I wish you had not been so rash! We are both of us, you and I, females who feel emotions intensely, but the difference between us is that you wear your heart on your sleeve. And that is your most heinous crime, in the eyes of the society we inhabit. You must resist the urge to let your heart steer your actions, my dearest friend. If the truth of that night were ever known (whatever it is, I know you left out a great deal of the detail in your letter!), it would be the ruin of you. What’s more, it would generate a scandal that even your family would be hard put to weather. Though I am reluctant to mention it, I must point out that your behaviour affects me, too. As a princess of the realm, my own reputation must be spotless. Her Majesty’s advisers would insist that I discontinue our friendship. Had you remained in London, I would have been obliged to distance myself from you. I am sorry to sound so unfeeling, but I do not make the rules; I am merely obliged to follow them.

That being said, let us adopt a more positive tone. All is not yet completely lost. If anyone knows how to play the game, it is your parents. Your exile may seem harsh, but out of sight in our flighty society is very much out of mind. The attention of the world will move on quickly to the next cause célèbre.

I wish I could be with you to prove that these difficult words are spoken from the heart, but here I am, languishing at Osborne for goodness knows how much longer, and you are at the other end of the country. I am sending you my heartfelt love and some sketches in the hope that my feeble attempts will bring you some cheer. I hope and pray I will see you soon, but the prospects are not good, for the queen is talking of a trip to Coburg in August, where there is to be an unveiling of a statue of dear Papa.

Do not despair.

Your friend now and (hopefully!) always,

Louise

Lady Victoria to Lady Margaret

Lady Victoria to Lady Margaret

London, 28 July 1865

Margaret,

I write to you at our mother’s behest. The duchess wishes to inform you that your attendance at our brother Henry’s wedding at the beginning of next month will not be required. Following this event, our parents will be enjoying the shooting season with friends, and will not be visiting Dalkeith Palace. They will then spend the remainder of the parliamentary recess, including Christmas, at Drumlanrig or perhaps Boughton or Bowhill. You are to remain at Dalkeith unless the duke decrees otherwise, while our younger sister, Mary, will remain at Drumlanrig under the care of her governess.