Belle was in her element now. “It’s a green tea. Green tea is harvested and prepared in a very special way. The leaves are plucked and then fired in a pan to make them soft. Next the leaves are rolled over heat. The farmers use their fingers, palms, and forearms to roll the tea. The process is quite intensive, I must say.”
“It does sound so.”
“Lastly, the tea is fired, blended, and ready to be consumed—or in our case, shipped.”
“Fascinating. I usually drink—”
Belle held up a hand. It was probably rude to do this to a baroness, but she was curious to know if she had guessed the woman’s preferences. “You prefer Irish Breakfast in the morning.”
Lady Keating’s eyes widened. “How do you know that?”
Belle felt her cheeks heat with pleasure and a little awkwardness. “It’s a guess.”
“A very good one. Do you know what I drink in the afternoon and evening?”
Belle tapped her forehead. “In the afternoon, I imagine it’s an Earl Grey Cream. I think you like the vanilla.”
Lady Keating’s mouth dropped open.
“In the evening, you would drink a white tea.” White tea was composed of only the tips of the leaves. This made it expensive and considered a delicacy, so naturally only members of the upper class consumed it with any regularity. “A Mutan White?”
“Sometimes.”
She was close. She studied Lady Keating. “You want something slightly sweet,” she said slowly. “A Yin Chen,” she decided, smiling with victory.
“You are amazing,” Lady Keating said.
“It’s my profession.” She shrugged.
“You are very good at it. Will I like the Curled Dragon Silver Tips?”
Belle peered at the tea and decided it had steeped long enough. “Shall we try it?”
She lifted the delicate china cups from the tray, silently admiring the craftsmanship. This was the sort of vessel meant for the Pan Long Yin Hao.
She handed one cup to Lady Keating and took the other, taking time to let the aroma of the tea bathe her senses before she tasted it. Lady Keating merely gave the tea time to cool then took a small sip. “Hmm,” she said. “It’s very smooth.”
“Do you like the flavor? It’s not for everyone.”
“It’s not what I am used to, but it’s very good. I feel quite special, knowing I am drinking the same tea as the Chinese Emperor.” She took another sip. “You sell this in your shop?”
“This blend? No. I had been saving it in my safe for the right customer. I’m afraid I may drink it all before I ever sell it.”
“I’m sure that’s a hazard of your work.” She set down her teacup, and Belle knew the pleasantries were at an end. “I imagine having your shop attacked and a wounded man to care for is a hazard to which you are not accustomed. How is it Mr. Arundel came to be in your care?”
Belle told Lady Keating the events of the past twenty-four hours. The baroness did not interrupt, just nodded encouragement. Finally, she sat back in her chair. “I’m surprised he told you about his work for the Royal Saboteurs.”
“He did not tell me very much. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned them to you. I assumed you knew of them, which was why he wrote to you.”
“That is an astute assumption. I am quite familiar with the Royal Saboteurs. My husband is their leader.”
Belle set down her empty teacup. “Then Mr. Arundel is exactly where he needs to be. Your husband can take custody of him. When you said you were leaving, I worried I would have to stay here with Arundel.”
“No one can make you stay,” Lady Keating said, “but you were not mistaken.”
“I don’t understand. If your husband—”
“My husband is not in London. He’s at the Saboteurs’ training camp. He’s been training new agents and won’t be returning to London for several more months.”
