“It doesn’t appear Doe was in collusion with Giovanni Loard,” said Tidwell. “She’ll be questioned, but I doubt we shall find any ties. I doubt there are any ties.”
“Giovanni offered a lot of false sympathy,” said Theodosia. “I can see where it was easy for her to lean on him.”
“Say,” said Haley, “do you suppose that was Giovanni Loard prowling around outside the night of our mystery tea?”
“I’m almost positive it was,” said Theodosia. “He had to have been curious about our investigation and worried about how much we knew.”
“Goodness, I need a cup of tea,” declared Drayton.
“Come,” urged Timothy. “Come sit out on the side piazza and relax. We’ve all had enough high drama for the night.”
They all followed Timothy the few steps outside, then collapsed into comfortable wicker chairs and chaise lounges. A few feet from where they sat, a whippoorwill called mournfully from where it had tucked itself among sheltering bows of live oak, and streamers of Spanish moss wafted gently in the night breeze.
“Teakettle’s on,” Henry announced to the group. “Should only be a moment.”
“I couldn’t believe Booth Crowley’s face when he was led out in handcuffs,” said Drayton.
“It was bright red,” chortled Haley.
“Like keeman tea,” said Drayton.
“I guess Booth Crowley’s wife won’t be starting that tea shop any time soon,” said Haley. “Right,” agreed Drayton, “he’s going to have to put his money to better use, like paying attorney’s fees.”
“And he’ll need to focus on mounting a strong legal defense,” added Tidwell. “Smuggling is a federal crime. It’s not much fun going up against the Justice Department. Those boys do their job because they love it and because they’re true believers. They’re not in it for the money because, Lord knows, there
Teacups clattered as Henry approached, bearing a silver tray laden with a lovely blue ceramic French tea service. Henry poured steaming cups of tea for everyone, then passed them around.
“Delicious,” declared Tidwell, taking a loud slurp. “And what kind is this?”
They turned inquisitive faces to Henry. He had, after all, brewed the tea.
“Why, I prepared the tea Mr. Conneley brought over,” Henry said in his papery, proper voice, even as a faint smile tugged at his mouth.
“The gunpowder green!” exclaimed Drayton and Haley together.
Timothy rose to his feet and held his teacup aloft. “I’d like to propose a toast,” he announced. “To Theodosia.”
“To Theodosia,” everyone chimed in.
“Just like her marvelous tea,” said Timothy, “you discover what she’s really made of when you put her in hot water.”
“Hear! Hear!” cried Drayton. “Describes our girl perfectly.”
Theodosia just smiled and sipped her tea.
Recipes From
The Indigo Tea Shop
1¼ cups water
1 Tbs. sugar
Freshly squeezed juice from 2 lemons plus rind
2 Tbs. Earl Grey tea leaves
1 egg white
Bring water, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon rind to a boil in saucepan and allow to boil for four minutes. Add tea leaves, cover, remove from heat, and let steep until cool. Strain into a bowl, cover, and place in freezer until mixture is slushy and half frozen. Beat egg white until stiff, then fold into mixture. Freeze until sorbet reaches desired consistency. To serve, scoop sorbet into parfait dishes and garnish with fresh fruit or a lemon cookie.
1 Tsp. baking powder
1 Tsp. granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp salt
1 Tbsp. orange juice
½ cup milk
½ cup raisins
Mix dry ingredients together in bowl, add orange juice and milk. Mix into a dough, then add raisins. Place 8 scoops onto a greased baking sheet, bake in preheated 425 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot with plenty of butter and jam. Yields 8 scones.
1 1/3 cups strong Irish Breakfast Tea
1 1/3 cups apricot nectar
1 1/3 cups sparkling water
Combine tea, apricot nectar, and sparkling water. Pour into ice-filled glasses. Make 4 servings.
2 large chocolate bars (Ghiradelli or Dove work well)
12 large, fresh strawberries
Wash and dry strawberries, leaving stems on. Break chocolate bars into bits and place in microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for 30 seconds or until melted completely. Hold each strawberry by its stem and dip into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper to cool.
1 lb. cooked lobster meat
2-3 stalks celery
small onion
Prepared mayonnaise
1 cucumber
Chop the lobster into small pieces. Chop and dice the celery and onion into very small pieces. Combine ingredients in a bowl and add a small amount of mayonnaise. If mixture seems dry, add a little more mayonnaise, then add salt and pepper to taste. Peel cucumber and slice into very thin slices. Spread lobster salad on slices of cocktail bread, top with cucumber, top each sandwich with another slice of bread. Carefully cut each sandwich into two triangles and arrange on platter.
