by Laura Childs
Theodosia nodded again. “I suppose it does.”
“Fascinating, yes?”
“Yes,” Theodosia agreed. She knew that everyone else found it just as fascinating, since all eyes seemed to be focused on the egg.
A moment later, Drayton turned his attention to her. “Wait a minute.” His eyes narrowed and he took a step back. “What, pray tell, do you have pinned to your dress?”
Theodosia’s hand fluttered to her ruby pin. “You mean this?”
“Yes. Of course I’m referring to the pin you’re wearing. The one with more diamonds and rubies than the crown jewels. It looks like it’s worth an absolute fortune. It looks almost like . . . well . . .” He glanced sideways at the egg. “It looks almost like a mate to the Fabergé egg! The jewelry equivalent, anyway, done in rubies and diamonds.”
Theodosia grabbed Drayton by the sleeve and pulled him out of the scrum of admirers. “It is expensive,” she told him. “Brooke loaned it to me.”
“How interesting.” Drayton was acting a little twitchy now. “I thought all her jewelry had been stolen in last Sunday’s heist.”
“She had this particular Bulgari piece stashed in her office safe. Probably because it is so rare and pricey.”
“Okay,” Drayton said, focusing a stern gaze on her. “Now tell me why you happen to be wearing it? Why you’re attempting to stick out like a sore thumb?” Before Theodosia could answer, he touched a hand to his forehead and said, “Oh no. Silly me. You’re wearing that piece on purpose, aren’t you? You’re parading around with it on your person, winking and blinking like a homing beacon, so you can catch the eye of any would-be jewel thieves.”
Theodosia pursed her lips. “I’m not parading around.”
Drayton’s eyes bored into her. “Yes, you really are.”
“Okay,” Theodosia said. “So the piece is going to get noticed. Is that such a bad thing?”
“It’s terrible,” Drayton said. “If those awful jewel thieves happen to show up here tonight, you could get smashed and grabbed yourself!”
“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Theodosia said. When Drayton continued to stare at her, she decided she’d better come clean. “Okay, maybe I did think my pin might possibly attract the attention of the jewel thieves. But if it does, isn’t that a good way to flush them out?”
“It’s not good at all,” Drayton said. He was almost beside himself. “In fact, it’s an insane plan. Which is why we’re going to get you out of here. Right now. This instant.”
Theodosia pulled away from him. “Drayton . . .” She wanted to at least give her plan a chance to work.
“And I can’t believe Brooke loaned it to you,” Drayton spat out. “What was she thinking?” He shook his head, baffled. “Well, she wasn’t thinking, that’s for sure. Good thing I’m the one with the clear head.”
“I’m not leaving this party, if that’s what you’re saying.” Theodosia was a little shocked. She’d never seen Drayton quite so insistent before.
“Then we’ll lock that thing up in Timothy’s office for the time being. Come on.”
Theodosia’s shoulders sagged. “Oh no . . . seriously?”
But just as Drayton tried to propel her away from the crowd, Lionel Rinicker loomed directly in front of them. Tall and gawky in his black tuxedo, he looked like an ominous scarecrow.
“Drayton!” Rinicker exclaimed. “Can you believe this marvelous turnout?” He smiled a lopsided grin at Theodosia and said, “Hello, Miss Browning, it’s lovely to see you again.”
“Hello, Mr. Rinicker,” Theodosia said. She was actually delighted to see Rinicker. One, because now she could keep a keen eye on him. And, two, because now Drayton couldn’t drag her off like a sack of potatoes to Timothy’s office.
“Lionel,” a woman’s voice purred. “I grabbed a glass of champagne for you.” Grace Dawson suddenly joined them, looking petite and elegant in a strapless black dress with fluffy black ostrich feathers around the hem. She had a glass of champagne clutched in each hand. “I’m not usually a two-fisted drinker,” she chuckled to Theodosia and Drayton.
Theodosia and Drayton greeted her warmly and then Theodosia said, “Have you seen the Fabergé egg yet?”
Grace handed one of the glasses to Rinicker and said, “Have we ever. I think we were among the first ones here tonight.”
“Impressive, isn’t it?” Drayton said. He was fidgeting, glancing at Theodosia, still trying to pull her away.
“I saw a blue Fabergé egg at a fancy auction in Miami once,” Grace said. “It came from one of the old Palm Beach estates. It was gorgeous, all blue enamel and gold fretwork. But it was nothing of this caliber. This is”—she seemed to search for just the right word—“this is a prize.”
“Coming through! Coming through!” called a loud voice. Theodosia, Drayton, Rinicker, and Grace all quickly stepped out of the way as two technicians from Channel 8, one carrying a video camera, and another juggling a large light and wearing a battery pack around his waist, pushed their way brusquely through the crowd.
“TV people have arrived,” Rinicker said.
“What?” Drayton jerked his head toward him.
“Oh, didn’t you know?” Rinicker asked. “Channel 8 is here to cover the show. They’re going to do some interviews and, I think, maybe even a live remote for their ten o’clock news.”
That was when Weston Keyes, the host of Charleston Today, suddenly appeared.
“’Scuse me, ’scuse me,” Keyes said, shouldering his way through the crowd. He was wearing a heavy veneer of pancake makeup and an expensive-looking tuxedo.
“Mmn,” Grace purred. “He’s wearing a Brioni.”
“That’s expensive?” Rinicker asked as Keyes hustled past them, looking both officious and a little harried.
“Gracious, yes,” Grace said.
Theodosia saw the boom light poke up high above the crowd and then bob dangerously close to the glass case where the Fabergé egg resided. Then it was pulled back just in the nick of time. One disaster averted, anyway.
“I think they’re going to interview Timothy Neville,” Rinicker said. He smiled at Grace. “Come on, let’s go watch. It might be fun.”
But Theodosia and Drayton hung back.
“Did you know about this?” Theodosia asked Drayton. “About the TV people coming in?”
Drayton shook his head. “I had no idea. In fact, I rather despise the idea of a media circus.”
“But it’s probably good publicity,” Theodosia told him. “The show opens on Sunday to the general public, right?”
“I suppose.”
“Well, there you go.” She also figured that the all-seeing eye of a television camera, poised to capture any sudden moves, might serve as a serious deterrent to anyone who had plans to grab the egg.
Drayton nudged Theodosia. “There’s Haley.” He lifted an arm and waved. “Haley, over here.”
Haley, looking radiant and youthful in her borrowed blue dress, scooted over to join them. “Hey, guys,” she bubbled. “What’s up?” She’d swept her long blond hair into a topknot and, with high color in her cheeks, looked every inch the ingenue.
“Channel 8 just showed up to film the Fabergé egg,” Theodosia said.
Haley brightened. “Really? There’s TV here? Cool.”
“Youth,” Drayton mumbled.
“What’s that, Drayton?” Haley asked.
Drayton shrugged. “Nothing. Just making idle chatter.”
“Hey,” Haley said to Theodosia. “Great dress. And I love that sparkly pin you’re wearing.”
“Thank you.” Theodosia grabbed one of Haley’s hands. “And I’m so glad you came with us tonight.”
Haley grinned. “Well, I didn’t exactly come with you.”
“You know what I mean. It gave Drayton a good excuse to cash in s
ome of his currency as a board member. To add your name to the list with all the Gold Circle patrons.”
“Gotcha,” Haley said. She glanced around, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I would so love a drink.”
“Let me . . .” Drayton said. He waved a hand at one of the waiters, who saw him, nodded, and started their way. “Here we go. This young man has a fresh tray of drinks for us . . .”
“Wonderful,” Theodosia said as the waiter slid to a graceful stop in front of her. He was tall with warm brown eyes and long hair that was pulled neatly into a low ponytail. She grabbed a flute of champagne from the tray and smiled her thanks at the young waiter. Then her smile faltered and she said, “Wait a minute . . . Don’t I know you?” His face swam into focus a little more clearly and she stammered, “Aren’t you . . . ?”
“Billy Grainger,” Haley said.
Theodosia literally felt her jaw drop. “You’re . . . one of the waiters here tonight?” Her words came out in a sharp rasp.
Grainger put one hand behind his back and nodded smartly. “At your service, ma’am.”
27
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 Charlest
on 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.”
