In the novel Cards on the Table, Mrs Eldon is a former employer of Anne Meredith. Miss Meredith worked as a nursery governess and mother's help for Mrs Eldon, who had two young boys. At the time, the Eldons were living at the Larches, Ventnor. Miss Meredith left the Eldons when they went abroad to Palestine, where Mr Eldon had a Government appointment.
Mrs Eldon is still in Palestine during the events of the novel, but Superintendent Battle has an interview with her sister, who describes Mrs Eldon as "dreadfully untidy and slapdash". She also tells Superintendent Battle that Mrs Eldon had liked Miss Meredith very much.