Now that she thought about it, it had been a while since she’d had luncheon or tea with another female her age.
Had her skills become dull in that area? Was she so used to the blunt speech of the men she worked with that she didn’t even know how to be ...normalanymore?
As her thoughts spun in circles, a grave revelation sunk in. Perhaps she was a spinster after all.
And a rude one at that.
FRIDAY, MAY13, 1904
After an awful night of tossing, turning, and reviewing her life, Eleanor was sure about one thing.
She had no idea who she was anymore.
She’d so poured her life into assisting Father with his work that his beliefs and opinions became hers. His conversations, her conversations.
It had been drilled into her that the work was paramount, so whatever they did, whatever idea they championed, it was more important than whatever anyone else was doing.
Now that she thought about it ... wasn’t that rather arrogant?
Her mother would roll over in her grave.
This wasn’t how she’d been raised. Mother was kindness, goodness, and love. It didn’t matter that she was wealthy, she shared with others. Listened to them.
Respected them.
Many times as a child, Eleanor had assisted her mother with various charities. Mother never treated anyone as someone of less import than she was.
Eleanor cringed. For some time now, she’d demanded attention because their work was important, and they were important people on an important mission. They were trying to preserve the beauty of America for generations to come! They were doing something of substance and meaning. Those facts had been the anchor of her work the last few years. Now ...
They rang hollow.
Perhapsthatwas the cause behind her melancholy.
That and the fact that she’d simply been going through the motions without thought to others. At all.
Well. That was going to change.
She headed to the dining room for breakfast, only to pause when she saw that Father and Mr. Grinnell were the only ones seated at the table. She’d been hoping for some creative discourse with the Judge and his wife.
“Good morning, Ellie.” Her father looked so relaxed as he lifted his coffee cup to his lips. “I hope you slept well.”
She’d stopped trying to correct him about using her old nickname. For whatever reason, it relaxed her.
Gracious. That ornery Carter Brunswick was right. Shewasstuffy. “Not the best, but I’m sure I’ll rest well tonight.” A footman held out a chair for her. “Where are the Ashburys?”
“The Judge had an early case to hear, and Mrs. Ashbury had a meeting. They said to enjoy ourselves and the cook would prepare anything we liked for breakfast. We’ve already ordered.” Father flipped a page in his newspaper.
Bother. This was putting a kink in her carefully-thought-out plan. She’d hoped to ask several questions over breakfast to help her figure out who she really was. Well, she would simply have to wait for lunch. Or dinner. “What are we doing today?” She took up her linen napkin and placed it on her lap.
“George and I are working on a paper to present to President Roosevelt.” Father never even looked at her over his paper.
“Will you need me?”
“No. Feel free to explore town or stay here and enjoy the day.” Another sip of coffee. Another flip of pages. “After Mr. Hill arrives, we will be discussing the railroad and the national park. I’ll want you to take notes at that meeting.”
“Of course. What time should I be ready?”
“He’s supposed to arrive today, but our meeting won’t be until tomorrow.” Mr. Grinnell answered the question and at least glanced at her. But then his attention was back on his own newspaper. “After we hear him speak to the town, we’ll set out on our expedition to see some of the southwest areas of the land I believe should be set aside for the national park. We’ll be gone for a couple of weeks.”
