Eleanor “Nora” Whitcomb

Title: General Manager, Moon and Wave Suites

Age: Mid-50s

Background: Born and raised in a historic coastal town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Nora grew up surrounded by salt air, sailboats, and old Southern values. She managed high-end inns in the Carolinas before being recruited by the ownership team behind Moon and Wave for her reputation: unflappable, elegant, and fiercely competent.

Appearance:

Nora is tall and dignified with graying auburn hair swept into a tidy chignon. Her sea-gray eyes miss nothing. She dresses in tailored resortwear—linen slacks, silk blouses, and statement jewelry with a coastal theme (shell earrings, mother-of-pearl bracelets). Always smells faintly of lavender and sea spray.

Voice & Manner:

Her voice is smooth and measured, with a refined Tidewater Virginia accent. She rarely raises her voice. When she says, “That simply won’t do,” staff snap to attention.

Personality:

• Graceful Under Fire: Whether it’s a hurricane or a hungover wedding party, Nora stays composed.
• Deeply Loyal: She’s devoted to the hotel and considers it her last and best post.
• Rules Quietly Enforced: Guests get warmth; staff get standards.
• Protective but Private: She watches out for her people, especially Jessie and Mae, but keeps her own past close.
• Old-School Values with a Modern Twist: She believes in Southern courtesy but has no patience for bigotry or laziness.

Role in the Setting:

• Public Face of the Hotel: Nora oversees daily operations, meets VIP guests, and ensures the “romantic coastal escape” vibe never slips.
• Connection to Local Elites: She knows the right people—from city officials to old-money donors.
• Knows More Than She Lets On: She suspects what goes on upstairs at the Dolphin Club… and she has quietly ensured there’s always plausible deniability.