“That would be wonderful. Fortifying even.”
When Drayton saw Theodosia and Brooke at the front counter, he hurried over to help. “What can I brew for you?” he asked Brooke. “Perhaps a nice pot of oolong? Or some tasty rose hips?”
“I really enjoyed that stronger, slightly smoky tea you were serving here last week.”
“The gunpowder green,” Drayton said. “One pot coming right up.”
Theodosia raided the kitchen and grabbed a half-dozen lemon scones for Brooke to take back with her. And by the time she’d done that, Drayton was pouring steaming hot tea into take-out cups and snapping on lids. Then he packaged up everything in an indigo-blue bag and handed it to Brooke.
“Thank you,” Brooke said to Drayton. Then she gazed meaningfully at Theodosia. “And thank you for everything.”
Theodosia walked Brooke to the door. “I haven’t figured things out quite yet,” she said. “But I am working on a couple of different angles.”
“I know you are. And so is Detective Tidwell. He’s looking into the man who supposedly crashed my event.”
Theodosia’s brows shot up. “He told you about Professor Shepley?”
“Just this morning,” Brooke said. “Says he’s going to meet with him today and ask some tough questions.”
“Good.”
“Tidwell’s been wonderful so far,” Brooke said. “Very cooperative about keeping me in the loop on the investigation, but not pressuring me or making me feel overwhelmed.” She gave a sad smile. “Who would have thought a big, brusque man like that could be filled with such kindness?”
Who indeed? Theodosia thought to herself.
? ? ?
Drayton got his wish. The Indigo Tea Shop wasn’t as crowded as usual that morning. Maybe it was the cool weather settling in, or maybe it was Drayton’s prickly vibrations projecting into the earth’s atmosphere. So when eleven o’clock rolled around and most of the customers who’d stopped by for morning tea and scones had finally departed, he set to work like a fiend.
Tables were cleared and wiped clean, and then elegant white linens draped over them. Drayton pulled out a set of Staffordshire blue-and-white china in the Biddulph Castle pattern and placed the dishes and teacups carefully. Cloth napkins were folded and tucked beneath sterling Birks Saxon flatware, silver salt and pepper shakers were added. Drayton had also brought along a few Toby mugs from his small collection, so those went on the tables to add to his British theme.
Theodosia came over to inspect his work. “Your tables look lovely.”
“But my flowers still aren’t here.”
“Oh yes, they are,” said a voice. An enormous bouquet of tea roses, nasturtium, and heather was slowly advancing toward him.
Drayton peered at the flowers quizzically. “Haley, is that you behind all those blossoms and blooms?”
“It’s me, all right,” Haley called back. “Take these, Drayton, will you? Before I lose my grip and drop this whole thing.”
He grabbed for the box of flowers. “Thank goodness they arrived.”
“I think they’ve been here all along,” Haley said. “There was this ginormous box of flowers just sitting out in the back alley. The florist must have delivered them, then dashed off. Like some kind of reverse trick or treat.”
Drayton pursed his lips. “Just sitting there for anyone to steal.”
“But nobody did,” Theodosia said, grabbing a vase. “Here, let’s just get these flowers into vases and onto the tables. And leave it at that.”
They arranged the flowers, set the candles just so, and then stood back to admire their work.
Drayton held up a finger. “Place cards. We need to put out the place cards and favors.”
Since they had taken advance reservations for their Duchess of Devonshire Tea, they knew exactly who was coming. Which meant Drayton had painstakingly written out everyone’s name in a graceful calligraphic script.
“What did you come up with for favors?” Haley asked.
Drayton carried a cardboard box to the table. “I’ve got tea sachets and wands of French lavender.”
“Let’s talk menu,” Theodosia said. “You two have been fairly secretive about what we’re going to serve.”
Haley pulled out an index card. “We didn’t mean to be, but we were kind of fine-tuning things.” She handed the card to Drayton. “Here, you read it to her.” She spun away. “I’ve still got a ton of work to do.”
Drayton put on a pair of tortoiseshell half-glasses and read: “First course, cranberry cream scones with Devonshire cream.”
“Love it,” Theodosia said.
“For our luncheon course, a prosciutto and fig butter tea sandwich and a smoked salmon and avocado on rye sandwich served with a citrus salad.”
“Okay,” Theodosia said. “Sounds good.”