Page 20 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

Hadrian handed the man his card. Tilda was content to let his title lead the way since it usually ensured they were well received.

The retainer welcomed them inside. “Mrs. Langdon is expecting you. She is in the drawing room, if you’ll just follow me.” He led them upstairs to the formal room at the front of the house.

Mrs. Langdon was a petite, angular woman with gray hair and half-moon spectacles, which she removed as they entered. Her dark-brown eyes focused on them as she smiled. “Lord Ravenhurst and Miss Wren, I presume.”

“Yes,” Hadrian said. “Thank you for receiving us today.”

“It is my pleasure to speak with you about my experience with Mrs. Frost.” Her features pitched into a deep frown. “I was so saddened to hear of her death. Absolutely dreadful business.”

“Indeed,” Tilda agreed as she sat on a settee across from their hostess.

Hadrian sat beside Tilda. “She seemed a very kind woman.”

“That’s right. Your mother’s note said you’d attended the séance with her the other night.” Mrs. Langdon’s dark eyes gleamed with interest. “How did you find the experience?”

Tilda answered to save Hadrian from having to fib. “It was most enlightening. We were looking forward to attending again, but alas, that won’t be possible. How many séances were you able to attend?”

“Four with Mrs. Frost. I am a patron of the society, so I am able to attend one séance each month.” Mrs. Langdon pouted briefly. “I must find a new medium, I suppose.”

“I was not aware of that benefit,” Tilda said. “What else does your patronage include?”

“Weekly tea with Mrs. Frost, though I have only been able to attend one since becoming a patron.” Mrs. Langdon gestured with her slender hand. “Patrons also have access to the society headquarters, including the library, as well as teas and other events that they host there.”

“It sounds as though the society headquarters is almost like a club,” Hadrian observed.

“That could be,” Mrs. Langdon replied. “But you would likely know more about that, my lord. Ladies do not have as many opportunities to belong to a club as gentlemen such as yourself.”

Tilda wondered if most of the patrons were women and if the society was providing a much-needed place for them to gather.

When they visited the society next, she would further her inquiries into their operations.

She addressed Mrs. Langdon. “May I ask about your experience with Mrs. Frost? I am investigating her murder.”

Mrs. Langdon nodded. “Lady Ravenhurst’s note said you were conducting an investigation.

I am happy to be of assistance. I visited the society to inquire about attending a séance and spoke with Mrs. Frost. I explained that I wished to speak with my father.

He died a few years ago, and my mother thinks he sold a painting that she loved.

” Mrs. Langdon lowered her voice. “He didn’t like it much.

” She laughed softly. “My mother said he wouldn’t let her hang it in the house. ”

“Did you want to ask him if he sold the painting?” Hadrian asked.

“Yes, and Mrs. Frost was eager to help. Whilst she wasn’t successful at the first séance, Mrs. Frost was able to contact him straightaway at the second.” Mrs. Langdon smiled widely. “It was astonishing.”

Tilda noted that, once again, the medium was not successful at the first séance. It seemed the clients were then encouraged to return and even become patrons. “How were you convinced it was him?”

Mrs. Langdon’s expression grew animated.

“Let me explain from the beginning. I’m sure you know how séances start since you’ve attended one.

Mrs. Frost asked to speak with the spirit realm.

We very quickly felt a cool breeze. It was most disquieting.

She then asked if John Tabor—he is her spirit guide—was present.

He rapped three times to say he was. Was he also present at your séance?

” Mrs. Langdon looked from Tilda to Hadrian and back to Tilda again.

“Mrs. Frost said he is usually her guide.”

“He was there, yes,” Tilda replied. “However, he wasn’t able to help us much. It sounds as though you had the opposite experience.”

“At the second séance, yes. Right away, he tapped out my father’s name—Adam.”

Hadrian kept his features notably blank. “How did he do that?”

“There was one tap for the first letter of the alphabet, then a pause, then four taps, and so on. Mrs. Frost said John Tabor was saying that he was with someone called Adam.”

“That was all?” A bit of doubt crept into Hadrian’s voice, and Tilda shot him a quelling look. She didn’t want Mrs. Langdon to be put off by him.

“No, no. The table began to move quite violently then. Mrs. Frost closed her eyes tightly and bade us all to focus on the energy moving between us.” Mrs. Langdon’s eyes closed as she recounted the tale.

“My father was glad to see me and pleased that I was wearing the yellow topaz necklace he’d given me.

I knew right then that my father was there.

I could feel his presence. The air grew warm, and I swear I could smell the scent he always wore. ”

Hadrian looked over at Tilda in disbelief. Tilda narrowed her eyes at him before returning her attention to Mrs. Langdon. The woman was smiling as she opened her eyes.

“Had Mrs. Frost asked you to bring something that your father had given you?” Tilda asked, thinking of how she’d done that with Lady Ravenhurst, who’d brought her son’s letter. That could very well explain how the medium knew about the necklace.

“Yes, but I didn’t tell her what it was,” Mrs. Langdon said, which surprised Tilda, since Lady Ravenhurst had given the letter from Gabriel to Mrs. Frost. “She could not have known the necklace I was wearing was a gift from my father. But that wasn’t the only thing that confirmed my father’s presence.

He asked if I was still attending the Henley Royal Regatta without him.

” Mrs. Langdon sniffed. “He took me to the very first one almost thirty years ago. It was the year before I wed. We went together every year since, except when I had a newborn babe and couldn’t attend. ”

That was still something others might have known.

Mrs. Langdon smiled again. “My father recounted how, since I wasn’t able to attend the regatta, he took me to Temple Island a few months later, after my confinement, and we sailed a small boat together.” She giggled. “It is one of my fondest memories.”

Memories … Tilda snapped her gaze to Hadrian. Again, she suspected that Mrs. Frost possessed the same ability as he did. “I don’t suppose you were holding Mrs. Frost’s hand?” Tilda asked Mrs. Langdon.

“No, those seated around the séance table must be in male-female order. Did you not notice that at your séance? I was seated near her—there was a gentleman between us. Mr. Montrose was his name.”

Tilda found it interesting that Montrose was always seated next to the medium conducting the séance.

At least with both Mrs. Frost and Mr. Hawkins.

And, in the cases of Mrs. Langdon and Lady Ravenhurst, they’d sat on his other side.

Perhaps Montrose also had the ability to see others’ memories.

Her curiosity about Montrose grew. “Was he at all of the séances you attended?”

Mrs. Langdon thought for a moment. “He was.”

“What happened with your search for the painting?” Hadrian asked.

“Papa didn’t sell the painting,” Mrs. Langdon said with a light laugh. “He insisted my mother moved it somewhere in the house and simply can’t find it.”

Tilda wondered how Mrs. Frost had learned the painting hadn’t been sold. Unless she really had spoken to Mrs. Langdon’s father. “Did he not know where you might find it?”

Mrs. Langdon shook her head. “He could only confirm that he hadn’t sold it. I’m afraid it remains lost for now.”

It was notable to Tilda that no one could prove or disprove that since the painting was still missing. “I’m sorry you weren’t able to find the painting,” she said. “If you learned all that in the second séance, why did you attend two more?”

“Because it was such fun! Each week, Mrs. Frost spoke to my father and relayed what he said. It was like being with him again.” Mrs. Langdon’s shoulders jumped up as she smiled warmly.

Hadrian leaned forward slightly. “Your father said a great deal. How long did it take for all that information to be rapped out?”

“Oh, I forgot the most stunning detail!” Mrs. Langdon laughed somewhat sheepishly. “Once we established contact, Mrs. Frost closed her eyes and he spoke through her.”

“I see.” Hadrian sat back with a faint nod. He didn’t appear at all convinced—at least to Tilda, who knew him well.

Mrs. Langdon eyed Hadrian as she clasped her hands in her lap. Her gaze turned expectant. “You don’t believe Mrs. Frost channeled my father, do you?”

“It is a great deal to accept,” Hadrian said hesitantly.

“Your mother’s note indicated that you are not entirely supportive of her desire to speak with your brother.

” Mrs. Langdon gave him a rather tolerant moue.

“I understand your reticence, but let me tell you how extraordinary it is when the connection is made. I haven’t the slightest doubt that my father was speaking to me through Mrs. Frost. She spoke details no one else could know—that my father wore a bright green cravat to the first regatta, which he’d bought especially for the event. ”

“You seem quite convinced,” Hadrian said amiably.

Tilda noted he did not say he was convinced. “I am thrilled you were able to have that experience, Mrs. Langdon. Perhaps our next séance will be more fruitful.”

“Will Lady Ravenhurst find a new medium?” Mrs. Langdon asked hopefully.

“If she does, please tell her I would like to know whom she sees. I do think I want to attend another séance. It would be wonderful to speak with my favorite aunt. She died last year.” She fixed her gaze on Hadrian.

“If you would like further proof that Mrs. Frost spoke with the spirit realm, might I suggest you speak with Mr. Douglas Joslin? He saw Mrs. Frost a few months ago and raved about the experience. I’m sure he won’t mind if you call on him.

” She provided the man’s address in Montpelier Square.

Hadrian smiled at her. “We’ll do that, thank you.”

“We appreciate your time, Mrs. Langdon.” Tilda stood, and Hadrian joined her.

They took their leave a few minutes later. Outside, Hadrian said, “I know Joslin. He’s a member at one of my clubs—Brooks’s.”

“You belong to more than one?”

“Yes, but Brooks’s is my primary. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Joslin there in a while. But then again, I don’t frequent the club as often as I used to.”

“Why is that?” Tilda asked as they arrived at the coach.

He smiled broadly. “I’ve been too busy investigating with you.”

Tilda couldn’t help the shiver of delight that danced up her spine. “I hope I’m not keeping you from that.”

“Not at all. I much prefer our work together.”

She felt the same. Her life had somehow brightened since they’d met. Was it because of their investigations or was it him?

A clear answer was not forthcoming, and Tilda did not contemplate it further.

They climbed into the coach and started on their way back to Marylebone.

Tilda studied Hadrian a moment as she tried to determine the best way to broach what she wanted to say. Finally, she said, “Did you notice that everything Mrs. Langdon shared about Mrs. Frost’s conversations with Mrs. Langdon’s father appeared to be a memory?”

“I did. You think Mrs. Frost had the same ability as I do. Unfortunately, we can’t find out for certain.”

“Unless someone else knew,” Tilda said. “As I’ve mentioned, I wonder if all the mediums have it.

It would be extraordinary to discover that many people possess the ability to see others’ memories.

I must wonder how Mallory did that, assuming it was him, since he seems to have recruited the mediums. Though, after speaking with Mrs. Langdon, I am wondering if Montrose also possesses the ability to see memories.

He was seated between Mrs. Frost and the person for whom the séance was being conducted. ”

Hadrian’s eyes narrowed shrewdly. “We need to find Montrose. The society seems a good place to start. Should we go there now?”

Tilda shook her head. “No, I need to go home. My grandmother has invited a pair of friends to dine with us this evening, and I must ensure all is prepared.”

“Perhaps tomorrow then. And we still need to find Clifton, the carpenter who built the séance tables.”

“Don’t forget Roger Grenville. Alas, he is a train ride away in Swindon.”

“I’d be happy to escort you there.” Hadrian met her gaze. “You’re going to say you don’t have the funds to do so, but it is part of your investigation, and you will include it in the invoice you provide to my mother.”

“I suppose that is reasonable. I hope your mother doesn’t dispute the cost.”

“She won’t,” Hadrian assured her. “Especially since you have become her champion by promising to find a new medium for her.”

“Yes, we must do that when we visit the society. Let’s go tomorrow.” Tilda frowned. “That will be the second day since Mrs. Frost was killed. If the pattern holds, there could very well be another murder.”

“Not at the society,” Hadrian said. “There are constables present. They will keep those who live there safe.”

But none of the murders had happened at the headquarters. She worried about the third premier medium. “Perhaps Teague ought to put a constable at Hawkins’s house.”

Hadrian nodded. “That is a good idea. I’ll stop at Scotland Yard after I drop you off and ask him to do so.”

“Thank you, Hadrian. I am not sure how I would conduct investigations without you. I would certainly need to hire a great many hacks,” she added wryly.

Hadrian smiled. “It is my privilege to assist you.”

Tilda was glad to have settled back into their easy rhythm of working together. She supposed she should be grateful that the investigation had broadened beyond Mrs. Frost. It meant they could spend more time with one another.

And she had absolutely no quarrel with that.