Page 30 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

“I do wish we could find more evidence of blackmail,” Tilda said. “I can’t imagine Eldred is the only victim.”

“But why would they even need to blackmail?” Teague asked. “The society takes in money from its patrons and members, and they charge a fee for conducting séances.”

“They lease at least one property—in Rathbone Place,” Tilda replied.

“And perhaps two if they also own Hawkins’s house in Clerkenwell.

The society also employs many domestic servants as well as the mediums. Perhaps the society needs more money than it takes in and has resorted to blackmail.

Or Cyril Ward took it upon himself to extort people, or perhaps only Eldred, but that seems difficult to explain, especially when we know he was receiving an allowance from Her Grace. ”

“You really are a fine investigator, Miss Wren. I am confident we will determine the identity of the Levitation Killer soon.” Teague’s lip curled. “How I loathe what the press has done to sensationalize this matter.”

“It is a sensational case.” Tilda stood. “We will bring it to a satisfactory end.”

Teague rose. “Without further loss of life.”

“Indeed.” Hadrian wouldn’t let anything happen to Tilda. They said goodbye to Teague and made plans to see him Monday, though he gave them his home address in case they learned something vital in Swindon.

When they were outside, Tilda asked if Hadrian wanted to call on the duchess now.

“Do you have the time for another errand?”

“I do, but what of her mourning?” Tilda asked. “Do you really think she’ll receive us?”

Hadrian lifted a shoulder as they arrived at the coach. “Since she came to the séance last night and we were there, I think it’s worth trying.” He looked to Leach and gave him their next destination.

“Were there any surprising names on the list of society founders?” Hadrian asked as they started on their way.

“Roger Grenville was on the list, but I don’t suppose that’s surprising. I am very glad we planned this trip to Swindon.”

“I am glad you will be gone from London after receiving the letter,” Hadrian said.

“Only for a day, but if it will relieve your tension, I’ll be glad of that .” She gave him a small smile.

Though Hadrian had calmed since first reading the threatening letter she’d received, he was still agitated. Knowing that a constable would be looking over her house gave him comfort, but he wouldn’t fully rest until the author of the letter had been caught.

Eyeing her across the coach, he hoped she wasn’t troubled by his reaction to the letter. “Is it all right that I am concerned for you? We are friends—close friends, I think.”

“We are,” she agreed. “I hope we shall always remain friends.”

“It sounds as though we are both committed to that.” And Hadrian was most grateful.

Aside from bringing him into a world of investigation that he found exciting and fulfilling, she’d been a wonderful support at a time in his life when he’d needed an understanding confidante.

If not for her, he was nearly certain he would be struggling with his odd ability entirely by himself.

That alone put Tilda in a unique position as the person he apparently trusted most in the world.

Tilda pulled him from his reverie. “There were two names missing from the list of founders—Miss Sullivan and Mr. Montrose.”

Hadrian shook away his deep thoughts about their relationship and leaned back against the squab. “They must have joined later.”

“Yes.” Tilda shrugged.

They arrived at the duchess’s house and departed the coach. A pair of gentlemen emerged from the house as they approached. Hadrian inclined his head toward Lysander Mallory and Victor Hawkins.

“Good afternoon,” Hadrian said.

Mallory’s hooded brown eyes surveyed them briefly. “Afternoon, my lord. Miss Wren.”

“You were visiting the duchess?” Tilda asked.

“I have every day since Cyril’s death,” Mallory replied. “She says it is a comfort. After Victor’s success with contacting Cyril last night, Her Grace requested we both visit today. She didn’t mention that she was expecting you.”

“We saw her last night, of course.” Hadrian flicked a glance toward Hawkins. “However, we weren’t able to speak for very long.” That was all he was going to say. He glanced at Tilda, whose eyes gleamed with some unspoken communication, perhaps that she approved of what he said.

“I hope you enjoyed the séance last night,” Hawkins said, his gaze settling on Tilda. “I did worry that you were upset about your father wanting to contact you.”

“It was most startling,” Tilda replied evenly. “Please don’t let us keep you.”

Hawkins touched the brim of his hat as he and Mallory stepped past them and walked away along the pavement.

Tilda looked after them. “I find it interesting that Mallory has called on the duchess every day since Ward’s death.”

“I expect she is their wealthiest patron,” Hadrian said, escorting her to the door. “It makes sense that he would wish to continue their relationship following Ward’s death.”

Hadrian knocked, and the butler answered the door. Straightaway, Hadrian handed the man his card. The butler didn’t hesitate to invite them inside.

Hadrian gave the man a brief smile. “Please tell the duchess we are here to speak with her about Mr. Ward’s death. We are investigating the matter, which we think will be of interest to her.”

“Thank you, my lord. Please wait here.” The butler hastened into the staircase hall and went upstairs.

Hadrian noted how Tilda surveyed the entrance hall. Her gaze lingered on the paintings and a life-size statue of a woman in Roman garb. These things must seem extravagant to her.

“You should take the lead with our questions,” Hadrian said.

Tilda nodded. “If she agrees to see us.”

Hadrian would press the matter if she did not. However, that was not necessary as they were shown upstairs to the drawing room a few minutes later.

The duchess was once again dressed in black, though she was not wearing a veil. She sat near the hearth wearing a forlorn expression which carved deep lines into her round, jowled face. A black lace cap perched atop her gray hair.

“Good afternoon, Duchess,” Hadrian said as he and Tilda moved toward the seating area.

“Ravenhurst.” The duchess looked up at him, then glanced at Tilda. “And Miss Wren. Hanson said you are here to discuss Cyril, that you are investigating his … death.” She blinked slowly as if she had difficulty saying that word.

“We are,” Tilda replied. “I am a private investigator.”

“Are you?” the duchess asked in surprise and with perhaps a mild derision. “How strange.” She looked to Hadrian. “And why are you with her?”

“We work together investigating cases,” he said. “May we sit?”

The duchess waved them toward a settee. Hadrian looked at Tilda, and they went to sit together.

“How did you come to work with one another in such an odd manner?” The duchess eyed them dubiously. Again, her tone held a touch of disdain.

Though Hadrian had said that Tilda could lead their interview, he felt he needed to speak on their behalf in this instance. “I hired Miss Wren to investigate a matter. We worked together and have done so on several matters since.”

“ You hired her?” The duchess’s surprise moved toward incredulity, which Hadrian found irritating. Though he should not. Most people would find hiring a woman private investigator to be … strange or odd—to use the duchess’s words.

“I did, and I did so a second time.” He stopped short of saying his mother had hired her too because he did not want to reveal their investigation into whether the mediums were frauds.

“Miss Wren is extremely clever. Her grandfather was a magistrate, and her father was a sergeant in the Metropolitan Police.” That he’d died before he was able to fulfill his promotion was not important.

“Miss Wren is working very hard to find Mr. Ward’s and Mrs. Frost’s killer. I have every expectation she will.”

The duchess now looked at Tilda with curiosity, which was an improvement from her earlier disdain, and from last night when she’d all but ignored Tilda. “That is high praise. I want nothing more than my poor Cyril’s murderer to be brought to justice. I shall watch him hang with great glee.”

Hadrian wasn’t sure that would be possible. A law ending public execution was currently under discussion, and Hadrian was greatly in favor. Indeed, he supported eliminating capital punishment entirely.

“I see how distraught you are about Mr. Ward’s passing,” Tilda said with deep concern. “I would like to help you find the justice you seek. We encountered Mr. Mallory outside. He visits you every day?”

The duchess’s features softened. “Since Cyril died. I have asked him to, and he’s been kind enough to oblige me. I asked him to bring Victor today as I would like Victor to become my personal medium as Cyril was.”

“Did he agree?” Tilda asked.

“He did. I’ve invited him to move into the house on Willow Street immediately.”

“That is kind of you,” Hadrian noted.

“There’s no reason for the house to sit empty, and it’s much nicer than his house in Clerkenwell.

” An expression of distaste passed quickly over the duchess’s features.

“I didn’t particularly want to return to that neighborhood.

However, I am not certain I will be able to attend séances in Willow Street after what happened to Cyril there.

I may lease a different house for him. In the meantime, Victor has kindly offered to hold séances at the headquarters for me. ”

“Very thoughtful of him,” Tilda murmured.

The duchess sniffed. “I agree. I don’t know that we’ll form as close a bond as I had with Cyril, but if he can continue to be a conduit for me to reach Cyril, we may well.”

Tilda gave her a gentle smile. “That must be a great comfort. What is it about Mr. Ward that drew you to him?”