It would seem that Princess Louise is another young lady determined to avoid matrimony. The speculation that she was to marry Princess Alexandra’s brother has proved false, and while Her Majesty’s preference for a German who would be happy to live in England is well-established, your friend has made it clear that she will only marry a British subject. Very patriotic, some would say, but the dearth of suitably titled candidates leads me to believe that it is simply a tactic to avoid nuptials. Princess Louise is much more interested in her sculpting, and has been taking private lessons most recently from a Mr. Boehm. He is working on a statue of John Brown for Her Majesty which has caused some controversy within the Family.

I will update you on my own news separately. Though I do not deserve it, I know that you will be pleased to hear from me and trust that we can recover lost ground in our re-established correspondence.

With the greatest of love,

Mama

Julia, Viscountess Powerscourt, to Lady Margaret

Julia, Viscountess Powerscourt, to Lady Margaret

Powerscourt, County Wicklow, 1 January 1870

Dearest Margaret,

It is the beginning of a new year, and I find myself in a reflective mood. It is two years now since you boldly set sail for New York in search of pastures new, a prospect I would have found terrifying. Yet I have come to admire and envy your courage. You must know from the frequency of my letters how much I value you as a friend, yet I have never said so candidly. I will never forget the day you arrived at Powerscourt, broken but unbowed by your cruel exile. Even in those dark early days, the flame of your courageous heart flickered defiantly. You brought hope into my drab life, and to the lives of the many friends you made here.

Your letters and your wonderful writing have been a balm to me in some of my darkest days, but I am resolved to stop living vicariously. I have had enough of enduring and making do. I am going to follow your example, listen to my heart, and trust my instincts. I have no idea what that means yet, and, reading it over, I can imagine your surprise, for the words sound so very unlike me! I may do nothing more than escape Powerscourt for a while. It is as much a prison for me as it was for you.