Page 6 of A Whisper at Midnight

However, he’d later seen a vision when touching something that had belonged to someone who had been dead for some time. That made Hadrian think the length of time someone had been deceased mattered. Or perhaps it was just that his ability was changing over time. Honestly, he never knew what to expect, except the accompanying headaches.

Thankfully, Hadrian was not affected when he touched objects in his own home. Being assaulted with the feelings or memories of other people in his household, or people who had once lived in his house, such as his father, would be unsettling.

The best defense against Hadrian’s newfound ability was to keep his gloves on, for then he couldn’t be bothered with it. He approached the front door and rapped on the wood, eager to learn why Beryl had summoned him.

A moment later, the door flew open. The butler, an average-sized fellow in his middle fifties with a stout frame, his eyes wide and his round face pale, regarded Hadrian with surprise. But there was something else in the man’s gaze—agitation or perhaps even apprehension.

“Good morning,” Hadrian said slowly as he handed the butler his card. “I’m here to see Mrs. Chambers.”

The butler glanced down at the card before inclining his head toward Hadrian. “Your lordship. She did mention that you maybe calling. However, I’m afraid the household is in the midst of a tragedy, and it may be best if you call another time.”

Tragedy? And the Metropolitan Police wagon was on the street. “Are the police here?” Hadrian’s curiosity about Beryl’s note climbed.

“Yes. They arrived a short while ago.” The butler sounded most distraught.

“Allow me to help,” Hadrian said calmly. He walked into the entrance hall, and the butler had no choice but to close the door behind him. “I’m an old friend of Mrs. Chambers, and since she requested my presence, I am sure I can provide assistance. Where is she?”

The butler pursed his lips, his rather wide forehead creasing. “In the study, my lord, with the police. But it’s a … sensitive situation.”

Hadrian gave the man an encouraging nod. “Is the study through here?” Hadrian moved toward the archway at the rear of the entrance hall.

“Yes, my lord.” The butler hastened past him into the staircase hall and then into a sitting room where he turned to the left.

Voices carried from the room they were about to enter, presumably the study. The butler stepped to the side after crossing the threshold. There was one constable speaking with Beryl. Her cheeks and nose were red as if she’d been crying.

“Beryl?” Hadrian said tentatively as he approached them.

“Oh, Hadrian!” Beryl practically leapt upon him, throwing her arms around his neck. Her body quivered against his.

Surprised by her embrace, Hadrian loosely held her, awkwardness warring with the overwhelming sense of unease. Something was very wrong.

The constable cleared his throat, and Hadrian separated himself from Beryl. She sniffed and dabbed a handkerchief to her eyes.

Hadrian addressed the constable. “Good morning, I’m Lord Ravenhurst.”

“He’s a friend of mine,” Beryl said. She clasped Hadrian’s arm tightly, her fingers digging through his coat. “Louis has been murdered. The maid found him this morning.”

Hadrian’s pulse quickened. This was not what he’d been expecting. How strange that he’d just seen the man last night.

And Beryl’s note had arrived yesterday. Apparently, she’d begged Hadrian to come hours before her husband had been found murdered. What the devil was going on?

“I’m so sorry, Beryl,” Hadrian murmured as he patted her hand. Thankfully, she loosened her grip, though she did not release him.

“I’m just glad you’re here,” she said with another sniff.

A man stepped out of the next room. “Did I hear Lord Ravenhurst has arrived?” Inspector Samuel Teague regarded Hadrian. In his middle thirties, the inspector was of average height and build. He was also not wearing his usual police uniform of a blue coat and helmet.

“Teague,” Hadrian said, surprised to see him here, though he should not have been. “Where is your uniform?”

“I was promoted to the Detective Branch after finding justice for that missing young woman.” He referred to the investigation that Tilda and Hadrian had completed, and on which Teague had provided assistance. “It just happened two days ago, in fact. I’d planned to inform you and Miss Wren.” Teague sent him an earnestly appreciative look.

Whilst Teague had been of great help in apprehending the culprit, the majority of the investigative work had been done by Tilda and Hadrian. Still, Hadrian was glad to see the man hadbeen promoted to Detective Inspector. “Congratulations,” he said warmly. “You rightly deserve it.”

“Thank you. How is it you are here?”

“I’m an old friend of Mrs. Chambers,” Hadrian replied. He did not add that she’d requested his presence. He wanted to gather more information before he offered any himself.

Teague’s features darkened. “Her husband has been murdered.”