Page 98 of A Whisper and a Curse

They both turned at the sound of the masculine voice. Inwood, the bespectacled man who’d sat beside Mrs. Griswold, was looking up where they had been a moment ago.

“Just admiring the ironwork on that vent,” Hadrian said with a smile. “I’m Ravenhurst.” He held his hand out to the man.

“Inwood.” He shook Hadrian’s hand. “I hope you weren’t too troubled by the séance. I know some people find it jarring tohear from their deceased relatives, especially when they were close to you in life.”

“This isn’t your first séance?” Tilda asked.

Inwood shook his head. “I’ve lost count of the number I’ve attended,” he added with a smile. “I joined the society late last year.”

Hadrian looked at him expectantly. “And how many people in the spirit realm have you spoken with?”

“Er, none. I don’t really have anyone I wish to speak with.” He shrugged. “I do like attending séances, however. I particularly enjoy watching levitation.” He grimaced. “I suppose I shouldn’t mention that here. Seems like the society is perhaps taking a break from that sort of presentation.”

“Are they?” Tilda glanced at Hadrian. “I can’t blame them.”

Mrs. Griswold announced that dinner was being served.

“Shall we?” Mr. Inwood said.

“You must excuse us,” Hadrian replied. “We won’t be staying for dinner.”

They bade farewell to the man before ensuring that Lady Ravenhurst would indeed be delivered home by Mrs. Langdon. A short while later, they were ensconced in Hadrian’s coach on the way to Marylebone. Once again, Hadrian did not sit beside Tilda. Tonight, after the emotions he’d experienced, Tilda rather hoped he would. She should have explicitly invited him to.

“I felt nothing when I shook Inwood’s hand,” Hadrian said as he settled back against the squab. “I think your theory about Montrose, Sullivan, and Parr is accurate. Honestly, it makes perfect sense that they are Mallory in disguise. I’m disappointed I didn’t see it.”

“I didn’t either until I wrote their names down and saw the Shakespearean connection. We must commend Mallory’s efforts with hair and costumes. He quite transformed himself.” Tildaexhaled. “Can we now conclude that Mallory is the only one in the society who possesses the ability to experience memories?”

“That seems likely, though I would like to know how Mrs. Griswold knew about the snow memory with my brother.”

“Was it accurate?” Tilda asked.

“Eerily so. Mallory has touched my mother. It’s entirely possible he experienced that memory and had already shared it with Mrs. Griswold.”

“That was my thought as well—that she knew about it before the séance.”

Hadrian’s eyes narrowed. “They are quite cunning, aren’t they?”

“I think we must assume their capacity for intrigue is limitless.”

“As well as their hunger for gullible people to attend their séances and join their society,” Hadrian said. “Mrs. Griswold called on my mother this morning to suggest this séance tonight, and I expect her to solicit my mother’s patronage. Damn, I should have stayed for dinner after all, so I could stop such nonsense.”

Tilda gave him a sympathetic look. “Try not to worry. I would say the future of the London Spiritualism Society is at risk. Even if Mallory isn’t the Levitation Killer, he is a blackmailer and sent me a threatening letter. The society is likely to be without its leader. Can it continue?”

“You make an excellent point. I want to be sure Teague has all the evidence he can get regarding the blackmail. Shall we visit the grocer in Bedfordbury tomorrow? I’ve a meeting in the morning at Westminster, but I can be free by noon.”

“Yes, please,” Tilda said with a nod. “Don’t forget to bring your pistol.”

CHAPTER 19

Hadrian extricated himself from a meeting in the Commons regarding the Thames Embankment in order to fetch Tilda and arrived later than he’d planned. She was waiting for him in the parlor. Her grandmother was not present, which Hadrian found surprising.

“Where is your grandmother?” he asked after greeting Tilda. “I hope she is well.”

“She is annoyed with me because I asked her to stay away from the parlor so that you and I may discuss the case.” Tilda gave him a dire look. “I’m afraid there’s been another murder.”

“Hell,” Hadrian murmured. “Mrs. Griswold?”

Tilda shook her head. “Teague called a short while ago. Harmony Smith was found in Leicester Square early this morning. It looks as though she died from prussic acid poisoning.”