Balfour arched an eyebrow âItâs so late, and you still havenât had breakfast?â
Ellinor was hungry, so she took a bite of her sandwich before responding. âYeah, I had a bit of a breakfast hiccup today, and now I finally managed to grab a bite. I assume youâve eaten by now, Mr Howard, so I wonât bother offering you someâ
Balfour didnât care whether or not the Blanchet family included him in their breakfast plans. He was not there for a meal âGiven your current state. Is having breakfast this late and eating just a sandwich enough for you?â
Ellinor shrugged it off. âTodayâs an exception, and III be having lunch soon.
Balfour checked his watch. âItâs about two hours before lunch. You plan to stay hungry till then?â
Ellinor waved her sandwich. âIâm not starving. Iâm eating!â
Balfour frowned, looking at the Blanchet familyâs butler, and spoke with a displeased tone. âIs this how you guys take care of her?â
Devin was a bit puzzled, not understanding why Balfour was upsel, but he explained politely anyway.
âMr. Howard, itâs not what you think. We have fresh ingredients delivered every day, and we prepare a hearty breakfast for her. Itâs just that she didnât make it in time for breakfast today. And todayâs lunch ingredients havenât arrived yet, so sheâs making do with what we haveâ, Balfour stared at the sandwich in Ellinorâs hand, his dissatisfaction evident. âSo, do you guys have four on hand?â
Devin replied. âYes, we have all those ingredients. Itâs just that we have fresh veggies and meat delivered daily. We donât keep stock.â
Balfour stood up, âBring out the flour Ill use it.â
Devin paused before he responded. âSure, Mr. Howard, just a moment.â
As she ate her sandwich, Ellinor watched Balfour, wondering if he was planning to cook there.
Balfour gracefully removed his suit jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and walked into the kitchen.
This left Devin completely baffled. Mr. Howard was suddenly cooking in their kitchen? What was going on?
As he thought, Devin had one of his staff call Mr. Blanchet to update him on the unusual situation.
While Balfour was busy in the kitchen, Ellinor leaned curiously on the kitchen door, watching him as she enjoyed her sandwich.
âMr. Howard, I never took you for a cook!â
Balfour was kneading dough. He was silent for a moment before he said, âIâm not great at it. Just when I was a kid, my little sister used to make me play cocking games with her. Thatâs how I learned to make a few things she liked.â
Ellinor paused, chewing her sandwich with a cold glint in her eyes. She chuckled, âSo, thanks to Ms.
Howard, I get to taste your cooking today!â
Balfourâs hands stilled on the dough. He turned to look at her, his eyes showing his complex emotions.
âAlright, the kitchenâs a bit smoky Why donât you wait outside? Iâll bring it to you when itâs doneâ
Ellinor shrugged, âFine, thanks!â
She went back to the dining room and sat down, deep in thought.
Was Balfour high? Or was he trying a different approach?
Was he still trying to help his sister Patricia win over a man, hoping sheâd hand Theo over to Patricia?
Interesting!