Evil at Alardyce House

Heather Atkinson

Description

The history of the Alardyce family is fraught with scandal and intrigue.

But after her eldest son Robert leaves the country, finally Amy Alardyce can enjoy some peace. Robert is wanted by the police for some unspeakable crimes, and his family hope he has run far enough and never looks back.

A decade after his disappearance, Robert has forged a successful life for himself, making his fortune from the diamond and gold mines of Africa. But when he sees a death notice in the newspaper, the call to go home to Scotland grows ever louder.

At Alardyce House, there are big changes too, and the fragile peace the family have enjoyed for so long is feeling more fragile than ever. And as the past comes back to haunt Amy and her children, will she have to finally accept that the curse of the Alardcye family can never be outrun…

If you love Emily Organ and Ann Granger, you’ll love the Alardyce series. Discover bestselling author Heather Atkinson and you'll never look back...

Please note this is an updated and extended version of the previously published The Ancestral Tides

What readers are saying about Heather Atkinson:

‘OH MY GOD what a book! We are transported back to the Victorian times. It sure has hell doesn’t disappoint it is dark, twisty and incredibly gritty!’

‘One of the best books I've read in a while. Couldn't put it down. Can't wait for the next instalment.’

‘Hope there is more to come, I am hopelessly hooked and need there to be a follow up. These books are certainly not for the squeamish, but if you can get past the bloodlust the stories are excellent. No the bloodlust is a major ingredient, just enjoy the books for what they are, a good story extremely well told.’

‘Heather just keeps getting better and better. Could not put this book down, love the characters Henry, Amy and even bad boy Robert. Exciting, sad and thrilling all at the same time - really would make a great tv drama.’

Sujets

• Policier & Thriller
• Policier
• Mashups
• Psychological
• Historical Fiction
• Thrillers
• Historical
• Victoriano
• Escocia
• Psychological thriller
• Victoriana
• Psychology
• Horror
• Hurlements 2
• Crime
• Scotland
• Gothic
• Thriller
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 30 juin 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781804158166
• Langue: English

Extrait

EVIL AT ALARDYCE HOUSE


HEATHER ATKINSON
CONTENTS



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

Epilogue


More from Heather Atkinson

About the Author

About Boldwood Books
1
ALARDYCE HOUSE, EDINBURGH, 1910

Amy sat on a bench close to the house, enjoying the fresh autumnal air, watching Henry stride across the grounds with the agility of a man considerably younger than his fifty years, having an eager discussion with the estate manager. Her husband never seemed to age, while she felt like an old lady. She looked down at her hands, the deformity now obvious even with her thick gloves on. Over the last couple of years, her arthritis had worsened and they were ever more gnarled and almost constantly painful. Magda, the village healer, who everyone thought a witch but Amy knew was just an exceedingly clever woman, had given her various tinctures that were increasingly ineffective and, despite her friend’s best efforts, she’d been unable to come up with a more effective solution, so Amy had to accept that she was slowly losing the use of her hands. She’d been forced to give up her beloved embroidery and watercolours altogether. Thank goodness she could still hold a book, but that was about all she was fit for. She even walked like an old lady thanks to the aches that had appeared in her hips.
After her son Robert had left twelve years ago, she’d succumbed to another fever of grief. It hadn’t been as severe as her previous fevers but it had left her perpetually weakened. The cumulative effects of these illnesses, along with all the trauma her body had endured over the years, had prematurely aged her. Even her chestnut hair was fading.
Lately she’d started to worry that Henry would stop desiring her, but their relationship remained as intimate as ever. The vast majority of rich gentlemen had at least one mistress but taking one was something he’d never done. He spent practically all of his time on the estate, with her.
It was no wonder she was feeling her age after everything she’d been through. Her life had fallen apart when she was just seventeen years old and had been sent from London to live at Alardyce with her aunt and uncle on the death of her parents. She’d started an affair with Matthew Crowle, a very handsome footman, and fallen pregnant. When her vicious aunt had wanted to take her baby from her, she’d fled and toiled as a governess for years just so she could keep her oldest son, Robert. After almost being killed by her insane cousin, Edward, she’d discovered the boy she’d given up everything for was a monster just like Edward and his biological father. She’d survived several attacks, as well as the rejection of herself and Henry from society because of all the scandal. It could have been so much worse and every day she counted her blessings.
Henry spotted her and waved. Amy smiled and waved back, resting one hand on the walking stick she now needed to help her get around. She was too young to be so decrepit, she was only forty-six, but she supposed it was only natural after everything her body had been through.
Life at Alardyce, Henry’s ancestral home, was a lot quieter these days. Their youngest son, Stephen, was away at boarding school, where he was doing very well. John had left school and returned to the estate to learn how to run it. The world was changing, the old ways of the Victorian era falling away, and a lot more effort was required to keep Alardyce ticking over. As the eldest son, the estate would become John’s on Henry’s death, but the energetic seventeen-year-old wasn’t showing much interest in his new lessons and preferred the company of his friends in the city. In a lot of ways, he was very like Robert, his older half-brother, but his friends were all respectable, although Amy knew that he did on occasion visit the local brothels. Fortunately he had Henry’s goodness, so she was reassured that he would never go down the dark path his older brother had taken.
Their daughter Lydia was the belle of Edinburgh society and a renowned beauty with her long chestnut hair, just like her mother’s, and her father’s pale skin and dark eyes. She spent most of her leisure time at balls and soirées. As her parents wanted nothing to do with society, she often stayed with the Trentons, friends of Robert and his wife Jane. Jane had introduced them during one of her visits from London and Nadia had taken to the girl immediately. As she only had sons, she longed for a daughter to introduce into society and, as Amy had no wish to do that herself, Nadia had thankfully taken on the burden for her. Nadia and Lydia were incredibly close, although nothing could interfere with the strong bond between Lydia and her mother.
No one had heard from Robert since the terrible confrontation that had taken place at Alardyce House when he’d attacked his own mother and fought his stepfather. Amy had no proof he was still alive, but she felt strongly that he was, certain she would know if he had passed away. Part of her hoped she would see him again before she died but she knew that if he ever did return, he’d bring carnage in his wake. He always did, and their family was so happy and content now. Robert had been forced to flee Edinburgh, not just because he was becoming a danger to those he loved, but Inspector Murphy, the darling of the Edinburgh police force, had been on his trail. Murphy had known Robert was responsible for not only the attacks on the women in the city but at least two murders of men he’d considered to be his enemies, but he’d lacked any proof. Henry had used his influence to get the inspector to stop intermittently harassing their family. Fortunately, Murphy had ceased to be a threat when he’d retired four years ago.
Amy’s gaze drifted to the top of the crypt that was just visible through the trees. Henry had it sealed years ago, just like he’d promised, and no one else would be buried there. Their family had their very own sizeable plot in the village kirkyard and it was a comfort to Amy to know that she wouldn’t have to share a resting place with the man who’d almost destroyed her. Henry’s younger brother Edward had been hanged for assaulting and murdering four women, although everyone thought his body count was much higher, as well as for attacking and almost killing Amy herself. He was the reason why her hands were in such a state now. Henry had his body secretly placed in the crypt. As he hadn’t been married or even engaged to Amy back then, he’d seen nothing wrong with this, but he’d never found the right time to tell his wife. She’d only found out when Robert had blurted it out during that final, terrible confrontation with him twelve years ago. Knowing her son had only told her to try to drive a wedge between her and her husband, Amy had immediately forgiven Henry and refused to allow it to come between them.
Amy shook herself out of these sad reminiscences of the past and smiled as she watched Henry say goodbye to the estate manager then stride over to her.
‘Any sign of John?’ he asked, sitting on the bench beside her.
‘No,’ she replied. ‘He stayed out all night.’
‘Again? That boy really needs to learn some responsibility.’
‘He’s seventeen. I suppose it’s only natural. At least he’s not eloped to Gretna Green like Robert did at his age.’
‘There’s a lot John hasn’t done that Robert did at this age, so I suppose we should be grateful. I just wish he’d knuckle down and learn about the estate. He needs to take more of the burden onto his own shoulders. That would leave us more time to do things together. I was thinking we could take a trip to Riverwood, just the two of us,’ he said, covering her hand with his own, referring to the mansion they owned in the Lake District.
‘Sounds lovely,’ she smiled. ‘But are you sure you want to go with a decrepit old woman like me?’
‘I don’t understand why you insist on calling yourself an old woman. You’re as lovely as the day we met.’
‘Perhaps you should visit your doctor?’
‘Why?’
‘There’s obviously something wrong with your eyes.’
‘No, there isn’t. You need to stop being so hard on yourself. And you certainly weren’t an old woman in bed last night,’ he beamed, leaning in to kiss her.
‘Yes, that was rather good,’ she smiled. ‘But I do feel like an old woman and I’m losing the use of my hands. You still look so young and handsome. I’m afraid you’ll find someone younger and more attractive.’
Gently he took one of her hands in his own, mindful of how painful they were. ‘I think the exact same thing about you. To me, you’re no different to that scared girl who came to live here all those years ago. I feel like I’m the one who’s slowing down, getting older.’
‘Henry, you just walked across the garden with the agility of someone in their twenties. Stephen would be hard pressed to keep up with you. I’m the one with a walking stick.’
‘I’ve used a walking stick for years.’
‘You use a cane, not a walking stick, and it suits your brooding good looks.’
‘It does?’ he frowned.
‘Yes. It’s only an affectation. You don’t need one to get about as I do.’
‘Amy Alardyce, I’ve loved you and only you my entire life and I will never look at another. You’re the only woman I want or will ever want. Even when we’re in our seventies, you will always be the fiery, beautiful woman I fell in love with. Now stop all this nonsense.’
‘Sorry,’ she said with a self-deprecating smile. ‘I am sounding a bit sorry for myself.’
‘Yes, you are. Now come on,’ he said, getting to his feet.
‘Where are we going?’ she replied, having to lean on her walking stick to get up off the bench.
‘To bed, to prove to you that you’re not old.’
‘I don