Page 64 of A Whisper in the Shadows

“We have work to do to reassure people after all that’s happened,” Hadrian said with a faint grimace.

Nevill pressed his lips together. “There are some people who would like their money returned. They’re worried they won’t receive their benefits, despite there being no indication that they won’t. The situation with Mrs. Cardy is a simple matter of policy being ignored—and apparently fraud was committed.” He said the latter as almost an afterthought, which Tilda found perplexing. “Alas, there’s nothing we can do about that now.”

“Thereissomething you can do,” Hadrian said insistently but without heat. “You could refund the money to the people who should not have been admitted in the first place.”

Raising his hands, Nevill shrugged. “We don’t even know who those people are.”

“Don’t you have a list of the members who were recruited by Eaton?” Hadrian asked, thinking of the ledger he’d seen in his vision when he’d touched Phelps’s desk. He didn’t know what it recorded specifically, but it was definitely about members. He was certain it was an important clue.

Nevill frowned. “There is a list, but we’ll have to visit every single one of them to ascertain their health. I suppose you and Dr. Giles could do that, though he will not appreciate having to take that much time away from his work. He’s trying to establish a practice with another physician, and it’s challenging, because not many people in this area can afford his service. He’sconsidered moving west, but he tried that when he was first licensed and was not successful.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Tilda murmured.

“He doesn’t have the right pedigree,” Nevill said with disgust. “Which is apparently important if one wants to be a physician in certain circles. Where the money is, I should say.” He looked at Hadrian. “It’s like I told you. Wealth matters. So does position. Those of us without those privileges know this in our bones.”

Tilda wondered what Hadrian thought of that. To his credit, his features did not reveal whatever his true reaction might be.

“I do think it will be necessary to identify anyone that needs to be refunded,” Hadrian said. “I suppose they’ll expect the full amount that they paid, which may differ from what the society has a record of. Where is this list you mentioned?”

“I don’t know. Phelps had it.” Nevill threw up his hands. “How are we supposed to come up with the money that Eaton was stealing? This is why I worry the society won’t survive.”

Hadrian nodded. “I understand. There has to be a way we can work things out.”

“Perhaps Mrs. Atkins would make a benevolent donation to cover the amount of money we would need to refund the people who were defrauded,” Tilda suggested. She wasn’t sure the woman would, based on her apparent lack of compassion for Mrs. Cardy and her children, but perhaps Hadrian could persuade her. Tilda inwardly cringed at the thought of him having to play on Mrs. Atkins’s interest in him.

“I suppose we can consider that,” Mr. Nevill said. “I’ll speak with Furnier tonight about all this.” He fixed his gaze on Hadrian. “You’re sure you’re up to the task of reassuring the members, ferreting out the sick, and recruiting new ones?”

“I am,” Hadrian assured him.

Nevill nodded. “You must excuse me, as I’ve clients to attend. After I’ve had a chance to speak with Furnier, I’ll send a messageto you, probably in the morning. But I do think you can expect to be our new canvasser.”

“Thank you, Mr. Nevill. I’m very much looking forward to our association.”

Hadrian held out his hand and Nevill shook it. Tilda knew that Hadrian must be seeing a vision and was eager to hear the details.

They left the shop and walked down Moorgate toward White Alley. “Did you see something when you shook his hand?” Tilda asked.

“It was the same vision I saw when I touched the diary on Phelps’s desk. I know now that the memory I saw was Nevill’s.” He glanced toward Tilda. “That is the helpful thing about seeing a vision when touching someone versus an object. I know definitively whose memory I’m seeing.”

“Did you learn anything new?”

“It’s clear to me that Nevill was angry with Phelps. I felt Nevill’s frustration and ire during the memory.” He looked over at Tilda as they turned into White Alley. “I think the cause has something to do with that ledger I saw when I touched Phelps’s desk. We need to find it. Hopefully, it will help us determine which members require refunds.”

Tilda smiled. “I suspect you might want to do this canvassing job, in large part, to ensure everyone who was defrauded is restored.”

“I can’t say I trust the current society administration to ensure that happens. They seem…less than committed to that than we are.”

“I agree.” Tilda couldn’t help feeling a surge of warmth toward Hadrian. “The irony is that you are precisely the sort of privileged gentleman Nevill seemed to disdain. And yet, here you have a keener sense of doing what’s right instead of what is profitable or easy.”

“Which is why no one should make assumptions.” Hadrian slid her another glance. “Someone very clever told me that.”

Tilda laughed. As they reached Number Five, Hadrian stopped and faced her, prompting her to pivot toward him expectantly.

“Do you feel a great difference in our positions?” Hadrian asked. “I realize we come from different social and economic backgrounds, but overall, I feel a connection with you that transcends both those things.”

Hesitating, Tilda wasn’t quite sure how to respond. Shedidfeel the differences between them, just as she accepted them. “We are very different in some ways and similar in others. I think that is what makes us such a good investigative team.”

“You have more in common with Maxwell,” Hadrian noted. “Does that make you and him a better team?”