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Theodosia studied Mignon as she led the three women to their table. Mignon had to be a good ten years younger than her recently deceased husband and a few inches taller. Her reddish-brown hair was swept up in an artfully messy topknot that complemented her oval face, her lips were full and voluptuous. Most interesting of all, Mignon’s hazel eyes were slightly canted, which gave her an exotic, almost predatory look. She wore a preppy-looking navy cashmere jacket that was nipped at the waist, cream-colored slacks, and high-heeled Gucci sandals.
There’s some money there, Theodosia decided. Then she shook her head to dispel that thought and stepped to the center of the room.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Theodosia said as the buzzing room suddenly quieted down. “Welcome to our first ever Wind in the Willows Tea.”
There was a spatter of applause and more than a few comments.
“Love your table decor.”
“These plush animals are adorable.”
“And look at the plates!”
“As you all know,” Theodosia continued, “Wind in the Willows was written by the British novelist Kenneth Grahame. Published in nineteen-oh-eight, the book features Mole, Rat, Mr. Toad, and Mr. Badger, who all live in a pastoral version of Edwardian England. This book is much beloved by many generations and has been countlessly reprinted, translated to TV and movies, and was even adapted as a musical in twenty-fourteen by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey.”
This time the applause was even greater.
“So it only stands to reason,” Theodosia continued, “that the Indigo Tea Shop, with our love of all things tea and British, would draw keen inspiration from this wonderful book and reflect it in today’s menu.”
Now Theodosia had them on the edge of their seats.
“For our starter today we’ll be serving Mr. Badger’s favorite English crumpets accompanied by Devonshire cream and elderberry jam. Our second course consists of Mr. Toad’s smoked trout tea sandwiches with English mayonnaise. And our main course will be Mole’s cheddar and sausage Scotch eggs with garden greens and a citrus dressing. For dessert we hope to delight you with Rat’s ginger beer cupcakes.”
Theodosia crooked a finger and Drayton hurried over to join her.
“For our tea today, we’ll be serving our special Wind in the Willows house blend,” Drayton said. “A delicate combination of black tea highlighted with bits of peach, apple, and sunflower.”
From there on, Theodosia and Drayton had their guests practically eating out of their hands. Miss Dimple and Haley hustled out with fresh-baked crumpets while Theodosia and Drayton poured steaming cups of tea.
“They’re loving it,” Drayton whispered to Theodosia as he slid past her some ten minutes later.
“Why wouldn’t they?” she replied.
“Do you see how they’re going for the smoked trout tea sandwiches?”
“And you thought smoked trout might not fly,” Theodosia said.
“Well, I was wrong. And happily so.”
“Just wait until we wow them with our...” Theodosia stopped dead in her tracks as a terrifying CRASH at the front door suddenly reverberated through out the tea room.
Conversation stopped.
Heads swiveled.
And Drayton spun on his heels, looking worried and alert. “What on earth?” he cried.
Startled by the commotion, all the guests turned to look at the large man in paint-stained overalls with flyaway hair who’d come skidding in. And as he looked around, a deep scowl darkened his face.
“Booker,” Theodosia said under her breath.
10
Incensed by his rudeness, Theodosia flew across the tea shop, grabbed Booker by the arm, and pinched him hard, which not only brought a look of shock to his face, it stopped him cold.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Theodosia hissed. “Coming into my tea shop and being so disruptive!”
Booker’s jaw went slack as he stared at her.
