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

by C. J. Archer

  Two gentlemen approached and bowed to us. "It's Langley, isn't it?" the shorter one said to Jack.

  Jack, still watching Vi and Wade, took a moment to acknowledge them. "Yes, I…uh." He shook his head as if shaking off a somber thought. "Mr. Graham and Mr. Riddle, meet my cousin Miss Langley and her friend, Miss Smith." Introductions completed, he once more watched Wade.

  I eyed Jack while Sylvia gave all her attention to the newcomers. They exchanged pleasantries, and I joined in with the required smiles and nods. Jack did not.

  "Now, which of you will dance with me first?" Sylvia asked in what I thought was a manner too forward for the ballroom.

  "If you'll permit me," said Mr. Graham with a bow.

  "Then perhaps Miss Smith will dance with me?" Mr. Riddle asked.

  "I'm not much of a dancer." I shrugged an apology.

  Mr. Riddle smiled. "Neither am I. Perhaps between the two of us, we can make a passable attempt."

  "Thank you, but no. I'm content to watch."

  His eyes narrowed in a wince, and I regretted my response. Sylvia had told me it was poor etiquette to refuse to dance with a gentleman, but I'd not taken her advice to heart. Perhaps I should have. Perhaps I should not have come at all.

  "May I watch with you?" he asked as Sylvia stepped onto the dance floor with his friend.

  Beside me, Jack cleared his throat. Mr. Riddle's gaze slid to him then back to me. "I, er…" He looked around the room and spotted someone he knew. Or pretended to. "Excuse me, Miss Smith. Perhaps we can not dance together later." He strode off, his chin thrust out and shoulders square.

  I turned to Jack and arched my eyebrow at him. "That wasn't very nice."

  "I didn't do anything."

  "You scowled at him."

  "I did not. I merely looked in his direction."

  "And?"

  "And made it clear that you're spoken for."

  "Jack!" I shook my head but couldn't stop my smile from spreading. It felt wonderful to be adored by him. "You scared the poor man away."

  "If a mere look can scare him away, then he's a coward."

  "I saw the look you gave him. It would scare away most people. You have a forceful way about you sometimes."

  "I know Riddle. His reputation where women are concerned is dubious."

  I watched the receding back of Mr. Riddle and lowered my voice. "You mean he ruins them?"

  "Let me put it this way. Riddle didn't want to dance with you. He wanted to flirt with you, and would hope for more. I'm the only one allowed to do that. Once I made it clear, he was no longer interested."

  "That shouldn't make me happy, but it does," I said. "Anyway, I'd rather enjoy your company tonight and watch others dance."

  "Hannah," he said heavily, "I want you to dance. I truly do. Preferably with a gentleman who is also spoken for and not someone like Riddle."

  "It doesn't matter. I can't dance."

  "Dance anyway, as long as you don't exhaust yourself."

  "Perhaps one or two later. You must dance also, at least with Sylvia and Cara."

  "I wish I could be your first partner." His sad smile made my heart crack and my stomach do little flips.

  "So do I."

  His eyes turned dark, smoky. He leaned closer, his lips near my ear. My cheek warmed, but I didn't pull away. "I may never be your first," he murmured, "but I will be your last."

  My heart swelled to twice its size. It felt too full to be contained within my ribcage. I nodded, unable to speak and tell him that I knew it with every piece of me.

  He straightened and glanced over my shoulder. His lips parted. His eyes widened.

  I turned and met Violet's gaze.

  She emitted a small yelp and covered her mouth. "Hannah? Hannah, oh dear lord, it is you." Her eyes filled with tears, and her bottom lip wobbled. She bit it.

  I'd expected this meeting ever since spotting her, and I thought I was prepared. I was wrong. Seeing her again brought up so many emotions I thought buried. Anger, confusion, relief, and chief among them, sorrow.

  "Good evening, Violet," I said and bobbed a curtsy. Good lord, I felt ridiculous. I'd known her my entire life. She'd been my constant companion, my only friend, yet I felt as awkward around her as if we were strangers.

  "I can't believe that you're here. I just can't." She clasped me by my arms and peered into my face. "Thank goodness you're all right. You are all right, aren't you?"

  I nodded. There was no point telling her my life was going to end shortly. That, at least, wasn't her fault.

  "Where did you go? What have you been doing these last few weeks? Tell me everything before…" She glanced over her shoulder, catching Lord Wade's searching gaze.

  His face darkened. He abandoned his wife and marched toward us. Most people parted for him, but those who didn't received a bump as he passed. He didn't pause to apologize.

  "You know where I've been," I said quickly to Violet.

  "I, uh…" She looked to Jack, and her pale face colored. She focused once more on the advancing Lord Wade. "So you know."

  "I know everything you and Miss Levine did," I said. "And I want to thank you. I have a wonderful life with friends and family who care for me. It's more than I'd ever hoped for."

  She bit her lip again. She didn't have a chance to say anything, however. Lord Wade descended on us like a raging bull.

  Jack blocked his path. "Careful," he said quietly, ominously. "Do not force my hand. I like the Beauforts too much to bring disgrace to their home, but I will hit you if tempted."

  I thought for one awful moment that Lord Wade would plow right past him, but he did not. He closed his fists at his sides and breathed deeply.

  "You," he said to me. "I told you to stay away from Violet."

  Violet gasped again. "You've seen her? Where? When?"

  Lord Wade didn't answer. He simply continued to glare at me, although the anger in his eyes dissolved. I don't think he was unhappy to see me, merely concerned about the repercussions.

  And the repercussions were heading our way in the form of Lady Wade. She was a tall woman with a straight back and pinched mouth. It was difficult to tell how old she was, but I'd guessed her to be younger than her husband by about ten years.

  "Who are these people?" she said, taking his arm.

  I swept a low curtsy. "I'm the girl who lived in your attic for fifteen years, Lady Wade. It's a pleasure to meet you."

  Those tightly pursed lips parted, and her breath left her in a shuddery gasp. Her gaze flicked between Jack, Vi and I. She swooned, but her husband caught her. He directed her to sit on a chair nearby under the curious stares of the other guests. Vi flapped her fan in front of her face, but Lady Wade appeared to have recovered already if her fierce glare in my direction was any indication.

  I studied her face. It was sharp, the chin pointed, the eyes cold. Not at all like Vi's. Lord Wade might be her father, but I doubted this woman was her mother. I wondered how much Vi knew of her own origins.

  I felt much too taxed to ask all the questions swimming around my head. It simply didn't seem worth the effort as I'd only upset myself. Besides, I was at my first ball. I wanted to enjoy it. It could be my last.

  I turned on my heel, but Vi caught my arm before I could leave. "Wait." She swallowed heavily and did not continue.

  "Yes?" I prompted. "Do you wish to say something?"

  "A great many things, but…not here. Is there somewhere we can talk?"

  "No." I regretted it as soon as the word was out of my mouth. Vi looked as if she'd burst into tears.

  "Violet," Lord Wade growled. He placed his big hand on her shoulder. "Hannah's time with us has ended. It's best to forget her as she has forgotten you."

  My blood heated along my veins, shooting to my fingers. I closed them into a fist as I'd seen Jack do to stifle any flames. "I have not forgotten. I never will." It was out before I thought it through. I glanced at Vi, and her face was white, her eyes full.

  "Then we must talk," she
whispered.

  "Not tonight."

  "When?"

  "Forget her," Lord Wade growled. "For your own sake and Lady Wade's!"

  "And your own?" Jack cut in. His voice shook. His lips were bloodless. I'd not seen him look so furious since he'd lost his temper with August Langley over his early treatment of me. "What are you afraid they'll discover? What are you hiding?"

  "What has any of this to do with you?" The fingers clamped on Vi's bare shoulder whitened. "How dare you. Get away from us."

  Jack looked as if he'd thump Wade, or throw fire at him.

  "Come, Jack," I said, quickly. "I have a ball to enjoy."

  We headed away from the dancers and into the adjoining refreshment room. Bonbons, cakes and an array of sandwiches were set out on the table, untouched. It was too early for most guests to require a rest. Thoughts of refreshments would come later. I sat on one of the chairs arranged around the perimeter, but Jack stood at the table. He didn't collect a plate of the delicious confections, but pressed his hands on the surface and bowed his head. His ragged breaths took several moments to calm.

  "Jack? Are you all right?"

  He slowly turned and gave me a smile that didn't convince me in the least. His fingers were red, his lips tight. "Of course. It's just…that man…"

  "I know. Sit with me."

  A footman came up to us with a tray full of glasses containing a drink that sparkled in the light. On closer inspection, I noticed the sparkles were actually tiny bubbles rising up and fizzing on the surface. They tingled my tongue as I sipped.

  "It's champagne," Jack said. "Don't drink it too fast, or it'll go to your head."

  I took another sip. "I like it."

  "I'll order a case to be sent to Frakingham. Can I get you something to eat?"

  "No, thank you. I need to sit for a moment."

  He sat beside me. "Do you feel hot? Tired?"

  "A little of both, particularly after Lord Wade's pronouncement to Vi." I sighed. "Do you think I was too curt with her?"

  "Not at all. Her betrayal upset you, and she ought to know."

  "But it's not her fault," I said quietly. "Not really."

  "No." His jaw became rigid. "It's Wade's."

  "Do you think we'll ever learn the full story?"

  He pressed his thumb and finger into his eyes. When he pulled them away, he seemed a little less angry. "Of course you will. Give her time. One day she'll come to you, and Lord Wade won't be able to stop her."

  Time was one commodity I had in limited supply.

  "There you both are!" Samuel said, entering the room. "I've been looking everywhere for you." He shook Jack's hand and bowed over mine. "Are you well, Hannah?"

  I nodded. "And you, Samuel? Is Myer treating you fairly?" I glanced past him to the door, but Myer was nowhere to be seen.

  "He is."

  Jack scoffed. "It's only been two days."

  "Are you implying his attitude will change?"

  "I'm suggesting you keep your wits about you."

  "Always, my friend," Samuel said quietly. "Always."

  I wasn't as convinced by his assurance as Jack seemed to be, but I said nothing. "Samuel, will you dance with me?"

  He glanced at Jack.

  "Yes, he will," Jack said. "Go on, Gladstone."

  "I'd be honored, Hannah." Samuel bowed. "Although I'm quite sure I'm supposed to ask you to dance, not the other way round."

  I waved my hand. "You were never going to ask, just like all the other respectable gentlemen. You're as afraid of Jack as they are."

  "That's only because I've seen the devastation his temper can wreak."

  "My temper will wreak pure havoc if you don't treat her gently on the dance floor. Don't overdo it."

  Samuel bowed and held out his hand to me. I took it and stood. "What about you, Jack? You must find somebody to dance with too."

  "I'll seek out Sylvia."

  Samuel snorted. "Good luck. She had an audience of young hopefuls surrounding her when I passed by. I went up to her, and she turned away as if she didn't know me."

  "I'd better check on her."

  "Don't stifle her," I chided. "Give her some freedom."

  Jack placed his hand to his heart. "Would I do that to my dear cousin?" He left us before I could finish rolling my eyes.

  "I do hope he doesn't hover too much," I said to Samuel. "She's the sort of girl who needs to flirt and enjoy herself."

  Samuel led me back out to the ballroom. "I must admit I'm surprised."

  "Why?"

  "I thought she and Tommy had an affection for one another."

  "Tommy? But he's the footman!" Good lord, I sounded just like her. "What I mean is, she wouldn't consider Tommy worthy of speaking to her as an equal let alone anything more."

  "She's not royalty," he said with a shrug of his shoulder. "She's not even nobility. Upper middle class at best."

  "Yes, but she thinks he's beneath her, and that's enough to suppress any feelings they may harbor for one another before they can blossom."

  "Perhaps."

  The musicians finished a tune and the dancers dispersed to make way for new couples. I spotted Sylvia swanning her way onto the floor with a red-cheeked, whiskery gentleman.

  I searched the room and saw Violet accepting the hand of a man who then led her onto the dance floor. Lord Wade watched them like a mother bird. Men weren't supposed to chaperone young ladies. That task was reserved for married women or elderly spinsters, however, Lady Wade was nowhere to be seen.

  I saw Jack not far away, speaking to a young girl who did not meet his gaze. She wore a lemon-colored gown that didn't suit her short, plump figure, and I noticed a slight limp as Jack led her onto the dance floor. Other, far prettier girls, stared at them and whispered, but his partner appeared too happy to notice.

  "Jack to the rescue again," Samuel said. "Perhaps I ought to follow his technique. I might have more luck with…" His voice trailed off.

  I followed his gaze and was surprised to see Miss Charity standing near the door, chatting to Cara Moreau. The Beauforts were kind indeed to invite the teacher from their orphan school to the ball.

  "Did you ask her to dance?" I asked.

  "I did. She refused me."

  Well, well. She was quite a remarkable woman. I doubted Samuel was used to being refused any request he made of a lady.

  I continued to watch her as Samuel and I dodged other dancing couples. Miss Charity and Cara proved quite popular with the gentlemen, but none of them remained to talk for long. She wrote their names on her dance card, they bowed and walked off. After every greeting, Miss Charity rubbed the back of her gloved hands, as if conscious of the scars underneath. They weren't visible of course, but she seemed all too aware of them. She looked remarkably beautiful in her white gown, although its styling was simple with few embellishments or adornments like the gowns of the other ladies. Not that it mattered. Indeed, she could wear a sack and still have men ogling.

  I sought out Jack and found him dancing with the limping girl. She wasn't a good dancer, due to her impediment, but he led so well that most of her mistakes were smoothly covered up. He smiled at her and they chatted the entire time, although his gaze frequently searched the room. It would settle on me and he would smile or nod. It wandered to Lord Wade often too, and once, it settled on Miss Charity. She looked away quickly, but not before I saw that she'd been watching him with an odd expression that I couldn't decipher.

  "Would you like to sit down?" Samuel asked when the music finished.

  A gentleman approached before I could answer. "Is your c-c card full, m-madam?" he stuttered. "I'm sure it is," he added, blushing. "I j-just hoped…"

  "I have this dance free," I said.

  The fellow beamed and bowed over my hand. "Th-thank you, M-Miss…?"

  "Smith," I said.

  "Hannah?" Samuel prompted. "Are you sure you don't need to sit down?"

  "Quite sure." I felt a little heavy in the limbs and a headache bloo
med behind my eyes, but I was otherwise well enough for one more dance.

  He departed, and the musicians struck up another waltz. My partner, Mr. Fuller, danced well and fortunately I didn't make a fool of myself. We didn't speak much, mostly because it seemed such an effort with his stutter.

  At each turn, I sought out Jack, but couldn't find him. His partner was once more seated on her chair, talking and giggling with a friend who'd joined her. Yet Jack wasn't nearby or among the other groups at the edge of the dance floor. It wasn't until the end of the dance that I spotted him in the corner of the room near a large Greek urn. He was talking with Charity, their heads bent close to one another.

  It wasn't this that shocked me, however. It was their touching. She'd removed one of her gloves, and Jack was holding her hand. His thumb caressed the burn scar I knew to be there, over and over.

  She suddenly withdrew her hand and pressed it to the side of his face. He closed his eyes, and I saw his chest rise and fall with his heavy breathing. She let him go and touched his hand again before putting her glove back on and disappearing into the refreshment room. Jack slumped against the wall, his head bowed, his hair falling over his eyes. My heart ached to see him like that, but it ached even more for what I'd just witnessed.

  If I wasn't mistaken, there was still some affection and understanding between he and Charity. Something that couldn't be ignored. Something tender, despite Jack's reassurances to me that all of those feelings were in the past. I knew he'd hurt Charity, perhaps even given her the scars on her hands, yet she hadn't flinched from his touch.

  This meeting must have been pre-arranged via the letter she'd sent to Frakingham. The contents of that missive had disturbed Jack, angered him even, although he didn't seem angry now. Only distressed and a little sad.

  Samuel approached, breaking my concentration. "Hannah, did you enjoy your dance?"

  I nodded and smiled, but my gaze wandered back to Jack.

  "What's wrong?" he asked.

  "I don't know."

  "Is he all right?"

  "I haven't spoken to him. Samuel, what do you think Jack will do after…after I'm gone?"

  "Hannah," he murmured. "Don't think like that."

  "I must. I must stop thinking of my own worries and start thinking how my death will affect him."