The Madmen of Beldon Hall Read online

  The Madmen of Beldon Hall

  By

  K. Sterling

  Thank you, Roshni. Sometimes, I think I started all this just so we’d find each other.

  Please visit my Amazon Author Page for more K. Sterling titles!

  Meet Lavender:

  In The Kill

  Hide And Kill

  Bleed And Seek

  Meet Reginald:

  Mr. Harcourt And The Hurricane

  Aiden And Lane Titles (Boys Of Lake Cliff):

  Hide And Keep

  Safe And Sound

  Spark And Flame

  Hide And Kill

  Bleed And Seek

  Waterloo Falls:

  Under The Stars

  Tangled In Fate

  Standalone Titles:

  The Jock’s Trap

  The Crush

  A New Day

  The Shattered Spell

  Lost In You

  Falling For Disaster

  Building Heat

  The Shop Downstairs

  The Guarded Heart

  Courage In Love

  For One Night Only

  Waiting For Mr. Ashwell

  In The Rough

  The Hard Fall

  Playing The Hero

  The Perfect Mess

  Hetero Titles:

  Saving Kate (released as/with Abigail Graves)

  Saved By A Siren (as Abigail Graves)

  Wicked And Wild (as Abigail Graves)

  Claimed By Chaos (as Abigail Graves)

  Dearest Reader,

  I want to offer a rare warning. For me, Halloween kicks off my favorite time of the year. The weather gets colder and the skies become gloomy. Families huddle together from the cold and comfort foods become daily fare as we prepare for the holidays. I love a good Gothic novel and Hitchcock’s Rebecca always gives me chills. As a treat, I thought I’d let them inspire me. Because this is Gay Gothic, the drama needed to be intense. For that reason, there are scenes involving domestic/child abuse. These scenes may be very disturbing for some readers. If there is any possibility those scenes might cause you real distress, please turn back now. It would break my heart if I hurt you. If you do choose to stay, welcome to Beldon Hall. Do be careful, it’s very dark in here.

  Love and happy reading,

  K. Sterling

  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 1

  “And it’s only been sixteen years?” Byron asked in complete disbelief as his eyes scanned the massive medieval and Tudor manor. The best picture he’d found was almost thirty years old. Beldon Hall looked…desolate. Part of the Hawk Tower lay in crumbled ruins in the front courtyard and the grounds were overrun with bare, brittle trees.

  “Aye. Nature has a way of taking over. No one’s been on the grounds since it was closed,” the cab driver explained. Byron hissed as he rubbed the back of his neck. He’d hired Jim to drive him to Beldon Hall and didn’t believe him when he said the trip would be a waste of time.

  “There’s no caretaker we can talk to?” He asked despite the obvious lack of care. The long, winding drive through the estate grounds was nearly impassable with brush and weeds, the branches of trees clawed at the sides of the cab as they crawled toward the manor. The house itself was overwhelmed with climbing vines and the windows were dark and filthy from years of neglect. A massive gate blocked the lower, front courtyard and Byron’s heart sank as he pushed his head through the bars and strained to see if there were any signs of human life on the property.

  “No one’s cared about that place since the twelfth earl died sixteen years ago. The new Lord Waldeford had everything sealed up and locked as soon as his father’s body was carried out. He’s never been back. There have been offers from all sorts to rent the place or use it for recording films and weddings but his lordship’s refused. He’s made it clear that he wants that place to rot to the ground and no one can touch it,” Jim explained and Byron smiled.

  “We’ll see about that.”

  Chapter 2

  “My lord, that Dr. Granger is here and he refuses to leave until he’s granted an audience,” Mrs. Canter murmured as she filled Alastair’s tea cup. She set the pot down then pulled a card from her pocket and placed it on the desk.

  Dr. Byron Granger

  Visiting Professor of Theology, Gresham College

  Holborn, London

  “Why won’t he go away?” Alastair groaned as he squeezed his temples. There was a new message almost every time he checked his email and the calls were becoming incessant. This was his fourth attempt to force his way into an interview and Alastair was starting to admire his tenacity. “Just let him in,” he said as he shut his laptop then reclined in his seat.

  “If you’re sure,” Mrs. Canter said and her nose wrinkled. “I’d be glad to be rid of him, he’s a bit unsettling,” she complained in her soft Irish brogue and Alastair’s brows rose. Mrs. Canter was universally feared and respected. She was the impregnable backbone of Alastair’s existence. She did not suffer fools and nothing got past her.

  “He’s unsettling?” Alastair frowned as he looked toward the door. “If he’s been disrespectful or improper in any way…” He began and she snorted.

  “I can assure you, he would not be standing in my waiting room if his manners were lacking. The man can’t sit still and he’s yet to run out of breath,” she complained and Alastair sighed.

  “Send him in and I’ll see if I can get rid of him once and for all,” he said and she tilted her head then backed out of the room. Alastair checked the card again and he rolled his eyes. The last thing he was in the mood for was a long, stuffy lecture from an old, overbearing vicar or a shriveled up academic. There was a tap at the door and Alastair lost his breath when his gaze was trapped by the softest hazel. He forced his eyes to drift lower and a cocky grin and square jaw made it even harder to focus.

  “Lord Waldeford,” he said as he hurried into the room and offered his hand. Alastair shook his head in an effort to clear it then stood and reached across his desk. Fuck, he’s tall. He had absurdly broad shoulders and was lean but athletic. He couldn’t have been more than thirty-five and his grey wool cardigan, Star Wars t-shirt, jeans and soccer sneakers were more appropriate for a student than a professional academic.

  “You’re Dr. Granger?” Alastair asked dubiously and the other man’s smile brightened as he brushed his dark curls away from his eyes.

  “I wasn’t expecting you to be so young either,” he said and Alastair’s head pulled back before he gestured for Granger to sit. He dropped into the chair across from Alastair’s and he whistled as he turned in his seat. “This is a beautiful office and your view is incredible. You’d laugh if you could see the closet they gave me at Gresh
am,” he said as he sat back. Alastair blinked back at him as he tried to imagine why on Earth this common American would find any point in comparing their offices. While phenomenally attractive and clearly well educated, it was a bit like visiting the Queen at Buckingham and comparing his flat in King’s Cross with her private sitting room. Alastair pressed his hands together and tapped his lips as he pretending to care.

  “And you’re here to see if I’ll pull strings at Gresham to get you a bigger office?” He asked and Granger chuckled as he shook his head.

  “I’m sure you know why I’m here,” he said and Alastair nodded.

  “I do. And I’m sure you know what my answer is,” he said and Granger threw his hands up before he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

  “Come on! You can’t keep them locked away!” He argued and Alastair nodded.

  “Legally, I can. Beldon Hall’s entail states that those journals are to remain in Beldon Hall for as long as it stands. As I’m the current lord and owner of Beldon, I can do with them as I please,” he informed him dryly. “I’ve made that abundantly clear,” he said and Granger groaned as his head dropped and he pushed his hands through his hair.

  “Just give me a month,” he said as he looked up at Alastair. For a moment, he was trapped. Granger’s eyes were so soft and clear, Alastair felt a bit dazed and he wanted to sink further into them.

  “A month?” He asked and pushed his brain to work. Granger became alert as he scooted to the edge of his seat.

  “I’ll pay you. There’s really no limit to my budget,” he said and Alastair shook his head quickly.

  “Absolutely not. Beldon is closed,” he said and Granger gasped.

  “That’s fine! I don’t need you to open it, officially. Just let me camp out in there for a month and look at his journals,” he begged and Alastair laughed.

  “There’s no way I’m allowing that,” he promised. The last thing he’d ever allow was for someone to run loose in Beldon. Granger’s eyes narrowed as he studied Alastair.

  “I’m going to be totally honest with you because it’s taken me weeks to see you face to face and I don’t know how long it will be before I get another opportunity,” he said and Alastair grinned.

  “It’s charming that you think you’d get that lucky again,” he replied and Granger waved dismissively.

  “I’m not going away until I see Bede’s journals. It took me years to get invited to Gresham. Every waking minute of my academic career has been aimed at getting into Beldon and seeing those missing journals,” he stated and Alastair winced.

  “You should have consulted with me first, I’m afraid you’ve wasted years in pursuit of the impossible,” he said and Granger made a pffffttt sound.

  “Impossible is a kid with no parents getting accepted to Harvard and then Oxford,” he said and Alastair’s heart slowed and felt heavier as he gave Granger another once over. He was handsome and brash but his eyes glowed with intelligence, mischief and absolute stubbornness. Alastair couldn’t help but admire him and under different circumstances they might have been friends. Or more. Granger bit his lip and cringed. It was adorable and caused a faint flutter in Alastair’s stomach.

  “I’m truly sorry but I can’t allow you to enter Beldon,” he said and Granger’s cheeks puffed out.

  “And I’m truly sorry. You can either let me in with your permission or I’ll have to find my own way in,” he warned and the flutter became a brick. Acid burned the back of Alastair’s throat and he gripped the arms of his chair so Granger wouldn’t see his hands shake.

  “If you break into Beldon, I’ll have you arrested and I’ll bring the full weight of the law and my title down upon you,” he threatened. Men had cried. One even wet himself. Granger’s eyes flicked upwards thoughtfully before he shrugged.

  “I respect that, really,” he said and Alastair was once again at a loss. Granger was neither intimidated or impressed by Alastair’s rank or warning. “First, you’d have to catch me. I grew up in foster homes and orphanages, I’m slippery as fuck and can hide anywhere. And I spent a few years on the streets, when I first started college. I got good at finding my way into places so I could forage for food, bathe and sleep. It could take you weeks to catch me and it would be worth it,” he admitted and Alastair was flabbergasted.

  “You can’t break into a man’s ancestral home if he refuses to let you in!” He argued and Granger nodded.

  “For Bede’s missing journals? I’d do worse. I’m offering to pay you for the privilege of being the first person outside of your bloodline in almost a hundred years to lay eyes on them. If I can’t get to them by fair means, I’ll try foul,” he said and Alastair used his thumb to knead his temple as pain flared in his head.

  “If it helps, I’ve seen them and they’re really rather unremarkable,” he grumbled and a loud laugh burst from Granger.

  “Unremarkable! He’s The Father of English History. Those journals are the Nag Hammadi Scrolls of English Christianity! I would literally die to see them,” he said and Alastair considered arranging it.

  “You don’t understand, this isn’t about those journals. You can’t go into Beldon Hall because it’s closed and no one will ever go in there again,” he said firmly and Granger shook his head.

  “I’d really like to do this with your approval but I have to see them, Waldeford,” he said matter-of-factly. “I won’t disturb anything beyond those journals. I’ll treat your home with respect and I’ll handle those journals as if they’re priceless. Because they are,” he promised and Alastair could feel his temper bubbling as his frustration swelled.

  “I can’t permit you to be there unsupervised. Beyond the invasion of my family’s privacy, Beldon Hall is uninhabitable. There is no staff and no one’s been in it since I locked its doors. I have no idea what condition it’s in. It might not be safe,” he said but Granger didn’t appear at all concerned.

  “Whatever, I’ve survived worse. I’ll set up a tent in the library or dungeon or wherever they’re being kept. I don’t care.” He gave Alastair an expectant look and his nerves became taut and brittle.

  “Even if I were going to allow you access, I can’t allow you to be in Beldon alone. That’s just never going to happen,” he said firmly.

  “Then hire someone to babysit me. I’ll reimburse you, if it’ll put your mind at ease. I couldn’t give a damn about whatever art or other valuables you’ve got packed away in there. I just want time to study Bede’s journals,” he offered and Alastair immediately shook his head.

  “There’s no one I would trust,” he said. Another set of eyes in Beldon was an even bigger nightmare. “I’m sorry but I just can’t help you,” he added and Granger smirked.

  “Actually, you could help me,” he said and Alastair had nearly had it with Granger’s casual disregard for his rank.

  “Forgive me, but…” He picked up Granger’s card and pretended to examine it. “Is it common for a visiting professor to retain a peer of the realm as a chaperone?” He asked dryly.

  “I’m also a Senior Research Fellow,” Granger added cockily.

  “No.” Alastair made his gaze as hard and direct as possible.

  “Catch me if you can?” Granger offered and Alastair’s eye twitched.

  “Do you really think I have nothing better to do than spend a month stuck in Beldon while you study a bunch of old journals?” He asked and Granger’s nose wrinkled.

  “I think you can do anything you want. You’re one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in England,” he said and Alastair snorted.

  “Apparently not. I can’t keep one pain in the arse American out of my damned house,” he complained and Granger pointed.

  “Ha! I guess there are some things money and power can’t get you,” he teased and Alastair pulled a face.

  “It seems they’re no match for the uncivilized,” he muttered as he stood and went to the window. He clasped his hands behind his back as he star
ed out at the city. “I haven’t been to Beldon since I was thirteen. I swore I’d never go back,” he said.

  “Why? Why did you lock it up?” Granger asked and Alastair shut his eyes as hate, fear and pain swelled within him. He swallowed hard, his throat was dry and raw.

  “I understand that those journals are important to you but you need to understand that I never want to see that place again. There are things within Beldon that need to be forgotten,” he explained.

  “Those journals are important to the history of the world, Waldeford. Think of what we could learn about England, the Bible and early Christianity and astronomy! There are songs and poems historians have alluded to by Bede that we’ve never seen. There’s a treasure trove of knowledge in Beldon. You could be the man who gave that to the world!” Granger insisted and Alastair’s vision became unfocused as his mind drifted. He’d spent most of his life trying to escape the curse of Beldon and distance himself from his family’s dark legacy. He couldn’t imagine anything good coming out of Beldon but if it could bring some honor to his name…

  “If I was to agree to this, you would have to sign something in regard to anything else you might see or learn while at Beldon,” he said then turned. Granger’s eyes were wide and his head bounced rapidly as he nodded.

  “Of course! I’ll sign anything. I’ll never say a word about anything but Bede’s journals. I don’t care if there are closets full of skulls or rugs made out of human tongues, I just want to see those journals,” he said quickly and Alastair sighed.

  “I’ll have my solicitor write something up and send it to you. Give me a few days to make arrangements here and do what I can to prepare for a month at Beldon,” he said as he went to his desk and flipped open his laptop then opened his calendar. It would be a nightmare but Mrs. Canter would rearrange and delegate his appointments and responsibilities so the office could run in his absence.

  “You won’t regret this!” Granger swore as he jumped to his feet. He looked like he was about to crawl over Alastair’s desk and hug him. Alastair flinched then relaxed when Granger offered his hand. “The contribution you’re about to make to the arts, history and science will be tremendous,” he added as he shook Alastair’s hand excitedly. “And once I’ve copied everything, people will stop bothering you about the journals,” he said and Alastair’s cheeks puffed out as he shoved his hands into his pockets. Let’s hope it doesn’t cost me everything, he thought.