Chapter 21

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Lucy practically dropped her near-empty breakfast plate on the table, which caused both Nick and Charlotte to frown at her. Charlotte because, “You know very well that is not how one serves herself, Lucy,” and Nick because there was barely anything on her plate.

“Only toast? Are you not well this morning, Lu?”

That caused Charlotte to take note of her plate as well. “I thought you liked Scotch eggs,” she said, pointing to a covered platter. “And there is potted ham as well.”

“Shall I have Cook boil you an egg?” Nick asked, wondering if it was just her imagination, or if Lucy didseem a bit paler that usual this morning. Her plate was all the more a contrast, because the rounds of balls and dances left Nick and the older girls with enormous appetites in the mornings, and all three had taken some of each dish Cook had prepared.

Lucy merely shook her head in response to his question and nibbled half-heartedly on her toast.