Page 18 of A Whisper at Midnight

“When Miss Wren suggested I find somewhere to stay for my own safety, I immediately thought of you. You always made me feel safe.” Beryl met Hadrian’s gaze with a faint smile. “I couldn’t very well write to my parents. Nothing has changed between us since I wed Louis. I do have a friend I could ask, but she is already helping me in other ways.” She glanced toward Tilda, who’d perched on a chair across from the settee. “How are the two of you acquainted?”

“I hired Tilda for an investigation,” Hadrian replied. He didn’t want to explain the specifics just now. He also wasn’t sure how he felt about what Beryl had said. He was glad that he made her feel safe, but that wasn’t his responsibility—they were not close.

“What a coincidence,” Beryl said.

“Indeed,” Tilda murmured. “Regarding my investigation into helping you secure a divorce, that is no longer necessary.”

“That is true.” Beryl shook her head. “I still can’t quite believe I’m free.”

Hadrian was glad Teague hadn’t accompanied them. He would likely interpret her comment poorly.

Beryl fixed her gaze on Tilda. “What of my missing jewelry? You will still conduct that investigation, won’t you?”

“I have already had the list of items published in a few newspapers. Hopefully, someone will contact Mr. Forrest with information.” Tilda paused briefly.

“Why not you?” Beryl asked. “He didn’t seem to think I could recover my heirlooms.”

“I’ve arranged for him to be the liaison,” Tilda replied. “Because I don’t have an office to field inquiries.”

Hadrian wondered if she wanted that someday.

“I haven’t yet spoken to my friend about borrowing more money,” Beryl said to Tilda. “However, now that Louis is dead, I should be able to pay for your services from thehousehold account.” Beryl smiled, appearing relieved. But then she grimaced. “Except I don’t know how to access those funds. Perhaps you might help me, Hadrian?” She batted her lashes, and Hadrian clenched his jaw.

“I will help you,” Hadrian replied. Doing so would allow him to assess Chambers’ financial situation which would be helpful to Tilda’s investigation.

Beryl exhaled. “Thank you. Louis did not keep me informed about our finances. He said it wasn’t my business. He gave me pin money every quarter, but the amount has steadily decreased since we wed, particularly in the last several months. My wardrobe is woefully unprepared for the Season, not that we attend many gatherings. Still, I try to look my best.”

Beryl looked quite fashionable. Hadrian flicked a glance toward Tilda, whose wardrobe was sinfully out-of-date. He hoped she would be able to improve upon that now that she and her grandmother had some extra funds. Hadrian had supplied the funds to a solicitor who’d handled Tilda’s grandmother’s finances, but they didn’t know. Tilda never would have accepted the gift from Hadrian, especially not after he’d already compensated her for her investigative work.

“Now I will need black gowns,” Beryl said with great agitation, her features creased with worry. “How am I to do that when I can’t leave the house since I am newly widowed?”

“Perhaps your friend can help you?” Tilda suggested.

“I will ask her. She lives next door—Mrs. Styles-Rowdon.” Beryl shook her head. “One would think it would be easy for me to obtain new gowns easily since my husband is opening a drapery shop.”

Tilda’s gaze narrowed slightly and shrewdly. “You will likely have a stake in the business since your husband was investing.”

Beryl’s eyes lit. “I hadn’t considered that. I honestly know nothing about the endeavor.” Beryl shook her head. “Louis didn’t want me to. I feel so foolish.”

Hadrian gently touched her arm. “Do not judge yourself harshly. We will speak with his partner.”

Beryl relaxed, her entire frame settling against the back of the settee. “Thank you, Hadrian. I am so grateful for your presence.” She looked to Tilda. “And yours, Miss Wren, or may I call you Tilda as Hadrian does? How lucky I am that you know one another and can work together to help me.”

Tilda’s brow arched as she darted a look at him. He wondered if she was thinking the same thing he was—that Tilda was working to helphim. Still, he didn’t think Tilda’s investigation would lead to discovering that Beryl killed her husband. In that way, he supposed Tilda was helping her too.

“Tilda is fine,” Tilda replied, perhaps a bit tightly. “I can help you best by collecting information. Can you tell me about last night? When did you last see your husband?”

Beryl squeezed her hands together. “At dinner. Louis was in a very disagreeable mood.” She gave Tilda a wary look. “You saw him yesterday. He was like that but worse.”

“That must have been difficult,” Tilda said softly. “When did he arrive home? For the second time, that is.”

“I think it was around half seven,” Beryl replied after hesitating a moment. “We typically have dinner at eight. Then he’s off to his club or wherever he goes afterward. He was late to dinner. I didn’t say anything about that, but he tried to goad me into an argument.”

“In what way?” Tilda asked.

“He is often late, particularly since he partnered with Mr. Pollard. I used to comment on it, but I stopped several months ago because he never apologized and always grew angry. Lastnight, he wanted to know why I wasn’t badgering him. He seemed more agitated than usual.”

Hadrian thought of how Chambers had behaved with him last night at the club. “He was often agitated?”