The Wrong Girl(76)

I laughed and hoped he never found out it was Tommy who'd given me more information than Sylvia.

I gazed up at Frakingham House ahead. The builders had begun to erect scaffolding on the eastern wing in preparation for the repairs, and already the network of wood and steel looked like a complex spider's web. A man stood on the driveway, his head tilted up to look at the burnt section of the house. A suitcase sat at his feet.

"Who is that?" I asked.

Jack squinted. "Gladstone?"

"Good lord, it is. Samuel!" I called.

He turned and I waved. He left his suitcase and came to meet us. "Good afternoon, Lady Violet, Mr. Langley." He tipped his hat. "What a pleasure it is to see you again."

"Actually, my name is Hannah." At his raised brows, I added, "It's a long story to be told over tea. So what brings you to Frakingham?"

"I hear they call this place Freak House." He shot a grim glance at the building. "I thought it might be somewhere I would fit in."

Jack crossed his arms. "You mean to stay?"

"I hoped to speak to Mr. August Langley and propose a research project."

"How exciting," I said. "Are you not working with Dr. Werner anymore?"

Samuel frowned. "No."

"What makes you think August would be interested in your proposal, Mr. Gladstone?" Jack asked.

"Call me Samuel. I believe your uncle has an interest in neuroscience. I thought perhaps he may want the chance to work with a real hypnotist."

"August is very busy," Jack said. "And neuroscience is not his field of expertise."

"I'd like to speak to him anyway."

Jack held out his hand for Samuel to go ahead. We entered the house and Tommy showed Samuel up to Langley's room. Jack, Sylvia and I waited in the parlor.

"How odd," Sylvia said. "I wonder why he left Dr. Werner's employ."

"Perhaps he was thrown out," Jack said.

Sylvia eyed him suspiciously. "You don't appear to like Mr. Gladstone very much. Why?"

Jack looked to me then away. "He's too self-assured."

It sounded so absurd coming from someone of equal confidence that I snorted a laugh. He glared at me.

Finally Samuel returned. His smile was so broad it almost stretched to both ears.

"What did he say?" Sylvia asked.

"He said I may stay here while I conduct my research."

Sylvia clapped her hands. "Splendid. It appears our little household is growing."

"This is good news," I said, lifting my eyebrow at Jack in a challenge.

After a moment, he sighed and clapped Samuel on the shoulder. "Welcome to Freak House."



THE END



This doesn't have to be the end. Interact with the characters from Freak House on Tumblr.

http://freakhouseresidents.tumblr.com



A message from the author

I hope you enjoyed reading THE WRONG GIRL as much as I enjoyed writing it. As an independent author, getting the word out about my book is vital to its success, so if you liked this book please consider telling your friends and writing a review at the store where you purchased it. If you would like to be contacted when PLAYING WITH FIRE: Book 2 in the 1st Freak House Series is out, send an email to cjarcher.writes@gmail.com and I will subscribe you to my New Releases newsletter. You will only be contacted when I have a new book out.





Books by C.J. Archer:

The Wrong Girl (Freak House #1)

The Medium (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium #1)

Possession (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium #2)

Evermore (Emily Chambers Spirit Medium #3)

The Charmer (Assassins Guild Novel #1)

Her Secret Desire (Lord Hawkesbury's Players #1)

Scandal's Mistress (Lord Hawkesbury's Players #2)

To Tempt The Devil (Lord Hawkesbury's Players #3)

Honor Bound (The Witchblade Chronicles Book #1)

Kiss Of Ash (The Witchblade Chronicles #2)

Courting His Countess

Surrender

Redemption

The Mercenary's Price





ABOUT THE AUTHOR





C.J. Archer has loved history and books for as long as she can remember. She worked as a librarian and technical writer until she was able to channel her twin loves by writing historical fiction. She has won and placed in numerous romance writing contests, including taking home RWAustralia’s Emerald Award in 2008 for the manuscript that would become her novel Honor Bound. Under the name Carolyn Scott, she has published contemporary romantic mysteries, including Finders Keepers Losers Die, and The Diamond Affair. After spending her childhood surrounded by the dramatic beauty of outback Queensland, she lives today in suburban Melbourne, Australia, with her husband and their two children.



She loves to hear from readers. You can contact her in one of these ways:



Website: http://cjarcher.com

Email: cjarcher.writes@gmail.com