Page 100 of A Whisper at Midnight

Tilda put her hand on his arm. “Is that wise? Are you well enough?”

“He needs help. I can manage.”

Hadrian and Pollard worked together to lift Joanna from the stairs and carry her down to the ground floor and then made their way to the back of the store where there were several chairs. They set her down in one of them, then Pollard moved another chair so that Joanna could elevate her feet.

Pollard looked to Hadrian. “When you send for the police, will you also find a physician, please?”

“I’m going out to speak with Hadrian’s coachman,” Tilda said. “Do not let Mrs. Pollard leave.”

“I can’t walk,” the woman said, lifting her skirt to her calf. “Edgar, will you remove my boot? It pains me terribly.”

“Come, let us send Leach on his way,” Hadrian said, touching Tilda’s arm.

They turned together and hurried toward the door leading to Oxford Street. Tilda looked over at him as they walked. “Are you all right? Truly? You must have had a vision or even two.”

“I had three,” he said, grimacing faintly. “In fairly rapid succession. I have never felt so poorly afterward, but I’m doing better now.” His eyes locked with hers briefly as they reached the door, and he opened it. “There is nothing like a terrible fright to allow one to put their pains aside.”

Tilda hesitated. “What do you mean?”

“As soon as I knew Joanna was a killer—she pushed Martha to her death—and that you were alone with her upstairs, Ihadto reach you. My headache and queasiness be damned.”

The queasiness was new, but Tilda wasn’t fixated on that. She was wholly mesmerized by the intensity of his stare and the vehemence of his words. He’dhadto reach her.

“Leach!” Hadrian called as he held the door.

Shaken from her ridiculous musings, Tilda hastened outside. Leach strode toward them.

“You must go to Scotland Yard and fetch Detective Inspector Teague,” Hadrian said.

“Tell him to bring constables,” Tilda added. “He will be arresting Joanna Pollard for the murders of Martha Farrow and Louis Chambers.”

Leach’s brows shot up. “Right away.” He paused a moment as he studied Hadrian. “You all right, my lord? You look a bit pale.”

“I’m fine,” Hadrian replied. “A physician would also be helpful—not for me. Mrs. Pollard fell and has an injury.”

“Yes, sir,” Leach said with a definitive nod before dashing back to the coach. He was already pulling into the street when Tilda and Hadrian walked back into the store.

“Promise me that you will sit when we return to the back of the shop,” Tilda said sternly.

“I promise, especially since you are using that authoritative tone.” He flashed her a smile. “I’m glad to see your concern.”

“Of course, I’m concerned. I care very much about you, Hadrian.” She hadn’t intended to say that. In fact, the words somewhat surprised her, but she knew them to be true.

His features softened. “And I feel the same about you.”

He offered his arm, and she took it—to provide him support should he need it. And perhaps because she simply wanted to touch him. Yes, that felt … right.

Hadrian hadn’t suffered such a terrible headache since he’d struck the pavement when he’d been stabbed two months earlier. This one, however, was not due to hitting his head but a direct result of the successive visions he’d had. Though he didn’t regret them since they’d prompted him to reach Tilda before Joanna Pollard had inflicted any physical harm upon her.

Thankfully, Teague had arrived relatively quickly with a pair of constables. He’d questioned Joanna, and she’d told him everything she’d already said to Hadrian and Tilda. She’d also confessed to putting the knife Martha had taken from the kitchen and used to stab Louis into Beryl’s drawer the day of the funeral. She’d hoped Beryl would be blamed for the murder.

Teague had arrested Joanna and asked Hadrian and Tilda to meet them at Scotland Yard so they could provide official statements.

Once they were in the coach, Hadrian had detailed the visions he’d seen whilst Tilda had hung on every word. He’d satbeside her, glad for her proximity and warmth. She’d positioned herself toward him and given him her fullest attention.

Whilst it hadn’t eased the ache in his head, her focus certainly made him feel good.

“Beryl will be released now that Joanna is in custody,” Tilda said as they neared Scotland Yard. “I suppose you should take her home.”