At noon both Elias and Sonya stayed at the manor for lunch. Aubree also made up an excuse and stayed.

At the dining table, she put on an attentive act. Not only did she take soup and food for the couple every so often, but she even helped Estella peel prawns that she didn’t eat much herself.

“Here, I remember that you love eating prawns, so I peeled them especially for you, Essie.”

Aubree slid the plate of prawns she had peeled to Estella.

Estella merely lifted her head and glanced at ...