Page 51 of A Whisper at Midnight

“We wondered if that could be Martha,” Tilda said in a low voice. “Does this confirm it?”

“My suspicion is stronger, but I am not certain.” Hadrian felt a wave of frustration with this infernal power. “I’m inclined to think it wasn’t since she very recently died, and I haven’t ever been able to see the memory of someone who only just passed.” He gave the brooch back to Tilda. “Whoever it was felt angry and as if they were being done wrong—whatever was happening seemed unjust to them. The strangest thing was that I felt a warmth in my hand before the vision came. That has never happened before.”

“Perhaps it signifies you are now able to see the memories of those who are newly deceased.” Tilda shrugged. “Just a suggestion.”

“In the absence of instructions on how this power works, suggestions are all I have,” he said drily.

“Let us consider for a moment that youwereseeing Martha’s memory.” Tilda’s gaze lost focus on him as her mind worked. “You said the person felt angry and wronged. Martha was with child. If she’d told Chambers about it and his response was to toss her out, she would feel those things.”

“Yet, he also gave her a very expensive brooch, so he didn’t completely ignore her plight. That does nothing to improve my opinion of him, however.”

“Nor mine.” She tucked the brooch into her reticule. “We should go. I fear we are nearly at our quarter-hour limit.” She preceded him from the room, and he closed the door behind them.

As they approached the stairs, Hadrian thought of how he’d caught Tilda in his arms when the railing had moved. What if she’d lost her balance? A shudder tore through him. It was a thoroughly terrifying thought, and one he did not wish to entertain. Better to think of how she’d felt in his embrace, of her feminine, slightly floral scent.

On the way downstairs, Tilda asked, “Did Mrs. Jefford’s description of Martha’s male visitor remind you of Massey?”

“It did. I’m sure you’re anxious to speak with him.”

“I am, though I don’t know where to find him. I think we must go to Scotland Yard and find Teague. Hopefully, he will tell us where we can find Massey, as well as why the inquest was postponed.”

“Should we give him the brooch too?” Hadrian asked as they neared the ground floor.

“Probably, though I wonder if we should keep it in case you can try to feel something else from it in the future.” She looked over at him as they walked toward the front door. “You held on to that ring for a long time, and it was useful to you.”

She was referring to the ring that Hadrian had removed from the hand of the man who’d stabbed him. He hadn’t realized he’d had it at first, and when his valet had given it to him days later, Hadrian’s strange power had awakened. Touching that ring had given him his first vision.

Hadrian hadn’t meant to withhold the ring from the police, but when they’d decided his attack had been perpetrated by a footpad and Hadrian’s vision had told him that was not the case, he’d held onto it. “If we keep the brooch and give it to Teague at a later time, I don’t think he’ll be pleased.” Hadrian opened the door for her, and they stepped outside.

“No, he won’t.” Tilda sighed. “We’ll give it to him. I can hope doing so will persuade him to share what he can about Massey and the inquest.”

Hadrian was glad to see his coach coming toward them. “Excellent timing, Leach,” he murmured.

After instructing the coachman to take them to Scotland Yard, Hadrian helped Tilda into the coach. He sat beside her on the forward-facing seat, and they were quickly on their way.

“That was a most helpful excursion,” Tilda said. “I find myself feeling quite sorry for Martha Farrow.”

“I do as well. But we still don’t know if her death was an accident or not.”

Tilda looked over at him, her eyes gleaming vibrantly. “We need to find the woman in the veil.”

CHAPTER 11

It was mid-afternoon when they arrived at Scotland Yard. Hadrian escorted Tilda into the building, and she asked if Detective Inspector Teague was available.

A constable showed them to Teague’s office where the inspector was seated behind his desk. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood as they entered.

“I was just finishing lunch,” Teague said. “Busy day, and I’m only here for a short while.”

Tilda moved to stand near his desk. “We’re sorry to disturb you, but we’ve just visited the Jeffords’ boarding house in Spitalfields.”

“I take it you’ve something to share?” Teague said.

“Yes, but first I’d like to know why the inquest was postponed,” Tilda replied. “Did something happen?”

Teague tossed his napkin onto the desk next to a greasy paper wrapping that had likely once contained his lunch. “All I can say is that the coroner decided to do a more thorough post-mortem examination.”

“What prompted that?” Hadrian asked.