The Darker Side to Dr Carter

By S. J. Groves

A dark tale of hidden betrayal, lies and secrets,
A man determined to keep his darker interests out of sight. No matter the cost, that ends with terrible consequences as this demon of man shows himself, as the darkness of this evil deep inside comes forth to those closest to him, like his dearly beloved wife Helena and daughter Anna and those who dare cross this devil of a man!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496975355

S. J. Groves

S.J.Groves was born 1974 in Bristol and lived with parents who were in fact her grandparents that already had another two children apart from her real mum but adopted her when she was very young as her real mum too young to be a single mum. She never knew her real dad as he left before she was born. S.J's biological mum went onto have one more child. S.J moved away with her mum as her parents spilt up when she was 10. Life was tough bullied in and out of school throughout her childhood and teenage years which left its scars along with other complex issues as well as some painful and frightening events. S.J after school had various jobs and travelled a little until she was ready to settle down, stop running from herself and her demons of her past. She in the end married when she was 23, her only love that she had meet at 16 and had two boys by the time she was 30, while she was a full time mum she did do several things like a charity catwalk, modelled for a photography club and also two home college courses to improve her skills and in part prove to herself and the bullies at school she could do something with her life, trying to not let the past rule the present or future. These three books were a mission of hers since the age of 16 but never the right time or strong enough to deal with the huge task in hand and what it could mean to her in terms her future. She knew it would be the biggest challenge mentally but a worth while journey and could help others that has faced maybe some of what the story's cover either the family or the strange but true story based on a real family and the trails and tribulations they face.

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© 2014 S. J. Groves. All rights reserved.

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Published by AuthorHouse 03/27/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7533-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7535-5 (e)

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Chapter 58

Chapter 59

Chapter 60

Chapter 61

Chapter 62

About the Author

Introduction

This is a prequel to the first book ‘The ghost of Anna’. In this story, it explores the ghosts of Anna and Anna’s father Mr Edward Carter, a hypothetical life from the beginning. It includes the lives of Anna’s mother Helena and her two dear friends Elizabeth, Charles and their daughter Sara. A story of the life what Edward, his daughter’s and his wife could have been like, using Sarah one of the main characters from the first and third book, her strange frightening experiences and strong feelings, as background information, to help build up a theoretical story of what could of happened, to Anna and her mother. This starts from when Edward met Anna’s mother, before she was born. In this book there is also research done on the surrounding area the book is based on, to get an idea of what life could have been like around 1860’s to around 1880’s in and around Bristol.

Dr Edward Carter was an ambitious and influential young, city doctor, in London in the Victorian period around 1860’s. Edward moved to a smaller town of Bristol, in the village of Fishponds, just on the outskirts of this town, to be a local doctor. He was on one hand a charming, charismatic and well-liked doctor but on the other hand, underneath there was a sinister side, that no one was aware of, that was intense and controlling in every way but done in a very, scuttle and devious manor. Edward to complete his high status in his image, he wanted a dutiful wife and a son, to help bring him more wealth and to be on the surface the prefect respectable family man! With his fame and fortune, as an exceptional physician with his perfect family, this was a perfect cover story! Perfection was everything to him. This is where things go wrong and the sinister side starts, to show itself with terrible consequences to his wife Helena and their daughter Anna, also Anna’s best friend Sara!

Chapter 1

Mr Edward Carter was ambitious and keen young 19 year old, nearly 20, Victorian doctor around 1860’s. He was tall slender, dark hair as black as night and a little bit of a goatee beard, very handsome, dashing and charismatic well groomed man with his alluring piercing, intense dark green eyes. He was a popular man with his personality and his work ethic, ‘work hard play hard’ was his slogan. Edward had a placement in a hospital in the big city of London where his father worked, fresh out of one of the top University, studying medicine, a rising star with his peers, also looked up to with the success of his father and his father’s family.

London was the city that Edward was born in, where his father and mother lived, where Richard and Lillian’s parents were born and raised. Edward’s father Richard was well thought of and a brilliant physician in the city, a top consultant and surgeon as well, he was kind, charismatic and a charming wit to his personality. Edward had big shoes to fill, from a young age with his father’s reputation of a respected Gentleman and successful physician. His father was Dr Richard Carter and his mother was charming Mrs Lillian Carter.

Edward’s father Richard was one of four children, his older brother was Harvey, his younger brother was Spencer and the youngest of these children was Ivy, their mother was Kathleen and father Fredrick. The males of family including Edward had studied in Oxford University to be doctors, studying medicine and Edward studied about how the mind works too, he was interested in people, why we do the things we do and how to read people, he became a very clever and knowledgeable young person very quickly.

Edward’s mother Lillian was also one of four children, her brother John was the eldest. Lillian’s younger sisters were twins Emma and Martha. Lillian parents were Howard and Olivia Trent. Lillian’s father worked in the financial sector within the city hospital of London, balancing the books so to speak and the family were wealthy like Richard’s family. The children of both the Trent family and the Carter family when they grew up married high-class people, their own kind as it were. They all had children and were very successful in all they did, luck and education they had seemed to fair them well. Richard and Lillian still saw their families a lot when they were married, as the families were close. Marriage was another way of showing your success and children to continue the bloodline and your legacy. It was THE Victorian way, marriage was an honourable and respected institution, children were symbols of this and the more children you had the better. Children born out of wedlock were scandalous and shameful, unacceptable in high society.

This family were very high class, as were indeed Richard and Lillian’s parents. Richard’s father was also a doctor. Edward was born in 1840 he was due around end of October and was born actually the day after Halloween early hours of the morning the 1st of November in his family home, Lillian had gone into Labour late at night on Halloween itself. Their house was a Victorian spacious town house. It had three floors with all the latest and finest furniture and art with stunning décor from that period. They had staff to take care and run the family home, which they would attend to Mr & Mrs Carter and their young son’s every wish, Edward had staff to do everything for him from a young age. He had his own Maid and nanny who was his private tutor too until, he reached the age that he was able to go to college, then onto University to study medicine as a doctor, like his father. Edward was to be Richard and Lillian only child due to fertility problems. They did have one more child after Edward named Dana. However, she tragically died at the tender age of 5 year with ammonia, which of course brought them sadness for a time at least they still had their son alive and well, their son would continue the family name and legacy. They would never forget their daughter Dana however, over time the pain of losing a child would get easier. The Carter family were the typical high class, Victorian family with the morals to match, their was a lot of pressure put on this young boys shoulders from a very early age being their one and only child as they lost their daughter and he was a son, everything he did would reflect on the family name. Edward had to behave in a certain way at all times, a Gentleman even as a child.

Edward also had other interests! That no one knew about. From the age of 15, there was a much darker side, to this young man. Not even his parents knew the dark thoughts from within their son, thinking how sweet, innocent and wholesome he was. Edward’s father was a well-respected doctor, very strict and education for a young man was everything! His father showed affection to his son but restricted. As a father and the man of the house as a high class Victorian Gentleman, you were required to behave in a certain manor. This was hard on a young boy’s childhood, that he did not get his father’s attention and when he craved it, the most while he was growing up but Edward still very much looked up to his father in every way. He very much wished to aspire to be like his father as a young man with the same success and lifestyle, that he could create for him self.

Edward’s father was very much the head of this household, as in those days and being high society the men often were. The men were the bread winners. The women in that time had a different roll to play, the mother and dutiful wife in a marriage. She would be the perfect hostess in any social occasion, above all a lady and know how to carry herself, with elegance, grace and an air of sophistication.

Lillian and Richard was childhood sweetheart and had married young with the blessing of their parents. It was a big lavish wedding, a chance for both sets of parents to show off their wealth, both sets of parents thinking that their children were a suitable match for each other. Lillian became pregnant about a year later with Edward this was wonderful news for their parents, a child to continue the bloodline and to carry on their name and to share their wealth. Although Edward would be their only child, it did not matter and he was boy. Edward did not know his grandparents that well as both sets of grandparents died, when he was very young.

Edward’s mother was devoted to the church. Lillian was very firm but a proud devoted mother and wife. However, she was very opinionated of how a fine lady or a gentlemen should, conduct herself or himself at all times and always quoting the bible at her young son, on a regular bases; This annoyed Edward about his mother, as his belief of matters of life were far greyer. Edward did not agree with the Church of England and had his own beliefs, from the age of 14 had his own ideas of religion!

Edward from the age of 15 years old was part, of a group of individuals in London growing up, that defied the Church and his mother’s beliefs in a secret fellowship. With members from all sorts of backgrounds, some were high up in society, like doctors, some from the legal system, Bankers and other high respected professions. This was something that he was a part of that was, in total secret. This fellowship was very top secret, only those involved knew.

Good and evil, life and death; another reason Edward decided to be a doctor, apart from pleasing his father and following in his father, uncle and grandfather’s footsteps. Edward would indeed be as successful, as his father was he was a hard working and highly intelligent young man. He liked the control, seeing of this fine balance of life and death first hand along with be able to read people and influence those around him with his charm and wit, he found it exhilarating to have, that power over people and power over the balance of life and death. To use it like it was a toy! Even from that age, calculating and methodical in every way. He also enjoyed the benefits of being a doctor! The way people respected him and responded around him, especially the young nurses who he flirted with and used his devilish charms on, to have his fun, along with the high-class social lifestyle that he was quickly developing for him self in short space of time.

Edward’s parents were good people but they were a little shallow at times. It was the way things were and was how they were brought up, in one sense. The rich knew that there were poor people and a lot of suffering in cities, like London, the rich and wealthy often knew of this. They did not care, although there were some people of that time that were rich that did try to help, these unfortunate souls but it was a very hard and dark period in time, for many people. The wealthy look down at people like that, as if they were dirty, disgusting and full of disease, not seeing hard ships the poor faced in their every day lives.

Edward’s parents were rich, used to the finer things in life, in every way. Edward was a custom to it and in his adult years, he would continue his outlandish lifestyle that he grew up with in his younger years. Edward would never want for anything with his father’s wealth and the wealth that was creating for him self. He did however work hard for his wealth, as although he had his father’s wealth, Edward’s father said. ‘That a Gentleman had to work hard to create his own wealth and for his stately image, to earn the respect from his peers’. His father wanted his son to carry on his success as a doctor and surgeon too, even though he did not say it much, he loved his son and was very proud of his son growing up and his achievements in college and University after which becoming a doctor like himself and his father before. Lillian loved and was proud of the young man her son was growing into; again never really saying anything to her son, talking about your feelings was not the thing to do, matters of the heart was of a private matter.

Edward was the brightest student of the hospital in the city, along with his two best friends Dr Max Taylor and Dr Karl Thomas. Dr Thomas had dark blonde hair and sky blue eyes tall and handsome young man. Dr Taylor had dark brown hair and hazel eyes again, tall and handsome man. The three of them had gone to college and university together from an early age, so they were Edward’s oldest, dearest friends and of the same class. Max and Karl’s parents knew Edward’s parents well, who were Mr Bill & Mrs Beatrice Taylor and Mr Hubert & Mrs Hilda Thomas. They were often invited to Mr & Mrs Carter’s house for dinner parties. Max and Karl’s parents were well off, their fathers were doctors, again Max and Karl wanted to follow in their fathers footsteps like Edward. Dr Karl Thomas and Dr Max Taylor also well respected as doctors. They too enjoyed the benefits of being successful doctors along with lifestyle and wealth of their parents, they too enjoyed flirting with the young nurses along with their friend. Edward’s parents thought a great deal of Edward’s friends. Edward’s friends were high class and were used to living in high society along with what high society status brings! The three young doctors became very close friends with their parent’s good friends with each other and all the males in the three families were doctors, working in the same hospital.

Chapter 2

Edward was charming and very career minded. He was an excellent doctor in this city hospital along with his friend’s but he wanted more. This was not good enough for him, with Edward’s hunger for success and his burning ambitious nature to this man, just being one of many good doctors in this hospital, did not satisfy him. He desired to be in charge, the top dog of the hospital. He knew that he would have to wait for that position in the hospital for a number of years, this was extremely frustrating to him and being the young man, he was, when he wanted something Edward did not wish to wait. He did not have the patience to wait. Edward wanted the success now! when he was offered a position as a doctor in a village of Fishponds, came up, this was his chance to be his own boss, he jumped at the chance. Edward would have his own practice and came with an 8-bedroom country lodge with a butler, cook and Maid. This would give a promising future, the chance to shine. To stand on his own and not in his father’s shadow, so he said goodbye to the city hospital, along with his city life. He left to move into a smaller city but an up and coming town, of which Edward had heard of the high reputation that this town was very much an up and coming town with wealth and promise.

Edward moved to what then, was a village in the outskirts of the town of Bristol. This was one of three villages close together, these three villages were Fishponds, Stapleton and Frenchay that had woodlands and fields dividing them, the villages were quite wealthy villages too. Edward’s parents were proud of their son taking up this challenge and had heard great things about the town and that the village where their son would be living was a wealthy village. The Great Weston Railway line that went through these villages that brought trade helped this. From the city of London to Bristol took roughly 4 hours, it was handy for Dr Carter with his parents and friends living in London. Bristol was a growing town with its port that brought in trade, from all over the world, one of the largest towns in the England in the Victorian era. Unfortunately brought in the slave trade too, a darker, not so pleasant side to Bristol’s past, many of the wealthy families were involved in this in and around the centre of Bristol.

The house that Edward was going to be living in was prefect for him, a nice sized country house, for a high respected doctor. This would also let the villagers know that he was a doctor that had been; brought up in high class with reasonable wealth, at only just 19 years old, for such a young age he had a lot of procession already, things that he could show off, to show what sort of background he came from. Status was everything for this young man! It was in which the manor of things, that he was used to, growing up. Edward would be able to show with lavish balls and dinner parties his valuables like his painting and furniture that were hand crafted and painted by the best artists and crafts men of that time, that were expensive that he had collected or been given.

This house also had a cellar, which was perfect for his other darker interests with his fellowship of men! No one had any idea, as he kept this side of his life hidden. He had kept this side of himself hidden for 5 years at the time with no one suspecting anything untoward, including his parents. The other people involved were friends from the city, not necessary close friends, that would now and again visit Dr Edward Carter or people that knew this young doctor, would also be involved in this circle, all men. The cellar was a place to hide his sinister secrets, away from prying eyes!

This little hamlet was the sort of village Edward could influence and worm his way, into the people of this village in a very scuttle and devious manor, knowing that it was a wealthy village and that they would be impress by, his status and what he had. Village life and city life, having said that were different even with the village’s wealth it was a community. This would be something that Edward would have to get used to, never the less; Edward was good at adapting himself to various circumstances. He was charismatic and wit to manipulate his situation to suit his needs and to charm his way around people.

This was a village with quite a few town houses and small dwellings, two manor houses, a few country lodges, a post office, Blacksmiths, Barber, a tailors and Ladies fashion shop. It had a butcher and a bakery, small police station, three pubs, Small school and a general store. There was a quaint parish of St Mary’s with a small community hall, next to the chapel with a few cottages and the railway line that went, through this village. In and around this village were woods, this was part of a royal forest, as it was resident to the duchess of Beaufort and her family, that lived in a manor house in that area. It was a lovely village and it was a posh area at the time. Although this was a wealthy village, it was a close-knit community. Everyone would help each other out of the kindness of their hearts. It was a genuine kindness. This was the difference between the village and city life. The villagers had a genuine desire and kindness to help one another regardless of status and being a village, everyone knew every ones business. It was also a mining village too that mined for coal another reason this village did well.

Many of the villagers were business people. The local trade, employed local people. The wealth came from those businesses, also with the status of it being royal land with royal forest and the railway that, kept the village ticking over, so even though it was a quaint village, it was perfect for this doctor, his type of people, people with wealth and status like himself, high class society. Bristol was an up and coming city in the Victorian times, with the port of Bristol and railway line that brought trade to this city with Brunnel’s influence, to this industrial age so these village’s, dotted around Bristol did well through Bristol’s growing reputation.

The school in this village, had a lovely and beautiful teacher, she was the heart of the community. Her Name was Miss Helena Matthews, those who did not know her, knew of her as she was kind and caring, nothing was too much trouble. She was sweet 18 and had been teaching since the age of 15. Helena lived with her mother Mary, who she looked after, as well as her teaching in the school. Her mother had a heart condition that needed monitoring at all times, which while Helena taught at the school, the villagers would pop round to check on her mother, Mary had many friends in the village. She was well liked and respected. Mary had to take medication on a daily bases for her condition.

Helena’s father Lawrence had died, a few years back with tuberculosis, when Helena was just 11 years old. At that point, she became her mother’s carer. While her father was alive, they were not rich but quite well off for money, as her father were chief inspector, in the local police station. Even though they were well off, the Matthews were down to earth people and believed in treating people as equals, not judged by their class or wealth. Helena’s father stood for truth and justice with a kind heart. When he died they had no money like that, her mother could not work with her heart condition. So the money that her father did leave them, did not last long. Helena had to grow up fast, to look after her mother and help in the local store, doing odd jobs for money, along with her two friends, until she and her friends was old enough to work properly.

Helena’s two friends lived with her too, from the ages of 11 and 13 years old. They never had lots of money or a big house. It was a struggle sometimes. They had a little 3-bedroom cottage, having said that they were happy. Helena was well liked and respected like her mother. She had pale blonde wispy long hair with lovely sky blue eyes, tall, busty and slim with a spirit and beauty that come from within, always doing things for others, helping the less fortunate or in need, when ever she could.

Helena was a wonderful dedicated teacher to her pupils. She was well educated in all subjects. Helena had a fresh new way of teaching, not the traditional way, which the head mistress did not mind as Helena got high results in her approach to teaching. She was very much hands on, believed that every child should, be heard and should have a voice! Every child was unique, special in their own way. Helena listened as much as she taught. Her teaching involved practical ways of teaching, to learn the three key subjects and learning about the world, in which they lived, the good, bad and the ugly. The lessons was always fun and motivated the children, to do their best.

Helena had two very good friends that went to the same school, as her self growing up. They more or less grew up with each other. Charles Smith, Who was a nice looking, tall with darkish blonde hair and dark blue eyes, a little on the reserved side but confident with those he knew, he was good at making people laugh. Charles had strong feelings for Helena’s other friend and his, Miss Elizabeth Marsh. She was bubbly and witty with dark brown eyes, a brunette, the life and soul of any social function. Charles was a carpenter by trade and Elizabeth ran the local paper, for the village. Elizabeth was a sensitive girl. She noticed things, sometimes; this sensitive nature was on her mother’s side of her family. Elizabeth and Charles were well liked by the villagers too, again kind hearted. The three of them was always there for each other, looked out for each other when they were growing up and had a strong bond towards each other. Helena was like a sister to Elizabeth and Charles.

The three of them, often would go into the centre of Bristol by horse and carriage with bread that they had made, old clothes or blankets to help the poor that no one else wanted to see or hear about. Families that were struggling to feed themselves and their children or other people that had fallen on hard times, through no fault of their own. Elizabeth, Charles and Helena were not rich but they were alright. They had enough to get by and that was all they needed. Three of them could not just walk by, these unfortunate souls for whatever reason had nothing, starving, living in the slums of Bristol, hidden away from the wealth of Bristol. It gave them a warm glow in their hearts knowing that they were doing something good and virtuous.

Charles and Elizabeth parents had died, when they were young. Charles was 13 years, when his died and Elizabeth was 11 years when her parents died. Both sets of parents died in a tragic accident, on the way back home by train from Bath. The steam train had partly derailed it self as it crashed into a tree that had fallen down onto the track without warning due to a freak storm that swept that part of the country. The train ploughed into the fallen tree, unable to slow down enough to avoid this tragedy, killing and injuring quite a few people, Elizabeth and Charles were mortified and grieve stricken when given the awful news. It was even more of a sharp intense blow to Elizabeth as it had been revealed that her mother was unknowingly pregnant, this tragedy had claimed this unborn infant’s life too. The villagers pulled together to give Elizabeth and Charles parents a funeral, that was moving and appropriate for these four well respected members of this community, this loss had touched this tight-knit community.

Elizabeth and Charles parents had gone to Bath to the theatre. Mary had been looking after the young teenagers, Elizabeth and Charles at the time. She thought it would be nice for Helena to have her friends over, which was good in one sense, Charles and Elizabeth were not with their parents, as the tragic accident could of claimed Elizabeth and Charles too, two young teenagers with their whole lives, ahead of them. So due to this ironic twist of fate, Elizabeth and Charles only had each other and Helena their best friend, which for a time they lived with Helena and her mother, when they were growing up. Mary was best friends with Elizabeth parent’s and Charles parent’s she had taken them in, when their parents died. Mary felt she had to, as Charles and Elizabeth had no one else and of course, she wanted to, as well.

Charles had always liked Elizabeth, more than just friends. When they got older from the age 11 years old, he was sweet on Elizabeth, by the time of 15 years old, he felt very strongly towards Elizabeth. The feelings had grown but Charles had never told Elizabeth! Helena could tell, that Charles had strong feelings for Elizabeth, she never said anything either to her. Helena even though she was a friend, she felt, it was Charles place to be up front and honest of his feelings for Elizabeth and that he should be the only one to tell her, what his true heart desires but Charles was too afraid to confess in fear of losing someone so special to him.

Helena lost her father around about the time, that Elizabeth and Charles had lost their parents, so it was the four of them, four mouths to feed. Elizabeth and Charles also, had to grow up quick and do odd jobs to help put food on the table. Charles and Elizabeth parents along with Helena’s father had left money. It was not a fortune but it was a fair amount, however it did not last long with Mary not being able to work and proved for her daughter. Elizabeth and Charles father’s were bankers and were fine for money, so they too had money, up until their parents died.

Chapter 3

Dr Edward Carter had moved into the village in the early spring, in the month of March of the year 1860. Before Edward arrived at his new home, he wanted to get a feel of this village and the people, what they were like, to find out about his surroundings. This being a quaint village, he turned a few heads, when he arrived, which he liked very much, as he strolled around the village taking everything in and introducing himself to people with a charming polite manor. The village gossiped about this new young handsome, well-dressed Gentleman in his smart black Victorian suit and hat with a black cane that had a pure silver bottom and handle that he would tap sternly on the ground in rhythm as he walked, to be noticed that THE Dr Edward Carter was coming through and was present. Such a charming doctor, lovely polite manors; with incising, alluring dark green eyes and jet-black hair with a little goatee beard of the style of that of fine Gent of the 1860’s, that had arrived in the village. It did not take long for the whole village, to hear about him, in fact less than 24 hours, all villagers knew about this dashing doctor. Even though the villagers thought this doctor was charming and handsome, Edward knew that he would have to work his magic to gain, the trust and respect of this village. He was a new face as all villagers, they were not sure about people they do not know and did not like change, that much. He would have to use his cunning devilish ways to influence these lovely village people.

The new doctor of this village, Dr Edward Carter entered his new home with a welcoming smile of Mr Clarke the kind but proud distinguished butler who then introduced Dr Carter’s staff to him. There was Mrs Rose Miller the cook, who was the same age as Mr Clarke and the lovely young Miss Trudy Denton the maid, then introduced himself Mr William Clarke his butler. Edward had taken over from their old doctor, who died in his early 50’s. He became ill in the night and died in his sleep. He had influenza quite badly and was not strong enough to fight it. The old doctor was born in the village and studied to be a doctor, in his teens. The old doctor Dr Rupert Jameson was a proper village doctor. He had a kind and caring manor to his patients, not brought up in the high-class social circle, like Edward, just a hard working family doctor, who had lost his wife Caroline and unborn child fifteen years previous, through complications of childbirth. The old doctor never married again or had any children, became a bit of a recluse but still never let his personal issues affect his caring and kindness towards his patients, he was well loved and respected. Edward did have a lot to live up to if he was going to get the villagers on side, he would plan a strategy to gain the same level of respect as the old doctor. This would however, take time along with equal amount of patience.

Edward was use to having servant’s look after him and the up keep of a house. Edward got the staff to work immediately sorting where he wanted his processions placed around his house under his command, including an old solid wood, important looking and grand black chest, which he told his butler Mr Clarke to place in his bedroom. He then would, at some point relocate it, to the cellar with the help of his dear friends, away from prying eyes. When the staff were not around, to question what was in this chest.

Edward was use to having a certain lifestyle, with high standards and everything else that came with his title. Edward looked around his new home of this fine estate and smiled with a smug look on his face, he was pleased. This house and land with all within it was his, now he was lord and master of this domain, as his father was in his house. He had finally made it. Edward had an early night, as it would be an important first day to his new practice the following morning, a chance to get to know his fellow neighbours of this quaint but wealthy village on royal land as it was on the edge of the royal forest.

The first day of Dr Carter’s practice in his new home, was good, a steady flow of patients. All keen to have a look at the new Doctor! That had got everyone talking. His first patient was Mrs Colby, she was the head of their little community hall, where they held various meetings, to do with the village. Mrs Georgina Colby defiantly wore the trousers in her marriage, as Mr Jack Colby was quieter and just said ‘Yes dear’ to everything she asked of him, they had three children, two boys and a girl. Her eldest boy was Kenneth who was 17, her second boy Robin who was 15 and her little girl Poppy she was 13 years. Mrs Colby was also the local busy body and knew everything about everybody. Edward instantly could tell the sort of person she was, he was good at reading people. He had a way of influencing you, without you even knowing, he had very charismatic, flirtatious, confident and witty Manor. Edward was cunning and cool-headed person, in any situation. Edward came out of his treatment room to call his first patient. In the Victorian period, you had to pay for a doctor. This was not a free service, money talked.

Mrs Colby, come in and take a seat. I am Dr Edward Carter how can I help you today? Edward said with charming, slightly flirty manor, drawing her in with his smile, showing her into his treatment room and then closing the door behind her, while she sat down opposite to the doctor’s desk. Edward sat down opposite, then listened to his patient’s problem with genuine interest and caring smile.

My throat is SO sore, I can hardly speak. Mrs Colby replied rubbing her throat, pretending to cough and choke a little, grinning at the good-looking doctor, as she gave the doctor a cheeky grin.

Well let us have a look, Mrs Colby. Edward answered getting up of his seat and walked over to her. He had a fill of her glands, looking into her eyes. Yes your glands are swollen a little but the best thing for this; Mrs Colby is warm honey and lemon, plenty of fluids. Keep yourself warm. Edward said smiling back. Mrs Colby knew that, she was not that bad but she had to take a look at the new doctor for herself, she could not contain her curiosity.

Thank you so much for your help, Dr Carter. Mrs Colby said being a bit flirtatious with the young doctor, thinking ‘Oh young man, very nice!!’

You are very welcome, Mrs Colby. That is what I am here for! Edward said with a charming smile as Mrs Colby left. He smiled to himself he knew that, Mrs Colby was the sort of woman to be charming, like himself. She was a gossip! He could use what she knew, to his advantage and gain praise. Mrs Colby would tell the village about their, new charming witty and handsome doctor this would be good for his persona, as the villagers listened and took in what, Mrs Colby gossiped about!

That day he had a steady flow of patients, all came to see the new handsome doctor the word had spread to the whole village, what good and charming doctor and very respectable young man. Little did they know this lovely doctor, had a lovely dark secret! He became well liked, in the community with a lovely bedside manor, within the space of a month. Edward had become very popular man which of course he was extremely pleased about, this was his game plan after all!

Edward managed to charm the village including, Miss Helena Matthew’s friend Elizabeth, which was strange for Elizabeth someone as dark as him, she did not see his other side. The forth sight that would normally, warn her of a man like him, was not working. Charles had met this doctor on few occasions too in passing but he thought that Dr Carter seemed a little too sure of him self, a little jealous of his popularity and how Elizabeth talked about this ‘wonderful doctor’. Elizabeth had met this doctor a few times in passing but there was one person, he did not managed to charm, Miss Helena Matthews. She would take a little more convincing that he was a so say perfect and respectable Gentleman.

Dr Edward Carter and Miss Helena Matthews had not met properly yet, only again in passing. She had heard all about him and in no hurry to meet him, either. She was not impressed of what she heard. Helena thought ‘he was too charming by the sound of things, to the point of arrogance, a vain man and like the company of ladies, for his own amusement’. Helena was very level headed; she did not take people, just on face value, she liked someone for who they were, not what they were or what they had. Helena would NOT, be influenced by anyone, how ever charming they were, especially the likes of Dr Edward Carter! She made a point of trying her very best to avoid this doctor but at same time, knew that there would be a possibility of them meeting with her mother’s heart. Mary always picked up her own medication but there was always that chance that one day she might not be able to pick her medication up due to being unwell, as sometimes she was not well, she got breathless and tired very easily, sometimes even light headed or palpations of her heart, like panic attacks.

Dr Edward Carter was an instant hit, with most of the young Ladies of the village. He was charming and already had wealth, status and he was an outstanding doctor; these things were incising for the Ladies. Who knew, who ever went courting with this man, would go to exclusive and the finest places, to be wined and dined for the evening and if lucky maybe a longer lasting courtship. The unattached young Ladies all wanted a taste of his lifestyle. Of course, Edward was not stupid, he knew this, so he used this to his advantage and enjoyed the benefits, using their naivety! There were also a number of attached Ladies that thought this doctor was rather alluring, he enjoyed teasing and flirting with these Ladies too but under the husband’s noses.

When Edward met Elizabeth, he felt that ‘she was a little gifted,’ He would be careful not to expose his other side to her, just use his charm, to avoid detection. Edward would hide his dark secrets, he did not want anyone to know, his other passion! The people of the village noticed that Edward was courting a number of the young Ladies. He was a true Casanova by this time but the villagers still thought he was lovely and he was young, so it was fine. The Ladies loved him and the men wanted to be like him, he was truly a piece of work. To Edward’s parents it was fine him being the one for the Ladies, he was young after all.

Edward would on his days off, go up to London on the train or horse and carriage, to see his parents or his two best friends Dr Taylor and Dr Thomas, to give them a progress report on, how things were going for him. They would also visit him too. It was good that Edward had a train line, the Great Weston railway about 5 minutes, from his house. His parents were starting to give their son scuttle hints about finding a nice fine Lady to settle down with at his age, he was 19, nearly 20, time to find a suitable Lady to be a high-class doctors wife, his friends however were different. They knew their friend well and thought it was very smooth both gave him praise for being a Ladies man. He knew how to turn on the charm and the majority of the time it worked.

Dr Edward Carter was the one for the Ladies. However, his parents were right soon he would have to think about getting himself a wife, as he was nearly 20 years old. A wife that would love, honour and obey his every word, also to bare him a son to carry on his name and to carry on his legacy. After success then a man, needed a wife for this high class, Gentleman status in Victorian age, maintain his image? He had been playing the field since he was 15 years old, for five years. His parents also told Edward on a number of occasions, that it was about time he found himself a wife, of suitable stature in their words or at least with good prospects. She had to be beautiful, intelligent, prefect at social gatherings and outstanding, respected member of the community. It could not be just any Lady to marry their son. She had to be a fine high class Lady. Anything less simply was not good enough for, their ambitious and highly successful son.

With a dutiful and beautiful wife on his arm that could carry her self with elegance and grace, this would raise his profile. Make him look good, a trophy wife, of course above all she would be a Lady with high status and the right class. As much as he liked the ladies, they were easy prey for him and corseted his ego. ‘A wife is what he needed; this would make him the envy of his high society, with the right lady on his arm. The ladies he had been with were not suitable for this position, of a respectable doctor’s wife,’ he thought to himself. However, he did have a Lady in mind already, the lovely schoolteacher, Miss Matthews. He had heard so much about this Lady, admired her from afar but this Lady was certainly not impressed by what she had heard of him, still trying her best to avoid encountering this man at all costs. ‘She did not have riches just a moderate wealth as it were but she had come from a respected and high-class family, through her father being a detective chief inspector, the head of the police force in this village. Miss Helena being a talented, intelligent teacher this position gave her status and looked up to by her community. She was beautiful and carried herself with elegance and grace a true Lady, she was perfect for this position of a doctor’s wife. She was very pleasing on the eye too and he would enjoy trying to woo her but needed a plan.’ Edward thought to himself, Edward would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, especially when it concerned a young Lady he desired.

Edward been raised, in high society as a child and a young man through the status and wealth of parents and grandparents, his father was a well-respected physician. His mother was a fine housewife and member of their church. Most of the time children were seen but not heard. They were simply there to carry on your blood line. So it was vital that you had a son to bare the name, a daughter was fine, just not preferred. Edward’s mother and father although strict at times, they loved their son very much and was proud of what, he had already achieved, at his age. Each time Edward visited his parents or they would visit him, they would enquire in a scuttle fashion, if he had someone special in his life yet. Edward kept them in suspense and said nothing of his intentions with a certain young Lady, he had his eye on, well at least not yet, after all he had not meet this young Lady in question properly yet only in passing or had seen her teaching.

Chapter 4

By now Dr Carter had been living in the village, for about 3 months. His practice always, had a moderate flow of patients. Edward had made an impression on all the villagers. They could not give him enough praise. His practice was always busy with patients, all keen to see this outstanding doctor with a charming bed side manor, ‘such a gentleman’ according to his patients! Which he was a very good doctor!

Edward would have to think about employing more staff, to look after and run this country house, as he was a busy man. It was a fair size country house with a moderate amount of land with very well established gardens and needed a lot of looking after. He thought a good way to get his villagers on side too. He decided to employ a few people from the village. Mr John Foster would be gamekeeper, Mr Pete Springs would be a waiter, his wife Mrs Daisy Springs would be a cook and Maid, along with Miss Amelia Fields and little Master Philip Simms a general helper as he was 14 years old. Mr Alexander Rims was coachman. Mr Arthur Walters and his wife Margaret Walters would be head gardeners. Their son Hugo who was 15 years helped with the garden when he was not studying.

Miss Helena Matthews had not met Dr Carter properly. Just seen him about or seen him walk past the school. It was on the way to the local store, were he would pick up medical supplies from time to time but already, she had firm views of him from hearing all about him, from the villagers and her two friends, who had spoken to him on a few occasions. Edward would get his staff to pick his supplies from the store normally but he wanted the chance to see or bump into Miss Helena Matthews maybe, so sometimes he collected the supplies himself, hoping for a brief encounter with this Lady, a chance to charm her, he was a determined man!

Mr Carter had seen Miss Helena at church as he like everyone else in the village went to church on a Sunday. He was not a fan of the church but knew that he would see the lovely Miss Helena Matthews and it was what any fine Gentleman would do, go to church. On one particular occasion in church, he looked across to Miss Helena and smiled charmingly at this young beauty. Helena was sat on the other side to him with her mother, Elizabeth and Charles, she noticed him smile intensely over at her with desire, she could feel he was attracted to her, so did her mother and friends. Helena quickly looked away turning her head away from him. Edward smiled to himself seeing Miss Helena looking slightly flushed with his glance, well more the way, he was looking at her ‘I think I shall make a point of speaking to this lovely Lady!’ he thought with a cheeky smirk.

After the church service, Edward went over to Miss Helena as she was leaving the grounds of the church with her mother and her two best friends. He wished to introduce himself to the young Lady Miss Helena.

Miss Matthews, I wish to introduce myself finally to you, I am your new doctor, Dr Edward Carter. A beautiful morning, Edward said with a smile. How are you feeling today Mrs Matthews? Edward asked inquiring to how Helena’s mother was on this glorious morning looking at Mary.

Thank you Dr Carter for your kindness, I am fine, Mary said with a smile at the caring doctor.

I know exactly who you are, DR EDWARD CARTER! Helena replied in a slightly rude manor, knowing and seeing his reputation herself.

Helena, do not be so rude! Mary said with annoyance correcting her daughter for speaking out of turn.

That is fine Mrs Matthews your daughter has a right to her views of me and I can understand why your daughter thinks this of me, I do have a reputation for the Ladies. Do not think you know me Miss Matthews. Edward said as he smiled at her kissing the back of her hand. It is a fine day; might I add how radiant you look Miss Matthews? Edward added using his charms. Good morning Miss Marsh and to you Mr Smith, he said greeting Elizabeth and Charles as they both smiled at Dr Carter.

Thank you for your kind words for me. However, are you always this charming to every Lady you see Dr Carter? Helena replied again in a conceded tone letting him know she not impressed with him or his reputation.

Only the beautiful Ladies such as yourself Miss Matthews; Edward replied jokingly with charm and wit along with a flirty smirk then added, Well I have to get back to my practice. It most interesting to meet you, good day to you all Edward responded with a smile for Helena’s mother and friends with a cheeky grin for Miss Helena. Knowing that he would meet her properly again with her mother’s heart condition, although he had enjoyed his brief encounter with the lovely Miss Matthews, he liked her spirit and he enjoyed the tease. Dr Carter left and returned to his practice. He had a permanent grin on his face that day, he was very happy with himself.

He is such a charming man! Mary said with a smile at her daughter as they walked home with Elizabeth and Charles. They were going back to Helena’s house for a light lunch and would return home later.

He is very charming! Elizabeth added smiling at Helena.

I think Dr Carter has his eye on you Helena? Charles said jokingly with a grin, teasing his friend as he often did.

Stop it, all of you. Helena said not very happy with their match making. The rest of the day was nice; no one mentioned anything more about Helena and Dr Carter’s brief encounter. Instead, they all enjoyed a nice lunch and a lovely sunny glorious day together.

Edward had often looked in the school window. He too had heard of Helena! The lovely, beautiful and talented school teacher, that Helena was. Edward had heard that she was not with anyone and had never met the right man, as she was not easy to impress. Helena would not give herself, to just anyone and give her heart away. Edward already had his eye on her, especially more so after their brief encounter. She was the perfect candidate for the position of a doctor’s wife of someone of his calibre and wealth. He often smiled at her, through the window, as she taught her class, but she ignored his smiles. This attention from the dashing doctor did not go without notice by her pupils. This was amusing to him. Edward knew full well, that she noticed him smiling at her and had noticed her blush with his attentions on her. Edward thought ‘one day, they would meet at his practice, with her mother’s heart condition, hopefully very soon!’ There was an insistent attraction, an instant spark between them. Well more on his side anyway!!

Helena’s mother Mary had a mild heart condition that she was born with, her mother Harriett had the same condition. She died in her early forties with this condition. Harriet had another daughter, Mary’s older sister Lucy who did not have this problem. She was healthy up until she developed cholera in her mid 20’s along with her and Mary’s father Jacob, Harriett’s husband, which in end this illness claimed the lives of Lucy and Jacob. Mary had to take tablets for her heart, every day. Lucky for Helena this condition had not been pasted down.

Helena had to see the new doctor, on this particular day to get her mother’s tablets. This one occasion, her mother was not feeling that well to pick them up herself, this is what she told her daughter! Mary was not that bad but she wanted her daughter, to meet this amazing doctor, Mary was also told by one of the villagers Mrs Colby, that Dr Carter had been seen, smiling at Helena through the classroom window at the school from outside, on his way to the local store.

Helena’s mother was pleased that her daughter would finally properly get to meet this lovely doctor and as her daughter was not married yet; she were optimistic for her daughter, to meet him, possibly of this doctor begin Helena’s future. A well-respected and unattached young brilliant doctor would be a fine catch and suitable husband for Helena. Edward knew that Miss Helena Matthews was collecting her mother’s tablets that day and was very much looking forward, to finally meeting her for a proper meeting. Mary smiled at her daughter, as she got ready to leave for her appointment with the dashing doctor, he meet her briefly in the church grounds after the church service but that was for only a few minutes.

Give my regards to Dr Carter dear, he such a lovely man! I was informed by Mrs Colby that he has glanced at you while you have been teaching! Why would you not tell your dear mother this? Helena’s mother said with a cheeky grin as Helena was putting on her coat to go, well aware of what her dear mother, had meant by that comment. Mary had seen the doctor a number of occasions for her medication, Edward had also been asking about Helena and what she was like. He had shown a little more interest the last few times in Mary’s daughter when Mary had seen Dr Edward Carter to collect her medication.

Yes mother, I know what you are up to! That is why I did not say anything. I know that he has been asking about me. Well I am not interested in the dear Dr Edward Carter. I will see you in a while. Helena replied shaking her head slightly, she was not amused by her mother trying to find her a gentleman friend ‘she was quite capable of finding herself a gentlemen friend, without her mother’s interference and she was not happy about Dr Edward Carter’s sudden interest in her, asking personal questions about herself, most impertinent and rude’. Helena had morals and standards with spirit and Helena had heard from the villagers, who were patients of his that Dr Carter was possibly looking for a future Mrs Carter and people in the village, talk. One of Dr Carter’s patients had over heard a conversation between himself and his butler Mr Clarke, hinting that he might be thinking of settling down with a fine Lady and had heard Miss Helena Matthews name mentioned, that Dr Carter thought that she was a lovely, beautiful and sophisticated fine young Lady, a suitable candidate, this annoyed her too. She would not have anyone decide her future for her.

Helena got to Dr Carter’s house. She was ten minutes early for her appointment with Dr Carter. It did not take long to walk, about fifteen minutes from her house! As it was a lovely day, she did not mind the walk. Helena entered the grounds of this country house, the gardens looked well managed and very beautiful full of luscious trees and flower beds that lined the grounds leading up to a grand front door. She knocked on the front door. A distinguished butler with a warm smile opened the door to her. Helena walked in. The country house was not massive but quite a fair size house, for a young doctor and his practice. The house was of the finest Victorian furniture and décor of the 1860’s with a stunning hallway with a staircase in front of her, with rooms leading off to the right and left, in Helena eyes, all these fine things was for vanity and all for show. Helena had been to the house before, a while ago when the old doctor lived there but she had rather forgotten what the house looked like, as she was just a child at the time. Dr Carter had changed things around, he had got rid of most of the old furniture, that belonged to the old doctor and replaced it with his own, to put his own stamp on this house.

Please do come in and follow me. It is lovely to see you Miss Matthews. Mr Clarke said smiling with a caring manor. Mr Clarke was the old doctor’s butler too, so he had worked there for many years in fact about 22 years, since the age of 16. Mr Clarke knew her mother and had known Helena since, she was a little