for. As a result of his skills, and services to those in high places, he soon became Sir George Stirling and lived a life some luxury. His reputation was of the highest, and he was intent on maintaining it. But his wandering eye often betrayed him. His wife was often cold and he did not understand that it was not for lack of love, but was due to her fear of his verbal crudeness, and his general forcefulness.
He paid adequate attention to their budding little toddler and Victoria was grateful for this, at least. She had a distaste for his affairs, which he failed to hide from her, and she was not content with being alone. She had a place in society, even though many considered that she had married beneath her, and she knew that many ladies suffered as she did, and simply accepted it as normal, but she was different. She wanted real love and desired no pity for her plight. She had found someone to love - her beautiful baby boy, Vincent.
The household staff loved Victoria and her baby boy, but they feared Sir George Stirling. He was a stern dictator and nothing could please him.
Lady Victoria, unlike her husband, was even tempered and developed close relationships with the servants. They remained at Stirling Mansion because of the kindness of Victoria. Most of all, they could not resist the sweet laughter of little Master Vincent. He was beginning to walk when his nurse, Sarah, moved away with her new husband. She informed Lady Victoria of a fine replacement, and Victoria was pleased to accept the suggestion.
However, when Victoria saw how beautiful Miss Ella was, she was wrapped in worry. She did not want the young lady to fall victim to her husband’s philandering ways, but she respected Sarah’s judgement and acceded to the request for employment for Miss Ella.
~~~~~
Vincent Stirling always pondered the story he had heard from Eugenia as he grew older. He contrasted it with the crass remarks that his father always made about things. As a result, he was torn. Find true love and be happy, or be happy and love whoever you find for the moment.
Dr Vincent Stirling had, for some time now, made his rounds to patients during the day and to his mistresses during the night. They were never serious affairs. They were a way to pass the time. He loved nuzzling up with the female bodies. He was aware that his obsession for touch went back to the time when he had lost his mother. She had always held him, been a warm comforting presence. That is what he had missed most of all after she had died.
In a way, shameful as it was, that was his motivation for going into the medical profession. He had known that it would frequently give him full access to touch the female body. He had found that he actually cared for his patients – that what had begun for tawdry reasons became a true obsession with healing. Yet, if the situation presented itself, he would still touch his female patients inappropriately, as they lay in their sick bed,s and have his way with their feverish bodies if they seemed willing. Contact which began in such a way had often turned into an ongoing affair of mutual pleasure. He was rather ashamed of it, yet, somehow, he could not change his way of life.
He had many women at his disposal – the widows of the district were not immune to the appeal of the handsome young doctor. His new wife, Sophia, was unaware of his pursuits. She was from a township far from Derbyshire.
Sophia was a lovely 21-year-old and very well polished for her station. She had a flattering, well-trimmed figure, which he could not help but notice, the more he saw her, daily, in Stirling Mansion.
What had he been thinking, to marry her, as her father had suggested? How would this pretty young lady live in his dilapidated mansion? Vincent knew the type of husband that Sophia deserved. He did not fit the mould. Perhaps it would be better if he did not pay her any attention – which should be relatively easy, as he was hardly ever at home. He could lose himself in the dark estate for the small amount of time that he was there. It was the most that he could hope for. But, word had spread of his beautiful bride, and he was reminded of her presence, even when he was not at home, by things like the comments of a family member of a young patient.
“How is your lovely new bride enjoying life in Derbyshire?” asked Mr. Woodland.
“I will be certain to make a full inquiry upon my return home for you.”
“Yes, do let me know,” he said. He let out a chuckle.
Dr Vincent Stirling revealed a slight grin, unsure of how else to deal with such enquiries.
~~~~~
“Sophia?”
“Sir?”
“Ah, Sophia, I’m beginning to become enthralled with how your name rolls off my tongue. I want to say it more and more.”
“Thank you... sir,” said Sophia as her cheeks blushed bright pink.
“Sir? I have informed you about that. We must become well acquainted. I am Dr Vincent Stirling, but also your husband and soon to be new lover,” he said. He licked his lips. He had failed in his intent to stay away from her.
“I am your bride, but it is quite improper for me to hear such words.” Sophia stood up from her bed. “We hardly know each other.”
“Mrs. Stirling, I must insist on being improper,” he said letting out a laugh.
Sophia looked into his dark eyes. Vincent’s overwhelming presence was filling her small bedchamber.
“I am certain that you will enjoy our time together, Sophia,” he said walking closer to her.
“I require sleep, sir. I insist that you take leave of me,” Sophia said.
“When we are finished getting more… physically acquainted, I am certain that you will sleep well,” he said, stepping closer to her.
Intensity was building between them. The first gaze into his steel dark eyes had made her feel warmer by the moment. She did not know if she could prevent herself for coming to care for him. She found that she did not, really, wish to stop him from claiming his marital rights, no matter how nervous she was.
Sophia could not resist the hardness of his arms. She was excited by how her soft slender arms looked against the thickness of his. Vincent watched her reactions, he trusted that, more than her words. He had moments like this before, and knew that a woman, with the right encouragement, would succumb to his touch, would allow her own feelings of passion to take hold.
She had to stabilise her thoughts before she fell for him.
“Why are we doing this?”
“We are doing this because we can. Because you are my wife, and this is what husbands and wives do.”
“Well, when you are alone, will you want me in your bedchamber, or will you only ever come to me here?”
He stared at her, his mind skimming the many nights that he had spent relishing the bodies of other women.
“I enjoy my time alone, in my own chamber, reminiscing and thinking.”
“I do not know you well enough to believe you, or to understand you.”
“I do not ask for your belief.”
“There is nothing lonelier than a man who can have it all but chooses otherwise. You seem utterly sad, Vincent,” she said as he held her close.
They could make a connection. It could be real. She wanted to
ease her poverty filled life away. She wanted to ease his grief filled life away – for surely, it was grief that she saw in him. She pulled his face down to hers, all thought of resistance gone, allowing their lips to find each other.
Their kisses were light, but did not remain so for long. They felt comfortable, the heat between them building. She clung to him for balance. He held her and they melted into the curves of each other’s bodies.
The coldness of the mansion was forgotten as he warmed to her soft body.
He gently released her body from his and motioned to her small bed.
“Now is the time, Sophia.”
He led the way. She knew in her heart that they had a real connection. And – this was part of being a wife – had she not resolved to make this a true and proper marriage? He needed love and she could give it. They fell into a solid embrace, kissing long and hard.
“This feels so wonderful,” Sophia whispered.
She ran her fingers through his thick black hair. Their bodies hard against each other.
“I can’t wait any longer – these weeks have been torture. I need you, my beautiful wife,” he said as they tumbled onto her bed.
She gave him a tantalising smile, much to her surprise.
Chapter Six
Feeling happy about her night with Vincent, Sophia decided to take a walk after he left for his day. She walked out of her room and heard a door slam, with a loud bang, many doors down the long dark hall.
She heard a man laugh. It was boisterous and was far down the hall from her. She jumped, not expecting to hear a man’s voice after Vincent had left. She thought that maybe he had returned, after forgetting something. She decided to walk toward the laughing, blushing a little, hoping perhaps for a kiss from her husband.
The darkness of the hallway caused her to reach for a candle and light it, but it flickered out.
“There is no wind in here,” whispered Sophia.
The hallway was dimly lit and the laughing had stopped. The light of a small window further away allowed a sliver of sunlight to enter. Sophia focused on the welcome light, but was wary of imaginary ghostly shadows cast on the walls.
“Vincent, have you returned?” Sophia asked, her voice sounding small in the long hallway.
A high-pitched wail came from behind Sophia. Then she heard banging on the wall. She turned, running for her room. As she passed the staircase, she glimpsed Eugenia on the staircase bending over and holding her foot.
“Eugenia?” Sophia asked going to her.
“I caught my foot on the step,” Eugenia replied, rubbing her toes. “I should be used to the dimness by now.”
“Are you going to see Vincent?” asked Sophia.
“Why would you ask me that?” She looked at Sophia with wide eyes. “He left to see patients.”
“Impossible. I heard him laughing, just now, down the hall,” said Sophia.
“Your Dr Stirling?”
“Yes, who else would I be referring to?” asked Sophia. She laughed nervously.
“Well, have you forgotten about Sir Stirling? Did Mary not tell you the full history?” Sophia’s hand began to tremble as she held onto the railing. Nobody had told her about him. She had assumed that Vincent’s father was dead. Was he? Did he haunt the mansion? Or was he living here too?
“You’re not scared of our Sir Stirling, are you?”
“If I was scared, would I be walking the halls in the darkness?” asked Sophia.
“Perhaps. You are still sleeping alone, correct?” asked Eugenia. She spoke with a tone of accusation. Sophia shrugged her shoulders, refusing to answer the prying question.
“I will allow you to pursue your chores.”
Eugenia gave a deep sigh. “Be mindful of the dark, Mrs Stirling. You may step where you are not wanted.” Sophia did not reply and walked back to her room. “Mary has your breakfast ready. Best to eat it before it goes cold,” called Eugenia from the bottom of the staircase. “Unless you are too afraid to leave your room now.”
“I am not afraid and I will be down shortly,” replied Sophia.
“Yes, you are afraid,” Eugenia said, to herself.
Chapter Seven
Sophia loved being able to lounge in the mansion with Vincent at her side during the night. He was spending more time with her. She enjoyed her conversations with Mary. She had someone to prepare healthy meals for her and to make sure she was well fed. After all, she was now the wife of a doctor.
It was mid-afternoon, and Sophia was restless. She did not like the darkness of this mansion. She longed to liven it up and bring light to it. She decided to go down to the kitchen to speak with Mary about it. As she approached the area, she saw a dim light coming from Eugenia’s room. We need to become friends.
“I would like to get your opinion. Are you free?” said Sophia in a loud voice. As Sophia was about to turn into the room, it went dark.
“Are you sleeping now?” asked Sophia in a soft voice.
She received no reply. She looked into the dark room, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness. The room appeared to be empty.
“Eugenia?”
“Maybe, the candle just died out,” Sophia said to herself.
Perhaps Eugenia had gone out through another door – was there one? She didn’t know. Perhaps, if she looked from the outside of the house, she would see if there was another way out from this side.
She left the room and went out of the doors onto the terrace. There was no one in sight. As she went towards the corner, intending to go around to the side of the house, she realised that she was standing where she had seen that shadowy figure, once before. She stopped and peered around the corner. She tried to focus her eyes in the darkness of the mansion’s dark shadow, after the brighter light on the terrace. Had she heard a sound?
Sophia listened for footsteps, but only heard the sound of her own breathing.
Sir Stirling?
She kept close to the mansion as she tiptoed around to the back. Unexpectedly, Sophia felt a bump on her shoulder. She jumped. She turned, but she was alone. Her skin began to twitch. Sophia looked at the ground to see if something had fallen onto her from the roof. There was nothing.
~~~~~
Mary was nudging Sophia to wake up. She had a glass of orange juice.
“I have been sleeping so well now,” said Sophia, smiling as she thought about her passion filled nights with Vincent.
“That is good for you, Mrs. Stirling,” said Mary as she placed the glass in Sophia’s hand. “You missed breakfast and I didn’t want you to sleep through lunch too.”
She sipped the orange juice.
“I keep hearing or seeing things during the day around here though.”
“What things?” asked Mary, raising her eyebrows.
“Sounds – as if someone is walking around the corner from me, or lights - where there should be none.”
Sophia gave Mary a quizzical look.
“Eugenia told me that Sir Stirling lives here. Your father, maybe it is him. I have yet to make his acquaintance. Which seems most odd to me, if he lives in the house.”
“I cannot speak of it. You have not asked your husband about him?”
“I cannot find the right moment to bring it up with him,” said Sophia as she sat up in the bed.
“Well, if he is here, I do not cook for him,” whispered Mary. “I have heard of strange things going on here, but they are all rubbish. When I am here, I have had no issues and I certainly have not seen my father. I have no relationship with him – I never have had.”
“I do not understand how you do not know your father. I adore my father and miss him dearly. Vincent and Eugenia have not talked to you about him?” asked Sophia.
“You are blessed to have had a loving father and mother. I have not been so fortunate. This mansion swallows love whole and spits out darkness. Why do you think the doctor keeps it like this?”
Sophia shook her head. “I cannot bring myself to ask him. The subject sadde
ns me for him.”
“He is grieving his mother and so am I for mine, even after all these years, but we each handle it differently.”
“You both are grieving your father too, I believe. Is he here?”
“If he is here, he must not want anything to do with me,” said Mary, wiping a lone tear from her cheek.
“There is too much sadness. I know, we will go to find him, that is simple enough,” said Sophia rising from the bed. “We will do this for you and for Vincent.”
“Mrs. Stirling, I do not want you to trouble yourself with this,” she patted Sophia on the shoulder.
“No, I want you to meet him. I want to meet him, if he is here. We have to lift the dark cloud from this estate,” she said. Mary looked at Sophia with a look of concern.
“I will go with you. Where do we start?”
“I do not want to simply barge into his room. We need an excuse. Let’s make it look as we are bringing him orange juice.”
“I will follow your lead, Mrs. Stirling,” replied Mary. As Sophia and Mary crossed the staircase to make their way down the hall, they met Eugenia.
“Where are you two going?” she asked, with a look of disdain.
“I am taking Mary to see her father,” said Sophia, smiling.
“Her father?” Eugenia asked in a high-pitched voice.
“Yes, and you are wrong. I am not afraid.”
“I would be afraid of your husband’s anger, for being as nosey as you are.”
“Why?” asked Sophia. She almost had tears in her eyes.
“You will run off your husband with your probing,” said Eugenia. She turned her nose up at Sophia.
“Aaah, Mrs. Stirling, please, let be, I will leave the issue alone,” said Mary patting Sophia on the back. “I belong in the kitchen, now.” Sophia watched Mary walk down the staircase as she fought back tears.
“Keep your nose out of your husband’s personal affairs,” hissed Eugenia. “You should be thankful for having a good doctor as a husband, grateful for what you have here, instead of looking in dark places, poking your nose into things that are none of your affair.”
Love in the Moonlight: A Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Collection: 7 Delightful Regency Romance All Hallows' Eve Stories (Regency Collections Book 6) Page 50
