Page 63 of A Whisper at Midnight

“You make a more than passable gentleman,” Hadrian said as the coach rolled toward St. James.

“Thank you.” Tilda pitched her voice low. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to bear this beard. It’s not particularly comfortable.”

“We won’t stay long—an hour at most. I just hope the men that I saw with Chambers are present.”

They arrived at Arthur’s and met Sir Godfrey in the vestibule. Short of stature with a thick mop of light-brown hair, Sir Godfrey appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He greeted Hadrian warmly and was eager to make Mr. Taylor’s acquaintance.

“We appreciate you allowing us to accompany you this evening whilst Taylor is in town,” Hadrian said.

“My pleasure. I’m surprised you didn’t take him to one of your clubs,” Sir Godfrey noted with a chuckle.

Hadrian inclined his head. “I plan to do so later. Forgive us if we don’t stay overly long.”

Tilda tried not to appear too interested in her surroundings, but the fact that she was inside a gentleman’s club was an entirely thrilling experience. To see what women were excluded from was both irritating and fascinating.

They moved from the vestibule into a large reception room. Hadrian leaned toward her as they walked. “This was where Chambers yelled out to me.”

“In front of so many people?” she whispered back, keeping her voice low so Sir Godfrey, who was walking in front of them, would not overhear.

“There were more people here on Thursday.”

Tilda looked about, taking in the elegant chandeliers and grand stone staircase. “Do you see any of his friends?”

“Not as of yet. But there are other rooms.”

“Didn’t you say you went upstairs?” she asked.

Sir Godfrey paused and turned around. “We could go into the library or to the drawing room upstairs. Have you any preference? There’s also the billiard room.”

“Perhaps we could have a tour,” Tilda suggested in her masculine voice.

Hadrian sent her an admiring look. “Excellent idea.”

“Then let us begin with the billiard room as it’s just through here,” Sir Godfrey said with a smile. “I confess it’s my favorite room in the club.”

“Is it?” Hadrian asked as they walked toward an archway that led to—presumably—the billiard room. “You should have told me so last time. I would have joined you in a game.”

“Perhaps tonight then.” Sir Godfrey led them into the billiard room where there were four tables.

Tilda grabbed Hadrian’s arm before they could follow Sir Godfrey to an empty table. She released him before the usual warmth she felt from touching him could distract her. “I don’t know how to play.”

“You don’t need to.”

“What about the tour? I don’t want to be stuck in here. We need to find Louis’s friends if we can.”

Hadrian’s gaze had been moving about the room as they spoke. Now his features arrested as his eyes locked on a gentleman on the other side. “That is one of them,” Hadrian whispered.

The gentleman seemed to notice Hadrian as well. His features were impassive, but he pivoted and moved toward another doorway.

“Damn, he’s leaving,” Hadrian said.

“I’ll go after him,” Tilda started toward the doorway, but Hadrian touched her arm briefly. “Is that wise?”

She arched a brow at him. “Don’t interrupt my work, Lord Ravenhurst,” she said in a deep, teasing tone.

He briefly presented his palms to her, a faint smile quirking his mouth. “A thousand apologies.”

“Just stay here with Sir Godfrey, so I can find you when I’m finished. I’ve no desire to go wandering about the club on my own.” She hastened to the doorway where the man had disappeared.