Here then, is our eyewitness account. On the night in question, Lady M—— was seen to be in perfect health. As the clock approached midnight and the announcement of her planned change of name, the lady was spotted exiting the ballroom. Contrary to the tale told at the time, she was headed not in the direction of her bedchamber, but into the garden which forms the border between the family home in Whitehall and the docklands, where the new Victoria Embankment is being built. Our eyewitness was busy dispensing the champagne toast, but some moments later as he circulated the room he heard an altercation in the grounds, the sound of a man’s voice and of his young mistress’s muffled response. Applying himself assiduously to his duties, he had no time to think any more of it. It was almost two hours later, as the guests were departing and the kitchens were a hive of industry clearing up, that the servants’ door was thrown open and Lady M—— made a dramatic entrance, her gown torn and her hair unravelled. Shocked to the core, our eyewitness and every other person present reached the only and inevitable conclusion: Innocence had been Abused!

Lady M—— was whisked north in the company of her maid on the Scotch Express the very next morning. No word or sighting of her has there been in the five months which have elapsed since, nor is there any expectation of her return to London for at least another four months, at which time we might well anticipate an Easter present for the B—— family.

Lady M—— was born, as the adage goes, with a silver spoon in her mouth. We rightly look to such young women to set an example to those less fortunate, to provide them with a model to which they can aspire. When such persons fall from grace, they therefore fall spectacularly and completely. Though it pains us to say this, it taints all in their orbit. For her family and especially a certain Scotch earl, Lord R——, insult has been added to injury. Lady M——’s parents are part of the queen’s inner circle. Lady M—— includes, amongst her intimates, the most comely of the Royal Princesses. We must assume that Her Majesty’s excellent moral compass will ensure that friendship has been terminated. Our informant, his public duty discharged and suitably rewarded, has quit the service of the family.

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Montagu House, London, Sunday, 31 December 1865

SIX MONTHS AND WHAT SEEMED like a lifetime ago, Margaret had stood in front of this very desk in her father’s oak-panelled study, quaking in her torn ball gown. It was the last time she had seen her parents. They had arrived half an hour ago, and neither of them had greeted her, inquired after her well-being, nor even looked her directly in the eye. At least this time she was permitted to sit.