Chapter 25
There were a dozen vendors set up on the outdoor patio when Theodosia arrived at the Featherbed House B and B.
Leigh Carroll from the Cabbage Patch Gift Shop was there, as well as Brooke Carter Crockett, the jewelry designer and owner of Hearts Desire.
Theodosia also spotted a fabric artist—a woman who painted beautiful designs on silk scarves—two other jewelers, a photographer, and four more fine artists.
And was that Lois Chamberlain from Antiquarian Books?
Yes, it was. Along with her adorable dachshund, Pumpkin.
Nestled against the B and B’s greenhouse and its plethora of orchids were a dozen tables and chairs, the tables topped with Cinzano umbrellas. Perfect for guests who wanted to relax.
“Do you need help setting up?” asked a voice at Theodosia’s elbow.
Theodosia spun around to find Angie Congdon, the owner of the Featherbed House, smiling at her. Angie’s blond hair was swept back in a ponytail and she wore a hand-painted denim shirt tucked into white slacks. The lipstick she wore perfectly matched her pink espadrilles.
“I’m good,” Theodosia said. “And you look lovely. Fresh as spring.”
“So do you. And I love that silk tunic you’re wearing. Almost the color of sea glass. Did you by chance get it at Cotton Duck?”
“Guilty as charged. And thank you so much for setting up this eight-quart electric kettle on my table and lending me all your teapots. You make brewing tea a breeze.”
“Well, we do have a licensed commercial kitchen and we often serve afternoon tea to our guests,” Angie said. “So we were mostly ready for you. But I’m still thrilled that you agreed to cater the scones and tea sandwiches.”
“And I brought Haley’s special pink lemonade cake.”
Angie gazed at the sheet cake decorated with swirls of pink and white frosting and said, “Yum.”
“When do you expect your shoppers to arrive?” Theodosia asked.
“Any minute,” Angie said. Then, moments later, when a squeal of air brakes sounded, she said, “As a matter of fact, that might be a bus stopping out front now. Probably the ladies from Folly Beach.”
Angie was right. A minute later, two dozen women spilled onto the patio and immediately began inspecting the various booths. Credit cards were pulled out and the shopping had begun.
Over the next hour or so another fifty women showed up and Theodosia was kept busy brewing tea, pouring tea, and doling out tea sandwiches, scones, and pieces of pink lemonade cake.
And when Aunt Libby showed up, looking tiny and elegant in a navy blazer and white slacks, Theodosia was positively thrilled.
Except for one thing. She knew she had to tell Aunt Libby about Amber and Veda.
“I have to bring you up to speed on a couple of not-so-nice things,” Theodosia said.
Aunt Libby was instantly on the alert. “What is it, darling girl?”
So Theodosia quickly told her about Amber being kidnapped and Veda Fisher being almost poisoned.
Aunt Libby was stunned. “Kidnapped?”
“There was an actual ransom demand.”
“I’ve never met the girlfriend. But still, that’s awful. And you say Veda was poisoned? Are you sure about that?”
“I was there,” Theodosia said. “I watched the paramedics carry the poor woman out on a gurney. Believe me, she looked terrible.”
“And how is she today?”
“I talked to Brody this morning and Veda’s doing okay. Not great, considering she’s probably in her seventies, but she’s going to pull through.”
“Thank goodness.” Then Aunt Libby frowned. “All these terrible things going wrong for one family. Do you think…I mean, could they be tied to the murder of Mrs. Van Courtland at the Firefly Tea?”
“I was afraid you were going to ask that and I’m afraid I have to say yes,” Theodosia said.
Aunt Libby looked perplexed. “Whatever is going on?”
“I don’t know. All I can surmise is that someone is targeting them.”
“But who?”
“That’s what I’ve been working on,” Theodosia said.
“You have actual suspects?”
“I thought I did, but some of them aren’t exactly panning out.”
Aunt Libby patted Theodosia’s arm. “But sooner or later they will. I have faith in you. I knew when I asked you to look into Olivia’s death that you’d be dogged and diligent. Now it looks as if you really have your work cut out for you.”
“I’ve been trying,” Theodosia said. “Running my own shadow investigation, such as it is.”
“Speaking of which…”
“Yes?”
Aunt Libby looked around and lowered her voice. “I think somebody’s been in my room.”
“You mean like someone from housekeeping?”
Aunt Libby shook her head. “Housekeeping straightens things up; whoever snuck into my room messed things up.”
“That’s crazy. Is anything missing? Your jewelry, whatever?”
“Nothing that I’ve noticed. But, truth is, I’m feeling a little scared. What if somebody knows I helped push you into this investigation and now they’re…”
“Trying to get to me through you?” Theodosia said.
“I know it sounds far-fetched, but it could happen,” Aunt Libby said.
“Yes, it could.” Theodosia thought for a moment. “I think you should move in with me. It’ll be safer that way.”
“Maybe I should go back home to Cane Ridge.”
“If you prefer, sure. I’ll drive you home as soon as I finish up here.”
Aunt Libby nibbled at her lower lip. “No, I’m not going to turn tail and run like a frightened rabbit. I’m going to stay here. You’re in this up to your ears and I want to see how it all shakes out.”
“There might not be a happy ending,” Theodosia said.
“But there will be an ending, right?”
“Fingers crossed, I certainly hope so.”
* * *
Theodosia was serving tea and scones to two women in wide-brimmed hats when Delaine Dish sidled up to her. Once the women had moved off, Delaine said, “I’ve got a special secret.” She gave a slow wink as a pussycat grin spread across her face.
“Let me guess, you know who murdered Mrs. Van Courtland,” Theodosia said.
Delaine gave her a playful slap on the arm. “No, silly, it concerns the Starry Starry Night Ball tomorrow night. And”—she rolled her eyes playfully—“the killer jewelry I plan to wear.”
“Okay, Delaine, I’ll bite. Tell me about this killer jewelry.”
“I sweet-talked Stanley Morton, the owner of Duchess Diamonds, into letting me wear a totally stunning twenty-carat diamond necklace.”
Theodosia let loose a low whistle. “That has to be worth—”
“Upwards of a quarter million dollars!” Delaine squealed. “Can you believe it?”
“Uh, no. It would make me nervous to have something that valuable dangling around my neck,” Theodosia said.
She almost added, Especially in light of a murder, a kidnapping, and a near poisoning.
But didn’t. Why tell Delaine about the kidnapping and poisoning?
She’d just worry and start spreading a bunch of useless rumors.
Besides, if Delaine isn’t worried about wearing a valuable necklace, why should I be?
“Is that cake sugar free?” Delaine asked suddenly, pointing a finger at the pink lemonade cake.
“No, Delaine, it’s not. But eating a teensy piece certainly won’t kill you.”
Delaine jumped back as if a venomous reptile was sitting on the table. “No, I really shouldn’t. After all, I have to fit into my ball gown tomorrow night.”
“Suit yourself,” Theodosia said.
* * *
When there was a break in the action, Theodosia ran down to Lois’s table, where she was selling books. Today Lois wore a white shirt with a paisley kerchief tied at the neck and a pair of wide-leg khaki slacks. Pumpkin was curled up on a fluffy bed beneath her table.
“How goes the bookselling?” Theodosia asked.
“Amazingly good,” Lois said. “I took a chance and brought a bunch of books on baking, gardening, and antiques, and they’ve been selling like hotcakes. Especially the gardening books.”
“Because it’s spring and people are crazed to crawl around in the mud and plant a few flowers.”
“That’s gotta be it. Say, have you solved your murder mystery yet?”
“I’m afraid it’s turned into one big sprawling problem.”
Lois jabbed a finger at her. “But that’s what you’re good at. You have a knack for pulling together a bunch of loose ends and figuring everything out.”
“This time the loose ends have me coming unraveled,” Theodosia laughed.
“Are you bringing your honey to the ball tomorrow night?”
“I’m afraid he’s still out of town.”
“Drayton then?”
“He’s probably steaming his tuxedo even as we speak.”
“Good, because I want him to meet a friend of mine, Edward Shipman. He’s a fellow bookseller who’s in Charleston for the weekend so I invited him to the Starry Starry Night Ball.”
“Lois, you have a date,” Theodosia teased.
“He’s a friend,” Lois said. But she blushed anyway.
* * *
When Angie stopped by Theodosia’s tea table a second time, she was radiating happiness.
“It looks like your Gift Show Tea has been a rousing success,” Theodosia said.
Angie clapped her hands together. “Even more than I’d hoped for. The vendors are selling tons of merchandise and my guests can’t say enough good things.”
“You invited some fine vendors. All talented artisans in their own right.”
“Your tea table’s been a big hit, too,” Angie said. “The guests loved the tea and went wild over your chocolate scones.”
“I guess that explains why there aren’t any left,” Theodosia said, pleased by the praise. She’d be sure to tell Haley.
“Will your boyfriend be back in time for tomorrow night’s big ball?”
“Afraid not. Riley’s still stuck at his conference.”
“Too bad. You’re still coming, right?”
“Count on it,” Theodosia said. “And you’re still bringing Gordon?”
“Oh sure,” Angie said. “In fact, I was hoping Gordon would drop by today, but he had a meeting with another antique dealer down in Gardens Corner. A fellow who owns a shop called Lovejoy’s and has a Queen Anne–style leather-top writing desk for sale that Gordon’s positively salivating over.”
“So he’s in the market for furniture?”
“If they can agree on a price, sure,” Angie said.
She pushed her blond bangs off her forehead and added, “It’s good that Gordon’s focusing on restocking his shop.
He’s been so busy with Mrs. V’s estate that he hasn’t spent that much time at Mayfair Antiques.
On the plus side, he has taken a few buying trips, so I’m letting him store some of his goodies in one of the rooms in my annex. ”
“And when he’s at his shop, business has been good?”
“Gordon says business has seriously picked up. Last week, a visitor from Los Angeles stumbled into Mayfair Antiques and dropped a bundle on an art deco diamond ring and a French tapestry.”
“I’m happy for Gordon,” Theodosia said. But she was secretly happy for Angie. Because Angie was a dear friend and, with her new boyfriend, deserved all the happiness and good luck she could find.