Page 59 of A Whisper in the Shadows

“Enough to sack him?” Hadrian mused. “Eaton left the boarding house over a week before he died.”

“It’s puzzling that Phelps didn’t seek to refund the Cardys’ money or look into other potentially fraudulent memberships.” Pleats formed between Tilda’s pale brows, indicating she was deep in thought. “I hope we can find the membership ledger you saw in your vision and that it can answer our questions.”

“I’m hopeful we will learn a great many things at Phelps’s house with my ability,” Hadrian said. “It’s unlikely I will see one of Phelps’s memories since he is dead, but hopefully we will be able to discern whose memories I do see, which could lead us to the killer.”

“I had the same thought about you touching as many things as possible at Phelps’s house in order to find some helpful memories.” Her brow furrowed again, but this time with worry. “However, I don’t want you to suffer from terrible headaches. I think you must choose what to touch strategically, lest you become overwhelmed.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Hadrian said. “I will be careful.”

“You must stop if your head hurts too much,” she said.

He flashed her a brief smile. “I promise I will.”

“I will hold you to that.” Tilda narrowed her gaze at him. “I’ll be keeping my eye on you.”

Hadrian could find no fault with that. Indeed, he was pleased she cared so much. But he would make sure they did not leave Phelps’s house without learning all they could. He was eager to make a discovery that would help them with both the fraud case, as well as with Phelps’s murder.

Hadrian knew Tilda wanted to solve his murder, as well as Eaton’s, even if they weren’t assigned to do so. He would help her in that endeavor.

There was more to Hadrian’s need to make himself useful at Phelps’s house. He was jealous of Inspector Maxwell and the connection that seemed to be strengthening between him and Tilda.

“How are you finding this investigation?” Hadrian asked. “Is it a chore to seek Maxwell’s approval for things?”

“Actually, he indicated that he trusts me and has given me leave to pursue information as I see fit.” A smile lifted her mouth. “It’s turned out to be a marvelous partnership.”

“That’s good to hear,” Hadrian said, even as his chest felt a bit hollow.

“I’m glad Maxwell is leaving the mercantile house so that he can focus entirely on the investigation,” Tilda said. “Then we can make faster progress. Although, as eager as I am to learn the truth, I confess to feeling a little melancholy when a case concludes.”

Hadrian felt the same way, but that was largely because he missed working with Tilda when they were between cases. Not just working with her—he missedher.

“Will you really miss working with the inspector when we’re finished?” Hadrian asked, thinking of what she’d said to Maxwell last night.

Tilda turned her head toward Hadrian. “Are you jealous?”

Hadrian had to check his feet so he didn’t stumble. Had she seen through him and detected how he truly felt? It shouldn’t besurprising. She was an excellent investigator after all. But damn, he was still trying to determine his feelings himself.

Tilda cocked her head and blinked at him. He realized from her expression that she’d meant jealousy in a professional sense.

Hadrian exhaled softly. “Yes, I am jealous of the partnership you have with Maxwell.”

“I don’t know if it’s really a partnership,” she said.

“You used that word.”

“I suppose I did,” Tilda said. “Well, he’s not a partner in the way that you’re a partner. Perhaps that’s simply because you and I have worked on several cases together, whilst this is just the first one with Maxwell. If I’m to work on more investigations with him, perhaps we will also become close.” She shrugged as if she wasn’t discussing a matter that would likely keep him awake tonight.

Hadrian felt as though he’d been stabbed, because whilst he was professionally jealous of Maxwell, it went far deeper than that. It was apparent—only to Hadrian, thankfully—that he had romantic feelings for Tilda. He knew this more and more with each passing day. In fact, as of this moment, he realized it was an incontrovertible truth. He hoped there might be a future in which they were partners in every sense, that she would be his countess.

However, he doubted most sincerely that would ever come to pass. Tilda bore no interest in a romantic attachment with him or anyone else. Though watching her with Maxwell, Hadrian could see where she might change her mind. She and Maxwell had more in common and shared more similar backgrounds. They also worked in the same field, and since it seemed that police wives could be heavily involved in their husbands’ work, Tilda and the inspector could truly be professional partners. And romantic ones too.

They turned into Finsbury Circus, and Hadrian strove to put the melancholy thoughts from his mind. He would enjoy the time he had with Tilda and hoped this would not be their last investigation together.

“I confess it’s very strange to be walking as we make our inquiries,” Tilda said with a laugh. “I’ve become used to riding in your coach with Leach ferrying us about.”

Hadrian laughed with her. “I know he misses doing so. He does enjoy being a part of our investigations.”

“You’re going to see him after this?” Tilda asked.