Page 19 of A Whisper in the Shadows (Raven & Wren #4)
T he following morning, Hadrian hesitated outside the door of Number Five White Alley.
He carried a basket of items his cook had sent for the pantry, as well as a valise full of his personal items. He’d brought different clothing, along with the glue for his hair pieces.
It was early, but the sun was up, not that its light penetrated the narrow alley.
He felt strange just walking into the house without knocking, but since he was supposed to be a resident, it made sense he would do so. He hoped the door wasn’t locked, as he’d failed to obtain a key from Maxwell.
Briefly setting the valise down, he tried the door. Thankfully, it pushed open. Hadrian plucked up the valise and stepped into the entrance hall, then closed the door with his elbow. He had a sudden and very deep appreciation for butlers.
Leaving his valise in the hall, he carried the basket downstairs to the kitchen where, judging from the smell, Mrs. Kilgore was making breakfast.
He greeted her with a smile and set the basket on the end of the worktable. “Good morning. I brought some things for the pantry, including tea.”
She looked over the large basket of goods that included the aforementioned tea, bread, jam, butter, and eggs, among other things, her eyes rounding. “This is most generous of you, my lord.” She sniffed the tea and blinked. “I’ve never smelt tea like that before. Should I make some now?”
“Unless you already have some brewed.” He didn’t want her to do additional work.
“It’s no trouble,” she said. “I’m making eggs and toast for Inspector Maxwell and Miss Wren. Would you like some too?”
“Thank you, but I’ve eaten already. There are kippers in the basket if you’d like to make those as well.”
“You brought food that isn’t for you?” She appeared perplexed.
“It’s for everyone, including you,” Hadrian said with a smile.
“Thank you, my lord,” she said, still seeming slightly baffled. “I did think that was a great deal of food. It’s unexpected, but very kind. Now, off with you. I’ll bring breakfast to the dining room shortly. Inspector Maxwell and Miss Wren will be there soon, I expect.”
“Thank you , Mrs. Kilgore.”
Hadrian went back upstairs and found that Maxwell was already in the dining room.
“I assumed that was your valise in the entrance hall,” Maxwell said in lieu of a greeting.
“Good morning,” Hadrian said. “Yes, it’s mine. I appreciate you leaving the door unlocked for me, but perhaps it’s best if I can let myself in.”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Maxwell fished a key from his pocket and handed it to Hadrian.
“Thank you.” Hadrian pocketed the key.
“Inspector Chisholm called last night.” Maxwell gestured toward one of the four chairs at the square table. “Sit and I’ll tell you about it.”
Hadrian eagerly sat and listened to Maxwell recount the meeting. After hearing everything, Hadrian could well imagine all the new lines of inquiry Tilda would wish to follow. He looked forward to discussing it with her.
She came into the dining room then, her gaze falling on Hadrian with a gleam of warmth. “Good morning, my lord.”
Hadrian didn’t like her calling him that—it felt stiff and unfriendly.
He considered asking both her and Maxwell to call him by his given name, just so he and Tilda could return to addressing themselves as they’d become accustomed to.
But he wasn’t sure Maxwell would feel comfortable with the familiarity, at least not yet.
Perhaps if Hadrian were to live here full time, that might change.
He hoped Tilda had been able to persuade Maxwell to allow Hadrian to try to obtain the canvasser position.
Mrs. Kilgore brought the breakfast and served it on the table. “I’ll fetch the tea in a moment,” she said. “His lordship brought a fancy tea. It’s steeping.”
Maxwell’s brow arched. “Did you?”
“I brought several things for the pantry,” Hadrian said. “I wanted to contribute to the household.”
“There are even kippers,” Mrs. Kilgore said. “But I’ll make those tomorrow.” She looked to Maxwell. “Unless you’d like them now?”
“Tomorrow will be fine,” Maxwell replied. “Thank you, Mrs. Kilgore.”
“I’ll just fetch the tea.” She took herself off.
Hadrian waited while Tilda and Maxwell ate for a few minutes.
After swallowing a bite of toast, Tilda turned her attention to Hadrian.
“Inspector Maxwell liked your idea of trying to become the new canvasser for the Amicable Society. The inquest is this afternoon, and I expect Mr. Nevill and Mr. Furnier will attend. Perhaps you can speak with them about the position.”
“I’ll do that,” Hadrian said, delighted Maxwell had agreed to their plan. He looked toward the inspector. “Thank you for endorsing this idea. I think it will be helpful.”
“Miss Wren has assured me that you possess the necessary skill to conduct this aspect of the investigation. You must keep Miss Wren and me apprised of what you learn as soon as possible.”
“Of course.” Hadrian worked to keep himself from feeling defensive. Maxwell’s tone seemed to carry a hint of skepticism as to Hadrian’s abilities.
Tilda sent a smile toward her fake husband. “Inspector Maxwell has also agreed to allow us to ask Mr. Clement to interview Mr. Rippon at the Prudential Assurance Company.”
Hadrian was pleased to hear that Tilda had been successful in her endeavors with Maxwell. Hadrian had never doubted her persuasive ability, but he didn’t know the inspector well enough to assume he would agree.
“I don’t typically like to work with reporters,” Maxwell said with a hint of disdain. “I find some of them to be unscrupulous.”
“I agree.” At least here was something Hadrian and Maxwell could agree upon.
Not that they disagreed, but Hadrian sensed a…
divide between them. “Clement rather put me off at first, but he redeemed himself by assisting us on our last investigation. I’m optimistic he’ll also be helpful with this investigation, particularly since we are trying to be careful about how and with whom we make inquiries. ”
“It’s a clever plan.” Maxwell looked at Tilda with a warm smile. “But then, I expect nothing less from Miss Wren. She has proven herself to be a most competent investigative partner.”
Hadrian bristled at Maxwell’s use of the word partner —Tilda was Hadrian’s partner, not Maxwell’s.
“We should tell his lordship everything we learned from Inspector Chisholm last night,” Tilda said.
“I’ve already done that,” Maxwell replied.
Tilda’s gaze flashed with surprise. “Well, that’s…
good.” She turned her head toward Hadrian.
“After we visit Clement, I would like to call on Mrs. Cardy. I’d thought to take her some food from the market.
That gives us a reason for calling, and it will also help her and her children. I’m very sorry for their plight.”
“That’s a wonderful idea,” Hadrian said. “Though I think my cook packed enough food for us to share with the Cardys. Let’s ask Mrs. Kilgore to prepare a basket from what I brought.”
As if summoned by his mention of her, Mrs. Kilgore entered with the tea. She poured out and set a cup down in front of each of them. “I suppose you want sugar?” She picked up the small tin of sugar cubes that Hadrian’s cook had included in the basket.
“Yes, please,” Hadrian said. She put the tin on the table.
Tilda looked to Mrs. Kilgore. “His lordship and I are going to call on Mrs. Cardy later this morning, and we’d like to share some of the food he brought with her and the children. Will you pack a basket?”
“I’d be happy to,” Mrs. Kilgore replied earnestly. “I’m so pleased you want to help my dear cousin.”
“My cook baked some biscuits that Mrs. Cardy’s children might like,” Hadrian said.
Mrs. Kilgore sniffed. “You are truly kindhearted, my lord. Thank you. It’s so unfair what’s happened to poor Hester. To lose her husband is bad enough, but to be without the funds he paid into the Amicable Society is salt in her wound. They should at least refund what he contributed.”
“Why didn’t they?” Hadrian asked.
“I don’t know,” Mrs. Kilgore replied with a deep frown. “I think they said there wasn’t a record of what he paid, but I don’t know if that’s true.”
“We’ll do our best to recover the Cardys’ money,” Hadrian vowed. Indeed, he’d supply it to them himself if necessary.
“Thank you, my lord.” Mrs. Kilgore left the dining room.
Tilda turned her gaze to Hadrian. “Is this the tea you brought?”
“I believe so. It certainly smells like it, and I did suggest she use it.” Hadrian moved the sugar closer to Tilda so she could help herself first.
After she added a cube to her tea, she offered the small silver tongs, which Hadrian’s cook had also sent, to Maxwell. But the inspector shook his head. “I’ve never put sugar in my tea. It’s a luxury we could ill afford, and I’ve never wanted to take up the habit.”
A faint bit of color stained Tilda’s cheeks very briefly as she handed the tongs to Hadrian.
His fingers brushed hers, and he made sure not to reveal his reaction to her.
Every time they touched, he felt a rush of awareness and heat.
Indeed, the sensation had only increased the longer he’d known her.
Hadrian stirred his sugar into his tea as Maxwell sipped his. The inspector took a second sip before returning his cup to the saucer. “That is excellent tea, Ravenhurst. Thank you for bringing it.”
“It’s my pleasure to contribute to the household, particularly since I will be living here all the time now.”
Maxwell met his gaze across the table. “ If you’re hired to be the Amicable Society canvasser.”
Hadrian didn’t care for the man continuing to direct doubt at him. “Hopefully, that will happen this afternoon at the inquest. Either way, I do plan to stay, unless you take issue with that.”
“I do not.” Maxwell’s reply sounded a bit strained.