Scheduled

Eleanor remained for the final two hours of the planning session.

Her presence was not social; it was rigorously operational. She sat beside Samuel, providing granular context on western topography, explaining which river crossings froze during early winter, and identifying which provincial municipal councils were likely to demand exorbitant land compensation for station yards.

By the time the meeting adjourned, the sun was casting long, amber shadows across the drawing tables. The engineers packed their instruments and departed one by one.

Samuel was the last to leave, pausing by the door. "A remarkably productive session, Baron. Lady Valemont."

"Good evening, Samuel," Ernest said, gesturing pointedly toward the hallway until the chief surveyor finally took his leave.

The large office grew peaceful. Eleanor buckled her leather folio, looking around the room at the floor-to-ceiling charts mapping the industrial infrastructure of Belfast.