Chapter Four
Joy ventured into the kitchen, hoping that Margaret Andrews, the cook, wouldn’t mind her sticking her nose in.
“Margaret,” she began, “I can’t quit thinking about your Beef Wellington. You’re going to have to teach me to cook it myself!”
Margaret turned to her. “Is that so? I’ll always be here to cook it for you. Unless you’re planning to get rid of me.”
Joy leaned closer. “But seriously, how do you get that crust so golden? And the filling. I could eat it for every meal!”
Margaret snorted, though the corners of her lips twitched upwards. “Child, you know you’re not supposed to be in my kitchen, but I’ll show you. Just don’t tell Mr. Worthington I let you help cook. I’d never hear the end of it.”
As Margaret explained how she made her beef wellington, Joy listened with rapt attention. “See, you want to brush the dough with egg wash, but not too liberally—you don’t want a soggy bottom,” Margaret explained, demonstrating.
“Nobody likes a soggy bottom,” Joy agreed solemnly, then burst into giggles along with Margaret. She felt a great deal more at home in the kitchen with Margaret than she did in the parlor. Better yet was outside in the garden. After a week of marriage, Joy had learned that as long as she was on time and dressed for whatever event Thomas had in mind, he didn’t mind her being barefoot and in her old clothes too terribly much.
*****
In his office, Thomas awaited Jonathan Pierce’s arrival. Thomas hoped his client would see in Joy the same spark that had ignited something in him.
“Thomas!” Jonathan called out as he entered, extending a hand. “Who is this enchanting creature you’ve promised to introduce me to?”
“Mr. Pierce, meet my wife, Joy,” Thomas said, leading Jonathan back to the parlor where Joy waited, her face still flushed from her time in the heat of the kitchen.
“Enchanted, Mrs. Worthington,” Jonathan greeted, bowing slightly with a flourish. “Thomas has told me you possess a…unique zest for life.”
“Unique, hmm?” Joy mused. “Well, I suppose that’s one way to put it. I prefer free-spirited, but I’ll take what I can get.”
Jonathan chuckled. “Free-spirited, are you? Yes, I can see why Thomas is taken with you. You’re a breath of fresh air in this stuffy city.”
“Stuffy? Oh, Mr. Pierce, you haven’t seen stuffy until you’ve tried wearing a corset,” Joy quipped, earning a hearty laugh from both men. Of course, she knew better than talking about undergarments in front of men, but she simply couldn’t curb her tongue at times.
“I shall take your word for it,” Jonathan replied, still chuckling. “And may I say, I am very happy Thomas found you. Anyone who can bring lightness to his life is a treasure indeed.”
“Treasure, you say? Well, I did uncover the secret behind Margaret’s beef Wellington today. Does that count?” Joy winked at Thomas, who despite himself, couldn’t help but smile.
“Most certainly,” Jonathan agreed. “Perhaps one day, you’ll grace us with a taste of this legendary dish.”
“Consider it done,” Joy declared. “At our next gathering, it will be Wellingtons all around!” Thankfully, she knew Margaret would be in the kitchen to help.
“Then I look forward to it with great relish,” Jonathan said. “And, Thomas, You’re right. She’s delightful.”
As Thomas watched Jonathan head for the door, he knew that he had truly chosen a good wife. She may not be as familiar with society as he’d like, but she was enthusiastic enough to cover most foibles.
*****
“Shoes were not made for this,” Thomas muttered, eyeing the uneven dirt path. He looked out of place in his surroundings.
Joy’s laughter trilled through the air, clear and bright as the brook they ambled beside. “Nonsense,” she chided gently, plucking a leaf from a low-hanging branch and twirling it between her fingers. “Your shoes are merely being introduced to their natural habitat.”
“City streets are their natural habitat,” he retorted, but there was a twinkle in his eye that softened the complaint.
“Look, Thomas,” she said, pointing toward a cluster of wildflowers with her free hand. “The lady’s slipper orchids—they’re so beautiful!”
He peered at the blooms, their rich pink petals curving gracefully. “I suppose there is a certain charm to them,” he conceded.
“Nature is the grandest of teachers,” Joy mused, pausing to let a butterfly settle on her extended finger. “It asks for nothing yet offers everything. Tranquility, sustenance, beauty.
“Speaking of sustenance,” Joy continued, leading him toward a clearing that opened up to reveal a rolling meadow bathed in sunlight. “I’ve prepared a surprise.” She unfurled a checkered blanket onto the ground and began unpacking a wicker basket.
