Devonshire Scream (A Tea Shop Mystery #17)
Laura Childs
1
Crusted with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and amethysts, the butterfly brooch glittered enticingly before Theodosia Browning’s eyes. Perched in its own glass case, the butterfly looked as if it had just landed on some tasty, succulent flower. The butterfly’s lithe wings were a virtual aurora borealis of precious gems.
The piece was whimsical yet spectacular, Theodosia decided. Like something the Duchess of Windsor might have pinned to the lapel of her chic Dior suit in an earlier, headier era. Or perhaps this bejeweled treat had belonged to the infamous duchess. After all, this Jewelry Extravaganza, which had just kicked off with a black-tie party, was intended to showcase antique and collectible gems and jewelry from the previous century.
Tiffany, Cartier, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels. The names ticked through Theodosia’s brain in a litany of jeweler’s ateliers. They were the finest and most respected designers and purveyors of diamonds and gems in the entire world. And what a privilege to have been invited to this amazing event.
Of course, her invitation had come compliments of Brooke Carter Crockett, her good friend and proprietor of Heart’s Desire Fine Jewelry here in Charleston, South Carolina. Brooke had negotiated with major jewelers and private collectors, dickered with two museums, and pretty much moved heaven and earth to bring this stunning show to fruition in her shop.
Though Theodosia adored feasting her eyes on fine jewelry (what woman didn’t?), her immediate goals and dreams tended to be a bit more practical in nature. She knew she’d have to sell about a million scones and serve another million cups of Darjeeling tea to even begin to afford one of these pricey baubles. And with or without the adornment of fine jewelry, she was quite content to do what she’d set out to do in life. That is, create a romantic, relaxed environment at her Indigo Tea Shop, enjoy the company of Drayton and Haley as they served and soothed their customers, and still, knock on wood, manage a decent living.
But of course a girl could dream.
Theodosia’s eyes bounced from the butterfly about to take flight to a tilted mirror that sat on the glass counter. As she caught her own reflection, her lips twitched in a fey smile and she immediately glanced away. Her grand inheritance was in her looks. High cheekbones and an almost porcelain complexion gifted from distant English ancestors, sharp blue eyes, full lips, a fine-boned oval face. An abundance of curly auburn hair that only she found problematic and that any reasonable woman would have killed for.
As champagne corks popped and bone china teacups clinked, Theodosia continued to take in the crowded shop. Well-dressed ladies on the arms of well-dressed titans of business drooled over Tahitian pearls and diamond rings, ruby earrings and emerald necklaces. Yes, the elite of Charleston had turned out en masse this crisp November evening for a little pre-Christmas shopping. And why not? Who didn’t love to receive a blingy little trinket on Christmas morning? French perfume being so last year.
“Find something you like?” a cheery voice asked.
Theodosia turned to find Haley, her young baker and chef extraordinaire, smiling at her.
“Everything,” Theodosia laughed. “It’s all gorgeous.”
Haley was accompanied by Kaitlin Crockett, Theodosia’s friend Brooke’s twenty-year-old niece. Brooke and Kaitlin both traced their ancestry back to the Crockett clan of Kentucky. The Crockett clan.
“How are the scones holding out?” Theodosia asked. She and Haley had baked eight dozen scones earlier today just for this occasion. In fact, Haley had come up with a special recipe for what she called jeweled scones—that is, cream scones studded with colorful bits of red, green, and gold candied fruit.
“We’ve still got plenty of scones in reserve,” Haley said. “As well as Drayton’s fabulous Devonshire cream to accompany them.”
“Our customers are mostly drinking champagne right now.” Kaitlin smiled. “But when that runs out and they’re ready for a nosh . . .”
Theodosia touched a hand to Kaitlin’s cheek and gently pushed back a strand of her dark hair. “What are you wearing there? Diamond earbobs?”
Kaitlin nodded eagerly. “Aunt Brooke said it was okay. They’re almost identical to the ones Scarlett O’Hara wore. You know, in Gone with the Wind? The diamonds that belonged to Scarlett’s mother?”
“Well, they look very glamorous on you,” Theodosia told her.
Haley twisted a strand of her stick-straight blond hair and grinned. “I mean, duh. Who wouldn’t look good in diamond earrings that probably cost fifty grand?”
“That’s retail, not wholesale,” Kaitlin said.