“Everyone has a better side, and a person’s face is more distinctive in profile.” Louise picked up her sketchbook and a charcoal. “Look, I’ll show you. Sit there with Laddie while I draw you both. In fact, let’s include your ideal husband in the composition. What is he like, do you think? Describe him to me.”

“Ah, there’s the rub,” Margaret said ruefully. “I have absolutely no idea. Someone my parents would heartily disapprove of, knowing me!”

Illustrated London News, Saturday, 1 April 1865

Illustrated London News, Saturday, 1 April 1865

NOTABLE DEBUTANTE TO MAKE FIRST ROYAL COURT APPEARANCE

On Thursday, the queen will journey from Windsor to Buckingham Palace to host her fourth Reception of the London Season, at which select gathering a number of young ladies making their debut will be presented. Her Majesty will be accompanied by the Princesses Helena and Louise, and ably assisted by His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.

One of this year’s most notable debutantes will make her first formal appearance at this Reception. The Titian-haired Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott is the second daughter of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, one of the most eminent peers in the land, formerly Lord Privy Seal and currently Gold Stick for Scotland. Lady Margaret, who has been hailed as a “breath of fresh Scotch air,” will be accompanied by her mother, the Duchess of Buccleuch, daughter of the Second Marquess of Bath, and former Mistress of the queen’s Robes.

Readers are advised to avoid the vicinity of Buckingham Palace on Thursday if their business permits them to do so, as severe congestion of all approaches is anticipated. A strict code of dress is enforced for this most formal and exclusive occasion. Those wishing to admire the toilettes of the ladies will be able to peruse them at their leisure in next Saturday’s edition which will contain as many lavish illustrations as can be accommodated between these pages.

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Montagu House, London, Thursday, 6 April 1865

THE DAY OF MARGARET’S FORMAL presentation at court started very early when Molly roused her at some ungodly time to herald several hours of primping and titivating. First there had been her bath, a daily ritual made considerably easier in Montagu House, which had running water. Usually Margaret enjoyed this luxury, lying back with the rose-scented water washing over her, closing her eyes, and imagining she was at home in Dalkeith, but today she was not permitted to bathe alone.