Page 66 of A Whisper and a Curse
Hadrian wanted more specific information and suspected Tilda did too. “Forgive me for asking, but I read in the newspaper that you provided an allowance to Mr. Ward. Was that in addition to your patronage of the society?”
“How I dislike that my support of Cyril was publicized in such a tawdry manner.” The duchess’s lips pursed with disdain. “But yes, I shall tell you that my patronage of the society and my special care for Cyril were separate. We developed a close bond, and he became a member of my family.” She blinked and refocused on Hadrian. “I can’t imagine you would take issue with the patronage, Ravenhurst. You can afford it many times over, I’m sure.”
Whilst that wasn’t specific as far as an amount, it said enough to Hadrian that he didn’t wish to continue pressing.
“The society is lucky to have you, Your Grace,” Tilda said.
“Is any of this helpful to your investigation?” the duchess asked. “I can’t see how it would be, but I also don’t know anything about how Cyril died beyond what Lysander and that inspector explained to me.”
Tilda gave the duchess an appreciative smile. “You’ve been very helpful. I have just one more question. Do you know of anyone who was upset with the society or the mediums?”
“Everyone I have ever spoken to has been thrilled with their experiences with the society,” the duchess replied. “I think you are trying to ask if I might know who killed my dear Cyril, and I do not.”
It occurred to Hadrian that the duchess’s family might take issue with her support of Cyril Ward. “How did your family accept Cyril’s place in your affections?”
“My two daughters hardly cared. They are quite busy with their own families.” She gave Hadrian a pointed look. “One is a marchioness and the other is a viscountess, if you recall, Ravenhurst.”
Tilda looked to Hadrian. “I think we’ve taken enough of your time.”
“Thank you, Duchess,” Hadrian said, rising along with Tilda.
“Perhaps I will see you at another séance.” The duchess looked to Tilda. “You really ought to speak with your father. He reached out to you. How can you not respond?”
Hadrian felt Tilda tense beside him.
“I’m considering it,” Tilda replied thinly.
“Good.” The duchess nodded. “You won’t regret it. I know it can seem strange at first, but you will be so glad to have him back in your life.”
They said goodbye and left the drawing room. Hadrian looked over at Tilda as they descended the stairs, but her features were impassive. He surmised she was troubled by the “appearance” of her father at the séance and people’s subsequent encouragement of her speaking with him.
Outside, Tilda suggested she could go straight home since Teague had sent a constable. Hadrian reluctantly agreed and said he would still send a footman over as soon as possible.
“I also want to know if you received a threatening message at your house,” Tilda said.
Hadrian met her gaze. “You shall be the first to know.”
Leach greeted them at the coach and helped Tilda inside. Hadrian was tempted to join her on the forward-facing seat. Being next to her would perhaps alleviate some of his anxietyabout the threatening letter she’d received. But he could keep her safe from the other side of the coach.
Tilda spoke as the coach started forward. “I am curious why Mrs. Frost pressed your mother to return quickly so as not to lose the connection with your brother, whilst the duchess has apparently been conversing with her son for a year or more.”
“That seems to be more evidence of their deception,” Hadrian said. “Just imagine how lucrative the duchess’s patronage has likely been for the society.”
Tilda nodded. “That is a fair point. I would like to know more about those three people with the ‘special energy’ that the mediums find helpful.” Her eyes locked with his. “I want to know if that energy is actually the same power you possess to see others’ memories. It would make sense to sit someone with that ability next to the medium who is trying to contact the spirit realm. When the duchess spoke of Ward—as her son, Bernard—sharing memories, I immediately thought that you could do that.”
Hadrian was horrified at the thought of pretending to be someone’s deceased relative. “I would never. I’m confused about who wields this power. I would think it would be the medium, but you think it may be these other people?”
Tilda shrugged. “Perhaps it’s both? Or perhaps the ‘special energy’ is something else entirely. What if that person and the medium, along with whatever power they might have, work together to speak with the dead?” She exhaled. “I’m merely suggesting ideas. We need to expose someone’s ability—if in fact they have what you have, or something similar.”
“That may be difficult. I wouldn’t reveal that to anyone. The only reason you know is because you deduced there was something going on and forced me to tell you.”
“It was vital that you did,” she said. “Not just because we needed to build our partnership on honesty. You needed to share it with someone,” she added softly.
“You are right about that.” He didn’t regret telling her and would do so again in a trice. But all this talk of his ability and the duchess’s questions about how they came to work together made him wonder about the partnership she’d just mentioned. “Do you think we would be investigating together if not for my ability to see memories?” Hadrian wasn’t sure.
She took a moment to respond. “I don’t know that I can answer that. Your ‘curse’ is what caused us to meet. You’d seen a memory, and it drove you to my grandfather’s cousin’s house where we met. And from then on, our paths have intertwined.” She paused, her gaze searching his face. “I think you must accept that your ability is part of you. It wasn’t before, but it is now, and you can’t separate it from yourself.”
Her words slammed into him with a brutal but poignant force. “You are right,” he said quietly. “It is still difficult for me to acknowledge, let alone accept. I am most grateful that it brought me to you, however.”