Page 10 of A Whisper in the Shadows

CHAPTER 3

The moment Hadrian’s gaze met Tilda’s, he could see her surprise. He probably should have warned her that he’d decided to attend the meeting. However, the truth was that he hadn’t wanted to tell her, in the very likely case she would ask him not to come. As he made his way to her, he hoped she would grasp his plan and accept it.

“Good evening, Sister,” he said, noting her darkened hair. It was a bit jarring to see her without her reddish-blonde locks.

“I wasn’t sure you would be able to come,” she said smoothly, but with a gentle flare of her nostrils that no one but Hadrian likely noticed.

He was relieved—and pleased—that she didn’t call him out. “I was able to arrange my shift at the club so I could attend this meeting tonight. I hope it’s all right.” He glanced about and saw that Inspector Maxwell stood with another pair of gentlemen.

Tilda narrowed her eyes at him slightly before turning her attention to the man beside her. “Allow me to present my brother, Mr. Beck. Nigel, this is Mr. Nevill, a member of the society’s leadership council.”

Nigel?Hadrian had known a Nigel at Oxford. He was a sneaky fellow, always getting into trouble. Perhaps it was a good name for this scheme.

“I hope it’s all right that I invited my brother,” she said to Nevill. “He’s interested in joining the society as well.”

“Does he have someone to propose his membership?” Nevill asked.

“I’d hoped my brother-in-law could,” Hadrian replied easily. “His interest in joining sparked mine.”

“Well, technically, Mr. Harwood isn’t yet a member.” Nevill narrowed his eyes toward Furnier. “But he will be shortly, so I say it’s fine that he proposes you. The society is always looking to expand its membership.” He grinned at Hadrian. “Let me smooth the way with my colleagues. It may be best if Mr. Beck waits in the common room for a few minutes.”

“Certainly,” Hadrian replied eagerly. “Would you care to accompany me, Sister?”

“I will, yes.” Tilda smiled prettily at Nevill, then glanced toward Inspector Maxwell, who was watching them with a somewhat hooded gaze.

When they were in the common room, Tilda led Hadrian to a corner. “What on earth are you doing here?” she asked quietly but urgently, her dark-blonde brows pitched together.

“Participating in the investigation,” he replied in an equally low tone. “I decided I could join the society as well.”

“As my brother.” She blinked. “It doesn’t work like that, as you’ve just learned. You can’t just show up and seek membership. You must be proposed by an existing member.”

“I understand that now, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem according to Nevill, since Maxwell is apparently becoming a member tonight.”

“I hope he is. He’s currently undergoing a medical evaluation with the society’s doctor. If he passes, I believe he will be welcomed or initiated, or whatever it is they do.”

“There’s an initiation?” Hadrian asked.

“Some sort of ceremony,” Tilda said. “Did you see the table at the front of the room with the candles and other items?”

“I did, but I wasn’t sure what that was for. Sounds intriguing. Knowing your curiosity, you must be looking forward to seeing that.” He half-smiled.

“I’m not allowed,” she said with disgust. “Women are not permitted to attend the meetings, but neither will you be if you aren’t accepted for membership. What is it you hoped to accomplish in coming here?”

“I told you—to join the investigation. I thought I could be helpful. Particularly with my special ability.”

She exhaled, her expression still perturbed. “You are always helpful—with and without your ability. Alas, you were not invited. I can’t think Inspector Maxwell will be in favor of this.”

Hadrian knew he’d made a gamble coming here, but he’d hoped Tilda would be pleased. “Do you want me to go?”

A long moment stretched as she studied him, then looked toward the meeting room. “No.” She turned her gaze to him. “I must say, you’ve done an excellent job with your disguise. The blond hair threw me.”

“Your darker hair also gave me pause,” Hadrian said.

She swept her gaze over him, and he felt a jolt of awareness. “Your costume is very plain—and doesn’t appear costly. It doesn’t reveal you to be an earl. I’m impressed.”

“Thank you, though I can’t take the credit. I called on Mrs. Longbotham at the Hen and Chicken.” They’d met Mrs. Longbotham, who was actually a man who preferred to dress as a woman and be addressed as such, during one of their investigations. Mrs. Longbotham had aided them in disguisingTilda as a man so that she could visit a gentlemen’s club with Hadrian.

Tilda’s eyes rounded. “Did you? Well done. Your simple costume doesn’t advertise your nobility.”