Page 18 of A Whisper in the Shadows

“I did not. I gave him that name. His lordship’s surname is Becket. I borrowed part of it.”

“And why Nigel?” Hadrian asked with a half-smile.

Tilda’s gaze found his. “When I was a child, the neighbors had a cat named Nigel.”

Hadrian smirked. “You named me after a cat.”

Maxwell laughed.

“It was the first name that came to me,” Tilda said. “I liked Nigel. He was a good cat.”

Hadrian chuckled, then sobered as he focused on the inspector. “What of the living arrangements?”

Maxwell pivoted toward him. “I imagine you’ll be sleeping at your home, since your position at the club would likely require you to work well into the night or even until morning.”

“I suppose that makes sense,” Hadrian said, flicking a glance toward Tilda. She didn’t think he liked that, because that left her here alone with Maxwell and the chaperone, but would Hadrian’s presence make it any better? He wasn’t a chaperone.

“When you are here, you will share the garret on the top floor with me,” Maxwell said. “Miss Wren and Mrs. Kilgore will take the bedchambers on the first floor.”

“I will be sure to arrive here around sunrise after my work at the club is completed.” Hadrian glanced toward Tilda. “We should probably be going.”

“Will you ride back to the West End together?” Maxwell asked. “I was going to offer to escort Miss Wren, since it’s getting late.”

“That is most kind of you,” Tilda said. “However, since Lord Ravenhurst is here and going in that direction, I’ll accompany him. I’ll return in the morning before you leave for work.”

“As will I,” Hadrian said. “We can come together.”

Tilda nodded. She rose and bid Maxwell good evening. Hadrian did the same, and they started toward the entrance hall.

“You should leave through the scullery,” Maxwell said. “You can make your way to Coleman Street and avoid detection, in case any of the neighbors happen to be looking out.”

“Smart,” Tilda said, before leading Hadrian down to the kitchen.

“This place is rather dirty,” Hadrian noted.

“And that’s after I spent the day cleaning it—or starting to, anyway.” Tilda couldn’t keep the bitterness from her tone. “I did not realize this assignment would require me to clean.”

“Perhaps the chaperone will help?” Hadrian suggested.

“That is my hope.” Tilda led him through the scullery to the rear door. They ascended a short flight of stairs to a small rear yard where there was a privy.

“How clean is that?” Hadrian asked.

“Cleaner than when I arrived this morning,” Tilda replied.

“You must be exhausted.” Faint lines creased his forehead.

Was he concerned?

Tilda wasn’t sure what Hadrian might think of her cleaning. While it wasn’t a typical chore for her, she knew she had more experience with it than he did. She wondered if he’d ever actually cleaned something. She returned her thoughts to his query. “Somewhat, but I’m invigorated by the investigation.”

They found their way through a narrow alley. It wasn’t much more than a path to Coleman Street.

Tilda glanced at him as they emerged onto the thoroughfare. “I hope we can find a hack.”

“No need,” Hadrian said. “We only need to walk down to Gresham Street. Leach is waiting there.”

“Is he?” Tilda asked. “He dropped you off there, I presume?”