Hidden (Marchwood Vampire Series #1) (3 page)

The boy pushed
open a door and pulled her over onto an unmade double bed. The
insistent bass line from downstairs helped mute her feelings. As
their kisses grew deeper, she forgot about the fact she might not
have a home, she forgot about her suspension from school, she
forgot who she was, why she was here and why she cared about any of
it. She just concentrated on the hot shivers in the depths of her
body and the comforting feeling of being held, of being wanted.

Madison didn’t
particularly care about him, it was just convenient he looked fit,
seemed to be into her and happened to be a pretty good kisser. He
started to undo the buttons on her shirt. So far, she’d done a good
job of keeping her clothes on, but his hands were stronger than
hers.

She wished
he’d stay happy with the long deep kisses, but knew how likely that
wasn’t, and his groping began to annoy her. Grabbing his hand more
forcefully, she pushed it away.

‘
Come on, Maddy.’

‘
No.’

‘
It feels good though doesn’t it? Just chill a
bit.’

‘
I said no. Don’t spoil it.’

His hands
wandered down past the back of her skirt and found the stolen
library book.

‘
What’s this?’ He pulled it out and squinted in the darkened
room. ‘What you reading this for? Seagulls?’ He tossed it on the
floor and started to kiss her again.

‘
No, pass that back. I’m gonna go downstairs, I need a
drink.’

‘
We’ll get a drink later, come on.’ He tugged at her
skirt.

‘
No, get off!’ She sat up and shoved him away. ‘Where’s my
book?’

‘
God, girl, it’s just a frigging book! What is your problem?
You some kind of geek or something?’

Maddy jumped
off the bed and scrabbled around on the floor until she found the
book, wedged it back down her skirt and slammed out of the
door.

‘
Freak!’ the boy shouted after her.

She stumbled
past the smokers on the stairs and the sweaty crowd of kids in the
hall and shakily made her way outside. The police had just pulled
up outside the house. They were early, didn’t usually show up at
parties until at least eleven. It had been raining - a short sharp
thunderstorm and the air smelt burnt and damp.

Maddy walked blurrily down the road in no particular
direction until her legs grew tired and she sat down on the wet,
grey kerb, with her feet in the gutter. Dirty rainwater swirled
around her boots, but she didn’t care.
This isn’t my life
, she
thought.
I’ve seen real life on the telly,
and I’ve read about it in books and it’s not like this. This is a
mistake; my life is a great big mistake. It’s not supposed to be
like this.

Chapter
Two

Paris 1881

*

They were all
furious with Alexandre. It was ridiculous. He had only escorted her
outside onto the terrace for some air. Well … there was the small
matter of the kiss. One tiny innocent kiss. But then, he supposed
there was no such thing as an innocent kiss.

At this moment
he wished he had never set eyes on the girl. She had looked up at
him from under her lashes, instantly seducing him with her china
blue eyes. And now there was an almighty furore. It was the
revolution all over again, with both families baying for his
blood.

*

The evening
had started out well enough. Their carriage had drawn up outside
the neo-classical stone building set on its wide tree-lined Paris
avenue. Hurrying out of the chill February air and shrugging off
their coats, the Chevalier family had made their way into the great
ballroom.

The room
murmured with the convivial buzz of chatter and soft laughter.
Crystal chandeliers glittered and sparkled above walls hung with
gleaming mirrors, reflecting the glamorous guests. Men, slick and
groomed in black and white. Women, shining like multi-coloured
birds, evening gowns cascading over bustles, in swirls, frills,
ruffles and ribbons.

Alexandre knew
he looked dashing and, when he finally made his entrance, he sensed
admiring eyes on him. He and his family were immediately presented
to their hosts, the Bouviers.

The Bouvier
sisters were all remarkably ugly, with the exception of the
youngest who had taken all the good genes and arranged them into a
delightful mix of blonde ringlets, tiny nose and rosebud lips.
Alexandre carefully observed etiquette to show them all the same
courteous attention.

‘
And this is our youngest, Lily.’ Monsieur Bouvier introduced
her with an indulgent tone.

The elder
sisters’ expressions soured, jealousy abounding. It was a good
thing Bouvier was wealthy, else his horse-faced daughters would be
destined to board the fast coach to spinsterhood.

Monsieur
Bouvier turned to Alexandre’s Papa. ‘So, you and your good lady
wife are soon away to Turkey to discover its hidden treasures. I am
most curious to discover what you shall discover.’ Monsieur Bouvier
was backing Papa in his archaeological career.

‘
God willing, we shall find something of note there. It does
sound promising by all accounts.’

‘
Good. Come, come, let’s find you a place to sit.’

The Chevaliers
followed their host into the throng, where he found them seats next
to the draughty French windows.

Alexandre
danced with one of Lily’s sisters first. Unfailingly charming, he
made perfect small talk and put the awkward girl at her ease whilst
trying to avoid having his shiny pointed shoes stamped on. A waltz
followed and then a polka and finally he was to dance with
Lily.

She took his
arm confidently and he felt her mother’s eyes boring holes into his
back. Alexandre led her onto the dance floor and turned his gaze on
her, taking in her pretty features and perfect form. She put her
hand on top of his and spoke in a high, childish voice.

‘
You must say something interesting, Monsieur, or I shall be
forced to replace your name on my dance card with someone more
convivial.’

‘
Then I shall tell you how I have been so bored by my other
partners, I was compelled to glance over their shoulders just to
get a glimpse of you.’

‘
Such cheek! I am sure those ladies must have found you most
rude.’

‘
Not at all, Mademoiselle. I did not let them
see
me looking over
their shoulders. I was very discreet.’

She giggled.
‘You have a roguish streak. I think this must be why my mother is
glaring at us.’

‘
I thought that was her natural facial expression. A glare
for
me
you say?
But it is the only expression I have ever seen her
wear.’

‘
That is my
mother
you are talking about! And it is the only
expression you have seen her wear because it is reserved for you
alone. I fear she may be right about you, Monsieur.’

‘
I fear it too. There is then, no hope for me. Alas, what am I
to do?’

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?’