Eleanor E. Widener
When Rosenbach shared the letter with Ada, her mind began racing. Would it be possible that she and Mrs. Widener could develop a friendship as they worked together to complete Harry’s library? Would an opportunity arise where she could finally unburden her secret—that she was carrying Harry’s child?
She realized all of these questions were wishful thinking on her part, but Ada couldn’t help but cling to such hopes when the reality of being an unwed mother was filled with so much heartache, shame, and despair.
When Tuesday arrived, she dressed modestly for her meeting with Mrs. Widener. Ada buttoned the wrapper inside her dress—an inner bodice that concealed her slightly thickened middle—and then tied the sash around the outside material. She gazed at herself in profile in the mirror. No one yet, including Rosenbach and her landlady, had suspected what she was hiding.
It was the first week in July. The heat and humidity had already arrived in Philadelphia, and on their way to Lynnewood Hall, Ada hated the sensation of perspiration beading between her clothing and her skin.
When they entered Lynnewood Hall, the vaulted ceiling and marble walls offered a cooling relief.
“Mrs. Widener is expecting you in the tea room,” a butler announced, greeting them. They were ushered up the grand staircase.
As the door opened, they found Eleanor sitting in a white paneled room with gilt trim.
A Tiffany skylight composed in a palette of iridescent blues and lilacs hovered above, bathing the cream interior in a gauzy softness. A collection of Chinese porcelains decorated the shelves. On the silk sky-blue settee, her dark dress spread out before her, Eleanor Widener looked like a black swan in mourning.
“Thank you both for coming this afternoon,” she said. “Typically, I’d offer you some tea,” she said, “but today perhaps some cold drinks are in order.”
“Would you please prepare some cold drinks for our guests?” she asked the butler before he quietly exited the room.
“I’m sorry for having you come out here on such a hot day,” she apologized. “I’ve had to have the gardener give the flowers extra water today,” she said. “I was afraid my roses were going to wilt in the sun.”
“It is always a pleasure to see you,” Rosenbach replied. “And I’ve never been in this room before. It’s beautiful,” he said, looking up at the stained-glass skylight.
“Yes. This room always brightens my spirits and it stays surprisingly cool.”
She waved for them to both sit down, then reached for a piece of paper from the side table. Ada noticed how different, how much more vibrant and decisive Eleanor was now acting compared to just a few weeks earlier.
“I was pleased to receive the list you sent over earlier. I’ve had a chance to go over everything, and I would like to see if it’s possible to buy these.” She handed the sheet of paper toRosenbach. “I’ve annotated the ones that I’d hoped we could purchase first.”
Rosenbach slid the folded paper into his breast pocket.
“I remain so appreciative that you were also able to take care of all of Harry’s outstanding bids that he made before he left. It brings me joy to know we got everything he wanted.”
She now turned her attention to Ada. “And Miss Lippoldt, I’ve also had a chance to go over the books that Harry mentioned to Mr. Quaritch. There are two that I’d like to try to acquire if we can still. The George CruikshankJubilee of 1809that’s autographed and the first edition of William Blake’sSongs of Innocence.”
“I think those are excellent choices,” Ada answered. She felt her spirit lift after Eleanor spoke directly to her. “I recall that Mr. Widener was especially excited about those two in particular.”
“I keep thinking about the bejeweled book that you mentioned the last time you were here… the one you were the chaperone for.”
“Yes, it was quite an investment piece,” Ada added. “I tried to find someone to retrieve it from the safe for me just after the boat struck the iceberg, but as you are all too aware, the crew had more pressing matters to attend to.”
“Indeed,” Eleanor said gravely. She eyed Ada again.
“My son mentioned wanting to introduce my husband and me to a friend he had on board the ship. He shared that the person was a fellow book enthusiast.”
The butler arrived with a tray containing a pitcher of chilled lemonade. She handed each of them a glass and then departed from the room. Eleanor put hers down on the table.
“I always assumed that this friend was a gentleman involved in the book world. But it’s since occurred to me that perhaps, Miss Lippoldt, it was actually you he was referring to.”
Ada stiffened.
She felt not only Eleanor’s eyes upon her, but Rosenbach’s as well. She tried to steady herself by taking a sip of her lemonade.
“It is very possible Harry had also met another person on board who was a friend and also a book collector. The passenger list on theTitanichad so many accomplished and erudite people,” she stated calmly.
“But had he invited you to ever have dinner with us? That is what I’m wondering…”
