Margaret got to her feet and handed over her purse. “Here, I’ll leave you to settle the bill, please, and do so without trying to barter it down. I will see you in the carriage. Will the groom mind waiting on Grafton Street for me, do you think? I would still like to visit the bookshop. I want to buy your brother a storybook. One with lots of pictures to capture his interest that your mama can read to him.”

“That would be very generous of you, my lady, and thoughtful, too. Thank you.”

“I wish I could do more for your mother, but I suspect your father would call it charity and take umbrage.”

Breda laughed. “You’ve got his measure, all right. I bet you wrap your own father round your little finger.”

Margaret laughed. “If you only knew the half of it,” she said wryly.

Donald Cameron of Lochiel to Lady Margaret

Donald Cameron of Lochiel to Lady Margaret

Berlin, 1 January 1867

Dear Lady Margaret,

I wonder if you are surprised to hear from me, or whether your host has alerted you to my intention to write? As you will no doubt be aware by now, for I understand you have been in Ireland since last summer, Lord Powerscourt is an avid collector of antiquities, and is in the habit of enlisting Her Majesty’s embassy staff to assist in the acquisition process. I have been of service to him several times—as you know from personal experience, I can be an accomplished detective when the occasion demands it! However, it was only when discussing his latest project (yet more stags’ heads, the man is obsessed!), that I discovered you were paying Lady Powerscourt an extended visit. I obtained his permission to write to you, deeming it unnecessary to seek additional authorisation from the duke, your father, since the viscount is, in effect, acting in loco parentis.

I read an excellent account in the Times of your appearance as bridesmaid to Princess Helena, but did not read the announcement which you had assured me, when last we met, was imminent. In fact, there has been no mention of you at all in the press since August, as far as I have been able to ascertain. When I returned to London for a brief visit in October, I took the opportunity to call at Montagu House in order to pay my respects and to inquire after you. I was informed by the duke that you were out of town and not expected back. His manner did not encourage me to question him further.

I hope this letter finds you well at the beginning of the New Year. If it would please you to respond with an update on your well-being, it would be very much appreciated. As you can see from my address, I remain in Berlin, though I am expecting imminently to be transferred to Rome, but a letter to either embassy will find me.