Page 122 of A Whisper and a Curse

Though Tilda wasn’t entirely certain she needed a maid. Her grandmother, however, adored having Clara, since the maid also styled her hair and took care of her clothing. It had freed their housekeeper up to focus on other areas of the household. In truth, things had never run more smoothly.

Hadrian was due to arrive soon. Tilda went downstairs to join her grandmother for a few minutes before she left to have tea with a neighbor. Grandmama had been disappointed to learn she would miss seeing Hadrian, so she’d asked Tilda to delay his departure until her grandmother returned.

Vaughn greeted Tilda in the entrance hall. “Miss Wren, there is a letter for you. I think it must be another inquiry for your services.” He smiled with more than a hint of pride. The entire household was delighted to see Tilda find a modicum of success.

“Thank you, Vaughn.” Tilda accepted the missive and opened the parchment, quickly scanning the lines. “It is indeed another inquiry. Someone would like help finding stolen items.” Most of the inquiries had been of that nature. And all but one had been from women.

“You’ll make short work of that, I expect,” Vaughn said.

“Finding stolen items in London is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack,” Tilda replied with a chuckle.

She walked into the parlor where Grandmama was just drawing on her gloves.

“Did I hear you’ve had another inquiry?” Grandmama asked.

“I have. More stolen items.”

“Splendid!” Grandmama’s eyes gleamed with enthusiasm. “You will be busy, I think. But then, you were quite busy during your last investigation.” She exhaled. “I am so relieved that is over and that none of these new cases involvemurder.”

“I am too, Grandmama.” Tilda was glad to have work that didn’t require someone to have died, though her cases seemed to start that way and then veer into murder.

Her grandmother gave her a pointed stare. “Remember, make sure Hadrian doesn’t leave until I return.”

Tilda smiled. “I will, Grandmama.”

She departed and Tilda reread the inquiry she’d just received. The woman suspected her former housekeeper had stolen some silver. Tilda would start with tracking down the housekeeper. But first, she would meet with the woman who’d written to her and establish her fee. She planned to collect a deposit before beginning work for anyone.

Lost in thought, she did not hear Hadrian arrive. Vaughn announced his presence at the doorway to the parlor.

Tilda stood to greet him. “Afternoon, Hadrian. Come in.”

He’d already removed his hat and given it to Vaughn. However, he still wore his gloves. “Good afternoon, Tilda. I’m pleased to see you. It’s always an adjustment to be apart after spending so much time together during an investigation.”

“I agree.” Tilda had missed him. But she didn’t say so.

Hadrian moved to the table where she’d been seated a moment earlier. They sat, and Tilda explained that he would need to linger long enough to see her grandmother.

He chuckled. “I would be delighted.”

“How is your mother?” Tilda asked. When they’d visited her the week before and delivered the news about the murders, as well as the imminent closure of the London Spiritualism Society,she’d been glad to hear the killers had been caught but hadn’t decided whether she would consult another medium.

“I saw her yesterday, and we had a nice conversation. She has decided not to find a new medium.” Hadrian smiled at Mrs. Acorn as she entered with the tea tray. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Acorn. I trust you are well.”

“Quite, my lord. It’s been a boon to have Clara with us. And if Tilda continues to receive inquiries at the rate she has been, who knows what other changes may abound?”

The housekeeper flashed a gleeful smile before departing.

Tilda poured the tea.

“You’ve received inquiries?” Hadrian asked, at last removing his gloves.

She nodded as she added cream and sugar to their cups. “They are mostly from women seeking help finding stolen items.”

He grinned. “You must be thrilled. I am. For you, I mean.”

“I am very pleased.” She considered telling him about the obnoxious letters she had also received but ultimately decided it didn’t matter. No one had threatened her. They’d just been disparaging.

“If you ever require my assistance—in any way—with your searches for stolen items, I hope you will ask. I am more than eager to help.”