Page 109 of A Whisper in the Shadows

“It may be a common stamp, but I’ve seen biscuits like these at an Amicable Society meeting,” Dr. Giles said. “Mrs. Draper has brought them on a few occasions.”

Draper.Tilda had thought of Mr. Draper as one of the few people who was aware of Hadrian’s and Maxwell’s appointments. But why would he want to poison them?

“Why would Mrs. Draper send arsenic biscuits to your husband?” the doctor asked, echoing Tilda’s thoughts.

“They arrived yesterday with a note congratulating my husband and my brother,” Tilda replied. “It wasn’t signed, so we’ve no idea who sent them.”

Dr. Giles shook his head. “I can’t think why Mrs. Draper would want to poison your husband or your brother.”

Tilda recalled Mrs. Burley wondering why Mr. Draper hadn’t been asked to fill in as the third administrator instead of Maxwell. Her reasoning was that Draper had been involved with the society since the beginning, but then she’d gone on to say he was soft-spoken and perhaps not the best person for the position.

But Draper was clearly very invested in the society. Indeed, he’d been quite zealous about it at the meeting last night. He and Mrs. Atkins were a pair given their obsession with the society.

Tilda’s blood chilled. What if Draper had wanted a position and was upset when Maxwell and Hadrian, who were newcomers, were appointed? She looked at the doctor. “Do you think Draper could be capable of such a thing?”

“Draper? Or Mrs. Draper?” Dr. Giles blinked. “I’m struggling to imagine it. But this stamp is the same as what Mrs. Draper has used before.” A deep frown creased his features. “Draper was very outspoken when Gilbert Cardy died and we found out he’d been admitted as a member despite being ill. Draper insisted the society pay out a benefit. We explained that it wasn’t possible, that even if Cardy had been admitted appropriately, benefits are only payable after one year.No oneis eligible yet.”

“Did that satisfy Draper?” Tilda asked.

“It seemed to, but he was still upset on the Cardys’ behalf. Several people were.”

“I need to know if he was upset enough to act,” Tilda said, thinking that Hadrian was with Draper now. And if Draper or his wife had sent arsenic-laden biscuits, what else were they capable of?

Dr. Giles lifted his hands. “I don’t know.” His features arrested, then he drew in a deep breath. His eyes widened before he settled his focus on Tilda. “I just remembered that Draper had been friendly with Eaton. I’d seen them together a few times.”

Tilda’s heart was now pounding. “I’m going to Draper’s house.”

“I’ll go,” Dr. Giles said. “You should stay here, just in case.”

Tilda ignored the doctor’s words and started toward the stairs. She wasn’t going to stay here and not ensure Hadrian was safe.

CHAPTER 25

After calling on Dr. Giles and ensuring he would pay a visit to Maxwell, Hadrian made his way to Draper’s house. Whilst Hadrian was concerned about Maxwell, he wanted to keep the appointment with Draper and Furnier. Hopefully, Maxwell would feel better later, and Hadrian would update him on what happened.

Draper’s lodgings were a set of rooms over a millinery shop on the second floor. Mrs. Draper welcomed Hadrian inside and showed him to a small parlor where Draper was waiting.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Beck,” he said with a nod.

Mrs. Draper looked to her husband. “I’m going to take the children over to visit my mother whilst you meet.” She departed the parlor.

“I didn’t realize you had children,” Hadrian said.

“Two,” Draper replied. “A boy and a girl, aged two and four.”

“How delightful,” Hadrian said with a smile. “I’m sorry to arrive early,” Hadrian said. “Dr. Giles will be late, if he comes at all. I had to fetch him to call on my brother-in-law, as he is taken ill.”

Draper’s brow creased with concern. “I’m sorry to hear that. Mr. Harwood won’t be here today either then?”

“Definitely not,” Hadrian said.

“That sounds worrying.”

“Hopefully it’s nothing serious.” Hadrian didn’t want to mention the potential of poison when they weren’t certain.

“So it’s to be just you, Furnier, and me,” Draper said.

“We’ll see if Giles shows up.” Hadrian held up the ledger he and Tilda had found at Phelps’s house. “Hopefully this will provide us with a list of the members Eaton recruited, and we can determine how much money we need to repay them.”