He is apparently quite, quite notorious - a veritable rake! I am not going to put his name here, in case my abominable little brother obtains this letter before I mail it, but he is an earl and his initials are RH. But Prunes, I met the most absolutely fascinating man yesterday. It is too bad of your mama to bury you in the country! When is she planning to bring you to town? I assure you that it is already very crowded here, and if one does not make an appointment, it is impossible to find a mantua maker who will even discuss a court gown. Miss Patricia Hamilton to Miss Prunella Forbes-Shacklett Women dance on top of the table in the dining room daily. I assure you that my sins are even more plenteous than your pious correspondents have told you. Yes, I know that you are fretting over my infamous reputation, but you will simply have to overlook my slurs on the family name. Rees Holland, Earl Godwin, to his brother, a vicar in the North Country

I simply cannot continue in this fashion. But I beg of you, please accept my decision. I am equally aware that a divorce would be far more grievous. I fully recognize that my decision to elope with Rees brought scandal into the family, but I would remind you that the elopement was years ago.

I am most sympathetic to your distress over the continuing debacle of my marriage. Helene Holland, Countess Godwin, to her mother. Didn’t you tell me that you were planning a ball for the weekend of the fifth? Mrs. At any rate, my dear, what I am truly longing to hear about is your plans for sweet Patricia’s debut. I can’t imagine how much that would cost, but Godwin must have at least 15,000 pounds a year and can probably afford it. Helene has always showed edifying composure although I did hear a whisper - just a whisper - suggesting that she may request a divorce. How his poor wife is able to hold her head high, I shall never know. The former Countess Godwin (who was, as you know, one of my very dearest friends) would turn in her grave if she knew that her son were entertaining opera singers in her house! And I shudder to think that one of these infamous women may actually be living with him. my dearest, as to what you tell me of the exploits of Earl Holland, I can only say that nothing will ever surprise me. The Countess Pandross to Lady Patricia Hamilton

Your wicked ways eloisa james