The Forgotten Palace

Alexandra Walsh

Description

'Scintillating, skilful and spellbinding, beautifully written and researched' Bestselling author of The Witch's Tree, Elena Collins

In an underground labyrinth a lost soul wanders, waiting for revenge, waiting for love…

London 1900

Alice Webster has made the worst decision of her life. When her Aunt Agatha offers her the chance to go on a Grand Tour she jumps at the opportunity to get away from the glare of scandal. Heading off to see the world as the century turns, Alice begins to believe her broken heart can be healed, and a chance encounter on a train bound for Paris changes everything. When their journey takes them to a Cretan house thick with history, and the world-famous dig at Knossos, stories from the past begin to echo through Alice’s life.

London Present Day

Eloise De’Ath is meant to be a grieving widow. But if people knew the truth about her late husband, they’d understand why she can’t even pretend. Needing to escape, Eloise heads to Crete and the house her father-in-law Quinn left her, and slowly Quinn’s home begins to reveal its mysteries. In his office Eloise discovers his life’s work: the study of the Victorian excavation to find the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Fascinated by the diaries of a young woman from the dig, Eloise is drawn into Alice’s tale of lost love and her growing obsession with Ariadne, the princess of the labyrinth.

Three women divided by time but connected by the long-hidden secrets of the past. As their stories join in a golden thread, a terrible injustice might finally be undone…

This unforgettable timeslip novel is perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Elena Collins and Diana Gabaldon.

Praise for Alexandra Walsh:

'Alexandra Walsh weaves a perfectly crafted dual timeline tale that will enthral and delight the reader from the first words until the very last sparkling moment.' Elena Collins

'I absolutely loved this beautifully written and characterful novel which intrigued me as it moves seamlessly between 1900 and the present with a throwback to Theseus and The Minotaur of ancient Crete.’ Carol McGrath

'Alexandra Walsh is a master storyteller and does historical time hops so well. The mystery, the intrigue and beautiful storytelling is ever present in The Forgotten Palace, as it is in all Alex’s novels. The plot, mixed with the Greek mythology, and characters make her latest fiction another masterpiece and one that stays with you a long time after you turn the last page.’ Michelle Rawlins

What readers are saying about Alexandra Walsh:

'As much as I wanted (needed) to know what the links between the past and present were, I also didn't want this book to end, as I became so captivated and drawn to the characters. A great read that feeds the soul. I'm so looking forward to the author's next book .'

'I enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one lengthy sitting of eight hours. It contains everything I love in a book, interesting believable characters , mystery and a story that grabs you from the very first page.'

'A host of characters populate this wonderful timeshift novel, all necessary and beautifully woven together in this compelling multi-generational family tale. I couldn't put it down - it kept me awake way beyond lights out time until I finally finished reading it.'

'Very cleverly written, how someone can come up with a story as complex as this one I think is nothing short of amazing. I love the way both Victorian and modern day is nicely tied up. This has to be the best timeshift story I have ever read. High recommendation from me.'

Sujets

• Sea Stories
• Multiple Timelines
• Mashups
• Historical Fiction
• Ancient World
• Feminist
• Holidays
• World Literature
• Literary
• Historical
• Women
• Coming of Age
• Literature
• 21st century
• Friendship
• Historical romance
• SpongeBob SquarePants
• Ariadne
• Ancient history
• 20th century
• Woman
• Feminism
• The Women
• Ancient
• Crete
• Greece
• Romance
• Gothic
• Fiction

Informations

• Publié par: Boldwood Books
• Date de parution: 12 avril 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781804159392
• Langue: English

Extrait

THE FORGOTTEN PALACE


ALEXANDRA WALSH
To Rosie and Jonathan.
To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there’s the rub;
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, HAMLET , III. I

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,

Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
WLLIAM SHAKESPEARE, HAMLET , I. V
CONTENTS



Dramatis Personae


Prologue

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


More from Alexandra Walsh

Acknowledgments

The Forgotten Palace – The History

About the Author

Also by Alexandra Walsh

About Boldwood Books
DRAMATIS PERSONAE



Present Day Characters


Dr Eloise De’Ath – a medically trained doctor who now works in research
Joshua Winter – Eloise’s late husband, a barrister
Rose Hay – Eloise’s best friend, a barrister
Leon Hay – Rose’s husband, an artist
Sean and Marcus Hay – Rose and Leon’s identical twin sons. Eloise’s godsons
The Four Musketeers – a.k.a. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Claud Willoughby – Josh’s best friend (1)
Davina Lawson – Claud’s long-term partner
Nahjib Virk – Josh’s best friend (2)
Marcella Jones – Nahjib’s girlfriend
Martin Culshaw – Josh’s best friend (3)



The De’Ath Family


Eric De’Ath – Eloise’s father, an undertaker
Marissa De’Ath – Eloise’s mother, a florist
Gareth De’Ath – Eloise’s older brother, works with their father
Jessica Jenkins née De’Ath – Eloise’s sister, works with their mother
Lee Jenkins – Jessica’s husband
Jayden and Bella Jenkins – Jessica and Lee’s children
Nadine Woodford – Gareth’s wife
Ivy De’Ath – Gareth and Nadine’s daughter



The Winter Family


Quinn Winter (deceased) – Josh’s father
Ethelwyn Winter – Josh’s mother
Gladys Draye – Josh’s aunt who lives with Ethelwyn, separated from her husband



Other Characters


Faye Mostin (Auntie Faye) – Claud’s godmother
Reuben Mostin (Uncle Reuben) – married to Faye
Steve Lester and John Lowdon – owners of the Brewery Taverna, a restaurant and bar in Crete
Marina and Yiannis Fourakis – friends of Eloise in Crete
Tobias and Thea Fourakis – Marina and Yiannis’s children
Nikos Fourakis – Yiannis’s younger brother
Michaelas and Donna – Marina’s parents
Christos and Nina – Marina’s brother and sister-in-law
Ezio and Selene – work colleagues of Marina
Cosmo – Marina’s assistant at the Heraklion Museum



Victorian Characters
The Webster Family and Friends


Alice Webster –the youngest of four children
Norman Webster – Alice’s father, a wealthy businessman
Adela Webster – Alice’s mother, very progressive for a Victorian woman
Benedict Webster (Ben) – Alice’s eldest brother, married to Anna Miston
Petronella Webster (Petra) – Alice’s sister
Hugo Webster – Alice’s brother, eighteen months older than Alice
Agatha, Lady Hope née Webster – Norman’s younger sister, widow of Sir Barnaby Hope
Andrew and Robert Hope – Agatha’s sons
Juliet Fraser-Price – Alice’s best friend
Sir Jolyon Fraser-Price – Juliet’s father
Lady Fraser-Price – Juliet’s mother
Tybalt Fraser-Price – Juliet’s older brother
Ross Montrose – Hugo’s best friend, heir to the dukedom of Arkaig
Bernadette – a friend of Alice’s from Newnham



Travelling with Lady Hope, Alice, Robert and Andrew


John Wendbury – Lady Hope’s butler
Nancy Eagles – Lady Hope’s lady’s maid
Florence Parker – trainee lady’s maid who attends Alice
Miriam Ipswich – nanny to Robert and Andrew



The Lockwood Family


Ephraim Lockwood – a business associate of Norman Webster
The Earl of Bentree – father of Ephraim
The Countess of Bentree – mother of Ephraim
Ernest Lockwood – Ephraim’s son
Patrick Lockwood – elder son of Lord and Lady Bentree
Flora Lockwood – wife of Patrick
Deuteronomy Pepworth – father of Esther, the Countess of Bentree



The Perrin Family


George Asterion Perrin – travelling to Crete with his parents
Augustus Perrin (Gus) – George’s father
Elaine Perrin – George’s mother
William Perrin – George’s elder brother
Eliza Perrin – William’s wife
Charles and Irene Perrin – William and Eliza’s children
Clara Thorsson née Perrin – George’s younger sister, who is pregnant with Louis
Timothy Thorsson – Clara’s husband
Clementine Thorsson – Clara and Timothy’s daughter



The Knossos Dig


Arthur Evans – Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford and a keen archaeologist
Duncan Mackenzie – Arthur’s assistant
David Hogarth – friend of Arthur Evans and another keen archaeologist
Theodore Fyfe – architect and archaeologist
Harriet Boyd – running a dig in Gournia
Angeliki – Alice’s friend
Maria – Alice’s friend
Mani – Angeliki’s cousin and a friend of Alice and Hugo
Vassilis – Hugo and George’s friend
PROLOGUE



Do not die waiting
Live each day with love
Savour every moment
For each day may be an ending
As each ending is a new beginning


Forget sorrows, allow grief to heal
Hold your head high and do not let fear weaken your resolve
Every step is a complete journey
A moment in time, in truth
Where love is perfect and your heart is strong


Let the purity of the words cleanse you
Leave you washed afresh with each new morning
Close your eyes and allow instinct to be your guide
As you walk your chosen path


Be strong in the moments of darkness
These too will pass
For without the dark, there can be no light
As without evil, there can be no good


Allow the good to flow
And the rewards will be great



But remember, above all, to live each day with love
ALICE WEBSTER, 1900
1
LONDON, PRESENT DAY

‘I love you.’
The words hung in the air between the two women.
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, they were the last words.’
Rain streaked the windows, the grey sky lowering with each clap of thunder as Eloise De’Ath moved away from her friend, Rose Hay, to take a final glance in the mirror. Her long blonde hair was swept up in a style of old-fashioned elegance, her make-up was subtle, applied with help from Rose. Turning from side to side, she checked nothing marred her appearance.
‘Should I change my shoes?’ she said, looking down at her expensive satin stilettos.
‘We have umbrellas,’ said Rose. ‘You don’t have to walk far. The car will park outside the church.’
The two women stared at their reflections in the mirror.
‘You don’t have to do this, Lo,’ Rose continued, slipping into Eloise’s childhood nickname. ‘If you’ve changed your mind, I can tell your dad. He’ll handle any difficulties.’
Eloise reached for her friend’s hand and squeezed it.
‘It’s come too far—’ Eloise began, but a knock on the door halted the discussion.
‘The cars are here,’ called her father. ‘Are you decent? May I come in?’
Rose gathered her handbag, gloves and coat, opening the door to admit Eric De’Ath.
‘You and Leon are in the third car with Claud, Nahjib and Martin,’ Eric murmured to Rose as she slipped past to hurry down the stairs. ‘Everyone is being shown into the vehicles now.’
Eloise waited for her father’s reaction.
‘My darling, you look beautiful,’ he said, tears welling in his eyes.
‘Thank you, Dad,’ she whispered, fighting the lump in her throat. She reached for her long black cashmere coat, and shrugged on its swirling, enveloping warmth, before easing her leather gloves over the clean white bandage that was wrapped across her right palm. ‘Shall we do this?’
‘Yes, my dear, we can’t leave it much longer. We don’t want to be late.’
Taking her father’s arm, she allowed him to lead her down the wide staircase, draped with swags of white lilies. Extravagant, she thought, but everything about the service had taken on epic proportions.
Her mother, Marissa, waited in the doorway.
‘We’ll see you there, darling,’ she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Marissa’s heels clicked on the mosaic-tiled path as she hurried towards Eloise’s elder brother, Gareth, who helped her into the black limousine. Eloise waited on the pavement with her father, aware that several of her neighbours, people she knew only in passing, were standing at their gates, watching the spectacle. The couple from the house opposite nodded their respects and Eloise wondered whether she had ever known their names. Mr and Mrs 29 was how she had always thought of them.
‘In here, lovey,’ her father said, opening the door of the car immediately behind the hearse.
‘Hurry up, do,’ came a sharp voice from the gloomy interior, ‘the weather is against us and it would be a disaster if Gladys catches a cold.’
Lowering herself into the seat beside the two old women, Eloise did not respond. Her father closed the door and, after a brief word with the driver, hurried to the car behind, joining Marissa, Gareth and Eloise’s sister, Jessica. A moment later, the driver clicked his indicator and the funeral cortège of Joshua Winter, Eloise’s husband, pulled away from the kerb and made its slow way through the rain to the church where, four years earlier, Eloise and Josh had been married.
‘Are her shoes red?’
Eloise felt her mouth twitch in irritation as Aunt Gladys’s whisper filled the car.
‘Scarlet,’ muttered Josh’s mother, Ethelwyn Winter. ‘Shameless hussy.’
‘Red shoes, no knickers,’ countered Aunt Gladys.
‘I am here,’ said Eloise, turning for the first time to observe her mother-in-law and aunt-by-marriage. ‘I can hear you.’
‘You should be ashamed of yourself,’ snapped Ethelwyn, ‘wearing those shoes.’
‘They were the last present Josh gave me,’ Eloise replied,