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“But you will, right? You have to!”
“Detective Tidwell warned me to stay away.”
“That blowhard,” Delaine muttered. She rambled on for a few minutes, accepted a cinnamon scone when Beth Ann brought one to her, then suddenly gripped Theodosia’s hand again and said, “You’re still coming to my fashion show this afternoon, aren’t you?”
“Are you still having it?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Delaine said. “And, truth be told, it’s not a fashion show per se. More like a trunk show with informal modeling. A few models and close friends wearing some of the new dresses and sportswear that just arrived.”
“That sounds nice.”
Delaine suddenly brightened. “Doesn’t it? Would you like to pinch-hit for one of the models who called in sick this morning? Can I count on you to help?”
“Delaine. No,” Theodosia said. “I’ve got my hands full right here.”
“And I’m juggling a dead ex-boyfriend and a dead friend and fellow board member!” Delaine pleaded as tears dribbled down her face again and she looked like she was on the verge of another ugly cry. “So I’m begging you…pleeease help!”
In the end Theodosia caved. It was just easier.
23
Time was relentlessly ticking away as Theodosia hurried into her office. She had to grab candles, favors for her guests, the Tiffany-blue ribbon, and…
“Oh, wow,” she said when she spotted the gown draped on a peach-colored padded hanger and hanging from her brass coatrack. The once-dowdy floor-length gown made of old lace now lit up the room with a golden, almost burnished glow.
Delighted, Theodosia ran a few steps down the back hallway and ducked into the kitchen.
“Haley, thank you! The gown looks absolutely fantastic. I’m thrilled you managed to resurrect it and give it a second life.”
Haley looked up from where she was buttering a stack of English muffins. “Thanks. I thought it looked pretty cool myself. That’s the look you were going for, right? Kind of old-timey and elegant? A gold sepia tone?”
“It’s perfect.”
“I have to admit I did get a few words of wisdom from Drayton. A mixture of kibitzing and pep talk.”
“Whatever you did, the gown is absolutely gorgeous. I’m sure the director and the wardrobe lady will be thrilled.”
“Hope so,” Haley said. Then, “Say, it’s getting pretty late. Shouldn’t you be hip-deep in decorating?”
“I’m on it,” Theodosia said, flying out to the tea room. Where she got the surprise of her life.
The tables had all been cleared and Drayton and Beth Ann had dressed them up with Tiffany-blue tablecloths and were putting out the Noritake Evening Majesty china.
“You’re one step ahead of me,” Theodosia said, pleased.
“We thought we’d better take things in hand,” Drayton said. “What do you think of the china Beth Ann selected?”
“White china with black and gold rims,” Theodosia said. “Very upscale and classy.”
“What else do you need for our Breakfast at Tiffany’s Tea?” Beth Ann asked.
Theodosia put a hand to her head, thinking, then pushed back a hunk of auburn hair. “We need to put out our silver candelabras with white tapers, then drape them with strands of faux pearls. You’ll find a bag full in my office. The bouquets of white tea roses should go in crystal vases and I’ll arrange our Tiffany-blue swag bags at each place setting.”
“And inside those bags is…what?” Drayton asked.
“Some blue soaps and tiny samples of Tiffany Wild Iris Parfum,” Theodosia said.
“And then?” Drayton asked.
