Page 26 of A Whisper and a Curse

“They’re all leaving together,” Hadrian noted. “I presume the women are also mediums, since they were in my vision.”

“I think it’s safe to assume they are at least members of the society, since you saw them there and they are now returning to the headquarters for a gathering.” Tilda reminded herself that the murder investigation was not what she needed to focus on. Except that investigating the society meant looking into the murder of one of their premier mediums.

Hadrian walked beside her as they approached the corner where Leach was waiting with the coach. “You have a determined look on your face.”

“I was just thinking about my investigation into Mrs. Frost and how the murder of Cyril Ward, another medium in the same society as Mrs. Frost, may be connected. Hawkins wondered who would take issue with Ward’s levitation. Who indeed? Perhaps someone discovered their fraud—with levitation at least—and killed Ward.” Tilda grimaced. “Though that kind of murder took planning and execution. It would not have been done in a burst of anger.”

“Perhaps the killer is not entirely rational,” Hadrian said. “If they felt they’d been cheated and that Ward was cheating others, perhaps they wanted to put a stop to it in a sensational way, so as to draw attention to the society as a whole.”

“That is certainly possible.” Tilda slowed as they were nearly to the coach, and she didn’t want Leach to overhear what she said next. “You saw in your vision that the society is aware of and supports the levitation fraud. The killer could know that too.”

“How do we go about finding former clients who may be angry about being cheated?” Hadrian asked.

Tilda flashed him a smile as she continued toward the coach. “We ask a great deal of questions.”

Leach opened the door for her, and Tilda settled herself on the seat as Hadrian sat across from her. Perhaps this would be their seating arrangement going forward. That would be all right, so long as their friendship was intact. Tilda believed it was. Things certainly felt as they had during their prior investigations.

“So we are, in a way, investigating the murder,” Hadrian said.

“As it pertains to the investigation into Mrs. Frost, yes.”

Hadrian crossed his arms over his chest. “Good, for I am already rather invested in finding the killer.”

“You want to investigate a murder,” Tilda noted wryly. “I think I’m rubbing off on you.”

“Most certainly,” he replied with a fast grin. “And I have no quarrel with that.”

There was a heat in his gaze that made Tilda turn her focus to the window. Her belly had done a little flip, indicating it was going to take time for her to develop an immunity to his charm.

Ifshe could.

Except his charm was so much a part of him and why she liked working with him. She had to be careful she didn’t succumb to the parts of his charm that encouraged kissing.

Navigating a relationship with a gentleman was proving difficult. Because it was more than that. He was a gentleman she liked and admired. A gentleman who could have perhaps beenmore than a friend if they were not from completely different classes and if she was at all interested in marriage.

But theywerefrom different classes, and Tilda didnotwish to wed. Tilda would make certain she did nothing to make him think otherwise.

CHAPTER 7

The following day, Hadrian fetched Tilda for their appointment with Mrs. Frost. He once again exchanged pleasantries with Mrs. Wren, as well as the housekeeper and butler. As he escorted Tilda to the coach, he noted how lovely she looked. She wore one of her new gowns—the gray one—and her hair was more intricately styled since she now had a lady’s maid. At least temporarily. He decided not to say anything, however. They had settled into their familiar routine of investigating as a team, and he didn’t wish to introduce any awkwardness.

“How are things with Clara?” Hadrian asked once they were in the coach and began moving.

“Very well,” Tilda replied. “It is still a temporary situation. My need for a maid remains nonexistent.”

“And yet she has kept busy, has she not?” he asked mildly.

Tilda gave him a light scowl. “You sound like my grandmother.”

Hadrian hid a smile. “She wants Clara to stay on permanently?”

“Yes, but Grandmama does not understand our financial situation. Clara is hoping to find employment as a lady’s maid,but her experience is rather limited. It may be that she must take a position as a maid.”

“I’m still happy to provide a reference for her,” Hadrian offered.

“Whilst that is helpful, not even the recommendation of an earl can overcome a lack of extensive experience, particularly when her only experience was working for the wife of a murdered gentleman.”

Hadrian grimaced. “I can’t imagine that helps her plight.”