Page 21 of Never Besmirch a Wallflower: Dukes and Wallflowers

Dragging his finger down the brittle page, Levi murmured the necessary ingredients for the exorcism, mentally checking off the list.

“Marigold blossoms?” Mansfield asked, startling Levi, who lifted his head with a jerk to discover Mansfield reading over his shoulder.

“There’s a small collection in the conservatory.” Levi tapped his finger near the center of the page. “However, it’s the anise seeds that may cause a problem. If I have them, Mrs. Grove would know.”

“Do you intend to explain why you’re requesting these unusual supplies?” Mansfield asked as they trekked toward the kitchen.

Levi shrugged. “Mr. Northcutt and Mrs. Grove haven’t abandoned their posts yet. I don’t think sharing our plans will cause either of them to leave my employ.”

He suspected both domestics would support the exorcism. Even if they didn’t believe Mr. Philbert’s ghost haunted the house, others did, and without a full staff, more responsibility fell to them.

“Perhaps,” Roxburghe said from behind Levi, “they will offer to assist us.”

“Neither of them will choose you over Grisham,” Levi said, glancing over his shoulder.

“Why?” Roxburghe asked, an audible pout in his voice. “I’ve spent many more hours here.”

“Time isn’t their master,” Grisham chuckled softly. “Lennox is, and he voted for me.”

“Only to vex me,” Roxburghe grumbled.

“Did it work?” Levi asked as they entered the kitchen.

A growl met his question.

Snickering, Levi strode forward, the book clutched in his hand, and cleared his throat. “Mrs. Grove, Mr. Northcutt, excuse us, but we must interrupt your evening again for some assistance.”

“Certainly, Your Grace,” Mrs. Grove said, folding her cards together and setting them face down on the table as she rose. “How can we help you?”

“I need the following items.” Levi held out the open book, indicating the ingredient section with his pointer finger.

Mrs. Grove took the book, set the tome face up on the table, and read through the list. Then she shuffled about the kitchen, muttering to herself as she transferred various small boxes and several pewter dredgers to the table, arranging them in order along the edge. She counted the containers, checking each one against the page, then lifted her gaze to Levi.

“Your Grace,” Mrs. Grove curtsied and dropped her eyes, indicating she intended to offer a correction to his plan. “Instead of carrying all these receptacles to the conservatory or wherever you decide to use them, may I suggest placing the necessary amount in a mortar?”

“An excellent idea,” Roxburghe said, sliding past Mansfield. “Would you measure out the recipe, Mrs. Grove?”

She shifted her attention to him and stared, silent, as though debating whether to speak her mind.

“Certainly, Your Grace,” she said, taking up the first box. “However, I’m well aware this concoction isn’t for consumption.”

She released a trembling sigh, glanced upward, and peeled open the top of the container. “But if this convinces those two terrified chits to return to their stations and clean the bedroom above the parlor, you have my full support.”

Roxburghe grinned.

“That doesn’t count,” Grisham muttered from the doorway.

Levi ignored them, his mind circling around Mrs. Grove’s words.

“Why did the maids refuse to clean that bedroom?” he asked, wincing when he heard his voice crack.

Mrs. Grove upended a dredger, shaking black pepper into the mortar. “One of them claimed she witnessed a dark-haired man enter the chamber several nights ago.”

“Why was I not told of this incident?” Levi’s heart stopped.

“I only learned of it this morning when they gave their notice.” Mrs. Grove turned and offered him an apologetic curtsey. “We had no evidence, and with the impending arrival of your guests, we thought it best to discuss the matter with you at a later time.”

Flicking his eyes to Mr. Northcutt, Levi asked, “Did either of you investigate the chamber?”