Page 23 of Break Me: Smith and Belle

Breakfast the next morning was a somber affair. Mrs. Winters seemed to be suffering from a headache and delivered plates to the table like she was doling out punishments. I said nothing as I took a seat, Penny in my arms. Belle had stayed up with her most of the night and was having a well deserved late start.

“Morning.” Georgia looked fresher than the rest of us as she came in through the back door. She had disappeared to the guesthouse almost as soon as we returned from the party. I still haven’t seen Edward or Jane. I wasn’t certain either had come last night.

“Sleep well?” I asked dryly.

She pulled out the chair next to me, it screeched on the stone floor and Penny stirred restlessly in my arms.

“Great. My housemate didn’t come home.” She cut a bit of sausage with the edge of her fork and shoveled into her mouth.

“Jane had her eye on a gentleman at the party,” I told her.

“I think she caught him.” Georgia continued to eat like everything was normal. I stole a glance at Mrs. Winters and caught her glaring at us. She turned around swiftly and busied herself putting a kettle on.

“Should I save a plate for the missus?” she called over her shoulder. “Or take up some tea?”

“She was up with the baby most of the night,” I said. “I think we should let her rest.”

Mrs. Winters turned off the hob and huffed out of the room towards the pantry.

“She’s in a good mood,” Georgia muttered.

“Belle said she reprimanded her last night. She seems to think it’s Belle’s fault that Nora ate those nuts.

“That is actually nuts,” Georgia said emphatically. “No pun intended. It’s not like she shoved them down her throat.”

“I said the same thing. But it seemed as though Mrs. Winters is holding a grudge.”

“I was thinking—” Georgia cut off as Nora entered the kitchen.

It was hard to believe that she’d needed medical help last night. She waltzed into the room, smiling from ear to ear and came straight over. “I can take the baby now.”

“You should have some breakfast,” I said. “After what you went through last night. You must be hungry.”

“You’re so sweet,” she said appreciatively. “I came down earlier and made myself some toast. I guess I was up before everyone else.”

That must be another reason that Mrs. Winters was unhappy. She prided herself on feeding everyone and didn’t appreciate it when someone beat her to the task. I passed Penny to Nora, who kissed her head affectionately.

“I missed you, Penny girl.” She carried the baby off in the direction of the nursery, and I tucked into my breakfast properly.

I had a mouthful of sausage when I remembered Georgia had been mid sentence when Nora walked in. I swallowed the bite hard, but before I could prompt her, Georgia put down her fork and gave me a serious look.

“Price, be careful there.”

“Nora?” I said, wanting to laugh. “I’m not remotely—”

“You’re not the one I’m worried about.”

I frowned. “What does that mean?”

“You’re so sweet,” she imitated Nora, batting her lashes for effect.

“She’s a kid.” I returned to my breakfast. The nanny was the least of our worries.

“My point exactly.” She heaved a uniquely feminine sigh of disapproval before getting back to business. “I think we should talk to Roman.”

“I thought you weren’t worried about him.”

“I’m not. He doesn’t strike me as someone to worry about, but he was here when the Thornes lived on the property. That means he knows better than anyone what might’ve been going on in this house before the disappearances.”