Laurie Brown by Hundreds of Years to Reform a Rake Page B

center of the room. She turned slowly around, sniffing the air.“Do you feel a presence?”
     she whispered.
    “No,” Josie lied. Deverell was very much present.
    “Don’t move,” Mrs. Binns said and hurried out. Josie shrugged at him and went back to her list. Before she had time to think
     of a step three, Mrs. Binns rushed back in carrying her red velvet box. She set it on the bed, threw open the top, and pulled
     out a twisted bunch of weeds, which she proceeded to set on fire with a wooden match. After blowing out the flames, she carried
     the smoking remains to every corner of the room.
    “What is that crazy woman doing?” Deverell asked.
    “What are you doing?” Josie asked, rephrasing his question.
    “Burning sage. Spirits hate the smell.”
    “It’s not that bad,” he said. “Actually rather pleasant.”
    “I don’t think that’s...”
    “Don’t you worry, my dear. I’m rather knowledgeable on these matters. I’ve read all the books. Studied them I have. Consulted
     with experts. I stay up all night every night keeping vigil, keeping myself and those around me safe.”
    No wonder the woman fell asleep during the day.
    Mrs. Binns dropped the last of the burning rush into the large bowl on the washstand.“I have the best protection money can
     buy,” she said, retuning to the bed. She pulled out a small cloth bundle tied with red string.“Here. Keep this on your person
     at all times.”
    “What is it?”
    “A charm to ward off evil spirits.”
    Mrs. Binns put a second bundle tied with a green string under the pillow on Josie’s bed.“Guaranteed effective against demon
     incubi.” “Is she speaking about me? I am not the devil incarnate,” Deverell complained.
    Then Mrs. Binns stood in the middle of the room, held her arms out at her sides, and, closing her eyes, turned slowly in a
     circle. When she stopped, she squinted and stared at a spot near Deverell’s head—not directly at him but near enough to be
     uncanny.
    “I see this particular spirit is stubborn. I shall have to read up on this. Don’t worry. I’ll get rid of it.”
    “We could just change rooms,” Josie suggested. It wouldn’t get rid of Deverell, but maybe Mrs. Binns would feel better.
    “Nonsense, my dear. If you let a specter get the upper hand, it will chase you the width of England. Believe me, I know. Before
     I joined the Prevention of Interfering Phantoms Society, the ghost of my second husband nearly drove me to distraction. With
     the help of the other PIPS, I called on the spirit of my fourth husband, the most recently demised, to intercede on my behalf,
     and I’ve been nightmare-free ever since. Not that I’m taking any chances. I have my nightly ritual. And now I shall include
     you in my circle.
    “Do you hear that, Mister Spirit?” she added loudly.“You are impotent here.”
    “Thank you for that reminder,” Deverell answered dryly.
    “You’re safe for now,” Mrs. Binns said to Josie as she latched her case. “I’ll not rest until I’ve rid this room of that presence.
     I promise.”
    “A simple ‘please leave’ would suffice,” Deverell said.
    “Thank you for your concern,” Josie said. “I’m sure it’s not...”
    “Tut, tut. It’s my job to keep you and your virginity safe until you’re walking down that blessed aisle.”
    “But, I’m not...”
    “Don’t say it,” Deverell warned. “Your reputation must remain spotless in order for you to be my mother’s houseguest.”
    “...in any hurry to get married,” Josie finished lamely.
    “Well, you should be.You’re practically on the shelf.” Ah, yes.The Regency version of the “your body clock is ticking” speech.
     Josie had thought she was going to avoid that.
    “You’ve still got your looks and all your teeth.”
    “Gee, thanks.”
    “And with your fortune you’ll be getting offers right and left.”
    “What fortune?” She had exactly seven hundred and thirty-two dollars in her checking account, and