Page 68 of A Whisper and a Curse
Hadrian chuckled. “You are eager.” He took a long pull on his beer.
She arched a brow at him. “Aren’t you?”
“Yes, let’s go.” After one more drink, he set his glass down and stood.
A few minutes later, they walked to the mews the man had indicated. Toward the end, they saw the worn sign that read “Spiritualist” hanging over a door to a narrow terrace.
Hadrian knocked, and Tilda worked to temper her excitement. There was never any guarantee that they would learn something useful, but she had great hope that Mr. Grenville would be able to reveal some of Lysander Mallory’s secrets.
The door opened and a tall, reedy gentleman greeted them.
“Mr. Grenville?” Hadrian asked. “I am Lord Ravenhurst and this is Miss Wren. We’ve come to seek your … spiritual advice.”
Tilda was surprised Hadrian had phrased it that way but glad. If they stated their objective outright, Grenville might slam the door in their faces.
“Come in,” Grenville invited, holding the door wide.
They stepped into the small, dim entrance hall. A narrow staircase marched up the right side. Grenville gestured to the left toward a compact parlor where a small, rectangular table sat in the center. There were chairs in the corners, as well as a piano against one wall.
Tilda preceded Hadrian into the room. She eyed the table, wondering how Grenville conducted his séances.
“How may I help you?” Grenville asked. He looked to be in his mid-forties. His light brown hair showed no gray, but his neatly trimmed beard had a few strands of white.
“We’re from London,” Tilda said.
“I surmised that,” Grenville said with a faint smile, his gaze lingering on Hadrian. “I can’t imagine what has brought you here to seek spiritual advice when there are plenty of spiritualists in London. Indeed, I can only think you heard my name from someone in London.” He didn’t ask a question, but Tilda recognized curiosity when she heard it.
“Shall we sit?” Tilda asked, glancing toward the table. There was a chair on each side.
“That is where I conduct spiritual inquiries,” Grenville explained.
“I am curious how you hold séances at such a small table,” Tilda said as she moved toward one of the chairs.
Grenville moved a second chair next to the one she’d gravitated to, then stepped to the other side of the table. “Please, sit.”
They took their seats, Hadrian sitting next to Tilda.
“I do not hold séances,” Grenville said. “I meet with individuals or families. I suppose it is like a séance, but it is not an elaborate event.” There was a tinge of scorn in his tone.
“Do you not care for séances, Mr. Grenville?” Tilda asked.
“I have had my fill of them.”
“We did, in fact, hear of you from someone in London,” Tilda said. “Mr. Victor Hawkins told us about you. He said you used to work with the head of the London Spiritualism Society, Lysander Mallory.”
Grenville’s dark eyes glinted. He wiped a hand over his wide chin and gave his head a gentle shake. “I haven’t heard that name in some time. Are you here for spiritual advice or information?” His gaze turned wary.
Tilda didn’t see the need to prevaricate since he’d welcomed them inside. “You are astute—I imagine that serves you well as a spiritualist. You undoubtedly possess some level of sensitivity to others as well. We are here seeking information about the London Spiritualism Society.”
“I do have some sensitivity,” Grenville said with a nod. “What is it you wish to know?”
“Forgive me if I cause any offense, since you are a practicing spiritualist,” Tilda began. “We have been investigating the society. You may have read about the murders of two of the mediums.”
Grenville’s forehead creased as sadness passed over his features. “I did. I knew Deborah Frost quite well, and I am deeply saddened by her death. I had met Ward, but I was not well acquainted with him.”
“You knew Mrs. Frost?” Tilda asked. “I wondered if that may be the case, since she was from near here.”
“She was married to a friend of mine, but he died a few years ago,” Grenville explained. “She came to see me to try to contact him. I was working with Thaddeus by then, and she was dazzledby him. They had a love affair for a time, and he convinced her to come to London with him and train as a medium. He said she had a sensitivity with people, and he was right. She was very kindhearted and possessed an exceptional gift for listening to others. I think that is why Thaddeus found her appealing. She never failed to make him feel like the most important person in the world. He liked that.”