Theodosia Browning and her tea sommelier, Drayton Conneley, are catering a Victorian Christmas party for Drucilla Heyward, one of the wealthiest women in town. Drucilla is so pleased with the party that she reveals her secret plan to Theodosia - she has brought the cream of Charleston society together to reveal that she is planning to give her wealth away to charitable organisations. However, before she can make the announcement, Theodosia finds her crumpled unconscious in the hallway. It looks like the excitement has gotten to the elderly woman - except that there s a syringe sticking out of her neck.