[Viola Fitzgerald [Rose]]

Monday April 8th 1811
Cavisham House, London
Lady Viola Fitzgerald to Lady Olivia Fitzgerald

Dearest Liv,
Just a quick note to assure you of my safe arrival in London. The journey was tedious, but my clever idea of sending Elissa and the harp in advance meant that I was able to ride this morning. As you know, I was rather dreading the heat and bustle of the town, but I had forgotten how beautiful Hyde Park in spring is. It is almost like being in the country. My aunt's groom is an idiot who can barely ride. While this is laughable in itself, it does give me much more freedom, so I do not intend to complain.

Despite being here only one day I have already met several people and been out a great deal, and it is not yet supper time! When riding, I chanced upon Lord David Boyd who is in London and tells me that Lady Chloe is betrothed to a certain James Hillbank. You probably do not much remember either Lord Boyd or Chloe, but you might pass on this news to Mama and Papa when you next see them.

I have also been fitted for new dresses. Unfortunately they will not be ready for the theatre tonight and I shall have to make do with what I got from Harrogate for your wedding, but I shall be properly clothed for Almack's you may be sure. I have had some dresses made in darker colours than I ever had before- how thankful I am not to have to wear white any more!

This afternoon, Aunt Dorothy introduced me to her friend the Marchioness of Emerson, her son the Marquess, his cousin and his ward. Miss Pritchard and Miss Hampton are to make their debuts this season and were very charming young ladies. Miss Pritchard has a decided look of rebellion about her but has a good sense of humour; I did not speak to Miss Hampton as much. I confess I was not disposed to like them at first, being somewhat younger and so very innocent of society. Nevertheless, they are clever girls I am sure and I could do much worse than to spend time with them. As for the Marquess, I could not make him out at all! He hardly spoke all visit and sat smirking away as if he found something very amusing. Most disconcerting, though I did not let it get to me. When he did speak, it was some veiled insult at my expense. Olivia, he absolutely refused to dance with me at Almack's! That is, he would not dance the first dance being already engaged (poor woman to put up with such an entertaining fellow!) but made no attempt to ask for any other. And he must know I have no acquaintance here. Well, I am sure he is a very bad dancer, so it hardly signifies.

My aunt has got it into her head that I absolutely must be married off this season. I cannot think why, since she was never so when I was last in London (though I daresay this was on account of my not actually living with her). All I can imagine is that Mama wrote to her with some casual comment that it would be very nice to see me finally settled now that you are of a marriageable age, and she has taken this as license to be very forward in thrusting me at every young man I may meet. I have spoken to her on the subject, but I think I shall write to Mama and tell her to deal with it. She must listen to her sister, if not to me!

Write soon and tell me your news and do send my regards to Will and Charlie as well as Mama and Papa if you see them. I must leave off to prepare for dinner and the theatre. We are being escorted by an old friend of my aunt's, a Major Wallace. A very lively party indeed, I doubt not!! As for now, duty calls away your very own,

V. F.

[Olivia Fitzgerald (Rose)]

The following letters were delivered to Cavisham House by Mr. Devenish on the 10th of April.

Tuesday April 9th 1811
Rotherham Hall, Rotherham, Yorkshire
Lady Olivia Fitzgerald to Lady Viola Fitzgerald

Dear Viola,
I am sure you must be surprised to hear from me so soon after you left for Town, but really this is just a quick note to tell you that I AM indeed coming to London! Home has been very dull since you left and I am quite worn down by Will's entreaties that I accompany you. He and Charlie were here yesterday evening and we played some Vingt-Un but without you to make up a fourth and with Charlie playing even worse than usual it was a sad affair. With Charlie now going to town too, it seems I would be very lonely if I stayed behind. Besides, Mama is perpetually in the fidgits waiting for news from Surrey Lodge and when she leaves, I must go with her if I stay at home, and she said herself that I would only be in the way. So here it is that I am to travel down to London this weekend and will arrive, God willing, on Saturday afternoon.

I hope you shall be glad to see me- for I promise not to steal any of your suitors! You may think that I have nothing to wear for the season, but as soon as it was decided that I should go, Mama called in Mrs. Preston and she is sowing over time to make me a suitable number of white dresses in all the latest styles. I envy your being able to wear more colours to balls, but I fancy white will look better on me than it ever did on you!

I have finished Tom Jones and perfectly see why Miss Lewis never wanted us to read it though considering that Tom does end up respectably married to his true love, I can see no problem in the overall morality. Besides, I laughed till I cried when reading about the Inn at Upton, as you said I would, and I can see nothing wrong in something so very diverting. I always feel so much happier when I have been laughing. I have found Amelia in the library and will bring it with me to London.

Your loving sister,
Olivia

~~~

Tuesday April 9th 1811
Rotherham Hall, Rotherham, Yorkshire
Richard Fitzgerald, Earl of Rotherham to Lady Viola Fitzgerald

Dear Viola,
As you are no doubt aware by now, your sister will join you for the season after all. Considering Lady Surrey's situation and your mother's desire to be with her at her confinement, it would be neither desirable or convenient for her to remain in Yorkshire. You must endevour to persuade your aunt to do the best for her. If I can persuade Lady Rotherham to make the journey to Town, you may both spend the latter part of the season at our own house, but we must not rely on it. Olivia is handsome and headstrong and will no doubt have many admirers. You will advise her very properly I am sure, though I hope she may be more amenable to the idea of marriage than you have been.

My dear, I would not ask so much from you if I did not believe you more than capable of meeting every challenge that comes your way. Your mother and I both wish you might find a situation that is agreeable to you, but we would not wish to see you unhappily settled.

I shall be in town in three weeks for the forestry boundary debate in the House.

My regards to Dorothy.
R. F.

~~~

Tuesday April 9th 1811
Rotherham Hall, Rotherham, Yorkshire
Madeleine Fitzgerald, Countess of Rotherham to Mrs. Dorothy Greystone

Sister-
I am embarrassed to write to you in this vein. After it was all decided that Viola should be your only guest this season, I find myself sending her sister to you as well. Olivia needs much more care and will probably want a private ball of her own. If you find that too much hard work, I am sure Viola will manage it all for you. She is very good at that sort of thing. Richard has sent our young neighbour Mr. Devenish to Town to get some experience of life as he is sadly lacking in sense. You need not offer him anything that you do not want to, but over here, the Devenishes are practically part of the family. His brother and Olivia appear fond of each other and I cannot think a little separation and a wider acquaintance on Olivia's side would be good for them. I have nothing against Sir William Devenish himself but she is very young and ignorant and he is not quite all we have hoped for either daughter.

You must let me know if Viola shows any sign of becoming engaged. Should she do so, I will drop everything and come to London. If he is a Viscount or above we shall be quite satisfied, though we would rather he had sense and good address than a Dukedom.

I am waiting on tenterhooks for news from Cordelia. She has never had a difficult confinement, I am happy to say, but one can never be too careful. What with that worry and preparing Olivia for the season, you may be sure I hardly have a minute to myself. I must sign off, for Cook needs me. It is at times that I miss Viola! She is quite invaluable in the household now- I have grown to completely rely on her.

Do you still see that Major Wallace? I never knew what you could see in that man.

Yours affectionately,
Madeleine

[Olivia Fitzgerald (Rose)]

This letter was slipped in unnoticed among the evening post on Monday 15th April.

Monday 15th April
Cavisham House, London
Lady Olivia Fitzgerald to Sir William Devenish

Dearest Will,

I have only been in London for several days but already a great deal has happened! The season is everything I had heard it was and you insisted it was- though I really have no idea how you know so much about it when you've never been! Really, you should come and stay- Aunt Dorothy has many spare rooms and I'm sure wouldn't mind. Anyway, I should like it if you came!

I have been to just one ball so far and it was perfectly brilliant! The dowager Lady Emerson was the hostess and it was so much finer than anything I can describe. I danced every dance and was very much admired- and not just by Viola's friends (all of whom are absolutely charming). I received a positive mountain of flowers this morning and one bouquet was from a Duke. It is really most pleasing.

Indeed, there are so many people to meet and things to do (tomorrow Charlie and I are going to the art gallery with some friends and in the evening Viola has invited all of London to play music and eat a cold supper) that I hardly have time to miss anything about home, apart from your presence, my dearest, but that may be taken as read I think.

I have never written a love letter before and I am afraid I do it very badly. Sentiment does not come easily to me. What seems natural to say out loud seems rather silly written down. However, be assured that I remain now and forever more,

Your Olivia