Page 77 of A Whisper in the Shadows
“That doesn’t mean she wouldn’t want to,” Maxwell argued. “How refreshing it must be for her to not feel as though she must. Well, good night.” Maxwell flashed a brief smile before turning and leaving the parlor.
Hadrian frowned at the empty room. It seemed Maxwell was interested in Tilda in a personal manner.
Tilda would not want that. She might accept his friendship, in addition to their current professional association, as she had with Hadrian, but she wouldn’t desire more.
Hadrian wondered if he should have informed the inspector of Tilda’s preference for maintaining platonic relationships, but he didn’t want to speak out of turn. He didn’t think Tilda would appreciate him doing so.
There was also the fact that Hadrian was incredibly jealous. Was his goal to protect Tilda or to dissuade Maxwell in some sort of primal competition for her? The answer was both, and that made Hadrian a trifle uncomfortable.
Did he believe the inspector had a better chance than him? Almost certainly. Maxwell and Tilda had much more in common than she did with Hadrian.
A wave of melancholy swept through him. If he wasn’t careful, he was going to turn into a brooding clod.
Hadrian left the parlor and trudged up the stairs, pondering whether he ought to tell Tilda what Maxwell had asked him, or if he should stand by and allow the inspector to make his move.
He didn’t like either of those choices. He wanted a third option, one in which he expressed the depth of his feelings to Tilda, and she welcomed them.
Unfortunately, Hadrian believed that was impossible.
CHAPTER 17
The following morning, Tilda and Hadrian left White Alley to call on Jarret at the Imperial Bank on Lothbury. The sky was dark gray, and it looked as though it might rain. Tilda had donned a cloak just in case.
She was eager to speak with Jarret and hoped he would have time to meet with them. “I haven’t decided if we should tell Jarret that Walter Phelps’s wife is not actually dead, and that Phelps isn’t his real name,” she said to Hadrian as they made their way along Coleman Street. “I think it may be best for the investigation at this point if we withhold that information.”
Hadrian sent her a sideways glance. “Do you think others are already aware she is alive and that Walter Phelps was an alias?”
“I think I want to see people’s reactions when they find out both those things.”
“Anyone’s reaction in particular?” Hadrian asked.
“Nevill and Furnier, as well as Dr. Giles,” Tilda replied. “Maxwell is of the same mind. We discussed it briefly this morning before you joined us in the dining room. He looks forward to not having to attend his fake job any longer.”
“It’s a wonder he’s continuing to do so,” Hadrian noted.
“Well, whilst his job was ‘fake,’ it was an actual position he took to ensure he was accepted as a member of the community.” She glanced at Hadrian. “Though perhaps he should have invented a truly fake job as you did. You were able to leave immediately,” she added wryly. “I commend Maxwell on staying with the mercantile house. I daresay he’s as thoughtful as you.”
They walked in silence until they reached Lothbury Street.
“I confess, it’s been interesting living with you,” Hadrian said. “You are most adept at running a household, which I already knew, since you manage your grandmother’s. I’m sure they’re missing you now.”
“Mrs. Acorn can handle things.” Tilda referred to her grandmother’s housekeeper.
“I wondered if you might have changed your mind about marrying someday. You seem to have taken to the role of pretend wife rather easily.”
Tilda laughed. “I’ve taken on many different roles in our investigations. That doesn’t mean I want to actually do any of them.” She looked over at Hadrian, curious as to why he’d made the observation. “I have not changed my mind about marriage.”
“Not even to someone like Maxwell?” Hadrian asked, his gaze focused straight ahead. “The two of you have so much in common, and you’d be a police wife. You’d be very involved in cases, I should think.” Was this coming from Hadrian’s jealousy of her partnership with Maxwell? Except Hadrian was asking about marriage and that was an entirely different kind of partnership. Did Hadrian think there was something romantic between her and Maxwell?
“I’m involved in a case right now,” Tilda said evenly. “And I didn’t have to marry anyone. Nor would I.”
He looked her way, and she gave him a smile with a nod, hoping to convey that there was nothing between her and Maxwell. She supposed she could say so, but what if shewas wrong about what Hadrian was doing? She didn’t want to discuss or draw attention to such matters.
“Shall I take the lead when we speak with Jarret?” Hadrian asked, and Tilda was glad for the change in subject.
“You should,” Tilda replied. “You’re my brother, and I really have no reason to accompany you on this errand, except that I do. But Jarret doesn’t know that, so I will mostly remain quiet—or try to anyway.”
They spoke further about the upcoming interview as they approached the bank. Arriving inside, Hadrian asked to speak with Mr. Jarret. They were shown to a small chamber with a seating area.