Page 123 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

Mr. Braddock reddened, dropped his head, and nodded.

“Which returns us to the original question,” Levi said as he ascended the staircase. “Who murdered Miss Drummond?”

He scanned the second-floor landing, his gaze sifting through shadows. Near a potted plant, a lightly colored spot on the rug caught his attention. Kneeling, he reached out and picked up a bit of ripped lace torn from a ladies’ dress.

“Is Miss Drummond’s gown ripped?” Levi asked, peering over the banister at Mr. Braddock.

“There doesn’t appear to be any damage to the front of her dress,” he replied after inspecting the lace adorning her bodice and sleeves.

“And the back?”

Mr. Braddock and Grisham exchanged a glance.

“We’ll need to lift her,” Grisham replied, shuffling closer to her body.

As he and Mr. Braddock gently turned Miss Drummond’s torso, Levi descended the staircase, clutching the small piece of lace. However, they discovered no rip on the back of the gown either.

“What is that?” Mr. Braddock pointed to something small clutched in Miss Drummond’s right hand.

He laid her body on the floor, then pried open her fingers, pulling out a crumpled paper. Frowning, he peeled open the page. As his eyes scanned over the words, he paled.

“Eveline,” Mr. Braddock whispered, the note falling from his fingers.

Levi dove for the missive, grabbing the page before Grisham, and read, “Meet me in the foyer at midnight to receive your final payment.”

“Is it Miss Braddock’s hand?” Grisham asked, peering over Levi’s shoulder.

“I’m not certain,” Levi replied and lifted his eyes to Mr. Braddock. “What do you think?”

He shrugged. “It may or may not be. I presumed the last letter I received was from Eveline.”

Levi grimaced, rubbing the piece of lace between his fingers. “This would indicate the killer was a woman.”

What other women, aside from Miss Braddock, held a grudge against Miss Drummond?

“Where did you leave your sister?” Grisham asked, tugging the page from Levi’s fingers.

“With the Duke of Mansfield,” Mr. Braddock replied, gesturing toward the ballroom. “I informed him I intended to walk the perimeter of the ball and would return within twenty minutes.”

“Then we need to confirm your sister was with Mansfield during the whole of your absence.” Grisham handed the folded note back to Levi.

“Why did I hear my name?” The Duke of Mansfield strolled toward them and froze when his gaze landed on Miss Drummond.

A low curse whipped toward them.

“What happened here?” he asked, keeping his distance from the body.

“We’re not entirely certain,” Levi replied, gesturing Mansfield closer. “I thought you were attending Miss Braddock.”

“She abandoned me about ten minutes ago to search for her brother.” Mansfield’s critical gaze swept over Miss Drummond’s corpse.

Levi slid in front of him, blocking Mansfield’s view. “You swore you’d remain by Miss Braddock’s side until my return.”

“First, you returned.” Mansfield’s eyes narrowed. “And second, I have no intention of wrestling a lady to the floor to prevent her from leaving my presence.”

Grisham leaned over and murmured, “Ten minutes would have been enough time to push Miss Drummond.”

“Miss Braddock didn’t kill Miss Drummond!” Levi’s voice echoed off the ceiling.