Page 61 of A Whisper and a Curse

The offensive note was not signed.

A fury unlike Hadrian had ever known rose inside him. If the author of the message had been present, Hadrian would have torn him apart. How dare they threaten Tilda!

Holding the paper, he managed to pull one of his gloves off. He touched the note, practically crumpling it in his eagerness to see or feelanything. But there was nothing. What good was his bloody curse if it didn’t work when he needed it most?

“You look quite angry,” Tilda said, pulling him from his haze of rage.

“I am more than furious.”

Tilda wordlessly inclined her head toward the paper in his grip.

Hadrian realized what she was asking—whether he’d seen anything. He gave his head a slight shake before swinging around to face Vaughn. “Who delivered this?”

The butler’s features were creased, his eyes dark with worry. “A boy of about nine or ten. He thrust it at me and ran off.”

Wiping his hand over his mouth, lest he start swearing aloud, Hadrian looked back to Tilda. “We must find who sent this.”

Tilda met his gaze. “You are very upset.”

“Aren’t you?”

“I think it is unlikely someone will be able to poison me with prussic acid and hang me from the staircase. Unlike the other two victims, I have a full household. Now more than ever,” she added with a smile that struck Hadrian as inappropriate. How could she make jests at a time like this?

And yet, she had a point. It did seem unlikely that the Levitation Killer would get to her here. “Then perhaps you should stay here at home until the killer is caught.”

She gave him an exasperated look. “You just said we have to find who sent this. I can’t do that from home.”

Hell, he wasn’t being entirely rational. How could he be when one of the people he cared most about had been threatened? He took a deep breath.

He did care deeply for her. Which was why he would ensure nothing happened to her. He pinned her with a heavy stare. “Will you promise to only leave here with me?”

“That is excessive. I do have errands, and I take walks. I also escort my grandmother to various places.”

“Then allow me to give you a footman to be here and escort you when necessary.” Hadrian already knew who he would assign the task. Brian was the burliest member of his household.

She hesitated a moment as she studied him. “You’re going to insist, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” Still, he held his breath, waiting to see if she would argue.

“All right,” she said on an exhale. “We should take this letter to Teague.”

Hadrian was relieved she capitulated so easily. “We should. Immediately.” He started toward the door.

Tilda lifted her hand. “Wait.” She turned to Vaughn. “I don’t want to alarm my grandmother. Please do not tell her about the note.”

Vaughn nodded. “I understand. What will you tell her about the footman? She will notice a new addition to the household.”

Pursing her lips, Tilda looked to Hadrian. “I don’t want to worry her.”

“Tell her I am being overly cautious since we are investigating the murders,” Hadrian said. “You don’t need to inform her that there has been an explicit threat against you.” If Hadrian ever had the chance, he would dearly love to put his fist in the killer’s face—at the very least. He struggled to agree with putting some criminals to death, but in this instance, he may feel differently.

What was happening with him? The depth of emotion he felt about this was … shocking.

“That is a reasonable plan, thank you,” Tilda said to Hadrian before looking toward Vaughn. The butler inclined his head in response. “Please tell Grandmama we’ve gone back out.”

They took their leave and strode quickly to the coach. Hadrian informed Leach they were returning to Scotland Yard, and after that, they’d be going to his house.

When they were settled in the coach, Tilda arched a brow at Hadrian. “Why are we going to Ravenhurst House?”