Miriam moved slowly through the manor's main floor, one hand resting on her belly, the other trailing along the wall as if she needed support. Her performance was flawless. A perfect picture of a fragile, pregnant woman struggling to manage on her own.
In the kitchen, Cook was already awake, preparing breakfast. She looked up when Miriam entered, her expression carefully neutral.
"Good morning," Miriam said with a sweet smile. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Not at all, miss," Cook replied, though her tone was cooler than it had been with Lady Isabella. "Can I help you with something?"
"I was wondering about breakfast," Miriam said, settling herself into one of the chairs at the large kitchen table. "Lord Leofric will need something hearty this morning. He wasn't feeling well last night, poor thing. Perhaps some eggs, bacon, and fresh bread? And I'll need something light for myself, my stomach has been quite delicate lately."
