Paper Daisies - #wattys2017

Eleanore

It was a grey morning. The colour of the sky matched Eleanore's mood. She had fallen asleep quickly enough but she awoke far to early for her liking, especially after having to rise early to catch the train the day before.

Breakfast was a reasonable quiet affair until Penelope came into the dining room, beaming more then a lighthouse.

"Isn't this exciting." She said as she took her seat across from Eleanore. "Mama said that we're going to go shopping along the high streets today."

"Oh, yes, how exciting." Catherine chipped in, taking a sip of her steaming cup of tea.

"I trust I won't be going." George said, taking in a mouthful of scrambled eggs. Out of all of her siblings, Eleanore found George the most bare able. He didn't seem to care much about the family antics that went on, so Eleanore enjoyed his company when forced to join in on activities.

"Of course not, George, shopping is a women's thing." Catherine said. "It will just be Mama, Eleanore, Penelope and I."

Eleanore inwardly groaned at having her name appear on the list of shoppers. She didn't mind the activity itself, it's just that her sisters and mother made such a fuss over every little thing when Eleanore wanted the experience to be as short as possible.

"When is this going to take place?" She asked.

"After luncheon." Penelope said, cutting off a sliver of sausage and popping it delicately into her mouth.

"Wonderful." Eleanore replied before eating her usual toast.

After breakfast Eleanore went to the drawing room so that she could continue to read. Soon George entered the room.

"There's never anything to do in the London house." He grumbled, slumping on the sofa.

"At least you don't have to go wondering down high streets after luncheon." Eleanore replied not looking up from her page.

"Touché." Her brother replied. After a pause he spoke again, "Care for a game?"

Eleanore looked up to see him gesturing towards a wooden chess set. "Alright then." She said after thinking it through. Chess was actually a game she enjoyed. She loved the calculation of it, and how one could get away with playing without conversation. She walked over to the set where George was preparing the pieces.

"What colour?" He asked.

"White." She replied before sitting on the appropriate side of the table.

Thus the game began. George and Eleanore played against each other until they were called for luncheon. Eleanore groaned inwardly, knowing that soon her and her mother and sisters would depart on their expedition amongst London's high streets.

"I'm sure it won't be that bad." George said as a side comment as they entered the dinning room.

"You've never been shopping with them." Eleanore said, plastering a faux smile on her face and taking her seat.

Luncheon passed by with the idle chatter of what would be found in the various stores they'd soon visit. Penelope was keen to see some of the latest fashions, whereas Catherine wanted to look at jewellery and similar trinkets. Mama wanted to purchase a new hat to show off to her friends in the garden society and Eleanore naturally wanted nothing of any of it.

As soon as luncheon was eaten the four women went to their separate rooms to change for the outing. Once all were in appropriate attire, they gathered in the foyer where they rapped themselves in their coats and went outside to get into the awaiting coach.

The ride into the heart of London took longer then anticipated, as there was a heavy amount of traffic cluttering the main roads. Out the window boy in shirts that were once red, but now brown, ducked and weaved around the horses and carriages and coaches cleaning up after the large beasts. Eleanore barely gave those workers a second thought as the coach pulled off the main road and parked itself, giving the St. Claire women an opportunity to disembark and begin their shopping.

As they walked along the streets, Penelope, Catherine and Mama peered at the window displays with some sort of acclamation to how darling the set-up was. Eleanore ignored the majority of it, although a beautifully decorated bonnet, with matching gloves and purse caught her eye. She looked at the items for a few moments before her family moved on to the next store, beckoning her to follow.

"Oh, look at that dress, Mama. Can't we go in and have a look?" Penelope asked after spotting an extravagant gown.

"I don't see why not. Come along girls." Mama replied as she ushered her three daughters inside the haberdashery, which had been named Fergus & Sons: Haberdashery.

"How may I help you lovely ladies?" Asked the owner, presumably Mr Fergus.

"I was just wondering about that dress in the window." Penelope said.

"Ah, now that one is a fine specimen." Mr Fergus said before rambling off into a detailed explanation of the silks used to make the dress and from where they were imported.

After they left the haberdashery the rest of the trip fanned out similarly. Every few shops either Catherine of Penelope would spot something to their liking in the window display and would go inside to inquire after it. Eleanore found this routine incredibly dull and was greatly relieved when it was time to return to the London house.

When dinner rolled around the conversation was filed with talk about their time in the heart of London.

"Did you find anything to your liking, Eleanore?" Papa asked.

"She didn't like anything." Catherine butted in.

Eleanore gave her a look. "I didn't purchase anything but there was a rather nice bonnet that I liked." She said, before returning to her meal.

The conversation continued around her until she, along with her sisters and mother, went to the drawing room before at last retiring to their separate quarters.

Eleanore was exhausted from her day and soon fell into a dreamless sleep.