by Bettie Jane
Lucy regretted her words the moment she’d said them. Her friend had been through enough and now this, discovering her husband was a German spy. Lizbet was shaking her head, her eyes becoming clearer by the moment. Eventually, she stood and looked directly at Sister Therese.
“Thank you for stopping him.” Then she walked out of the teahouse and Janey ran out after her.
Nobody spoke for a few moments. All that remained in the room were Detective Brighton, Sister Therese, Mr. Pennington, and his associate.
Mr. Pennington spoke to his associate. “Follow them, please. Be sure they speak to nobody about any of this.” The associate stood up and followed them out.
“They can be trusted. They are true patriots. You don’t need to follow them.”
“Just a precaution. It’s only temporary. It’s really more for their safety. It’s possible there are other German agents he was working with and if they are following these events closely, Lizbet could be in danger. It’s not likely, but we’ll spend a fair amount of time making sure Kingsbridge is for everyone, including the children of England.”
“I see,” Lucy said. “Now what?”
She looked at Detective Brighton who shrugged and looked at Pennington.
Pennington smiled and said, “Nothing happens. You all go about your business and your daily lives. Pretend like you don’t know that the Germans have at least in part infiltrated our cities. Also, you can rest assured that the children are safe here. Detective, I’ll work with you to create a believable scenario for your community and your superiors.”
Lucy sat in stunned silence while she watched Detective Brighton and Mr. Pennington file out of her teahouse and down the sidewalk.
Sister Therese cleared her throat and brought Lucy back from the state of disbelief she was in.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Sister Therese. I suppose that’s not your real name?”
“It’s not.”
She didn’t volunteer her name and Lucy didn’t ask.
“Thank you for stopping him,” Lucy repeated Lizbet’s statement from moments before. There didn’t seem to be much else to say and yet so much to say all at once.
“Thank you for caring for the children and the people of Kingsbridge. You are the true patriot, Miss Brooks.”
“Call me Lucy, Sister Therese.”
“Lucy, then.”
“I suppose we really are going to war, then?”
“Oh, my dear, we’ve always been at war. It might be just a bit more obvious for a bit. What do you say we have a bit of tea before we both catch up on our sleep.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. Oh, the children. Sister Therese, I’m afraid the children Maryam and Ruthbert are quite afraid of you, thinking that you were responsible for the murder of Mr. Harrison or at the very least connected to it.”
“Ah, yes. I thought they may have gotten an eyeful yesterday, the poor dears. What do you suggest?”
“I suggest I call them down here with Mr. Winnington and we tell them that you are a perfectly lovely person who only tried to stop a very bad thing from happening and that Kingsbridge is a safer place for them that you are here with us. Whatever that doesn’t convince them of, I’ll fill their bellies with the rest of the cake bites. I’m nearly out. I need to decide what to make next.”
“Perhaps something sweet? To wash the bitterness of war from our mouths?”
The End
Lavender-Lemon-Thyme Cake Bites with Lavender-Lemon Glaze
Ingredient List:
For Cake Bites:
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon lavender syrup
For Glaze:
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon lavender syrup
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Preparation:
Gather ingredients
Preheat oven to 325F/162.7C
Grease the pan (8x8 or 9x9 glass) with butter and flour
Prepare the Lavender Lemon Thyme Cake Bites
1. Combine flour, thyme, and salt in small bowl
2. In a separate bowl, beat butter (1 stick) and powdered sugar at high speed until light and fluffy, beat in lemon juice, lavender syrup, and vanilla, then at a lower speed, beat in flour mixture from step 1.
3. Add dough to the pan, using damp fingers
4. Bake for thirty minutes
5. Cool for thirty minutes
Prepare the Lavender Lemon Glaze
1. Whisk lemon juice, lavender syrup, and powdered sugar until smooth.
2. Cover cooled crust with the glaze.
3. Glaze should harden for an hour at room temperature.
4. Adorn with bits of chopped thyme
4. Cut into bite size squares and serve.
Pair with Indian Black Tea served hot with heavy cream and honey
About the Author
Bettie Jane writes historical cozy mysteries. As Auburn Seal she writes paranormal romance and historical adventure.
Also by Bettie Jane
The Hettie and Ro Adventures
Philanderer Gone
Adventurer Gone
Piccadilly Ladies Club Mysteries
Hyde Park Heist
Suffragette Sabotage
Fleet Street Felony
Marble Arch Murder
Covent Garden Caper
Tower Bridge Trespass
Double-Decker Murder
Blackmail at Brunel
Murder at the Masquerade
Hijinks at Highgate Cemetery
Death at the Dog and Duck
Short Stories
New Year’s Madness
Valentine’s Madness
Candlelit Madness
Holiday Madness
Also by Auburn Seal
Historical Paranormal
Roanoke Vanishing
Maya Vanishing
Paranormal Romance
The Immortals: A Vampire Fairytale
Goodbye Love: A Kendawyn Paranormal Regency
Short Psychological Thriller
The Scent of Death
The Strong One
Paranormal Cozy Mystery w/ Amanda A. Allen
Inept Witches Mysteries
