The mayor entered, leading his wife and children. I thanked the heavens that Louis had hurried me here. If I'd arrived a minute or two later, we wouldn't have been allowed in.
There was a gentle titter of conversation, a host of maids came marching in the dinner hall, placing plates on the table. I curiously watched as they removed the cloche from each plate.
Everywhere I looked there were stacks of food. One section as a continental breakfast, the other a traditional English breakfast.
I had an array of fruit and toast as I had already ate earlier in the morning, while Keiser had stacked his plate high with eggs, bacon, sausages, toast and a bowl of fruit on the side. I dropped my gaze from his plate as he caught me looking.
I dug in, heedless of the stares I was earning from around the table, probably wondering why was I here.
I ate daintily, carefully without spilling on myself. Cutting my food in small pieces I tuned out the conversation. Keiser's eyes met mine, as he obviously couldn't care less about the chatter around us.
"Good morning, everyone," the mayor started, his deep baritone hushing the whispered conversations.
"Good morning," they thrilled in discord. I said nothing.
"I trust you enjoyed the ball last night?" he said pausing when several others nodded their heads, enthused.
"Ladies, we would like to invite you to my salon this afternoon, while the men do business," she announced.
We all stood and left the room. Finding Keiser's side I began to protest silently,"I will not allow you hand me off to those vipers who want to suck information from me, while you 'males' do business. She said it like women have no place in the business world."
"What kind of sexist behavior is she pulling? Isn't this like the 21st century or something. They ain't even know how to do my hair. I'm coming with- that's final," I dictated walking off to the car, leaving no room for discussion.
"Goddamn she's so infuriating!" I heard him mutter.
"It's not that way."
"I knew that!"
"You coming or what?"
***
Board meeting is the right name.
Not a smile that isn't painted on or an opinion that was completely pointless and I wasn't really into that.
So I left.
"Please, where would I find the First Lady's salon." I asked John who was sitting in the driver's seat of the car.
"The others should have all gathered there already."
"I didn't ask that, John," I pointed out.
"I'll take you there." he curtly nodded and lead me to the car.
"Hmm."