In an alternate world Victorian England, Arabella Lorne dances every night upon the stage, surrounded by egotistical prima donnas, dishonest theatrical agents, and sinister hangers-on,
When the ageing Diva Eulalia Fairbanks accuses Arabella of upstaging her, and her Eulalia’s ‘bully boys’ decide to make an example of the young actress, Arabella fears for her very life.
However, the saturnine, brooding Sir Alaric Stannion, an admirer who has watched Arabella’s performances from his box every night, rescues her and holds out an escape from her tumultuous life.
He offers to marry her and make her mistress of Elvingstone Manor. A marriage purely of convenience, as he needs a wife for propriety’s sake.
Barred from the theatre, Arabella accepts his unorthodox proposal and is taken by carriage to Alaric’s crumbling ancient mansion…but Elvingstone hold its secrets, and soon the past will intrude upon the present and creatures straight from myth walk in the modern world.
What dwells within the crypt within the churchyard, which Alaric paints with blood?
Whatever became of Alaric’s first wife Floralie and their little son?
Arabella must find out the truth about Elvingstone Manor, her mysterious husband, and her own heart.
A short novel of 40,000 words.
