Page 19 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

They’d discussed whether he might demonstrate the levitation cheat for her, but telling her was enough.

She needed to know the truth. Perhaps he could put an end to this nonsense once and for all.

Regardless of the mediums’ authenticity, he didn’t particularly want his mother involved with people who were being murdered at an alarming rate.

Tilda gave him a slight nod before addressing his mother.

“We’ve learned that some of the mediums in the society perform trickery to dupe those who come to their séances.

They cheat at levitation, and we suspect there is something about the tables they use that allows the medium to make them move.

Meaning, spirits are not responding with raps or moving the table. ”

Shockingly, the dowager countess laughed. “I’ve no interest in their flashy parlor tricks. I don’t doubt those are fake. I understand some people are amused and enthralled. I’ve no quarrel with that. I only care that they can help me speak to my dear Gabriel.”

“But if the raps aren’t truly from the spirits, that is proof that they are not speaking to Gabriel.” Hadrian kept a rein on his patience.

“You’ve proof that is happening?” his mother asked. “What about the information these mediums share about things they shouldn’t know about? I realize Gabriel’s letter may have helped Mrs. Frost with the truth, but from what I have heard from others, she revealed things she could not have known.”

It was suddenly clear to Hadrian that his mother was warring with herself.

She wanted to speak to Gabriel whilst also worrying about whether it was really possible.

He wondered, as Tilda had suggested, if it wasn’t just easiest—and best—to allow her to think it was, so she could accomplish whatever it was she wished to do in contacting her son.

“Mama, why is it so imperative that you speak to Gabriel?” he asked softly.

Surprise flashed in his mother’s eyes. “I … I want to know all is well. To lose a child is terrible, but to lose him when he was so far away, when I hadn’t seen him in more than a year, is truly awful. Things feel … unfinished.”

Hadrian heard the ache in her voice and wanted his mother to find what she sought. But even if it was fake? “I hope you can find peace with Gabriel’s death, Mama. We will do all we can to facilitate that.” He looked toward Tilda, who gave him a subtle nod.

Tilda addressed his mother. “We can certainly find a new medium for you in the society. We met Mr. Hawkins today, and he seems most competent.”

“I think I would prefer a woman, if possible. I have heard they are more sensitive.”

“There are other women mediums,” Tilda said. “We will inquire about upcoming séances and ask if you can attend one.”

“Please tell them that I was to sit with Mrs. Frost again and it is imperative I find a replacement quickly, whilst Gabriel is ready and eager to speak with me.” Her tone was urgent, her expression almost dire.

“We will, Mama,” Hadrian assured her. Above all, he didn’t want to see her upset, and she clearly was.

“I should like to call on Mrs. Langdon tomorrow,” Tilda said. “Do I need an introduction first?”

“I will send a note of introduction,” Hadrian’s mother replied. “I would offer to accompany you, but I am otherwise engaged.”

“Thank you,” Tilda said. “We’ll let you know what we learn about a new medium, and we will make that a priority since you are concerned about losing touch with your son.”

His mother brightened. “I appreciate that very much.”

Hadrian stood. “Pardon us for disturbing your day, Mama.”

“You are never a disturbance, dear. I am sorry the reason for your visit was so tragic.” She frowned sadly, then clucked her tongue. “Mrs. Frost was a kind soul. May she rest in peace.”

They said goodbye, and Hadrian escorted Tilda back to the coach. “I hope you won’t mind if I accompany you to Mrs. Langdon’s tomorrow.”

“Of course not,” Tilda said. “I expected you would.”

“I’ll have to meet you there. I’ve a busy day at Westminster.”

Leach opened the door to the coach, and Tilda climbed inside. Hadrian sat opposite her. They were shortly on their way to her grandmother’s house in Marylebone.

Tilda met his gaze. “You seemed as though you may have been moved by your mother’s desperation to speak with Gabriel.”

He exhaled. “I was. And I thought about what you said. Perhaps it doesn’t matter if anyone is really speaking to him. If my mother is happy to think she can communicate with him, isn’t that enough?”

“It’s good of you to try to understand that perspective.” She hesitated briefly, her expression earnest as she continued. “But I want you to know that I recognize your struggle with it, and that it’s bound up with your own feelings about loss and grief. And about your brother.”

Hadrian was again moved, this time by her declaration. “Thank you.” They rode in silence a few minutes before Hadrian said, “Should we also plan to visit Clifton if we can find him?”

Tilda nodded. “I am not sure when, however. I want to attend the inquest, and it will likely be tomorrow.”

“Damn.” Hadrian grimaced. He hadn’t meant to curse in front of her, not that he hadn’t done so before.

It spoke of their familiarity, he supposed.

“I don’t think I can shirk my duties the entire day.

” He’d already ignored several meetings in Westminster this week.

His secretary had obtained the necessary information, and Hadrian spent his evenings reading or at his club meeting with colleagues.

“I shall give you a full report,” Tilda said with a smile. “Perhaps Friday we can find Clifton. And hopefully attend Hawkins’s séance. We should also visit the spiritualism society since I just promised your mother that we would find a new medium for her.”

There was a pause before he said, “Thank you for doing that. I know it gave her comfort. It should have come from me.”

“Do not abuse yourself,” Tilda scolded gently. “The important thing is that you are supporting her wishes to find some peace with her son’s death.”

Hadrian was sorry he hadn’t realized his mother needed that. He’d thought their grief about Gabriel was long resolved. But the ache in his chest—though it had diminished in time—when he thought of his brother told him otherwise.

Perhaps there was peace to be had for everyone.

T ilda had received a note from Hadrian that morning saying they were expected at Mrs. Langdon’s that afternoon, and he was able to pick her up in his coach instead of meeting her there.

That had worked out well since the inquest had started at eleven o’clock, and Tilda had wanted to attend.

She’d barely returned home when Hadrian’s coach arrived to fetch her.

Seated in the coach on the way to Mrs. Langdon’s house in Mayfair, Tilda began telling Hadrian about the inquest.

“Graythorpe again?” he asked after Tilda said the coroner had presided once more. “Someone is keeping him busy,” he added grimly.

“It doesn’t seem that Teague is any closer to finding out whom,” Tilda reported. “I did tell him about our meeting with Hawkins and about Roger Grenville.”

“Does he plan to track Grenville down?” Hadrian asked.

Tilda lifted a shoulder. “He was interested but wasn’t sure when he’d be able to do that.

He had constables interview Mrs. Hemmings and Mrs. York, whilst he interviewed Lady Gillivray.

He said the only helpful information they obtained came from Mrs. Hemmings, who attended a séance at the society headquarters somewhat recently.

She reported that someone charged angrily into the middle of the sitting and threatened the medium. ”

“How so?”

“Teague did not elaborate on that point,” Tilda said. “He did tell me the medium conducting the séance was Cyril Ward.”

“That is an excellent lead.” Hadrian’s eyes gleamed. “Did Teague tell you who interrupted the séance?”

“No. He apologized for not doing so, particularly after I’d shared the information about Grenville, but he didn’t want to chance this person—the one who was upset with Ward—fleeing before he’d had a chance to interview him.

” Tilda gave him a determined look. “I’m confident I can discover the person’s identity. ”

Hadrian chuckled as he settled back in the seat. “Of course you will.”

Tilda smiled. “I haven’t told you the best part. Hawkins was at the inquest, and he’s invited us both to attend the séance tomorrow night. I accepted. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. I do hope there is fake levitating.”

“You could always demonstrate your skills in that area,” Tilda suggested sardonically.

“I am considering it.” Hadrian gave her an arch look as he crossed his arms. “There was some discussion at Westminster today about these murders. They are capturing great public attention. Indeed, someone referred to the murderer as the ‘Levitation Killer.’”

“I heard someone use that term today as well,” Tilda said.

“I can’t say I’m surprised that public interest is so high.

These murders were particularly spectacular and occurred in quick succession.

Teague is concerned there will be another and advised the mediums in the society to be cautious.

In fact, he’s stationed a pair of constables at the society headquarters.

” Tilda recalled the conversation they’d shared prior to the inquest. “Teague indicated that Lysander Mallory hadn’t seemed overly enthused about having constables there but begrudgingly agreed it was necessary. ”

“That is interesting,” Hadrian said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Why wouldn’t the man be thrilled to have police protection in this circumstance?”

“I wondered the same thing. I’d hoped to ask him if they would still be holding séances at the society headquarters, but I didn’t have time after the inquest.”

The coach stopped, and a moment later, Leach opened the door. Hadrian climbed down and helped Tilda to the pavement before escorting her to Mrs. Langdon’s door. A butler shortly answered Hadrian’s knock.