You will doubtless be wondering what will become of this unlikely pair—though naturally you will refrain from asking me to speculate. I, however, being a New Yorker, have indulged my curiosity and put the question to Marion myself. She is having a fling, she tells me. Whatever that entails, it does not include marriage. I know, for I asked her that, too, and she said the most touching thing: Patrick is great company and he’s a lovely man, but no one can replace my Alexander. Where it will end, I know not, but I believe it will end sooner rather than later, for Marion has confessed to being homesick. Will you invite her to stay with you for a while, Julia, when next your husband is away? I think, if you don’t mind my saying so, it would do you both good.

I will end this overlong letter with some news of my own. My monthly “diary” in Demorest’s Magazine has proved so popular that they have commissioned me for another year at an increased rate, and have offered me very generous terms for three longer articles in what they call my “refreshing and lively” style. I enclose the September issue to keep safe under your pillow, since you tell me you enjoy it (oh, I do hope you are not simply being polite, dear Julia!). I am considering confessing my new career as a journalist to my sister, but have not yet decided, for fear it will put Mama in a tizzy about its offending my father. But if you had never heard of the magazine, then I cannot imagine how it would ever come to the duke’s attention.

And now I really must go, for I have some writing to do and time, as Mr. Valentine would say, consulting his solid gold fob watch, is money!

With great affection,

Margaret

P.S. You will be receiving a parcel from Macy’s at some point, containing a selection of towels which are cornflower blue to match your eyes!

Harper’s Bazar, Monday, 2 November 1868

Harper’s Bazar, Monday, 2 November 1868

NEW HORIZONS BY LADY MARGARET MONTAGU DOUGLAS SCOTT

I first arrived in New York at the beginning of this year. As a young lady from an aristocratic British family, I was raised to marry well, to settle into comfortable domesticity in some venerable rural pile, and produce a brood of children to carry on the line. As such, I was not expected to have an adventurous mind, let alone a restless spirit. So why am I here? Because I possess both, and New York is the perfect place in which to nurture them. A place where I can grow and develop, much as Gotham is doing!