They went through a year's worth of back issues of Home Companion before Sophrona found the perfect recipe. Baking the fish in mushrooms and mussels would definitely heat up the kitchen, but it would free Esme to be the gentleman's lady at the dinner table.
Sophrona reached into the top of the cabinet and retrieved a large two-part serving plate.
"Lord, what is this?" Esme asked.
"It's a chafing dish," Sophrona explained. "You put boiling water in this outer part and it will keep your main course warm throughout dinner."
"You put this right on the table?" Esme asked doubtfully. "Save to graces, it looks like a chamber pot! I'm supposed to serve these folks food out of it?"
Sophrona couldn't hold back a delighted giggle. "It does look somewhat like that other vessel," she admitted. "But it is all the rage in the cities now. With only the rich being able to afford servants, a normal family must find a way to serve elegantly without the hostess popping up to play scullery maid every second."
Esme nodded at the reasoning but still couldn't quite get past her first impression of the chafing dish.
The two women sorted the linens, both exclaiming over the abundance and quality.
"This tablecloth is beautiful," Sophrona said, pulling the slightly worn white crochet out of one of the drawers.
Esme glanced at the cloth in her hand and blushed with shame. "My mother made that," Esme stated with deliberate quiet "I'm sure Mrs. Rhy has more lovely things to use."
Sophrona looked at her curiously. "But this is beautiful. And it's older and more sedate." Running her hand gently across the material, she added softly, "It was obviously made with love."
The young woman's smile was warm and winning. "That's what's truly important in a family. Love is the ultimate in quality."
"It was the nicest thing my mother owned," Esme said without emotion.
"And it's the nicest thing you will own, also," Sophrona said easily, running her hands along the fabric. "Because she made it"
Esme, too, tenderly caressed the work of her mother's hands. "It's too small for the table," she said, practically. Sophrona shook it out and agreed with a sigh. "What a shame," she said. "Well, perhaps you can save it for a special dinner for just Mr. Rhy and yourself," smiling as the young woman let her fancy take her away. "Maybe you should save it for the night you announce to him about your first child."
"Sophrona!" Esme exclaimed in a harsh whisper. "Ladies don't talk about such things."
"I thought you didn't know how ladies act," she said.
With menu, dishes, and linens chosen, Sophrona had agreed to make suggestions for the family wardrobe.
The twins were lovely in identical designs, one in pink, one in blue. Sophrona fairly gushed over them.
"No wonder you two turned my dear husband's head," she said. "I declare, no man would be safe with this much beauty around."
Adelaide and Agrippa, who had formerly declared their adamant dislike of "the red-haired cow-teated man stealer," discovered their resentment quick to melt in the warmth and sincerity of the new Mrs. Hightower.
Esme was still worried.
Sighing as she stared into the doors of her wardrobe, she turned to Sophrona with dismay.
"It don't seem to matter what I wear," Esme told her sorrowfully. "They's no way on God's earth that I'm going to ever look as pretty as you and the twins."
Sophrona waved away Esme's foolishness. "Obviously Mr. Rhy does not share your opinion," she said. "All women have blessings and curses. Why, this horrible red hair has been a veil of shame to me nearly all my life!" She leaned closer and confided to Esme in a whisper, "But my dear Armon says the sight of it just makes him 'pure weak in the knees.'"
Esme's startled expression set both women to giggling.
Discussion of marital secrets was something new for the both of them and quickly formed a strong friendship from what was formerly just a pleasant acquaintance.
"Tell me, what do you think your best features are?" Sophrona insisted finally.
"Well," Esme admitted, still smiling, "Cleavis is mighty fond of my legs, but I don't think he'd be wanting me to show 'em off to company."
With a trilling giggle, Sophrona agreed. "You probably shouldn't serve dinner skirtless," she said with mock civility. "But there is no reason why the right gown shouldn't be able to accent your hidden beauty."
