He presented letters in which she requested documents and was refused.
Then he introduced examples of accounts she had maintained independently before and after Henry's death.
The judge examined them.
Eleanor sat quietly beside her attorney.
Her heart was pounding.
She could hear people shifting in the courtroom.
She knew some were staring at her size.
She felt the old shame pressing against her.
Then Judge Burke asked whether she wished to speak.
Martin looked toward her.
Eleanor nodded.
“Yes, Your Honor.”
The judge gave her time.
She adjusted her position in the sturdy chair arranged for her.
Then looked toward the bench.
“My name is Eleanor Miriam Mercer, formerly Eleanor Whitmore and born Eleanor Bell.”
Her voice trembled at first.
Then steadied.
“I understand that Solomon Whitmore believes I cannot manage my affairs.”
She took a breath.
“I also understand that he has an interest in property I inherited from my family.”
The judge nodded.
“Continue.”
Eleanor looked toward the documents.
“I have difficulty with some physical tasks. Traveling is exhausting. I require strong furniture and space to move safely.”
For a moment, the room became very quiet.
She continued.
“Those needs do not prevent me from reading a contract.”
She looked toward Solomon.
“Or understanding when someone wants me to sign away land without explaining what the document means.”
The old man's face reddened.
Eleanor turned back toward the judge.
“For fourteen years, my late husband controlled the household records. He told me I was incapable of managing them, then refused to let me see them.”
Her voice shook.
“After he died, his father used my dependence upon that arrangement as proof that I needed another man to control my property.”
For several seconds, she couldn't speak.
Then she continued.
“I came here because I want the court to examine evidence, not assumptions about my body.”
Judge Burke watched her carefully.
Eleanor took another breath.
“I don't claim to know everything about land law. That's why I hired an attorney. I don't know everything about mining surveys. That's why I asked qualified people to examine them.”
She looked toward Martin.
Then toward Caleb.
“But I know when I have made a choice.”
Her eyes filled.
“I chose my husband.”
Caleb lowered his head.
Eleanor continued.
“I chose to come to Denver. I chose to challenge the claim against my mother's land.”
Her voice strengthened.