Page 9 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

“I can’t believe you would think it acceptable for people to be swindled.

And there is something shady going on with regard to the fees for these séances.

My mother said there was no fee for the first one she attended and did not say what it would cost to attend another.

I didn’t think to ask, for I’d hoped tonight would be her only séance.

However, now she must return next week in order to speak with Gabriel.

Will they charge her for that? Have they lured her in with a free séance only to ensure she must come back for a fee?

Will Mrs. Frost also fail to speak with Gabriel next week, which will require my mother to return a third time? ”

Tilda frowned. “I understand you are concerned, but let us not move ahead of the facts we have.”

Hadrian took a deep breath. “My apologies. Since I have seen evidence of their levitation fraud, I am inclined to distrust the mediums and this society entirely.”

“Let us continue to collect evidence. In particular, we need to be able to prove they are deceiving people with regard to communicating with the spirit realm.”

“So I’m to accompany my mother to another séance next week and permit them to perchance fleece her of whatever it may cost?”

Her gaze was warm with understanding. “I’m afraid you must, as it is vital to my investigation.

Though you must also realize we will not wait until then to gather more evidence.

I would like to visit the other premier medium, Mr. Hawkins, and see what we may learn.

Please just wait to deter your mother until we have proof.

I would hate for you to cause her upset—you have such a nice relationship. ”

Hadrian thought he heard a wistful edge to Tilda’s observation. Perhaps that was due to the estranged relationship between Tilda and her own mother. “I don’t want to upset her either. We should go into dinner. I imagine we are holding it up.”

They started toward the dining room, and Hadrian turned his mind to what Tilda had said—collecting more evidence. “I want to investigate the table in the drawing room, but I don’t suppose I’ll be able to do that tonight.”

“Why don’t we arrange to return another day?” Tilda suggested. “We’ll ask for a consultation with Mrs. Frost. I can distract her, and you can look at the table. I would like to try to ascertain whether she shares your gift. I’m curious how she knew about your brother’s horse.”

“As am I. I don’t know what the letter that my mother gave the medium said. Perhaps he mentioned the horse in it.”

“Along with a description of the forelock?” Tilda’s eyes narrowed. “That is something that someone could have seen.”

“As I am able to do. You think Mrs. Frost touched the letter and perhaps saw a memory of my mother’s that included Angus?” Hadrian shook his head, which still ached. “How many people have this ability?”

“Perhaps three,” Tilda said. “The premier mediums. Or four, since Mallory is also a medium.”

“They train other mediums too. Are they somehow able to recruit people with this ability? I find that exceedingly hard to imagine. I am afraid of anyone finding out about what I can do. Why aren’t they?”

Tilda smiled at him. “You are thinking like an investigator.”

He chuckled and then escorted her into the dining room, where they went to the two remaining seats, which were, fortunately, together. His mother was already seated next to Mrs. Frost at the head of the table, and Mr. Montrose sat on the medium’s other side.

“I’ll speak with Mrs. Frost after dinner to set an appointment for us to return,” Tilda whispered as Hadrian held her chair.

Dinner would have been a tedious affair if not for Tilda’s company. It seemed their friendship was intact following the kiss they should not have shared. Hadrian was glad. He wanted her as a friend, in addition to working with her on investigations.

At one point, he realized he’d missed a detail about the vision he’d seen after accepting the glass from Montrose. He leaned toward Tilda to tell her. “I saw Montrose in that vision I had when I took the glass from him.”

She turned her head to meet his gaze. “Does that mean it wasn’t his memory?”

“I have to assume so.” When Hadrian experienced a memory, he did so from the perspective of the person to whom the memory belonged. If it had been Montrose’s memory, he would not have seen him sitting next to Mrs. Frost, which was what he’d recalled during dinner.

“Whose memory was it, do you suppose?” Tilda asked.

“I can’t be sure, but it had to be someone who was present at the society headquarters whilst someone else demonstrated how to pretend to levitate.”

“That could be anyone who touched the glass, including the butler or any other retainer,” Tilda mused.

“Why would one of Mrs. Frost’s retainers be at the society headquarters?” Hadrian asked.

Tilda shrugged. “They would likely not. Montrose makes the most sense.”

When dinner concluded, Tilda made her way to their hostess and thanked her for the evening. “I wonder if I might schedule a consultation with you.”

The medium brightened. “Would you like to speak with your father?”

Hadrian noted Tilda’s nostrils flaring slightly. He sensed her tension, perhaps because he knew how much she loved and missed her father.

“How did you know my father died?” Tilda asked pointedly.

Mrs. Frost glanced toward Hadrian’s mother. “Her ladyship told me. When would you like to come for a consultation?” Her expression dimmed. “Not tomorrow. I’ve been summoned to attend the inquest into Cyril Ward’s death.”

“Of course,” Tilda murmured.

“Perhaps the day after?” Mrs. Frost suggested. “Come at one, if that suits you.”

Tilda smiled warmly. “It does, thank you.”

“We will take our leave,” Hadrian said. “Thank you again, Mrs. Frost.” He guided Tilda from the dining room.

On the way to the entrance hall, where his mother was waiting, he looked over at Tilda. “I suppose we’ll be attending the inquest tomorrow.”

She met his gaze with the bright curiosity that fired her from within. “I wouldn’t miss it, though I’ll have to explain my presence to Mrs. Frost, lest she discover I’m a private investigator.”

“Or you could disguise yourself,” Hadrian said.

“I could, but then I wouldn’t be able to speak with Teague without explaining myself,” she said with a faint smirk. “Perhaps I’ll just hide behind you.”

He gave her a quick bow. “I’m happy to be of service.”

When they were ensconced in the coach on their way to Tilda’s, Hadrian decided to broach the topic of next week’s séance with his mother. “Mama, you mentioned there was no fee for tonight’s séance. Will there be one next week?”

“Yes, but I don’t mind paying it, so do not give me any grief about it, Hadrian,” his mother replied. Her tone was tense, and her mouth tight.

“I will not,” Hadrian said. “I hope the fee is not terribly high.”

“It is ten pounds.” She lifted her chin and gave him a stern look that dared him to question the amount.

When he said nothing, she added, “I realize Miss Wren has not yet determined if Mrs. Frost can actually speak to the dead, but I was most convinced this evening when she asked about Angus. Wasn’t that remarkable? ”

“It was indeed,” Hadrian said evenly. “I do hope you will allow Miss Wren to continue with her investigation.”

“I will, yes.” His mother cast a small smile toward Tilda. “Did you learn anything this evening?”

“Only that I have doubts about the veracity of what they do during a séance. I would like to study the table to determine how it moves.”

“If you find nothing, we must conclude the spirits are responsible,” Hadrian’s mother said. “How will you determine how Mrs. Frost knew about Gabriel’s horse?”

“I am not yet certain, but I’m glad you brought it up,” Tilda replied gently. “Did the letter you gave to Mrs. Frost include anything about Angus?”

His mother’s face fell. “He did mention that he’d recently acquired a new horse with a long forelock like his first one. I’d forgotten that.” She put her hand to her brow briefly.

Hadrian touched his mother’s arm. “It’s all right, Mama.”

“Does that mean Mrs. Frost is a fraud? I will be so disappointed.” She turned her head toward Hadrian. “I really thought Gabriel may have been close to us tonight. Didn’t you sense him as I did?”

“I did not,” Hadrian said apologetically. “However, that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Mrs. Frost said I must return next week, that spirits don’t linger for long after they try to make contact. I fear if I don’t, I will lose the chance to speak with him.”

Hadrian met Tilda’s gaze across the coach. It suddenly seemed as though it didn’t matter whether the medium was authentic or not. He wasn’t sure his mother cared.

And yet, she’d hired Tilda and asked her to continue her investigation. They would forge onward. He inclined his head toward Tilda, more determined than ever to discover the truth behind the London Spiritualism Society.