Paper Daisies - #wattys2017

Eleanore

Eleanore lifted her hand to stifle the yawn that tried to escape her at the breakfast table that Monday morning. The St. Claire family had to be awoken at an absurdly early hour so as not to miss their train into London. It was only 8AM and the train didn't leave until 9, but they had to be dressed and packed as well as having breakfast. Eleanore couldn't see why they couldn't have just eaten on the train and slept a few minutes longer.

There was complete silence in the dining room save the clinking of cutlery and the sound of her father turning the page in his newspaper. The occasional log cracked in the flickering fireplace that was seated a short way away from where Eleanore sat nibbling away at a slice of jammy toast.

Eleanore was just dusting her fingers of toast crumbs when the Butler, Drew, entered the dining room, clearing his throat to gain her father's attention.

"The coaches are ready, my lord." He said.

"Thankyou, Drew." Father said removing his napkin from his lap and standing up. The rest of the table followed suit and soon the St. Claire family were climbing into the coaches. The family of six couldn't fit into one coach, so they split themselves three to a coach. A wagon followed behind, transporting luggage as well as Mama's Lady's maid and father's Valet.

Eleanore stared blankly out of the window as the coach bounced along the gravel road, heading into town. She sighed realising that she was going to have to put up with another four hours of nothing more to do other then stare out the train window at the passing countryside. One of her younger sisters, Penelope, chattered away happily about trivial things such as he embroidery club.

"Aren't you excited for your first season, Eleanore?" Penelope asked just as they pulled up at the train station.

"I suppose." Was all Eleanore said in reply. A footman then escorted her and her family to their first class train compartment after helping her out of the coach. Eleanore swiftly found a seat by the window. Much to her chagrin, Penelope took the seat opposite and looked eagerly and expectantly at Eleanore.

"I can't wait to get to London. Just think of all the new dresses we could get!" She said.

"Yes, how very exciting." Eleanore said, her tone dripping in sarcasm.

"I don't like that tone, Eleanore." Her mother reprieved as she took her own seat. "Is something the matter, perhaps?"

"I'm just tired, Maggie woke me exceptionally early this morning." Eleanore replied referring to the head housemaid.

"Very well then." Her mother dismissed the subject and promptly summoned a waiter from whom she ordered a steaming cup of tea.

"Would you like to play some cards, Ellie?" Penelope asked after about half an hour on the train, addressing Eleanore by a nickname she despised.

"If I must." She replied, her mother giving her a stern look.

"I think that's a fine idea, Penelope." Mama said coming to sit at the table two of her daughters sat at. "Catherine, would you like to join?" She asked turning to her youngest daughter.

Catherine nodded and came over the where the game was being held.

"You too George?" Mama asked her only son whom had been named after his father.

The boy got up from where he was reading a book and joined his sisters and mother.

"Might you ask father if he'll join as well?" Catherine asked of George, who was still standing. He went over and asked his father to join.

Soon the St. Claire family was seated to a game of cards. Penelope and Catherine ended up winning two hands each, with Mama winning one, George won three and neither father or Eleanore won any. Eleanore wasn't bothered by this result; she didn't even feel like playing. She would much rather be at home in the drawing room reading her novel. She was currently in the middle of Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility and was eager to discover the ending although she could easily predict it.

Thankfully the family soon tired of card games and resumed doing their own individual activities just as luncheon was served.

Eleanore silently nibbled away at her delicately arranged meal as she read her novel. Every now and then she would be on the receiving end of one of her mother's stern looks. It was not proper to read at the table, but they were in a private compartment and Eleanore didn't care.

About an hour after luncheon was cleared and everyone was considerably board, the train screeched to a halt at King's Cross Station. The St. Claire's were first to exit and were escorted to a waiting coach on the street. It took a while for the coach to navigate the busy London streets and deliver the St. Claire's to their town house in the heart of the cities West End. They were greeted at the door of the house with an army of umbrellas to fight off the heavy rain that had been falling during the coach ride.

With great relief the family climbed out of the coach and into their second home. Eleanore went straight for the staircase that led to the bedrooms.

"Have Olivia bring my things up as soon as possible please." She called to the room at large, referring to the head housemaid of the London house.

"Of course, my lady." Collins, the London butler said as he orchestrated everyone's arrival and sorted through whose belongings were whose.

Once Eleanore got up to her room she sat heavily on the edge of the bed with a great sigh of relief. She didn't mind her family but she did find it hard to be in their company for long expanses of time. She was eighteen now, she had no desire to participate in the trivial things her siblings enjoyed.

A light tap came from the door a few moments later.

"Come in." Eleanore called through the door. The housemaid, Olivia came in juggling Eleanore's packing cases and a few hatboxes. She set them down and began putting away various items.

"Was it a pleasant journey?" Olivia asked timidly.

"More or less." Eleanore sighed. "There were far to many card games."

Olivia laughed at that and continued to organise Eleanore's things in silence before she left to attend to the other St. Claire girls.

After a while the sun began to slip below the horizon and the dressing gong rang through the house. Eleanore had spent the time between the journey to London and dressing for dinner simply reading. She had made a brief appearance in the drawing room for some afternoon tea before returning to seclusion.

Once again, Olivia tapped on the door and Eleanore granted her entrance. She was swiftly and expertly dressed for dinner and her hair re-done and soon she descended the staircase to the drawing room where she and her family would gather for dinner.

"Dinner is served." Collins said after entering the room. The St. Claire's got up and went into the dinning room where two footmen were waiting with serving trays filled with small bite-sized entrées.

Eleanore took a few items from the trays and ate them while a babble of conversation filled the room as her family discussed matters of little importance.

To avoid retiring to the drawing room, Eleanore made the excuse of having a headache and retreated to her room. She rang for Olivia and the maid arrived to help Eleanore prepare for bed.

She slipped below the thick covers and promptly fell asleep thinking of the reparations that needed to be done for her coming out ball.