A Most Agreeable Murder (Beatrice Steele, #1)

by Julia Seales

have been writing an important piece on the decline of bourdaloues,” Miss Bolton said. “No one ever speaks of it.”

CAROLINE’S MOIST SCONES Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cream of tartar 1 tablespoon baking powder ¼ cup cold butter, in chunks ½ cup milk 1 cup chocolate chunks INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix together flour, sugar, salt, cream of tartar, and baking powder. Work in the butter until crumbly and then add the milk, forming a moist paste. The moistness is, of course, key. Personally, my scones are so delicious that I do not even need any add-ins or toppings, but if you are merely average at baking, I recommend disguising poor workmanship with copious chocolate chunks. Add those now. Form dough evenly into balls. Dough will be sticky. If you are a terrible baker and it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If you are Beatrice Steele and it seems too dry, add 1 or 2 more tablespoons of milk. Place on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. Serve while playing a beautiful piece on the harp, so everyone can enjoy your many talents.