Page 58 of A Whisper in the Shadows (Raven & Wren #4)
D r. Giles called on Maxwell again Sunday evening and declared him to be on the mend. Maxwell had even managed to ingest some broth, and Tilda was most relieved.
By Monday morning, Maxwell had left his cot in the storage cupboard and even bathed. He’d indicated his intention to attend the Amicable Society meeting, and Tilda could see there was no stopping him.
Hadrian had gone to Westminster but was now back at White Alley.
However, instead of walking to the meeting at the Swan and Hoop, Hadrian had insisted they take his coach, since Maxwell was still a bit weak.
Tilda sat with him on the forward-facing seat, which Hadrian understood, given Maxwell’s condition.
Leach had been delighted to be driving them once more.
As they entered the common room, Tilda immediately noticed Ezra Clement sitting at a table sipping ale. He lifted his glass toward her.
“Clement is here,” she said to Hadrian and Maxwell. “I’m eager to learn what he discovered on his travels.”
“As am I,” Maxwell said. “Do you think we have time to speak with him before the meeting starts?”
“We may as well try.” Tilda led them to Clement’s table.
The reporter picked up his ale once more and rose. “It seems you’ve solved the case whilst I was away. I only returned this afternoon.”
“We have,” Tilda replied. “But your efforts will be of great use in the prosecution of Mrs. Walters. At least, I assume they will be.”
“Most definitely,” Clement said as he proceeded to tell them about how Mr. and Mrs. Walters had cheated many people in several places with fake burial clubs.
Phelps had gone by many aliases, including Wallace Philips and Philip Wallace.
The Coleman Street Ward Amicable Society was actually his first friendly society—and would be the last.
“With the number of people he’s cheated, I’m surprised Phelps lasted as long as he did,” Clement noted. “I’ll publish a series of articles starting tomorrow. I don’t suppose you have any information about the future of the Amicable Society? I’d like to include that in my story.”
“We don’t know yet,” Maxwell replied. “If you’d care to wait around until the meeting concludes, we may have a better answer for you.”
“I’ll do that, thank you.” Clement inclined his head, then sat back down.
As Tilda turned from Clement’s table, Isaiah Jarret was just walking into the pub. He removed his hat and looked about somewhat cautiously before his gaze settled on Furnier.
“I wonder what Jarret is doing here,” Hadrian said softly.
“Perhaps he’s decided to give the society another try,” Tilda mused. “I hope that bodes well for the future of the society. Perhaps others will also give it a second chance.”
Tilda noted that several other wives were in the common room, including Mrs. Furnier and Mrs. Burley. Dr. Giles’s fiancée, Miss Trimble, was also present.
Mrs. Burley gaped upon seeing Hadrian. “What has happened to Mr. Beck’s hair?”
“That will be revealed shortly,” Tilda said.
She hadn’t washed the powder from her hair since her identity would not be revealed.
For propriety’s sake, she would remain Mrs. Harwood.
No one needed to know that Miss Matilda Wren had resided with an earl and an inspector, even though she’d had a chaperone.
In fact, they’d decided that Hadrian wouldn’t be revealed as Lord Ravenhurst either.
Maxwell had asked Furnier and Giles to keep Hadrian’s identity quiet, at least until they were gone.
Everyone seemed rather subdued after hearing of Draper’s arrest, which had spread since yesterday. However, Mrs. Atkins arrived with her usual boisterous, self-important demeanor. Tilda wasn’t sure the woman was capable of restraining herself.
Furnier then shocked the ladies by inviting them to come into the meeting room. Even Mrs. Atkins seemed surprised.
“I wonder why we’re being included,” Mrs. Burley commented as she walked into the room with Tilda.
“There are to be some announcements,” Tilda said. “Perhaps Mr. Furnier understands the importance of ensuring everyone hears the news.”
“That’s precisely it,” Mrs. Furnier said pertly. She smiled at Tilda.
Tilda sat between Hadrian and Maxwell in the front row.
Mr. Furnier cleared his throat and welcomed everyone.
“I know it has been a very long week and much has happened. Some may think the Coleman Street Ward Amicable Society is finished, but I am here to tell you we will forge on.” He glanced at Dr. Giles, who sat behind the purple covered table.
“Dr. Giles and I are committed to ensuring that those who were cheated will have their fees refunded.”
“How will you do that?” someone asked.
“We are working with the police to recover at least some of the money that Eaton and Phelps stole,” Furnier replied.
“Though, that may not be enough. We do have one anonymous benefactor who has donated to our cause, and we hope to solicit another.” He looked pointedly at Mrs. Atkins, whose hand fluttered to her chest.
“You want me to pay for those men’s crimes?” she asked, her voice tinged with disdain.
“We’d be grateful if you were able to donate money to help the society survive and move forward. Dr. Giles and I would be pleased to recognize you as the society’s benefactress or even have you as a member of our leadership, if you are so inclined.”
“Will women be admitted?” Mrs. Burley asked.
Mrs. Atkins turned her head to look at Mrs. Burley. “I don’t know that we should?—”
“We will discuss that,” Dr. Giles said, cutting Mrs. Atkins off. Tilda buried a smile.
“What about Mr. Beck?” Mrs. Atkins asked. “Will he still be employed as our canvasser? I’d already agreed to pay his salary.”
Furnier inclined his head toward Hadrian.
With a nod, Hadrian stood and turned to face the members. He smiled faintly. “I will not be staying with the society. I have been investigating the society along with Inspector Maxwell and Mrs. Harwood.” He gestured to Maxwell and Tilda.
This revelation was met with surprised murmurs and a few gasps.
Maxwell rose. “I am Inspector Maxwell with the City of London Police. I was charged with infiltrating the Amicable Society and investigating it from within. I was aided by Mrs. Harwood and Mr. Beck, who are private investigators. We hope you will forgive us for the deceit, but it was necessary to discover what happened. Perhaps surprisingly, I have found that I am quite invested in the Amicable Society now. I’ve discussed matters with Mr. Furnier and Dr. Giles, and I will be staying on as an administrator.
The Coleman Street Ward is my home, and I’m eager to support this fine endeavor—and ensure there is no further corruption. ”
“Can’t do better than an inspector in charge,” someone called out.
This was met with murmurs of agreement.
“I agree,” Furnier said. He gestured to an empty chair behind the table.
“Please come and join us, Inspector Maxwell.” Furnier went on to apologize for his part in not coming forward immediately when he’d learned of Phelps’s corruption.
“My aim has been, and will remain, the success of the Amicable Society and the prosperity of its members.”
Cries of “huzzah” rang through the room, and the business meeting soon commenced, complete with the odd rituals Hadrian and Maxwell had described to Tilda last week. She could hardly believe that was only a week ago.
However, there was one thing missing. She turned to Hadrian. “I thought there was a hat of cock feathers?” she whispered.
He chuckled softly. “Perhaps Phelps was the only one who would wear it.”
Following the meeting, Mrs. Atkins cornered Hadrian. Tilda was going to rescue him, but Maxwell asked if he could speak with her. “Would you join me in the common room for a few minutes?”
Nodding, Tilda left the meeting room with him. He guided her to an alcove in the farthest corner where there was a private table.
“Do you mind if we sit?” he asked. “I’m a bit fatigued.”
“You should have rested another day,” Tilda said, sliding into a chair.
He smiled as he sat. “It warms me that you care so much.”
“I’m very glad the poison will not have lasting effects. And I’m pleased that you’ll be staying on with the society.”
Maxwell lifted a shoulder. “I can’t really explain it, but through this assignment, I’ve developed a connection to the ward that I didn’t have before. I’ve decided to live at Number Five permanently.”
Tilda blinked at him in surprise. “That is a large house for just you.”
“Actually, I was hoping it wouldn’t be just me.
” He leaned slightly forward over the table, his eyes glowing with anticipation.
“I know this is sudden, but I’ve come to admire you greatly, Miss Wren.
And I believe we work well together as an investigative team.
So well that I also believe we would make an excellent team in matrimony.
It is my greatest hope that you will consent to be my wife. ” He smiled.
Her surprise was now shock. Tilda had not expected this at all.
Maxwell continued. “Before you answer, let me present my argument. I am not asking you to become a housewife. I recognize and, indeed, admire your passion for investigation. I support your continued work as a private investigator, and perhaps we will continue to partner together on cases for the police. We should generate enough income to hire someone to cook and clean, so you won’t have to do those things.
” He looked at her expectantly, but Tilda was too flabbergasted to respond.
“I realize it’s a change for you to move here from Marylebone and your grandmother. However, perhaps she could live with us too.”
Tilda immediately thought of her grandmother’s household. Number Five White Alley would not support a housekeeper, maid, and a butler—her grandmother’s house barely did that. Furthermore, Tilda could not uproot her grandmother from her home.