The Complete 1st Freak House Trilogy: Box set (The 1st Freak House Trilogy)

by C. J. Archer

  "Any idea as to why?" Myer asked.

  "None whatsoever." Samuel stood and held out his hand to me. "Let me help you, Hannah. You look worn out."

  I was glad for his strong, steady arm to lean on, and equally glad to see that it didn't bother Jack. His old jealousy hadn't surfaced for some days. I attributed it to their newfound friendship since Samuel had fought the demons alongside Jack. Our lake trysts probably helped reassure him too.

  He carried my coat over his arm, and I still held my gloves. I glanced up the staircase as we entered the entrance hall, but there was no sign of Mrs. Myer. I thanked Mr. Myer for his assistance.

  "I feel as if I haven't helped at all," he said with an apologetic shrug.

  "You may still be able to," Jack said quietly so as not to be overheard by the hovering footman. "If you think of anyone in the Society who may have a connection to Harborough or Frakingham, send word to us there immediately. Speak of this to no one. Hannah's condition is not something you can discuss with others."

  "Nor is Samuel's," I added.

  "I understand," Myer said. "Trust me. I'm used to secrets of that nature." He signaled for Adamson the footman to open the door. "Mr. Gladstone," he suddenly said, "would you like to dine with me tonight at White's?"

  I felt a ripple travel up Samuel's arm. Surprise, perhaps? "I don't see why not," he said. "We have other plans, but I'm sure my company won't be missed."

  Myer grinned. "Excellent! I think we'll have a great deal to discuss."

  We made our way down to the coach and climbed in. I sat on the bench seat and yawned. "Samuel, you will be missed at dinner. Are you sure you want to meet with Myer on your own?"

  He shrugged. "Why not? Are you worried about me, Hannah?"

  "A little."

  "He can't hypnotize me."

  "I know, but…" I clicked my tongue. I couldn't explain it, but I had an uneasy feeling in my chest. "I'm not sure I trust him."

  "I know I don't," Jack said. "Be careful, Gladstone."

  "I will. I don't trust him either. The man hypnotized his own wife right in front of us with no thought how it would affect anyone else." He held up his hands when I opened my mouth to speak. "I know I'm not exactly a paragon of ethical behavior in that department, but I amended my ways before the age of twenty at least. Myer should know better."

  Jack pulled out a cushion from the compartment beneath the seat. "Rest until we're back at the hotel, Hannah."

  "But I want to talk some more about Myer."

  He shook the cushion at me. "Rest, please."

  His plea and the lines of worry radiating from his eyes had me reaching for the cushion. I placed it behind my head and closed my eyes. It was blessedly soothing and I instantly relaxed.

  "Sorry, Gladstone," I heard Jack say through my sleepy state.

  I wondered why he was apologizing, then a blast of cool air washed over my face, cooling me down. Jack had opened the window.

  "Not at all," Samuel said. "Pass me Hannah's coat since she doesn't need it."

  ***

  I slept for the rest of the afternoon in my room at Claridges and awoke when Sylvia returned from her outing with Mrs. Beaufort. She helped me dress in a light, summery gown for the evening. I'd decided that the Beauforts and Culverts already knew that I suffered from the heat, so there was no reason to hide it.

  Dinner at the Beauforts was an intimate affair with Mrs. Beaufort's young aunt, Cara Moreau there, and Mr. Beaufort's sister, Adelaide Culvert and her husband George too. She was pregnant with their second child, but in good health and spirits. A remarkably pretty woman, she reminded me of Sylvia. Both were fair and rosy-cheeked with a regal tilt to their chins, although Mrs. Culvert's manner of speaking was more measured. Sylvia could learn a thing or two about tact from her.

  "I'm quite relieved that Samuel didn't join us," Sylvia said to the group as we sat down to dinner. "Now we can talk frankly about him and Myer."

  "Syl," Jack warned.

  "Gladstone and Myer?" Mrs. Beaufort asked.

  Her husband held up his hand for silence, and we all fell to watching the servants, waiting for them to leave so we could talk freely. The footmen brought in a series of dishes and served while the butler poured wine. Once they'd finished, Mr. Beaufort dismissed them, and they departed without a backward glance. Either they were well trained or were used to the informality of their employers.

  "Now may I ask why you mentioned Mr. Gladstone in the same breath as Myer?" asked Mrs. Beaufort. "Is he a hypnotist too?"

  I felt a twinge of guilt at discussing Samuel and his ability without him present, but it was too late to dismiss her question now. His secret had been revealed and I doubted the Beauforts would allow us to avoid answering.

  Jack told them about Samuel's hypnosis. He was met with raised eyebrows, but not derision or disbelief. Very little seemed to surprise this family.

  "So how did the meeting with Myer go?" Sylvia asked. "Is he a natural hypnotist like Samuel?"

  "He certainly is," Jack muttered.

  "You sound disapproving," Mrs. Beaufort said. "Yet you accept Mr. Gladstone's ability."

  "He doesn't hypnotize people for amusement or because they disagree with him." I noticed how he didn't say 'against their will.' It would have been a lie. "Myer hypnotized his wife in front of us."

  All the ladies gasped. "Good lord!" Mrs. Culvert said, a hand at her throat.

  "Despicable man," Mrs. Beaufort muttered. "Utterly without morals, it would seem."

  "Did you fall under his spell, Hannah?" Sylvia asked.

  "Jack made sure that I didn't."

  "Needless to say, the meeting didn't get off to a promising start," Jack said.

  "Why did he hypnotize his wife?" Mr. Culvert asked. "Did he give you a reason?"

  "Does he need a reason?" his wife retorted.

  He waved his fork about. "If she were being particularly difficult, for example, or—"

  "George!

  He lowered his fork and pushed his glasses up his nose. "Of course, it's a terrible business. Absolutely despicable. He should never have done it. But…what was she like, Miss Smith?"

  "I found her to be very odd," I said.

  "See!"

  Mrs. Culvert glared at her husband. "George, oddity is not a reason to hypnotize anyone."

  "No. Of course not. I find the situation interesting, that's all. I'm trying to understand it from Mr. Myer's point of view."

  "Perhaps you ought to try to understand from his wife's. Imagine living with someone who can hypnotize you whenever he likes and feels no guilt in doing so."

  "Indeed," he said, nodding. "I see what you mean. Poor Mrs. Myer. It's no wonder she's odd."

  I exchanged smirks with Miss Moreau sitting across from me.

  "Now that George is enlightened, please go on, Miss Smith," Mrs. Beaufort said.

  I told them how Everett Myer had ordered his wife out of the room and how he'd been curious as to why none of us had been affected. "Samuel and Jack are immune, but I was succumbing to his voice until Jack poked me. We told Mr. Myer that Samuel was like him, although he'd already guessed. His wife had too."

  "She did seem very curious about him," Jack said, frowning into his wine glass. "It was as if she could tell just by looking into his eyes what he was. She wasn't afraid, though. What do you think, Hannah?"

  "You're right, she wasn't afraid of Samuel. Perhaps disturbed by him, even a little angry. It grew worse when Samuel tried to charm her with a few smiles and compliments."

  Sylvia laughed. "Do you mean the charmer failed to charm a lady? How I'm going to tease him about that."

  "He was most put out by it. I've never seen him so out of sorts. He wasn't at all like himself."

  Jack nodded. "He told me later that Mrs. Myer unsettled him. She seemed to know instantly what he was capable of and disturbed by it."

  "I can see why," Mrs. Beaufort said. "With a husband who hypnotizes her without warning, perhaps she expected Samuel to do the s
ame."

  "She was used to it, you mean," Mr. Beaufort said. "That's why she wasn't afraid. She was used to being hypnotized, yet doesn't like it, naturally."

  "How awful for her," Miss Moreau said quietly. "The poor woman."

  We ate in silence for a few moments, the weight of Mrs. Myer's situation dampening further conversation until Mr. Beaufort spoke.

  "Did Myer offer any suggestions as to which Society member may have summoned the demon?" he asked.

  "None," Jack said. He told them everything Myer had claimed, and there the conversation ended.

  Mr. Beaufort rang for the servants to clear away our main course dishes and bring in the next. As jelly and blancmange were served, Mrs. Beaufort declared that she would invite the Myers to the ball.

  "Are you mad?" her sister-in-law said. "After all we've heard tonight?"

  Mrs. Beaufort smiled mischievously as she sliced into her jelly. "Not mad, merely intrigued. Besides, I'm sure Mr. Langley and Miss Smith would find it useful to study the man further."

  "Not to mention Samuel," I added.

  "This way, we can all help. What do you think, Jacob?"

  "I think you've got a penchant for causing trouble." He raised his glass to his wife and winked at her. "If you think the Myers ought to come to the ball, then who am I to disagree?"

  ***

  The journey home to Frakingham was long and tiring, partly because of my illness, and partly because we argued with Samuel much of the way.

  "I'm going to return to London," he declared before we'd even left the city behind. "Myer wishes to study me and I him."

  "What!" Jack exploded. "Are you mad?"

  Samuel crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. Jack swore.

  "Language," Sylvia scolded. "There are ladies present."

  "You can't live with Myer," Jack said. "He's a disreputable cur with no concern for his own wife! Bloody hell, Gladstone, I thought you better than that."

  "Have you quite finished?" Samuel huffed. "For one thing, I'm not going to live with him. I'll rent rooms nearby. Secondly, I may be able to talk some sense into him and make him see that he can't go hypnotizing his wife whenever she disagrees with him. Thirdly, I'll never get this chance again. He and I both believe there are no others of our kind. I have to study him to understand more about this talent, and he wishes to study me. I would expect you, of all people, to see my point, Jack."

  "I do see your point, I just don't agree with it. You were perfectly content to live at Frakingham until you met Myer. He didn't hypnotize you, did he?"

  Samuel rolled his eyes. "Hannah, talk some sense into this obstinate fool who thinks I should be at August Langley's beck and call."

  "I don't think that," Jack said before I could answer. "This has nothing to do with August and everything to do with your reckless willingness to allow someone of dubious character to poke around inside your mind."

  Samuel smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Ah, so you're worried about me. Nice to know you care, Langley."

  "Shut it, Gladstone, I can't stand the sight of you."

  We all knew that wasn't true, not anymore. Samuel laughed and slapped Jack's shoulder. Jack grunted and appealed to me for help.

  "Jack is worried about you, Samuel," I said. "As am I."

  "And me," Sylvia piped up. "I don't think Myer should be trusted."

  "I'm very aware of his capabilities." Samuel skimmed his hand over his blond hair, ruffling it. "I am also aware that he can't hypnotize me. I'll be safe."

  I don't think he quite understood our concerns. Myer's morals were questionable. Samuel's had been once too, although it seemed he'd left that behind him. But what if Myer led Samuel back down that path? Was Samuel strong enough to resist?

  He leaned across the gap between us and touched my hand. "Have faith, Hannah," he murmured. "I've changed." It would seem he did understand after all.

  "We trust you," I said. "Don't we, Jack?"

  Jack grunted again, which may have been agreement or not.

  "You can't tell me what to do, Langley," Samuel said. "Nor can August. I'm free to come and go from Frakingham as I please."

  "But you belong at Frakingham," Sylvia whined.

  "Why? Because I should be at Freak House with the other freaks?"

  "You're not as freakish as these two," she pointed out. Her sigh echoed around the cabin. "Samuel, when will you come home again?"

  Home. Frakingham was home, and not just to Jack and Sylvia anymore, but to me and, I'd thought, Samuel too. Of all of us, however, he had fewer ties to the estate. He had a family somewhere and could return to University College to finish his studies or to Dr. Werner's practice if he wished. It pained me to admit it, but he didn't need Freak House or us.

  He looked down at his hands in his lap and shrugged. "I have to do this."

  We tried several more times to talk him out of it, sometimes in subtle ways, and other times more obviously. But he was determined to go, and we hadn't changed his mind by the time we reached the large iron gates of Frakingham. He declared he would return to London with us for the ball and remain there for an indeterminate length of time.

  "I'll tell Langley now," he said, grim-faced. "Wish me luck."

  Sylvia pouted. "I will not." She climbed out of the coach and stormed off toward the front steps. I followed her, but could not keep up. She bent her head against the strong wind and, not looking where she was going, barreled into Tommy coming to greet us.

  "Steady, Miss Langley," he said, catching her by the elbows. He did not let her go immediately, but held her. He smiled and it was clear to anyone who looked that he was happy to see her. "Are you all right?"

  She wrenched herself free. "No, I am not. Watch where you're going, Tommy! Honestly," she muttered, striding away. "What is wrong with the men in this house?"

  "Sylvia?" said August Langley, appearing in the doorway. Bollard stood behind him, not meeting anyone's gaze. I'd not seen them arrive. "Is something wrong?" Langley glanced past his niece to me. The raw concern in his eyes alarmed me, but it vanished just as quickly. He focused on Sylvia as she approached him.

  "Samuel's leaving!" she cried, taking her uncle's hand. "Tell him he can't go."

  "Thank you, Sylvia," Samuel ground out, joining us on the steps. "I'm returning to London for a while, sir. I'm going to study Myer, and he me."

  Langley stilled. "Are you mad?"

  Samuel smirked. "Are you sure you're not related to Jack after all? You're sounding very much alike lately."

  Langley clasped the arms of his wheelchair, turning his knuckles white. "Inside. Now."

  Bollard wheeled him backward. Samuel took my arm while Jack remained behind to help Tommy with the luggage. I knew they'd want to exchange news. It's what they always did after a lengthy separation.

  We followed Langley and Sylvia into the drawing room. The wheels of the chair rolled over the uncarpeted floor like an ominous rumble of distant thunder. "Go to your room and rest, Hannah," he ordered me before I'd even set foot in the drawing room.

  "I'll stay here if you don't mind."

  "I do mind. Go. You too, Sylvia."

  I was about to protest when Sylvia grabbed my hand and steered me away. She pulled me to the end of the corridor where I finally resisted. I slipped my hand free of hers.

  "What do you make of that?" I said.

  "He's furious," she whispered.

  "Whatever for? Samuel's a free man. He can do as he pleases. I don't like the way your uncle thinks he can dictate to everyone."

  "It's his house."

  "Yes, but he's so…vehement. Why?"

  "I don't know, and it's best not to ask."

  I glanced over my shoulder in the direction I'd come from. "I don't plan on asking. I'm going to eavesdrop."

  "Hannah! You can't."

  She went to take my hand again, but I evaded her. "Don't stop me, Sylvia. You wouldn't want me to become angry?"

  Her eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head. One p
oint to me. It would have taken a lot more to get me mad and spit fire from my fingers, but I wasn't going to tell her that. I felt a little guilty for tricking her, but not overmuch. She gave me no other option.

  I tiptoed down the corridor and listened at the dining room door. Langley was speaking.

  "You cannot go." His voice was calmer, but no less commanding.

  "Why not?" Samuel asked.

  "I forbid it."

  "That didn't answer my question. Why?"

  "Isn't it obvious? Hannah needs you."

  I straightened. Me? What did I have to do with the matter?

  It would seem Samuel was equally baffled. There was a moment's silence before he said, "Hannah has Jack to take care of her."

  "I don't want Jack to take care of her," Langley said. "They cannot be together."

  "It's a little late for that."

  "It's never too late. I may have been busy, but I know what they've been doing. Bollard has kept me informed. I'll be putting an end to their rendezvous in the lake now that they're back. I should have done it earlier."

  "I…I don't think that's a good idea. They have strong wills of their own. How will you stop them, for one thing?"

  "Simple. I'll give them no choice. I'll tell them I'll put an end to looking for Hannah's cure."

  CHAPTER 5

  My stomach heaved and bile rose to my throat. I pressed back against the wall, near the open door. Breathe, Hannah. I tried to comprehend what I'd heard. Tried to understand how Langley could be so cruel.

  I failed.

  I thought he'd changed. I thought he wanted to cure me, that he considered me part of his family now. Recent signs had pointed to him caring.

  I was wrong.

  He cared nothing for me. Nothing at all. Only his own reputation, and what he thought was best for Jack. And I was not best for him.

  "You must see that it's necessary," Langley was saying. "I need you to take Jack's place."

  "No." Samuel sounded like he was speaking with a tightly clenched jaw. "I do not see that it's necessary, and I will not take Jack's place in Hannah's heart. Good lord, don't you see that I can't? No one can. It's too late, Langley. Much too late."