Eleanor smiled genuinely this time. "Thank you, Bridget. I needed to hear that tonight."
The journey to the capital took two full days, the carriage rattling along uneven roads while Alaric reviewed notes on court etiquette and current political matters, determined to appear knowledgeable before the Queen's advisers. Eleanor spent much of the journey looking out the window, watching the countryside shift from familiar farmland to the busier roads leading toward the city, her mind quietly turning over everything she had been told to expect. She was not afraid of the Queen herself, having heard only respectful things about Adelaide's fairness and intelligence, but she could not shake the feeling that something unusual awaited her at the end of this journey.
They arrived at the palace on a cool afternoon, the great stone building rising above them with towers that seemed to touch the low clouds. Servants in fine uniforms guided them through polished halls lined with portraits of past monarchs while Alaric straightened his coat repeatedly, clearly nervous despite his earlier confidence. Eleanor walked beside him with quiet steps, taking in the grandeur around her without letting it overwhelm her composure. She had learned long ago, through years of hardship before her marriage, that grand surroundings did not change the fundamental truths of a person's character, whether kind or cruel, honest or false.
They were shown to a private receiving room to wait before the formal dinner began, and it was there that Lady Margaret Whitfield appeared, greeting them both with practiced warmth.
"Duke Ashkam, Duchess Ashkam, welcome to the palace," she said smoothly, though her eyes lingered a moment longer on Eleanor than protocol strictly required. "Her Majesty is looking forward to this evening."
Alaric bowed slightly, clearly pleased by the personal greeting, while Eleanor offered a polite curtsy, sensing something careful and observant in the way Lady Margaret studied her.
As they waited, Alaric could not resist reminding Eleanor once more of the importance of the evening. "Remember what I told you," he murmured under his breath as other guests began arriving in the receiving room. "Speak little, smile often. Let me handle any questions of substance."
Eleanor nodded, though a small, quiet part of her had begun to wonder just how long she could continue playing so small a role in her own life. She thought of the Hollis children running to greet her, of Edmund Foley's quiet respect in the stables, of the roofs she had saved from collapsing through her careful attention to the estate's finances. She was not, she reminded herself silently, as small or as plain as her husband believed her to be.
When the doors finally opened and the guests were led into the grand dining hall, Eleanor felt a fresh wave of nerves settle over her, though she kept her expression calm and composed. The hall was filled with nobility from across the kingdom, dressed in their finest silks and jewels, their laughter and conversation blending into a low, constant hum beneath the glittering chandeliers. At the head of the long table sat Queen Adelaide, elegant and composed, her sharp eyes moving thoughtfully over each guest as they took their seats.
When her gaze finally settled on Eleanor, something in her expression shifted slightly—a flicker of quiet curiosity that Alaric, too absorbed in his own nervous excitement, failed entirely to notice.
Throughout the early courses of the meal, conversation flowed easily around them, filled with talk of trade agreements, upcoming celebrations, and the usual gentle gossip that filled such gatherings. Alaric spoke often, eager to impress the nobles seated nearby with his knowledge of politics and his family's long history. Eleanor remained mostly quiet as instructed, though she listened carefully to everything said around her, occasionally offering a brief, thoughtful comment when directly addressed, always careful and measured in her words.
It was not until the dessert course arrived that Queen Adelaide finally spoke directly to the Duchess.
"Lady Ashkam," she said, her voice carrying easily across the nearby seats, silencing several smaller conversations at once. "I understand you have taken quite an active interest in your husband's estate. I have heard reports of your work among the tenant families."
The table grew quiet, all eyes turning toward Eleanor, who felt a brief flash of surprise before composing herself.
"Your Majesty is very kind to notice such small matters," she said carefully. "I simply believe a household runs best when its people are cared for, not only its accounts."
The Queen's eyes narrowed slightly with interest, though her expression remained pleasant. "Small matters," she repeated softly, glancing briefly at Alaric, who sat frozen, unsure how to respond to a conversation he had not anticipated. "I have found, in my experience, that the smallest matters often reveal the truest character of a person." She turned her attention fully to Eleanor, now her curiosity clearly piqued by something beyond simple politeness. "Tell me, Duchess, what would you consider the most important quality in managing an estate such as your husband's?"
Eleanor took a moment to gather her thoughts, aware that every eye at the table now watched her carefully, including Alaric's, whose earlier instructions to remain quiet now seemed impossible to follow.
"I believe honesty matters most, Your Majesty," she said finally, her voice steady despite the pressure of the moment. "Honesty with the accounts, honesty with the tenants, and honesty with oneself about what truly needs attention, rather than what appears impressive from the outside."
A soft murmur moved through the nearby guests, some clearly surprised by the thoughtfulness of her answer, others exchanging quiet glances of approval. Queen Adelaide smiled slightly, the first genuine smile she had offered all evening.