Page 49 of A Whisper and a Curse

Edwards inclined his head. “It is a privilege, my lord, Miss Wren.” He was of an age with Hadrian, with light brown curls and a squarish face with a short, blunt-edged nose and an affable smile which he flashed at Tilda.

Hadrian didn’t think the medium was flirting, but the man certainly displayed charm. “Edwards.” He turned his attentionto the other medium, a woman who appeared slightly younger than Tilda. She had dark hair and arresting gray eyes that were locked on Hadrian in a frank perusal. “Miss Dryden.”

“My lord.” The medium sank into a brief curtsey. “I have not met an earl before.”

“You’ll find him pleasantly devoid of pretense,” Tilda said with a wink. Hadrian believed she was doing her best to win these mediums over. The better someone felt, the more likely they were to share information.

“That is good to know,” Miss Dryden murmured, her cheeks flushing faintly pink. “Thank you, Miss Wren.”

“Are you close to catching this horrible killer?” Edwards asked. “I don’t mind telling you it’s cast a horrible pall over the society. We are doing our best to continue onward, but it is difficult as we wonder if the killer will strike again.”

“We are safe with the constables watching over us,” Mallory said earnestly. “But any medium who wishes to retreat from practice until the murderer is captured is welcome to do so.”

Hadrian wondered if anyone had done that.

Edwards and Dryden both shook their heads. “We know our services are needed now more than ever,” Miss Dryden said. “Interest in the society has only increased with the news of the Levitation Killer.”

Mallory wrinkled his nose. “How I loathe that moniker.”

Tilda looked to Edwards. “To answer your question, Mr. Edwards, I am still conducting my investigation into the murders. We—I and the police—are trying to determine possible motives. It does seem there may be people who were unhappy with the society for some reason. I understand someone interrupted one of Mr. Ward’s séances recently?”

Mallory’s lips twisted with disgust. “Eldred is of no consequence. He is bitter and angry, but he would not resort tomurder. He is also rather small and thin. How could he do what was done to Cyril and Deborah?”

“I find it’s best to never underestimate people, including their ability or their resources,” Tilda said. “Why is he bitter and angry?”

“I’m not entirely sure.” Mallory blinked. “He attended, I think, two séances conducted by Cyril and was apparently disappointed in the result.”

“Was Cyril not able to contact the spirit realm for Eldred?” Hadrian asked.

“I’m sure he did,” Mallory insisted. “Cyril was our most experienced medium, apart from myself, of course. It may be that Eldred didn’t care for whatever he heard.”

A maid entered carrying a large tray with tea and sandwiches. As she went to place them on a table, Mallory invited Tilda and Hadrian to stay.

“We should probably be going,” Tilda said. “I have one last question I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind. How do you go about recruiting mediums for the society?”

Mallory frowned. “I wouldn’t say I ‘recruit’ them at all. People who are interested in spiritualism come to the society, and some of them have a sensitivity and talent to become a spiritualist. The society provides a place of fellowship and support that allows them to reach their full potential.”

“Could I become a spiritualist?” Tilda asked.

Hadrian had to press his lips together to keep from smiling.

“I confess I have been wondering if you might possess the necessary talent,” Mallory said. “May I take your hand?”

Hadrian’s attention snapped to Mallory’s hands. Was he hoping to see Tilda’s memories?

Wait.Did Hadrian believe that Mallory—or any of the other mediums—actually possessed the same power he did? He had to admit he could not dismiss the notion, even if it made himuncomfortable. And why should it? He ought to be glad to find someone, or several others, who shared his gift. Except to confer with them, he’d have to expose himself, and he wasn’t even able to do so with his own mother.

“My bare hand?” Tilda asked. At Mallory’s nod, she removed her glove and presented her right hand.

Mallory clasped it gently. If he closed his eyes, Hadrian would assume he did not have the ability to see her memories. Hadrian had to keep his eyes open or the vision would disappear.

The medium did not close his eyes.

After a moment, he released her. “Hmmm. I don’t feel any special energy in you, Miss Wren. My apologies. That doesn’t mean you aren’t able to develop a sensitivity. If you’d like to explore doing so, I can recommend several books here in our library that could guide you. I would also suggest you join the society, where you would be surrounded by like-minded people.” He gave her an encouraging smile.

“Thank you,” Tilda replied as she pulled on her glove. “I shall consider that.” She looked at Hadrian. “We should be going.”

“Yes.”