“Yes, ma’am.” She bobbed her head at me before rising slowly, wobbling a little on her feet.
“Are you feeling well?” I asked in concern as she swayed on her feet.
“I’m just fine,” she snapped. “I’ll be going down to bed unless you need me.”
I shook my head. Mrs. Winters disappeared down the narrow servant’s staircase toward her quarters on the ground floor.. I waited until she was gone and walked over to the table. Picking up the mug she was drinking from, I sniffed it and immediately gasped as the sting of whiskey hit my nostrils. No wonder she’d been shaky on her feet. It wasn’t my place to judge a grown woman’s drinking choices, especially on New Year’s Eve, but I couldn’t help wondering if Mrs. Winters was a mean drunk, given how rudely she’d just spoken to me.
I carried the cup to the sink and rinsed it out, leaving it on the counter. Tonight had been too much for all of us. We had all been through a lot lately. But it was a new year, and I was determined that in the morning we would turn over a new leaf accordingly. I opened the rubbish bin to dump my tea leaves and saw the crumpled remains of the fruitcake there. No doubt it was the one that had caused Nora’s allergic reaction.
Making my way upstairs, I paused at her room and knocked softly before peeking in. “I just wanted to check on you. I hope you weren’t sleeping.”
“I think I’m a bit too shaken up to sleep,” she admitted, biting her lip. “I’m sorry to ruin your night.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” I said firmly. “I should have known about your allergy.”
“I thought you did,” she said with some hesitation. “It was on my application, and I brought it up to you personally.”
“Honestly, I’ve had baby brain for a while.” It was the nicest way to say that I hadn’t had my shit together of late.
“I’m not upset with you,” she said quickly. “I didn’t mean to suggest that.”
“I barely remember anything before Penny was born. Everything was happening all at once.”
“Oh no, Belle, it was after I came to help you with Penny.” She cocked her head at my puzzled face. “You don’t remember? You said you would tell Mrs. Winters. It’s why I didn’t worry about the fruitcake. Normally, I avoid them.”
“It must’ve slipped my mind.” It was a lie. I had no recollection of her mentioning it, but those had been sleep deprived days. “Is there anything I can get you?”
“I’m fine. I promise I’ll be back up to help you with the baby in the morning. I’m supposed to rest for now.”
“Take all the time you need. Smith and I are taking turns with Penny.
“I just don’t want you to think I’m not available,” she said meaningfully.
I forced a smile, I didn’t need another reminder that she’d taken over the task of being Penny’s primary caregiver. “We’ll be fine. I’m glad that you’re okay. Good night.”
She settled against her pillow and smiled. “Good night.”
I closed the door behind me and started toward the nursery. I paused as I reached Smith’s study. I wanted to see Nora’s application for myself. This shouldn’t have happened.. I went to his desk, prepared to rifle through his drawers to look for the employee files but found a stack of them on top of his desk instead. I sorted through them, looking for Nora’s but hers was the only one not on the desk. Naturally.
I opened his file drawer and thumbed through the hanging folders. There was paperwork regarding Thornham. The lease to his offices that he’d completely ignored since Penny’s arrival. Information pertinent to my own business. Our will. But Nora’s file was nowhere to be found. I looked through the stack on his desk again. All I had wanted was to see it there in black and white, and prove to myself that was an innocent oversight. But as I returned the files to the stack, I couldn’t help wondering where Nora’s information was—and who had it.
11
Smith
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.”