“No, she’s not married,” Margaret said, eyeing Randolph in astonishment for he looked quite—smitten, was the only word she could think of. “She’s a friend of Jane’s. A suffragist. I think she’s a member of the Sorosis Club. I take it you’d like me to introduce you?”

He quickly smoothed his hair back and straightened his jacket. “You bet!”

Princess Louise to Lady Margaret

Princess Louise to Lady Margaret

Balmoral Castle, Scotland, 10 October 1870

Dear Margaret,

I am writing to solicit your congratulations, for I am engaged to be married. Six days ago, on the banks of Loch Muick where the queen’s little widow’s house sits, Lord Lorne declared himself. Such was the strength of his feelings that he did so without first obtaining Her Majesty’s consent, though we both felt certain that she would approve of the match, and we have already been proved right. Lorne’s father, the Duke of Argyll, is similarly delighted, and the formal announcement is to be made today.

And so, M., you may send me your felicitations, and tell me how delighted you are for me, for I am very satisfied to have achieved my aim of not marrying a foreigner; and though he is a commoner, I have found in Lorne a most amenable husband who will be happy for me to indulge my artistic pursuits after we are married. (Having taken up residence on the other side of the world, you will not be aware of the acclaim I have been receiving for my sculptures and I, being ever inclined to hide my light under a bushel, have chosen not to enlighten you. However, I can with all due modesty point to some very high praise indeed for my latest efforts from those qualified to comment.)

The wedding will be next year, most likely in the spring, and will be a very grand occasion, for my humble attempts to stand in for the queen in the years since you deserted us have been exceedingly well received by the Great British Public. My marriage has been much anticipated by them—some (though not I!) would call it the match of the decade—and we wish to reward them for their loyalty with a great spectacle.

I shall design my dress myself, for no-one knows better than I just what flatters my figure—not even Alix, whose taste has of late become much praised. (I, of course, have always thought her understatedly elegant.)