Page 9 of A Whisper at Midnight
“Nor is it where I expected to see you. You’re helping Beryl secure a divorce?”
Tilda explained how the barrister who sometimes hired her to assist with divorce cases had employed her to work with Beryl. “I called on her yesterday to obtain information. She had bruises and spoke of her husband’s physical abuse and menacing behavior.” They reached the bottom. Tilda turned to face him. “I told her I would return today to see how she’s faring. I was worried about her being here with Chambers. That is why I suggested she find another place to reside for the time being—for her own safety. Apparently, she turned to you for help with that.” Tilda’s curiosity was evident, but then she was the most curious person he’d ever met.
Hadrian had no idea Beryl’s life had taken such a turn. “I didn’t realize Chambers was hurting her.” He felt a surge of fury toward the man who’d stolen his fiancée. “But Beryl and I have not remained close since dissolving our betrothal. I’ve only seen her a few times over the years and never on purpose.”
He hadn’t wanted to maintain even a friendship with her, though he’d been cordial despite the embarrassment that hadcome from a broken engagement. Perhaps that was because his anger had so quickly become relief after Beryl had chosen to wed Chambers instead of Hadrian.
Early in their courtship he’d experienced a thrilling flutter in his chest—the one he’d felt upstairs when he’d seen Tilda—but it had faded during their betrothal. He’d mistaken that for love and was glad he’d avoided marriage to Beryl.
“You’re angry,” Tilda noted, drawing him back to the present.
“I’m upset that Beryl has been mistreated. As are you, I gather.”
“Yes,” Tilda said with a nod. “But I do not have a history with her as you do. She asked you to call on her despite not remaining friendly?”
He nodded. “She sent a note yesterday, which I did find odd.”
“What did the note say?” Tilda asked, clearly in the throes of her investigation.
“She requested I call on her because she was in dire need of my help.”
“Did that concern you?” Tilda concluded.
“Yes, particularly because we haven’t been close. I couldn’t imagine why she would be writing to me for help.” Hadrian smiled at her. “I found myself very curious, which I think you understand.”
She returned his smile. “I do.” Her features smoothed. “Has Teague questioned you yet?”
“He was busy searching Chambers’ bedchamber,” Hadrian replied. “I told him of my betrothal to Beryl.”
Her gaze turned sympathetic. “That could not have been easy to discuss. I am sorry that history is being revisited.”
“It’s particularly odd because I encountered Chambers last night.”
Tilda’s brows shot up. “Where?”
“A club called Arthur’s. I am not a member, but I accompanied a colleague who invited me.”
“Did you speak with Chambers?”
Hadrian recalled their encounter and the discomfort as well as surprise that he’d felt. Tilda was right that this wasn’t easy. He would prefer to leave the past alone, especially the chapter that pertained to Beryl and her husband. However, after hiding his ability from Tilda when they’d become acquainted, he’d promised that he would be completely honest with her going forward.
He grimaced as he responded. “That is not how I would characterize it. Chambers yelled at me from across the room. He was a boisterous, gregarious fellow, but not in a charming way.” The man was most disagreeable in Hadrian’s experience, albeit limited.
“You didn’t like him?” Her eyes briefly shuttered. “I’m sorry. I know you caught him with Beryl whilst you were betrothed to her. Ofcourseyou didn’t like him.”
“I barely knew him,” Hadrian gritted out, his jaw clenched. “I found him annoying, as do most people, including my colleague—Sir Godfrey Hammersmith.”
“What happened when Chambers yelled at you?” she asked.
Hadrian summoned the incident in his mind and decided to start from the beginning. “When I arrived, Chambers was standing in the main reception room with a few other gentlemen. They were talking and drinking. I recognized Chambers immediately and hoped we would not meet. However, Chambers saw me. He called across the room and then approached me. He did not appear pleased to see me and demanded to know what I was doing there.” He frowned as he recalled the burst of irritation he’d felt at Chambers’ behavior. “I believe his words were, ‘What the bloody hell are you doing in my club?’”
Tilda grimaced. “That must have been awkward. Why would he greet you in such a manner?”
Hadrian shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve only met him on a few occasions, and I can’t remember the last time I saw him. We don’t move in the same circles.”
“I can’t imagine you would want to after his behavior with your fiancée,” Tilda observed softly. “What happened next?”
“I think he was drunk,” Hadrian said. “After his obnoxious greeting, he said I would not enjoy Arthur’s, that I would be happier at my priggish club for pompous arses, since I was one. Pardon my vulgarity; those were his exact words. Then, one of the men Chambers had been speaking to came to pull him away. Sir Godfrey and I moved to another part of the club.”