The Bed You Make
Chapter 41, concluded
Stefan watched with some curiosity as his cousin Philip continued to dart glances his way before whispering something to Dara. He was not concerned that Philip's conversation would undermine his efforts to glean from Dara far more information than he imparted. Philip was, above everything else, a faithful cousin. He never hesitated when Stefan requested his assistance securing Nikolas' place in the family. Stefan did not believe that had changed.
Deliberately he moved across the kitchen to watch Philip's staff in action. They were mostly middle-aged men who no longer had the desire or energy to run a kitchen on their own. They were content – at this stage of their careers – to consider comfortable salaries more rewarding than accolades and fame. To a man they moved with careful deliberation. There were no unnecessary gestures, just an economy of movement as each man sliced, diced, stirred and plated.
"Mr. Cassadine?" The restaurant's saucier stared at Stefan expectantly. In his hands he held a small white saucer containing a slice of dense black bread surrounded by a creamy brown sauce. "If you would be so kind as to taste the sauce we have prepared for you tonight…"
Stefan nodded. He broke off a bit of the bread and dipped it in the warm sauce. "Excellent," Stefan complimented the saucier. "The wine is from our vineyard in Novorossiysk?"
"But of course," the saucier replied. Nearly all the wines used as bases for their sauces bore the Cassadine label. Chef Philip insisted on it. "What of the new Mistress?" the man asked hesitantly. "Is her palate as yours?"
Stefan shook his head. "My wife is a bit more daring in her tastes. Perhaps not as much as Prince Nikolas, but still…"
The saucier nodded gratefully. Chef Philip had made it clear, when he'd announced their guests for the evening, that anything less than perfection for his cousin and new bride would be considered a deliberate affront to the Chef. In Xanthe's kitchen, such a thing was an unforgivable - and job-terminating – event.
"Philip and I have completed our conversation." Dara's arrival ended Stefan's discussion with the saucier. The man nodded respectfully at the newest Cassadine bride and backed away. "He's been very… illuminating."
"Indeed?" Stefan looked at his cousin.
Dara nodded. "Yes. He will undoubtedly tell you all the details while I am gone to the ladies room. Will five minutes be enough?" Her question was directed at Philip, who was hard-pressed not to smile.
"That should be sufficient."
"Good." Dara took several steps toward the restroom. "Oh, Philip?" she turned and gave the two men a pointed look. "I am counting on you to be a good cousin. Make sure that when I return, my husband doesn't have another grieving widow in his lap."
