Page 22 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

“You must pardon me.” Crocker inclined his head toward them before moving to join the man and woman at the hearth.

Tilda turned toward Hadrian. “I find this process of training mediums fascinating.”

“It reeks of corruption, if you ask me.” Hadrian scoffed. “I should think mediums would have a gift that cannot be trained.”

“They might if their ability is the same as yours. Actually, even with your gift, it seems you can learn new things, such as smelling a memory.” She glanced toward Crocker. “Do you suppose the footman is able to experience another’s memories?”

“If so, how does Mallory find these people? And does that mean Crocker’s story about wanting to speak with his dead parents is a lie?”

Tilda’s attention flicked to the doorway. “Here comes Mallory. We can ask him.”

Hadrian turned his head to see the leader of the society. Mallory’s blond hair was bright against the unrelenting black of his costume. Even the man’s shirt was black. Why was he dressed fully in mourning whilst no one else was?

Mallory walked toward them. There were dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well. “Ravenhurst, Miss Wren.”

Quickly removing his glove, Hadrian seized the chance to at last shake the man’s hand. He reached out to the medium. “Mallory, my condolences.”

They briefly clasped hands—very briefly, for the medium released Hadrian immediately in order to take Tilda’s hand.

Hadrian hadn’t seen any kind of vision or felt any sentiment.

Mallory’s skin was clammy, and Hadrian had experienced a flash of cold, which he attributed to not particularly caring for the man.

Mallory released Tilda’s hand. “I understand you’ve come to inquire about a new medium for your mother’s séance? Mrs. Griswold told me—and she has offered her services. She is excellent.” He fixed on Hadrian. “Dare I hope you’ve decided to become a patron?”

“How much would it cost me?”

Mallory waved his hand. “We needn’t discuss that now, particularly with all that is going on this week. Generally, members make a donation they feel is appropriate for their level of involvement.”

That sounded rather vague to Hadrian. “I can’t imagine some of the members are able to give much. Particularly the retainers who work at the séances and are also members.”

The medium’s dark eyes glittered. “The donations do vary a great deal. We never turn anyone away.” He looked to Tilda and back to Hadrian. “I understand you’ll be attending Victor’s séance tonight.”

“We will,” Tilda said with a nod.

“Are you acquainted with Her Grace, the Duchess of Chester?” Mallory asked Hadrian. “She will be present.”

“Somewhat,” Hadrian replied.

“I was hoping you might know her,” Mallory said. “I thought it may be comforting for her to have an acquaintance there since the purpose of the séance is to speak with Cyril. Her Grace is most distraught over his death.”

“Do you expect Mr. Ward will provide the name of his killer?” Tilda asked.

Hadrian closely watched Mallory to see his reaction. Did the man believe his own nonsense, that he and his mediums in the society could speak with spirits?

“I am not sure Her Grace will ask that, and we must allow her to guide the conversation.”

“Are you not afraid that there will be another murder?” Tilda asked.

Mallory’s jaw tightened. “I would be a fool to not be concerned about that, but with constables here and at Victor’s house, I am relieved.

We cannot allow ourselves to hide in fear.

Furthermore, Her Grace is eager to speak with Cyril.

She loved him like her own son, and we must continue for her sake. ”

Tilda’s brow furrowed as she regarded the medium. “Have you any idea who the killer may be? It seems as though someone is unhappy with the spiritualism society—perhaps a disgruntled former member?”

The medium’s cheeks flashed pink. “Honestly, I can’t think of a single person I’ve ever met who could commit crimes such as these.”

“And yet someone recently interrupted a séance here and made threats,” Tilda noted. “What about your former partner—Grenville? Are you certain no one of your acquaintance could be seeking some kind of vengeance?”

Mallory’s nostrils flared the barest amount. “You’ve learned a great deal, Miss Wren. I will leave it up to your investigative skills to find that person. And I will be most grateful.”

Tilda inclined her head. “Do you know if Mr. Montrose will be in attendance tonight? We wondered if he might be a suitable replacement for Mrs. Frost since he’d already sat in a séance with Lady Ravenhurst.”

“He is not a medium,” Mallory said crisply.

Tilda’s brows arched briefly. “He’s not? I thought he might be, given how close he and Mrs. Frost seemed.”

Hadrian admired how Tilda had brought Montrose into the conversation by suggesting him as a replacement for Mrs. Frost. She was most adept at seeking information in subtle ways.

“I maintain that Mrs. Griswold will suit wonderfully,” Mallory said. “But if you prefer a male medium, I recommend Nigel Edwards. Have you met him yet? He is one of our newer mediums.”

“We have not,” Tilda said.

“He is just over there.” Mallory gestured to the man who was standing near the hearth with the other woman Hadrian had seen at Ward’s inquest. Crocker was no longer with them. “Would you like an introduction?”

Tilda gave the medium an appreciative smile. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

Hadrian didn’t think she would pass up the opportunity to meet and speak with more mediums. He followed Tilda and Mallory as they moved toward the hearth.

Edwards and the other woman turned to greet them.

“Nigel, Isidora, this is Lord Ravenhurst and Miss Wren. Lord Ravenhurst’s mother attended Deborah’s last séance earlier this week and is seeking a new medium.

And Miss Wren is a private investigator who is inquiring into the murders of our dear friends.

” He looked down for a moment, his expression grim.

Then he addressed Hadrian and Tilda. “Allow me to present two of our rising mediums, Nigel Edwards and Miss Isidora Dryden.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Tilda said.

Edwards inclined his head. “It is a privilege, my lord, Miss Wren.” He was of an age with Hadrian, with light brown curls and a squarish face with a short, blunt-edged nose and an affable smile which he flashed at Tilda.

Hadrian didn’t think the medium was flirting, but the man certainly displayed charm. “Edwards.” He turned his attention to the other medium, a woman who appeared slightly younger than Tilda. She had dark hair and arresting gray eyes that were locked on Hadrian in a frank perusal. “Miss Dryden.”

“My lord.” The medium sank into a brief curtsey. “I have not met an earl before.”

“You’ll find him pleasantly devoid of pretense,” Tilda said with a wink. Hadrian believed she was doing her best to win these mediums over. The better someone felt, the more likely they were to share information.

“That is good to know,” Miss Dryden murmured, her cheeks flushing faintly pink. “Thank you, Miss Wren.”

“Are you close to catching this horrible killer?” Edwards asked. “I don’t mind telling you it’s cast a horrible pall over the society. We are doing our best to continue onward, but it is difficult as we wonder if the killer will strike again.”

“We are safe with the constables watching over us,” Mallory said earnestly. “But any medium who wishes to retreat from practice until the murderer is captured is welcome to do so.”

Hadrian wondered if anyone had done that.

Edwards and Dryden both shook their heads. “We know our services are needed now more than ever,” Miss Dryden said. “Interest in the society has only increased with the news of the Levitation Killer.”

Mallory wrinkled his nose. “How I loathe that moniker.”

Tilda looked to Edwards. “To answer your question, Mr. Edwards, I am still conducting my investigation into the murders. We—I and the police—are trying to determine possible motives. It does seem there may be people who were unhappy with the society for some reason. I understand someone interrupted one of Mr. Ward’s séances recently? ”

Mallory’s lips twisted with disgust. “Eldred is of no consequence. He is bitter and angry, but he would not resort to murder. He is also rather small and thin. How could he do what was done to Cyril and Deborah?”

“I find it’s best to never underestimate people, including their ability or their resources,” Tilda said. “Why is he bitter and angry?”

“I’m not entirely sure.” Mallory blinked. “He attended, I think, two séances conducted by Cyril and was apparently disappointed in the result.”

“Was Cyril not able to contact the spirit realm for Eldred?” Hadrian asked.

“I’m sure he did,” Mallory insisted. “Cyril was our most experienced medium, apart from myself, of course. It may be that Eldred didn’t care for whatever he heard.”

A maid entered carrying a large tray with tea and sandwiches. As she went to place them on a table, Mallory invited Tilda and Hadrian to stay.

“We should probably be going,” Tilda said. “I have one last question I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind. How do you go about recruiting mediums for the society?”

Mallory frowned. “I wouldn’t say I ‘recruit’ them at all. People who are interested in spiritualism come to the society, and some of them have a sensitivity and talent to become a spiritualist. The society provides a place of fellowship and support that allows them to reach their full potential.”

“Could I become a spiritualist?” Tilda asked.

Hadrian had to press his lips together to keep from smiling.

“I confess I have been wondering if you might possess the necessary talent,” Mallory said. “May I take your hand?”

Hadrian’s attention snapped to Mallory’s hands. Was he hoping to see Tilda’s memories?