Page 3 of A Whisper at Midnight
“As I mentioned before, he grew disinterested in me within a year of marrying. He began to be absent more and more, particularly in the evenings. I would wait for him in his chamber, but I would fall asleep as he typically returned quite late. He was often drunk and sometimes smelled of perfume. He was never interested in lying with me those nights, so I would return to my chamber. We have not shared a bed in nearly three years.”
After making notes, Tilda looked over at Mrs. Chambers. “Let us discuss your suspicions of his infidelity. Do you suspect a specific woman, or does he carry on with a variety of women?”
“I think he visits a house of prostitutes or whatever they are called.” Mrs. Chambers sniffed. “However, the perfume I have smelled recently seemed expensive. I thought perhaps he had a mistress.”
As men often did, Tilda mused. “Did you recognize the perfume?” It would be difficult to find someone based on fragrance alone, particularly if it wasn’t specially created for a single person.
Mrs. Chambers shook her head. “It might have been floral? I confess I didn’t pay close attention to the specific fragrance.”
Tilda sought to confirm an important detail. “You don’t have any children from the marriage?” Mr. Forrest hadn’t mentioned any, and he would have, but Tilda wanted to make sure.
“No, thank goodness. I would not be able to seek a divorce in that case. It would be too difficult for the children.” She sniffed again and pressed her lips tightly together as if she were trying to contain her emotions. “I know it’s not helpful that I can’t prove he is being unfaithful, but hopefully you can.” Her expression was expectant.
“That is my job,” Tilda said in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. “Can you provide me with any information as to where he goes at night?”
“He belongs to Arthur’s.” Mrs. Chambers frowned at Tilda. “But he wouldn’t meet any women there.”
“No, but someone there might know where he goes after the club,” Tilda said, not that she would be permitted to go inside and ask. If Hadrian were assisting her again, he could do so, but she could not involve him in this matter. She’d have to find another way. “Is there anywhere else your husband goes?”
“I don’t know.” Mrs. Chambers wrung her hands before flattening them atop her lap. “He rarely tells me anything anymore. He supposedly works a great deal. He is opening a drapery shop with his partner, Edgar Pollard.”
Tilda wrote the name down. “Can you provide his address as well as where this shop is located?”
Mrs. Chambers gave her the man’s residential direction, but did not know the location of the shop, just that she thought it was on Oxford Street. “I should know where the shop is,” Mrs. Chambers said almost sheepishly. “However, I’m afraid I don’t pay much attention to what Louis says about his business endeavors, nor does he want me asking about them.”
Their relationship sounded rather horrid. Tilda gave her a sympathetic nod. “I’ll find out where the shop is located.”
“Did Mr. Forrest also tell you about Louis stealing my jewelry?” Mrs. Chambers asked.
“He did. I’d like to know when you realized items were missing, as well as a description of each one. Then I can publish a list in the newspaper. That may help us find them if they’ve been sold.”
“Does that mean you believe me?” Mrs. Chambers’ eyes were wide. “I didn’t think Mr. Forrest did. Or perhaps he simply didn’t care. He said my jewelry became my husband’s property when we wed, but surely Louis can’t just take heirlooms that have been in my family for generations without my permission.”
“I’m afraid he can, but that doesn’t mean I can’t find them for you,” Tilda said. “However, since this is not part of the investigation I was hired by Mr. Forrest to conduct, I’m afraid you must hire me directly to search for your jewelry. Do you wish to do that?”
“I do.” There was a note of hesitation in Mrs. Chambers’ voice. “I just … have very little pin money left, and Louis doesn’t give me much anymore. I’ve borrowed the money to pay Mr. Forrest from a friend. Could I pay you by selling one of the pieces of jewelry after you find it?”
Tilda couldn’t really afford to do that. “My only concern is that if I can’t find any of it, I will not be paid for my time.”
“Of course. I’m sure my friend can lend me some additional funds.” Mrs. Chambers gave her an imploring look. “Please say you’ll find my jewelry.”
“I would be happy to, provided you can pay me,” Tilda said with an encouraging smile. “Are you certain your friend will loan you more money? I’m afraid I can’t work without compensation.” While that was true, Tilda found herself wanting to help Mrs. Chambers anyway.
“I understand.” Mrs. Chambers’ brow was deeply furrowed. “I will speak with my friend as soon as possible. I suppose we can wait to discuss the matter until I’ve paid you.”
Tilda hated that she couldn’t just agree to help her. The woman was in distress. “Please go ahead and tell me why you think your husband would take your jewelry.”
Perhaps Tilda was being foolish, but she would trust that Mrs. Chambers would obtain the necessary funds. Tilda simply couldn’t sayno, not when the woman’s heirlooms had gone missing.
Mrs. Chambers shrugged gently. “I’m not sure, but perhaps he sold it to gain more money for his business venture. Or he gave it to his paramour—my jewelry began to disappear in December, and that’s when I first smelled that perfume.” Her lip curled, and Tilda saw a deep anger behind the woman’s expression.
Tilda wrote down Mrs. Chambers’ suppositions and then recorded a detailed description of the missing items as well as when they’d disappeared from her jewelry box. Looking up from her notepad, Tilda asked, “Is there anything else I should know?”
“I can’t think of anything just now. I should show you the bruises on my arms.” Mrs. Chambers rose. “We’ll go to my chamber.”
Tilda stood and followed her from the room. They went to the back corner of the first floor where Mrs. Chambers led her into a pretty bedchamber decorated in bright florals with a small seating area near the hearth. There was also a dressing area in the corner with a screen and a table with a mirror.
A maid came into the chamber through a narrow door in the opposite corner that was barely visible in the wainscoting and floral wallpaper. A few years younger than Tilda and Mrs. Chambers, she had round cheeks and hazel eyes. She wore a modest dark-blue gown and a white cap atop her dark-brown hair. The maid cast a nervous look toward Tilda as she entered.