Page 12 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

“I have. I’d hoped to be the one to break the news to her, however, Detective Inspector Teague arrived first.” Mallory sent a cool look toward Teague, whose expression remained nonresponsive. The medium’s eyes, however, seemed to glitter with … something.

The coroner concluded his questioning of Mallory, then turned his attention to the jury.

It was a surprisingly short inquest, with the coroner now advising the jurors to render a decision regarding the cause of death.

After a brief conversation in hushed tones, the gentlemen of the jury determined that Ward had been murdered.

Graythorpe thanked them, then addressed Teague. “Detective Inspector, I hope you will find the perpetrator and ensure justice is served.”

Teague promised he would, and the inquest concluded.

Turning to Hadrian, Tilda inclined her head toward the detective inspector. “Let us speak with Teague.”

Hadrian gestured for her to precede him. “After you.”

Teague watched them approach and moved toward the corner, perhaps so they could converse more privately. “Do you have information to share?” He looked at both of them, but his gaze settled on Tilda.

“No, but I am offering my assistance, though I know you can’t accept it. At least not officially.”

“I will always welcome your unofficial input.” He gave her an apologetic look, his chin dipping.

Unofficial meant unpaid, and Tilda could not afford to work without compensation, particularly not when she had an active case on which she ought to be focusing. Except this murder was loosely associated with her existing investigation, which made it doubly hard to ignore.

“I can see it pains you to not be involved,” Teague said with humor.

Tilda smiled. “Quite. How did you determine the Duchess of Chester’s involvement?”

“We found papers in Ward’s desk,” Teague replied. He looked at Hadrian. “Do you know Her Grace?”

Hadrian’s brow arched. “You assume every member of the nobility is acquainted?”

Teague shrugged. “I thought I’d ask.”

“I met her when her granddaughter was on the Marriage Mart, back when I was considering matrimony.”

“Was that when you become betrothed to Beryl Chambers?” Teague referred to Tilda’s former client.

“Yes. I do know that the duchess is somewhat eccentric,” Hadrian said. “Her son died perhaps twenty years ago, and she was in deep mourning for nigh on a decade, if memory serves. It doesn’t surprise me that she would seek to contact him through a medium.”

Teague nodded. “Precisely. Her Grace told me about her son when I went to inform her of Ward’s death and to ask about their connection. She said Ward had helped her speak to her late son, and she was most grateful—to the point of treating him like a family member.”

“As a replacement for her son perhaps?” Tilda asked.

“I did have that impression,” Teague confirmed. His auburn brows pitched low as he regarded them with a dubious glint in his eye. “Do you believe these mediums actually communicate with the dead?”

Hadrian did not hesitate in responding. “No.”

Swinging his head toward Tilda, Teague asked, “You?”

“I am not convinced, but neither have I entirely discounted the notion that there is something happening when these mediums conduct their séances. In fact, I am currently investigating the authenticity of those in the London Spiritualism Society.”

Teague’s gaze flashed with interest. “Are you? I’d be interested in what you learn.

If you don’t mind sharing.” They’d shared information with one another on past investigations, and Tilda saw no reason to keep anything from him.

He’d been particularly helpful in her first investigation with Hadrian.

In fact, Teague had aided them in catching the killer.

“I don’t,” Tilda said. “And if you find yourself in need of someone you can compensate, I hope you’ll consider me.”

“You know I would. You’ve a sharp mind, Miss Wren. Pity I can’t hire you. The Metropolitan Police could use your talent.” He gave her a wry smile, then turned and departed the pub.

“I know you’re disappointed that you can’t help,” Hadrian said.

“I am not surprised, however. It’s moot anyway.

I need to focus on the investigation before me, since I do have a paying client.

” Tilda saw that Mallory and the gentleman he’d been sitting with had moved toward the door.

“I would like to speak with Mr. Mallory. I shall tell him we felt compelled to come today since we were at the society when the news of Ward’s death arrived. ”

“Brilliant,” Hadrian said.

Tilda led the way, arriving at the door at the same time Mallory and his companion did. “Good afternoon, Mr. Mallory.”

The medium had just set his hat atop his blond waves. “Good afternoon, Miss Wren. What a surprise to see you here.” His gaze moved to Hadrian. “And you as well, your lordship.”

Tilda gave him a sheepish look. “We were interested in learning what happened since we were with you when you learned of Mr. Ward’s death. Please allow us to convey our most sincere condolences.”

“If there is anything we can do to help, please let us know,” Hadrian added, his gaze flicking to the other man, which prompted Mallory to introduce him.

“This is Victor Hawkins,” Mallory said. “He’s another medium in the society and was a friend to Cyril.” He glanced at Hawkins. “This is Lord Ravenhurst and Miss Wren. They visited the society yesterday and were there when I learned of Cyril’s death.”

“I’m pleased to make your acquaintance,” Tilda said. “I’m only sorry it’s under these circumstances. A friend of my grandmother’s recently attended one of your séances—Mrs. Richardson.”

Hawkins was somewhat short of stature. His dark hair was slicked back from his high forehead and his light blue eyes were perfect for a medium. They were at once inquisitive and mesmerizing. “Mrs. Richardson was lovely,” he said with a smile. “Are you hoping to attend a séance?”

“We were guests at Mrs. Frost’s last night,” Tilda replied.

“I’m sure you had a wonderful evening,” Hawkins said.

“We did,” Tilda assured him. “I can see why people keep returning. Is that what happened with the Duchess of Chester?” Tilda knew she was taking a chance by mentioning the duchess but decided it was worth the risk to learn more.

“She enjoyed Mr. Ward’s séances so much that he became her personal medium? ”

“That is precisely what happened,” Hawkins said sadly. “They were quite close. I plan to call on her shortly to offer my condolences.”

“How ghastly that poor Mr. Ward was arranged to look as though he were levitating. Why would someone do that?” Tilda hoped Mallory or Hawkins would offer an opinion.

“I can’t imagine,” Mallory said almost angrily. “Only someone quite depraved would even think to do that.”

“Perhaps someone didn’t like levitation?” Hadrian asked. “Was Ward known for that?”

“He was, actually,” Hawkins replied. He blinked twice. “Why would someone take issue with that and kill him? It doesn’t make sense to me. I hope the police will discover the truth.”

Mallory’s brows dipped down. He appeared tense. “You must excuse us. We’re having a small gathering at the society, and we need to be on our way.” He turned toward the door, and Hawkins followed him after inclining his head toward Tilda and Hadrian.

Tilda glanced at Hadrian before quickly trailing them from the pub. Outside, the sun had emerged from the clouds. Tilda watched as Mallory and Hawkins caught up to the two women who’d been seated behind them. The quartet climbed into a coach and departed.

“They’re all leaving together,” Hadrian noted. “I presume the women are also mediums, since they were in my vision.”

“I think it’s safe to assume they are at least members of the society, since you saw them there and they are now returning to the headquarters for a gathering.

” Tilda reminded herself that the murder investigation was not what she needed to focus on.

Except that investigating the society meant looking into the murder of one of their premier mediums.

Hadrian walked beside her as they approached the corner where Leach was waiting with the coach. “You have a determined look on your face.”

“I was just thinking about my investigation into Mrs. Frost and how the murder of Cyril Ward, another medium in the same society as Mrs. Frost, may be connected. Hawkins wondered who would take issue with Ward’s levitation.

Who indeed? Perhaps someone discovered their fraud—with levitation at least—and killed Ward.

” Tilda grimaced. “Though that kind of murder took planning and execution. It would not have been done in a burst of anger.”

“Perhaps the killer is not entirely rational,” Hadrian said. “If they felt they’d been cheated and that Ward was cheating others, perhaps they wanted to put a stop to it in a sensational way, so as to draw attention to the society as a whole.”

“That is certainly possible.” Tilda slowed as they were nearly to the coach, and she didn’t want Leach to overhear what she said next. “You saw in your vision that the society is aware of and supports the levitation fraud. The killer could know that too.”

“How do we go about finding former clients who may be angry about being cheated?” Hadrian asked.

Tilda flashed him a smile as she continued toward the coach. “We ask a great deal of questions.”

Leach opened the door for her, and Tilda settled herself on the seat as Hadrian sat across from her.

Perhaps this would be their seating arrangement going forward.

That would be all right, so long as their friendship was intact.

Tilda believed it was. Things certainly felt as they had during their prior investigations.

“So we are, in a way, investigating the murder,” Hadrian said.

“As it pertains to the investigation into Mrs. Frost, yes.”

Hadrian crossed his arms over his chest. “Good, for I am already rather invested in finding the killer.”

“You want to investigate a murder,” Tilda noted wryly. “I think I’m rubbing off on you.”

“Most certainly,” he replied with a fast grin. “And I have no quarrel with that.”

There was a heat in his gaze that made Tilda turn her focus to the window. Her belly had done a little flip, indicating it was going to take time for her to develop an immunity to his charm.

If she could.

Except his charm was so much a part of him and why she liked working with him. She had to be careful she didn’t succumb to the parts of his charm that encouraged kissing.

Navigating a relationship with a gentleman was proving difficult. Because it was more than that. He was a gentleman she liked and admired. A gentleman who could have perhaps been more than a friend if they were not from completely different classes and if she was at all interested in marriage.

But they were from different classes, and Tilda did not wish to wed. Tilda would make certain she did nothing to make him think otherwise.