Devonshire Scream (25 page)

By the time
Theodosia had recovered her composure, Grainger had moved on with his tray of drinks.

“What's this all about?” Theodosia asked Haley. She had a feeling that Haley had somehow played a trick on them.

“I hardly recognized him without his motorcycle,” Drayton said.

But Haley was completely wide-eyed and innocent. “Why are you two acting so weird?” she asked. “This is what Billy does. He's a waiter. I thought you knew that. He works at Ellington's Char House over on Market Street.”

“That's all very well and good,” Theodosia said. “But what's he doing here?”

“It's no big secret,” Haley said. “Ellington's is catering this affair. Which means Billy's working here tonight. Which I think is kind of fun. And the reason I came.”

“You
knew
he'd be here?” Theodosia asked.

“Sure,” Haley said. “Besides, look at the upside. I get to hang out with him and we can have free drinks all night long.”

“They're already free,” Theodosia said.

“Well . . . then we'll get really good service,” Haley responded.

“Youth,” Drayton said. And this time he didn't bother to mumble.

•   •   •

“What can I
say?” Theodosia said to Drayton. “Is Haley really that much of a blithe spirit?”

“To answer your question, yes. That girl is totally without guile.”

“You didn't think she was trying to put one over on us?”

“I certainly don't know what her rationale would have been.”

“Hmm.”

“What hmm?” Drayton asked.

“My head's spinning and I've only had one sip of champagne,” Theodosia said. “Maybe we need to check out the canapés?” She was grateful Drayton had been so distracted by Rinicker, Haley, and Grainger. He seemed to have completely forgotten about hustling her out of sight.

“Some food might be in order, yes.” Drayton took Theodosia's arm and led her toward the buffet table. “It's over this way. Far from the maddening crowd and the bright lights of the television cameras.”

The canapés from Ellington's looked delicious. Silver chafing dishes overflowed with crab claws, cheese puffs, and grilled oysters. Crackers, a French farmhouse pâté, cheeses, and smoked fish were spread out on a silver tray.

“What is this delicious-looking cheese, please?” Drayton asked one of the caterers who was standing behind the table.

“That's artisanal blue from Wedgewood Farms up near Camden.”

“Excellent,” Drayton said.

The server smiled. “It really is, sir. I think you'll enjoy it.”

“It looks like someone besides me is an oyster lover,” a voice at Theodosia's elbow said.

She glanced up to find Agent Zimmer smiling at her. He looked so relaxed and dashing that she almost didn't recognize him. “Hello,” she said, caught off guard. “Fancy seeing you here. Are you flying solo tonight or did you drag your trusty sidekick along with you?”

“Hurley's around here somewhere. Probably grabbing a drink.”

“I didn't know agents were allowed to drink on duty,” Theodosia said.

Zimmer cocked his head. “Who says we're on duty?”

“Oh . . . okay.”
Hmm
, Theodosia thought to herself.
He is attractive in a kind of tight-jawed law-enforcement way.

“Excuse me,” Drayton said. He reached between the two of them and grabbed a cracker. “Nice tux,” he said to Zimmer.

“Thank you,” Zimmer said. “It's rented.”

“I thought it might be,” Drayton said. “Well, we'll see you around.” He gave Theodosia a look that clearly said,
Follow me
, and led her toward a cluster of high, round tables and stools.

Theodosia figured that the Heritage Society had hoped to make the area resemble a convivial wine bar, though it looked more like rented tables with a few potted plants scattered around.

“That was awkward,” Drayton said as they pushed through the crowd, balancing their plates and glasses.

“I think he was just trying to be nice,” Theodosia said.
And maybe
something more? Like ask me for a date?

“He's working,” Drayton said. “And maybe trying to work you over, too.”

“Maybe.” Theodosia eased herself onto one of the high stools, being mindful of her short dress. “Oh well, at least we haven't run into Professor Shepley.”

“I guess he really did decide to drive back to Savannah, like he told us,” Drayton said. “So he's out of the picture.”

“I hope so. Unless the professor decides to pop in as a surprise guest tonight, not unlike Billy Grainger.”

“Grainger's not technically a guest, because he's working.”

Theodosia rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

They nibbled and talked for a good ten minutes. All the while, Theodosia kept an eye on the crowd, watching for anyone who might look a little strange, a little like an interloper. Maybe somebody who was . . . from Eastern Europe?”

“Have you spotted any international party crashers yet?” Drayton asked.

“How did you know that's what I was doing?” Then, “Am I that obvious?”

Drayton picked delicately at a crab claw. “Yes. And in case you're wondering, my stomach is twisted up in knots, too. Ever since we ran into Agent Zimmer.”

“He must be worried,” Theodosia said. “Just as we are. I mean . . . I keep waiting for a gang of thieves to crash through one of the walls in a Hummer.”

“That's unlikely,” Drayton said. “Since the exterior walls are one-hundred-year-old granite.”

“Good heavens, look who's here,” a familiar voice cried out.

Theodosia gazed across the top of her champagne glass to find Sabrina Andros smiling at her, her grin so expansive it looked as if she'd just won the Powerball. Standing right behind her, looking trim in his tuxedo, was Luke Andros.

“I thought you two were on your way to South America,” Theodosia blurted out. What she was really thinking was,
Holy cats, now I have to worry about the two of you?

“Goodness,” Sabrina said, her smile faltering. “How did you happen to know our itinerary?”

“Um . . . Grace Dawson mentioned it to me,” Theodosia said. “I guess she ran into you at the spa yesterday?”

“Isn't she the unfiltered little chatterbox,” Sabrina said. “And, yes, Luke is making a run to meet with a potential customer. But he's planning to leave first thing tomorrow
morning.” She glanced around. “We certainly didn't want to miss
this
. It's the first big gala we've ever been to at the Heritage Society.” She giggled slightly. “It's thrilling to find so many old Charleston families in attendance.”

“I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves,” Drayton said.

“We weren't about to miss seeing the Fabergé egg, either,” Luke said. “You might say we're raving Fabergé fans. We once made a side trip during a visit to Saint Petersburg just to take in the Fabergé Museum.”

“It whet our appetite to come and see this one,” Sabrina said.

“We've always secretly lusted after Fabergé eggs,” Luke said.

“Who doesn't?” Theodosia said. Her throat was starting to feel dry and she was getting a strange sense of impending doom. Were these people jewel thieves? Had they robbed Heart's Desire and now had plans to abscond with the Fabergé egg? Or were they just clumsy social climbers?

“But, of course, a Fabergé egg is prohibitively expensive,” Luke added.

“Pity,” Sabrina said, her eyes glittering. She moved closer to Theodosia and said, rather coyly, “That flower pin you're wearing is extraordinarily gorgeous, too. I can't seem to take my eyes off it.”

“It certainly is a beauty,” Luke echoed.

“I have to ask,” Sabrina said. “Is it yours, something you inherited? Or did you borrow it from a jeweler just for this particular occasion? I mean, it looks like it's worth a bloody fortune.”

Theodosia didn't know what to say, so she said, “Thank you. And the pin doesn't belong to me. It's definitely on loan.” Her eyes sought out Drayton's. “In fact, Drayton was just saying that it's probably time to put it back in the safe downstairs. Weren't you, Drayton?”

“Indeed, yes,” Drayton said, picking up his cue nicely. “One can never be too careful. Even in a tony crowd like this.”

Luke Andros peered at Theodosia's ruby pin, moving in a little too close for comfort. “Look at those rubies and diamonds. I'd say it's classic Bulgari.”

“You rarely see workmanship of that caliber anymore,” Sabrina said. “Yes, I'd say it's worth a fortune.”

•   •   •

Theodosia watched Sabrina
and Luke slink through the crowd, shaking hands and shamelessly introducing themselves along the way. “Those two give me the creeps.”

“I hear you,” Drayton said. “There's something odd about them.”

“And you're right about this pin.”

“How's that?”

“I . . . I don't think I should wear it anymore.”

“Now you're listening to reason. You feel spooked, huh?”

“I didn't until Sabrina and Luke Andros showed up and started making such a big deal of it.” Theodosia fumbled with the clasp and gently unclipped the ruby and diamond pin from her dress. “Here,” she said, holding it out to Drayton. “You take it.”

Drayton's hands flew up in a defensive posture. “I don't want it.”

“We need to do something to keep it safe.”

Haley came wafting by their table at that exact moment.

“Haley,” Drayton said, crooking a finger at her. “Do me a favor, will you?”

“Sure,” she said. “Your wish is my command. What's up?”

“Have you seen Timothy since you've been here?”

“Um . . . sure,” Haley said. “Like ten seconds ago. He just finished doing a sound bite for that TV guy with the fake-bake tan.”

“Go ask Timothy for the key to his private office, will you?” Drayton asked. “Tell him it's for me. That I want to lock something away for safekeeping.”

“Okay,” Haley said.

Drayton got up from the table. “We'll meet you over by the door, right next to that display of Etruscan coins.”

Haley shot him a salute. “Be right back.”

“Thank you,” Theodosia said to Drayton as they strolled back toward the main door. “I think we'll both feel better when that pin is under lock and key. You were right, wearing it tonight was kind of reckless.”

“It does feel as though something's about to happen, doesn't it?”

The words had barely left Drayton's mouth when a thin, high cry pierced the air.

“What on earth?” Drayton said. His head spun around. “It sounded like a wounded animal.”

“But out in the hallway?” Theodosia said.

They both ducked through the doorway only to run smack-dab into Delaine. Her face was pink and puffy and streaked with tears; her shoulders heaved up and down with emotion.

“Delaine,” Theodosia cried. “Honey, what's wrong? What happened?”

“Re-re-naldo!” Delaine moaned. “He's so mean and hateful!”

Renaldo Gilles, Delaine's boyfriend du jour, was hovering a few feet away, looking decidedly awkward.

Theodosia advanced on Gilles. “What did you
do
to her?”

Gilles looked panic-stricken. “Nothing. She just suddenly broke into hysterics.”

“I can see she's upset. The question is why?”

Gilles spread his arms apart in the manner of a European shrug. “I
told
her I couldn't remain here indefinitely. I made it perfectly clear that I had to return to France, that my company would
fire
me if I didn't come back.”

Delaine fanned herself madly as she quavered, “You told me you were going to stay
longer
.”

“I did stay longer,” Gilles said. “Almost an extra two
weeks. But . . . ah, what's the use.” He waved his arms.
“Mon Dieu.”

Drayton glanced at Theodosia and said, in a low voice, “Lovers' quarrel.”

Theodosia nodded. It wasn't the first time she'd seen Delaine fall apart over a man. She was clearly in pain now, but she'd get over it. She always did.

But for now, Delaine was quite content to wallow in the throes of her self-induced pity party. “What am I going to do?” she asked, throwing herself into Theodosia's arms.

Theodosia hugged her gently for a few moments, then pried Delaine's fingernails off her shoulders, where she was sure they'd left some serious indentations. “You're going to wipe away those tears and go join the party,” she told her. “Take Gilles with you, don't take Gilles, whatever. Go talk to your friends or even another man if you feel like it. But don't let this silly little flirtation define you. You're better than this.”