Page 20 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

“—to rescue your fiancée,” Levi said without acknowledging Roxburghe’s protest, “I lend my support to Grisham.”

“I have a solution,” Mansfield said, descending the staircase. “The first man to find a book in Lennox’s library that can be used for an exorcism is permitted to read it aloud.”

Grisham and Roxburghe glanced at each other, an uneasy current flowing between them, then they turned and raced down the pathway toward the glass door separating the house from the conservatory.

Levi groaned as the door slammed. “If they destroy my library…”

“Neither man would disrespect you in that manner,” Mansfield replied, then chuckled. “However, if it were Beaufort…”

“I,” Beaufort said, stomping down the steps, “have no desire for marriage and, therefore, no reason to scour Lennox’s books.”

“And I,” Warwick said, thumping his cane on the dirt, “would prefer to wait at this very spot while you complete this ridiculous lark.”

“Could I convince you to join me for a drink in Lennox’s parlor instead?” Beaufort asked, glancing down at Warwick.

He inclined his head. “That you could.”

Struggling to climb to his feet, Warwick issued a low curse when he lost his balance, collapsing backward and landing hard on his butt.

Not one man commented on his situation.

Beaufort extended his hand and pulled Warwick upright. “We’ll play a few hands while these fools occupy themselves with Mr. Philbert.”

“Are you going to let me win?” Warwick asked, panting slightly from the effort of standing.

“Nope.” Beaufort grinned. “Your leg is injured, not your mind.”

The quartet trudged down the pathway toward the glass door, with Warwick and Beaufort leading the slow procession. When they reached the conservatory’s exit, Mansfield hurried around them, and grasping the handle, he opened the door and bowed.

“Do let us know if Mr. Philbert joins your game.”

Beaufort snorted. “We’ll send him your direction.”

“We have something!” Roxburghe’s jubilant voice rolled down the corridor toward them.

Frowning, Levi took two steps toward Roxburghe. “Did you truly find a book in my library that will assist with the eviction of a spirit?”

“We did.” Grisham held up a black-bound book with embossed lettering on the cover.

Levi expelled a heavy sigh. He wasn’t sure which tome they’d selected, but he was quite certain it originated from the trunk of books he’d received from a deceased cousin several months ago.

He hadn’t had the chance to inspect them all, but after Roxburghe gifted one to Miss Webb at the Christmas gathering, Levi thought it best to shelve the books until he came upon a time when he could peruse them at his leisure.

“Whose wedding are we celebrating?” he asked, striding down the corridor.

Roxburghe and Grisham shared an uncomfortable glance.

“We don’t know,” Grisham said.

“How is that possible?” Levi’s head oscillated between the two of them. “Who found the book?”

“We both did.”

“I don’t understand.” Taking the tome from Grisham, Levi leafed to the bookmarked page. “You couldn’t have searched different bookshelves?”

Roxburghe held up an identical book. “We did.”

Laughing, Beaufort directed Warwick toward the parlor. Only when the door closed did the riotous sound cease ringing through the hallway.