Page 34 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

“It was all the same to him,” Grenville said bitterly. “He was the society, and everyone else were his minions. I did not care to be subordinate to him.”

Tilda watched Grenville’s bitterness turn to anger as the man lifted his chin, his gaze almost defiant. “Do you regret that, given his success?” she asked. “The society has a most prominent patroness—the Duchess of Chester.”

“I read that in one of the articles about the Levitation Killer.” Grenville’s features smoothed. “I am not surprised since that is what Thaddeus set out to do. He is nothing if not exceedingly charming. Indeed, he could persuade a pauper to empty his pockets.”

“But it wasn’t Thaddeus Vale, or Lysander Mallory as we know him, who was the duchess’s personal medium,” Hadrian said. “That was Cyril Ward.”

“Cyril was also very charming. He and Thaddeus were cut from the same cloth. I’ve no doubt they worked in tandem to win over Her Grace. When I read of Cyril’s death, I imagined Thaddeus was quite stricken.”

“He visits the duchess every day,” Hadrian said. “But that could easily be because he wants her financial support to continue, as much as any grief he shares with her over Ward’s death.”

“You are no doubt right.” Grenville thought for a moment. “I wonder if he holds anything over her to maintain her support.”

Tilda immediately thought of Octavius Eldred and his allegation of blackmail. She also recalled what Grenville had said a few moments ago—that Mallory had said he would resort to any means to enrich the society and himself. “What do you mean?”

“The incident that caused me to leave was Thaddeus blackmailing one of the members. I was appalled. When I demanded he stop, he refused. I persisted, so he offered me a sum of money to leave London and say nothing.” Grenville looked down at the table again. “I’m ashamed to say I accepted.”

“What sort of blackmail scheme did he employ?” Hadrian asked.

“If it means anything, I don’t think he set out to blackmail anyone,” Grenville said.

“Thaddeus had seen a memory in which the client was being unfaithful to her husband. She was wealthy, and he sent her a letter demanding payment to keep the information secret.” Grenville’s brows drew together. “I should have stopped him.”

“Yes, you should have,” Hadrian said with a faint sneer.

Tilda could imagine his outrage at Mallory using the same power Hadrian possessed for malfeasance, whilst Hadrian used his to solve crimes.

Tilda felt confident that Mallory’s ability to experience others’ memories explained how Eldred had been blackmailed as well as how the mediums “communicated with the spirit realm.” But was he the only one?

“Mr. Grenville, do any of the other mediums possess the same ability to experience others’ memories?

I wonder if that is why Mallory recruited them. ”

Grenville shook his head. “I am not aware of that, however, Thaddeus stopped confiding in me after we started the society. He began to work more closely with Cyril and Deborah, and a third medium named Victor.” Grenville’s expression grew contemplative.

“I do recall him telling me once that he could sense whether someone else shared his gift. However, I don’t know how that was accomplished.

He may have told me, but I don’t remember.

” He looked at Tilda. “I suppose it’s possible that he recruited Cyril and Victor because they had the ability.

But I think I would have known if Deborah possessed it. I’d known her a long time.”

“Is it something that can be taught?” Hadrian asked, sounding as though he genuinely wanted to know, which, of course, he did. He would want whatever information he could gather.

Grenville arched a brow. “If it is, why didn’t he teach me?” Again, he sounded bitter. “I don’t have an answer for you. You should speak with Captain Vale. I would think he would know about his son’s oddity.”

Tilda noted the word Grenville used—oddity—and looked at Hadrian. His lips had flattened into a perturbed line.

“We will speak with the captain,” Tilda said. Indeed, she was more eager than ever to speak with him. She hoped they could determine if the other mediums had the same power, but, for now, it was enough to know that Mallory did.

She considered whether Grenville could be a suspect in the murders, but since he lived here, it seemed unlikely. Still, he had a motive—Mallory had ousted him from the society they’d planned together. “You haven’t returned to London since you left?”

Grenville shook his head. “I came back to Swindon just over a year ago, and my agreement with Thaddeus is that I would stay away.” He met Tilda’s gaze. “If I wanted to find the Levitation Killer, I would start with the people he blackmailed. I can’t imagine he stopped after the first woman.”

“He did not,” Tilda confirmed. “Who was that woman?”

“The wife of a fairly prominent MP,” Grenville replied. “Mrs. Horace Tarrant. I believe she paid the money, but I don’t know for certain.”

“Have you any idea how we might discover who else Mallory extorted over the past year?”

“Perhaps he kept a diary?” Grenville suggested. “I would tell you to ask Cyril about the blackmail because he was aware.” His eyes lit. “But you can still ask Victor. I think he also knew about it.”

“Excellent, we’ll do that,” Tilda said. “Was Deborah Frost also aware of the blackmail?”

“No, because I threatened Mallory that I would tell her if he didn’t stop. I knew she wouldn’t like it.”

“But you didn’t tell her,” Hadrian surmised. “Instead, you took Mallory’s bribe and left London.”

Grenville’s eyes flashed with regret and perhaps pain. “Deborah was happy to have an occupation. She enjoyed being a medium, and she was good at it. I didn’t want to ruin that for her.”

Tilda recalled what Ellen Henry had told them. “Mrs. Frost’s maid said that Mrs. Frost had come to London after her husband died and that she wasn’t entirely happy, that she was considering leaving the society. Perhaps you were mistaken about her level of content.”

Grenville’s lips parted. He seemed surprised. “I had no idea. I did offer to bring her back to Swindon with me, but she declined. I truly thought she was happy.”

“Did you ever meet Balthasar Montrose, Cordelia Sullivan, or Duncan Parr?” Tilda asked.

Grenville frowned. “Those names are not familiar.”

Tilda considered they may also have adopted new identities as Vale had. “Miss Sullivan is older and wears a veil. Montrose is Welsh and has a beard. He also wears spectacles. Parr is a Scotsman with bright red hair.”

“I don’t know of them,” Grenville replied. “Are they mediums?”

“Members of the society who frequently attend séances. They apparently possess a special energy.” Tilda cocked her head. “Do you have any idea what that could mean?”

“Only that they may be sensitive—like Mrs. Frost. Or like me.” His eyes rounded. “Perhaps they possess the same ability as Thaddeus.”

That was precisely what Tilda was thinking. But how could they find out for certain? And why wouldn’t they just be mediums?

“Do you know how Mallory—Vale—went about recruiting mediums?” Tilda asked.

“I would have said he looks for people who possess a sensitivity to others and with whom he’s forged a personal bond, such as me and Deborah. However, that seemed to change when we arrived in London. Cyril was flashy and alluring, and Victor Hawkins just looked like a medium.”

“Because of his eyes,” Tilda said with a nod.

“Exactly,” Grenville agreed. “He and Cyril were most captivating, just like Thaddeus.”

“That is true of most charlatans,” Hadrian said. “Would you provide Captain Vale’s direction to us?”

“Certainly. He lives just off the Bath Road toward Wootton Bassett. The house is large. You won’t miss the gatehouse.”

“Thank you, Mr. Grenville,” Tilda said. “You’ve been very helpful.”

Removing his glove, Hadrian offered his hand to the man. Tilda didn’t think it was necessary to see Grenville’s memories, but she wouldn’t try to stop him.

Grenville clasped Hadrian’s hand. A moment passed, and Tilda observed the slight flare of Hadrian’s nostrils. They said goodbye and took their leave.

“Hopefully, we can hail a hack on the High Street,” Hadrian said as they walked away from Grenville’s house.

“What did you see?” Tilda asked.

“Mallory. Rather, Vale.” Hadrian was walking very quickly.

“Will you slow down?”

Hadrian paused. “My apologies.” He rubbed his temple, then offered her his arm. “I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed to learn there is, in fact, someone else like me.”

“Is it relieving?” Tilda said softly.

Hadrian’s eyes darkened. “It’s maddening. Mallory is despicable.”

They continued walking toward the High Street. Tilda felt the tension in his arm. “I know it bothers you that he uses his power to cheat people.”

“Doesn’t it frustrate you as well?”

“It does. But what are we to do about it? We may believe what Grenville told us, but who else will?”

Hadrian stopped again. “Now you understand how I feel at every turn.”

“Of course I understand,” she said reassuringly, meeting his gaze. “I truly do.”

They started walking once more. At length, Hadrian said, “I’d thought we would question Captain Vale about why he leased the house in Belgravia, but now that we know he is Lysander Mallory’s father and that Mallory possesses the same ability I do, the purpose for that interview has changed entirely. ”

“It’s possible the captain isn’t aware of his son’s gift, just as your mother isn’t aware of yours.”

Hadrian nodded, his brow creased. “For that reason, I’m not sure if I want to ask the captain about it.”

“Hopefully, the opportunity to discuss the matter will arise,” Tilda said with a confidence she didn’t entirely feel.

Hadrian smiled at her, and Tilda was glad to see him relax a bit. “If anyone can adeptly turn a conversation to their advantage, it is you.”