Eleanor was nearing six years old when Margaret sickened and died suddenly. Poor Bertram was heart-broken and kept asking us all how he was to go on. I gently reminded him that someone needed to look after Eleanor. Bertram was an only child with no close female relatives to act as chaperone for his young daughter. I had other matters to occupy my time, so I could not make the offer to care for her myself. Bertram rapidly saw the wisdom of my condolences.

Unfortunately, he also proved Margaret’s assessment of his weakness. After less than a full year of mourning, he brought home a new bride and her two scalawag she-brats. Because Bertram was so often gone on business, Eleanor was quickly reduced to assisting the household staff. Her new stepmother Giselle had never been chatelaine of a fine establishment before, so she thought merely screaming at the staff, many of whom had been with Bertram and Margaret since their marriage, should suffice to produce their best work. Of course, staff have their ways of wreaking revenge on the less than ladylike Lady. And they were horrified that Giselle would allow Eleanor to run about with no shoes on and associating with the stable boys. Yet Bertram remained uninformed and blissfully ignorant.