Page 8 of A Whisper and a Curse

The medium took an adjacent chair upholstered in dark gold. “What is it you’d like to know?”

“Lord Ravenhurst’s mother is hoping to speak to her deceased son,” Tilda said, glancing toward Hadrian. His profile revealed a blank expression. “We hope that is possible, for her sake. However, we are skeptical. Can you perhaps explain how this is accomplished?”

“I understand your doubt.” Mr. Mallory’s brow creased. “Indeed, it is most healthy. I shared your skepticism until I first spoke with someone from beyond.”

“The spirit realm?” Hadrian asked dubiously. To his credit, he did not sound disdainful, although Tilda assumed he must be.

A faint smile flashed across Mr. Mallory’s features. “Precisely. The spirit realm is real, and your brother is there, probably just as eager to speak with your mother as she is to him. Don’t you wish to talk to him?”

Hadrian hesitated. “If I could, I would, yes.”

Mr. Mallory held up his finger and wagged it briefly. “You will see, my lord.”

“I’ll be able to see him?” Hadrian asked.

“You’ll hear him—through the medium. May I ask who is conducting the séance?”

“Deborah Frost,” Hadrian replied. “We understand she is a medium with the society.”

“Indeed. We have the very best mediums in London.” Mr. Mallory’s brown eyes gleamed. “Mrs. Frost is wonderful. You will no doubt have success.”

Tilda addressed Mallory. “You are a medium then?”

“I am,” Mallory said proudly. “I founded this society with the hope of bringing mediums and spiritualists together with a common goal of breaking down the barriers between this world and the spirit realm.”

“How fascinating,” Tilda remarked. “You’ve managed to attract mediums, and did I hear the society offers patronages?”

“We do indeed.” Mallory moved his gaze to Hadrian. “Are you interested in joining our society, my lord? We’d be honored to have you.”

Tilda noted that the medium addressed Hadrian about membership—not her. Was that just because he was an earl, and his presence would lend credibility to the society? Or was it because Tilda couldn’t hope to afford the cost?

Hadrian managed a tepid smile, and Tilda wondered how difficult that had been. “For now, I’m just accompanying my mother to her séance this evening. I’m eager to see what happens.”

“Can you tell us more about the society? Do you just hold séances?” Tilda asked. “I’m quite fascinated.”

“We do much more than conduct séances, though we do that almost every evening, in addition to the séances our premier mediums conduct at their homes.” Mallory’s expression was bright, his enthusiasm evident as he spoke. “We host teas on Wednesdays and Fridays, and we have a library which we encourage people to visit if they wish to learn more about spiritualism. On any given day or evening, you will find people there.”

“You have an entire library dedicated to that?” Hadrian asked with a touch of incredulity. Tilda tensed, but Mallory seemed flattered.

“Indeed we do,” Mallory said with a nod. “I’d be happy to show you. We also train new mediums who have joined our flock.”

“You mentioned ‘premier’ mediums,” Tilda said. “Is Mrs. Frost one of them?”

“Yes. She is one of three, besides me, of course.” His tone held a casual arrogance that Tilda believed many would find charming. “There is also Cyril Ward and Victor Hawkins. The three of them are our most experienced,” Mallory explained. “They were with me when I founded the society in January of last year.”

Before Tilda could ask more questions, the butler entered the parlor. His lips were parted and his cheeks flushed. He appeared distressed.

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Mallory, but I must speak with you.”

Mr. Mallory inclined his head toward Tilda and Hadrian as he rose. “Please excuse me for a moment.” He walked toward the doorway and moved out of the parlor with the butler.

“I wonder what that is about,” Tilda said softly. “The butler seemed upset.”

“How do you find Mallory?” Hadrian asked.

“A trifle arrogant and very enthusiastic about his society.” Tilda cocked her head. “And you?”

“I can’t imagine an entire library dedicated to spiritualism. I’d no idea there could be that much published information on the subject. Perhaps it is a very small room.”