Shades of Earl Grey Read Online Free

on display. But the velvet box sat empty. There was no ring to be seen.

CHAPTER 2
    FROM A SCENE that seemed to unfold in slow motion, activity suddenly accelerated with warp speed. Police and paramedics arrived to load Captain Corey Buchanan onto a gurney and hustle him out to a waiting ambulance. A sobbing Camille Cantroux was aided to her feet by Theodosia and Drayton. Then Delaine, shell-shocked and shaking, led her away, presumably to follow the ambulance to the hospital.
    The rest of the party goers pressed through the double doors into the Garden Room. They crunched across glass, gaping at the enormous hole in the ceiling and talking in hushed tones about the horrible turn of events.
    At one point Theodosia was aware of Cooper Hobcaw arguing with Frederick Welborne, the manager of the Lady Goodwood Inn. Hobcaw’s once-elegant suit was now dripping wet. He had apparently run out into the street to flag down the ambulance and guide the paramedics to the nearest entry.
    As he loudly harangued poor Frederick Welborne, the man looked as though he might suffer a heart attack on the spot.
    Cooper Hobcaw’s slipped into his role as lawyer, Theodosia thought to herself. Probably talking about liability and personal injury suits. She decided she wouldn’t want to be in Frederick Welborne’s shoes tonight. No way, no how.
    â€œI can’t believe this,” wailed Haley. She was pale and shivering. “Do you think Captain Buchanan will be okay?”
    Theodosia pulled Haley aside and out of the way of the gawkers. “It doesn’t look good,” she told her in a quiet voice.
    Haley bobbed her head rapidly, obviously experiencing more than a little stress. “That’s what I was afraid of. Oh, that poor, poor man, did you see the glass sticking out of . . . ?”
    Drayton put a hand on Haley’s shoulder. “ Shhh . . . it’s okay. Try to calm down.”
    Haley stared at him with sadness in her eyes. “But it isn’t okay,” she whispered. “Theo thinks he might be dead! ”
    â€œWe’ll phone the hospital later and see what news there is,” said Drayton. He kept his voice calm and soothing, and his reassuring tone seemed to work on Haley, seemed to calm her down considerably. “Delaine and Camille went on to the hospital,” he added, “so we’ll be able to speak with them later and see what’s going on.”
    â€œWe need everyone to exit this room, please!” rang out a loud, authoritarian voice. Cooper Hobcaw stood in the doorway, gazing imperiously at the crowd. When he seemed to command everyone’s attention, he clapped his hands together loudly. “Please, we need you-all to leave . . . immediately!”
    The crowd seemed to hesitate for a moment, torn between their fascination with the terrible accident that had just occurred and doing what they knew was the proper thing. Then, slowly, people began to depart the room.
    Cooper Hobcaw watched as the crowd trickled past him, then strode over to the head table where Theodosia, Drayton, and Haley were still gathered.
    What once had been festive and romantic now seemed macabre. The head table had been set with enormous bouquets of white roses and elegant sterling silver candlesticks. Now, one bouquet was knocked over, another completely flattened by a pane of falling glass. Candles had been knocked out of their holders, dishes lay spoiled and broken. Only the large silver teapot and matching cream and saucer pieces seemed to remain unscathed. Set on a matching oval tray, the tea set lent the only hint of normalcy to the entire table.
    â€œMiss Browning, may I have a moment?” Cooper Hobcaw asked. “I . . . I need your help.”
    Theodosia turned to Cooper Hobcaw, concern on her face. “Of course,” she said.
    â€œThis may seem a strange thing . . .” Cooper Hobcaw hesitated. “. . . but Delaine is terribly concerned about the wedding ring.