When Darkness Falls - Six Paranormal Novels in One Boxed Set

by Shalini Boland

  They flirted with one another until their dance ended and they were obliged to dance with other, less interesting partners. After a few more waltzes and cotillions, there was a break in the proceedings and the guests retired to the adjacent supper room for refreshments.

  Soon, however, the guests were back on the dance floor and once again Alexandre danced with Lily. They continued with their spirited banter until, disappointingly, their dance ended.

  ‘Monsieur Chevalier,’ Lily said, putting her hand to her forehead. ‘I do feel terribly faint all of a sudden. It must be the heat. Would you mind escorting me out on to the terrace before I fall?’

  Concerned, Alexandre glanced around and saw Madame Bouvier busy conversing with another guest.

  ‘Wait, Come and sit. I shall fetch your mother to see to you.’

  ‘No, please do not. I fear she will give me even more of a headache. No, I just wish a few moments in the fresh air, in your company.’

  ‘Very well.’ Alexandre took her arm and led her towards the nearest of the French windows. He opened the latch and they stepped out through the thick lace curtains onto a terrace which looked down upon a perfectly square lawn. He closed the door behind him, muffling the sound of music and chatter.

  The cold air refreshed Alexandre and his eyes welcomed the gloom, after the twinkling brightness of the ballroom.

  ‘Oh, I feel better already. It is too stuffy inside, do you not agree, Monsieur?’ Lily hugged herself briefly and put her tiny kid-gloved hand on his.

  ‘Mademoiselle.’ Alexandre was surprised at her forwardness and began to worry someone may have seen them go outside alone.

  Lily turned to look at him and tilted her face up so he could feel her soft breath on his face. Her closeness made him lose his rationality. Before he could stop himself, he had leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her rosebud lips.

  ‘Here they are!’ a woman’s voice neighed triumphantly as the curtains were drawn back and the doors flung open. Two of the Bouvier sisters appeared.

  Alexandre pulled back from Lily immediately, but knew it was already too late to deny anything. Some of the other guests glanced in their direction and his heart sank. This was trouble he could do without.

  Madame Bouvier spotted them. She instantly coloured, walked outside and closed the curtains to shield the scandal from shocked eyes. She glared at her other two daughters, strode up to Alexandre and hissed at him, ‘I believe it is time for you and your family to leave, Sir.’

  ‘Of course, Madame.’

  ‘You, young lady ...’ Madame Bouvier said, grabbing Lily by the arm, ‘… are without shame.’

  Lily’s sisters stood by the window, smirking behind their hands and Alexandre walked back inside, trying to keep his face averted. His father was going to be furious.

  The dance continued despite the drama, but as The Chevaliers left the room, whispers and speculation followed close behind. Alexandre knew the details would become more scandalous and exaggerated with each retelling.

  *

  ‘It really is too bad, Alexandre,’ his younger sister, Isobel, said once they were back in the carriage and heading home a full hour earlier than anticipated. ‘It is only just the beginning of the season. My very first ball. And you have completely ruined it and ruined me! I shall be a laughing stock. My reputation is tarnished before it is made.’

  Jacques gave Alexandre a quick grin and was swiftly and uncharacteristically slapped by his mother. Jacques instantly wiped the grin away and looked down into his lap.

  ‘Is this really the kind of behaviour you want to teach your younger brother, Alexandre? You are supposed to be his role model. We have all been embarrassed.’ Maman looked as though she would burst into tears.

  His father had been sitting quietly with a face like thunder. Suddenly he roared, ‘Quiet, everybody! We shall discuss this tomorrow. I do not wish to hear another word this evening.’

  The remainder of the journey was completed in uncomfortable silence.

  *

  The following morning, Alexandre looked up with a start as his father entered the dining room. He saw no humour in Papa’s face so he lowered his head. For the first time ever, the family ate breakfast in silence. Alexandre chewed his food without tasting a thing.

  ‘Right,’ Papa said, once the plates had been cleared. ‘Isobel, Jacques, you may leave the table. Your mother and I have something to discuss with your brother.’

  The twins rose and hastily exited the room. His father turned to him.

  ‘I just cannot believe you would put me and Maman in this situation. I am dismayed by your behaviour.’

  ‘He is just young, Didier. I am sure he has learned his lesson now ...’

  Alexandre was grateful to his mother for trying.

  ‘No. This boy has had things far too easy his whole life. He does not realise how his little pleasures impact upon all of our lives.’ He turned back to Alexandre. ‘You cannot carry on like this. Your sister was right when she spoke to you in the carriage last night. Your actions reflect badly on her and Jacques. You are not a child anymore. You are an eighteen-year-old man and I know what that is like. But you must have more care and if you cannot take care, for God’s sake, at least be discreet.’

  ‘I am sorry, Papa.’ Alexandre hung his head. He knew how to be repentant and appease his father. It did not do to argue - that would get him nowhere. ‘I regret my foolish actions and …’

  ‘Yes, you say sorry Papa and you regret this and that, but then you carry on and do whatever you like. It is not good enough! You need to think. You have a brain don’t you? Use it. These people, they are a powerful family and we may mock their ways but now it is my career at stake. Do you understand?’

  Alexandre looked down at his shoes. No, he didn’t understand. How could his father’s career be at stake?

  ‘Son, it pains me to say it, but Monsieur Bouvier is more-or-less my employer. If we offend him, I lose my funding and my income. We lose ... everything.’ His father sighed. ‘Do you understand now?’

  ‘Your employer? I did not think you were employed by anybody. I thought you were your own man.’

  ‘In a way I am. But, I do not have the wealth to do as I please. Our family is reliant on the patronage of the rich. It is not a thing I care to advertise and it is not something I wished you to know. But now, because of your actions, you need to know our precarious situation.’

  Alexandre suddenly had the shock realisation his family weren’t exactly who he thought they were. They were not the carefree members of the wealthy upper classes who could travel through life without a thought for anything.

  ‘But our house … everything we do speaks of money.’

  ‘Yes, the house is ours and we are fortunate that we have enough. But ‘enough’ is not an endless supply.’

  With a sickening lurch in his stomach, Alexandre understood things were not as they seemed and his selfish actions really may have had serious consequences for his family. He had known going out on to the terrace unaccompanied with Lily Bouvier was against the rules, and the kiss was completely unacceptable. But he had not anticipated that to break these rules could mean his father’s career might suffer and, in turn, his whole family’s fortunes. He hung his head again, but this time it was with real shame.

  ‘Papa, I did not realise and I will never do anything like this again. I am ashamed ... I will make it up to you.’

  ‘Pah!’ his father replied. ‘You are too handsome for your own good.’ He turned back to Maman. ‘This boy’s good looks are from your side of the family. It is entirely your fault we have this problem.’

  Alexandre and his mother both chanced a wary smile. Papa’s anger was always short-lived; he could never be cross with any of his family for too long. He loved them all too much.

  *

  On Monday morning, Alexandre paced around the drawing room, imagining the worst. Cold spring rain splattered against the windows and gusting wind rattled the misted panes.


  ‘For goodness sake, Alexandre. Do sit down. We shall hear back soon enough,’ his mother snapped.

  Papa was currently visiting the offices of Monsieur Bouvier to apologise for his son’s behaviour. Alexandre was terribly worried. Would Papa lose his funding? Would Monsieur Bouvier expect Alexandre to be given a serious punishment?

  His parents had thought it best if Alexandre did not accompany his father. They said the mere sight of his handsome face could further provoke high feelings and that was the last thing they wanted.

  A few hours later, and several hundred more circuits around the drawing room, Alexandre took a deep breath as he heard the front door slam.

  The door to the drawing room flew open and his father strode in, removing his hat and coat and tossing them onto a side table. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes glittered.

  ‘Goodness, it is foul weather out there. Blowing a gale. Where are the others? Can you call them in, Marie?’

  Alexandre’s mother swept out of the room, gathering up her husband’s hat and coat on the way. Alexandre couldn’t work out what sort of mood his father was in. He appeared agitated, but not entirely angry. He ignored his eldest son and stood looking out of the window, his hands clasped behind his back.

  Moments later, Marie-Louise returned, the twins following her into the drawing room with expectant expressions. Jacques raised a quizzical eyebrow at his brother. Alexandre shrugged in reply.

  ‘Well, Didier?’ Marie-Louise asked. ‘Are you going to put this boy out of his misery and tell him what his punishment is to be?’

  ‘Lily Bouvier is to be engaged!’ Didier announced.

  Alexandre felt his stomach sink down to his boots.

  ‘I am to … to … marry?’

  ‘Ha ha!’ Didier roared with laughter. ‘Not you! You, marry? Ha! You can barely take care of yourself.’

  Alexandre’s stomach inched back up to where it should’ve been. His mother gave a half-smile, half-frown in his father’s direction.

  ‘No, no. No marriage for you just yet,’ his father continued. ‘But, Lily is to be wed and Monsieur Bouvier is worried your little scandal has the potential to damage his daughter’s reputation.’

  Alexandre realised his punishment would be harsh. He had kissed someone else’s fiancée. He lowered his eyes and waited for his father’s pronouncement.

  ‘Monsieur Bouvier has decided the only course of action is for you to accompany us to Turkey on the dig. If we are all out of the country, the gossip may eventually die down.’

  Alexandre thought he had heard wrong.

  ‘Well? Have you nothing to say?’ The corners of Papa’s mouth curled upwards.

  ‘Is this true?’ Alexandre could not believe it. ‘I am to come with you?’

  ‘That’s not fair …’ Jacques began.

  ‘Not just you, Alexandre,’ Papa said. ‘We are all to go. All five of us.’

  ‘But this is amazing!’ Jacques almost leapt around the room.

  ‘No!’ Isobel exclaimed. ‘I do not wish to go!’

  ‘Incredible,’ Maman said, ignoring her daughter’s distress for the moment. ‘He is funding the whole family?’ Her dawning smile encompassed them all.

  ‘Yes!’ Papa also allowed his smile to break through.

  Alexandre had been fully prepared to knuckle down and spend a gloomy year at his books and yet instead he was now to accompany his parents across the ocean to Turkey, to adventure and excitement. What excellent fortune.

  ‘I shall miss the whole season! I shall miss my friends and everyone will be talking about us, saying we have been sent away like criminals.’ Isobel all but stamped her foot. ‘Alexandre, this is your doing.’

  ‘I am sorry for your disappointment, Isobel, but come now, do you not think we shall all have such fun travelling together?’ Alexandre replied, his eyes alight as the reality sank in.

  ‘Belle! How can you not want to go?’ Jacques asked. ‘You are so boring.’

  ‘Jacques,’ his mother reprimanded. ‘Do not be rude to your sister. She has different priorities to you and it is a lot for her to take in.’

  She turned to Isobel who sat down heavily at the piano, looking most upset. ‘Isobel, my child, do not distress yourself. What Papa omitted to say, is that we shall be travelling First Class and there will be wonderful parties aboard our steamship. Think of the glamorous stories you shall tell your friends when we return.’

  ‘Well, that is something I suppose. But, Maman, will I not need some new gowns if we are to travel First Class?’

  ‘This one does not miss a trick,’ Papa said. ‘Very well. New gowns for Isobel and, to be fair, new gowns for Maman.’

  ‘Oh, Papa, I love you!’ Isobel jumped up from the piano stool, ran across the room and threw her arms around her father.

  ‘Oh you’re such a girl, Isobel,’ Jacques said. ‘Who cares about dresses and dances when we shall be travelling on the ocean and visiting foreign shores? It will be wonderful.’

  Later that night, as Alexandre lay in bed unable to sleep, he thought about his sudden good fortune. Thank you Lily. That kiss has changed the course of my life. After years of begging to come and being denied the opportunity, he could now accompany his parents on one of their infamous digs.

  It was uncanny that he had landed himself in such trouble, and yet from it had come something so unexpected and wonderful. Turkey! What was it like? What would the people be like? The women? No ... better not go down that avenue too soon, or his parents would ship him straight back to Paris.

  Maybe his life would now take on some meaningful direction and he could find something he really wanted to do. At present he was studying Engineering at the Académie Camillo. But it wasn’t his passion, just a subject he was good at and at this moment he felt nothing but enormous relief that he could escape it. In his heart, he hoped another opportunity would present itself and he would never have to resume his dull studies.

  How would he ever fall asleep tonight? Too many things danced through his mind. The journey overland would be long and arduous, possibly even dangerous and he would have to be armed. It was almost too exciting to contemplate.

  The departure date had been brought forward and their tickets now bore the date March 12th 1881, only two weeks from now. Hardly any time at all to get properly prepared for a nine-month expedition in a strange land.

  Chapter Three

  *

  Madison and her foster parents reached a kind of compromise, a way to keep the peace and try to get back to normal. Angie arranged for Maddy to spend her week’s suspension from school, working with her in the supermarket.

  It meant Maddy could keep out of Trevor’s way, stay out of trouble and, at the same time, contribute to the dwindling household income. Angie was happy with the arrangement, Madison less so and Ben was relieved Maddy wouldn’t be sent away. Trevor hadn’t made his feelings known; he’d just grunted.

  Madison had been stacking shelves, sweeping floors, cleaning toilets and flattening cardboard boxes for a couple of days now. She and Angie were on the eight-till-four shift, with forty five minutes for lunch. Each day was long and monotonous and Madison was bored out of her skull.

  Nobody interesting or good looking worked there and she was mortified every time anyone from school came in, mainly because she had to wear a blouse and skirt so revolting they induced violent feelings of nausea. To complete this humiliating ensemble, was a blue nylon overall which generated so much static, she renamed herself Electro-Girl, whose only superpower was to give off shocks barely strong enough to irritate a wasp.

  Maddy knew her foster mum enjoyed having her there. They had their tea breaks and lunch together and Angie kept trying to initiate cosy chats, trying to draw her into all the work gossip. But Maddy wasn’t interested in the faulty till on checkout number three or how bad the manager’s new hairpiece looked.

  Home life wasn’t much better, with Trevor ignoring her and Ben constantly asking if she was okay. Each evening, when she
got home from the supermarket, there was a shed load of schoolwork waiting. She was fed up and exhausted. Nothing felt good. To top it all off, tomorrow was her sixteenth birthday and she had nothing planned. She didn’t even know if anyone would remember.

  The following morning dawned grey and bland. A nothingy day – damp and dull. But when Madison came down to breakfast, she saw two wrapped presents on the table.

  ‘Happy birthday, love,’ Angie smiled and kissed her cheek. ‘Your brother reminded us. What with all that’s been going on, we almost forgot. Sweet sixteen and never been kissed.’

  ‘Hmphh.’

  ‘Trevor! Don’t be such a misery guts. It’s the girl’s birthday. You don’t turn sixteen every day.’

  ‘Happy Birthday,’ he finally said. ‘Well, don’t just stand there, sit down and have some breakfast. Angie’s done us a fry up.’

  Ben flew into the kitchen. ‘Happy Birthday, Mads! I got you a present.’ He handed her a small, badly wrapped parcel.

  ‘Oh, Ben, you didn’t have to! Thanks.’

  ‘Open it then.’

  ‘Give us a chance.’ She tore at the wrapping, secured with yards and yards of sellotape. ‘God, Ben, did you use the whole roll?’ She finally managed to prise the gift free of its bonds and out of a small squashed cardboard box fell a silver bracelet with a single charm attached. It was a small bird with its wings outstretched.

  ‘It’s not real silver or anything, but I’ve seen you with that seagull book all the time and the charm looks a bit like a seagull, so I thought you might like it.’

  ‘Ben, I love it. It’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever bought me. You are such a great brother. But you shouldn’t’ve spent your money on me.’ She stood up and flung her arms around him, kissing his cheek till he pushed her away.

  ‘Alright, Maddy, it’s not that great.’

  ‘Yes it is. I’m going to put it on and I’ll wear it every day, forever.’

  ‘Aaah, Ben,’ Angie said. ‘You’re such a thoughtful boy. You’ll make someone a lovely husband one day.’