Page 75 of A Whisper and a Curse
Hadrian wanted to travel to the dower house at Ravenhurst and ask his grandmother what she knew, if anything. But how could he do that without revealing his own secret? If she was not aware of the affliction, he would expose himself for no reason.
“Are women not able to possess this ability?” Tilda asked.
“I don’t know. As I said, I’ve only ever known about the people in my own family,” Captain Vale replied. “My grandfather said there were others—and that was according to his uncle who had it, but it’s not something you go about sharing.”
“No, it is not,” Hadrian said firmly. “Though your son shared it with Grenville. He told us about it earlier.”
The captain did not look pleased to hear that. “I’m surprised to hear Thaddeus would do that.”
“He had to because he’s using the ability to see the memories of people who attend his séances, and Grenville was his partner. They used your son’s ability to their advantage—to fleece people whilst pretending to speak with the dead.” Hadrian didn’t hide his scorn. “He continues to use it with the London Spiritualism Society.”
“I did not realize that was what he was doing.” Captain Vale’s head tipped down.
“How could you not?” Hadrian asked.
The captain kept his head bowed and did not respond.
“Lord Ravenhurst uses his power to help me solve murders,” Tilda said.
Hadrian heard a note of pride in her voice and looked at her. She met his gaze with warmth and understanding.
Lifting his head, the captain smiled briefly. “That is splendid.” He sent a wary look at Hadrian. “I am surprised you told her what you could do. I only told my wife after we were married.”
“Miss Wren is incredibly shrewd. She realized something was going on and demanded I stop hiding whatever it was.” Hadrian sent her a small smile of gratitude. “I don’t regret telling her. Indeed, she has been a wonderful support as I’ve learned to navigate this mysterious ability.”
“Be glad for that. It is a difficult thing to bear on one’s own. Perhaps that is why Thaddeus told Grenville,” the captain mused, seeming to forget—or ignore—that his son had a more wicked intent.
Hadrian wanted to know more about this power, such as why he hadn’t seen Mallory’s or the captain’s memories. “Did you see something when you touched me?”
“No, nor would I ever. Because we both possess the ability, we are immune to one another. The only thing we can feel from each other is that we share the same ability.” Captain Vale cocked his head. “Did you not feel the tremor of energy that passed between us?”
“I did.” Just as Hadrian had felt it when he touched Mallory. Which meant Mallory knew his secret too. Hadrian didnotlike that.
Captain Vale cocked his head. “I can’t decide if you are pleased to meet someone else who shares your ability or if you’re distressed.”
“A little of both.” Hadrian wasn’t sure why he was being so honest. Probably because, for better or worse, he had a connection with this gentleman. “I’m rather astounded. And perhaps worried. I don’t like others knowing about this.”
“I feel the same,” the captain replied. “I would not have shared it with you if I had not recognized that we are alike. I will keep your secret.”
“And I will keep yours.” Hadrian took a sip of the now tepid tea in the hope it would soothe his tension. Setting the cup down, he fixed on Captain Vale once more. “Do you have headaches when you see a vision?”
“I used to, but they lessened over time. At some point, you should be able to control when you see or feel something.”
Hadrian’s pulse sped. “How?” He would very much like that to happen immediately.
Captain Vale gave him a brief, apologetic smile. “My grandfather told me it’s different for everyone. He said I obtained the ability to manage the gift much sooner than he did. And he continued to have headaches throughout his life,but since he could control whether he experienced a memory, he very rarely indulged the ability. You have them?”
The thought of having the headaches forever was upsetting, but Hadrian would cling to the notion that he would someday be able to control the power he possessed. “Yes, and the more visions I have in a short amount of time, the worse and more enduring the pain.”
“I’m sorry to hear it. I suggest lavender. It seems to have the best effect for the headaches we suffer. My grandfather’s pillow always contained lavender, and his clothing was laundered with it.”
“Is there any danger to continuing to use the ability once you can manage it?” Tilda asked with concern. “Sometimes, his headaches are quite terrible.”
Hadrian loved how protective she sounded, but then she often inquired after his head after he experienced others’ memories.
“I am not aware of any danger, but as I said, Lord Ravenhurst can hopefully learn to manage the ability so that he can choose to use it—and suffer the accompanying headache—or not.”
“Do you have any suggestions for how I might learn to wield this power instead of it simply happening?” Hadrian asked.