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lady_mary31 July 1913
Papa received a letter from Aunt Rosamund this morning. Hopefully she scolded him about removing us to the country before the end of the Season. It's very wrong-headed of Papa to keep us from Wimbeldon and the regattas, all for the sake of a village flower show.
Papa and Sybil were quite shocked when I said a envy Aunt Rosamund. Yes, her husband is dead, but that was years ago and she barely knew him. And now she has the means to be free to do as she pleases. It's not so naïve as to believe my marriage will be a great romance. If that were the case, it would have happened years ago. I will be lucky, at this rate, to find someone tolerable.
~~
1 August 1913
A chance encounter with Cousin Matthew yielded intelligence that will not be pleasing to Edith. (Edith, I know you're always trying to read my journals, and if you continue, then it serves you right that you won't like what you read.) Despite Edith's declaration that if I wouldn't have Matthew, she would, and her pursuant attempts to throw herself at him, he is decidedly not interested.
I'm surprised sometimes at how unobjectionable Cousin Matthew has turned out to be, for a man destined to steal my fortune from under my nose. Though he does still insist on riding that horrible bicycle around town. Why?
~~
7 August 1913
Edith was especially tedious today. Thanks to the rain I was unable to ride, and was instead stuck inside with her insidious prattling.
Mama has invited Sir Anthony Strallan to dinner tomorrow, I expect with the intention of throwing him at me. I may not be a débutante, but I'm not desperate. Has it really come to this?
Had Papa let us remain in London there would be far better prospects.
~~
8 August 1913
Why must I ruin positively everything?
I don't know how it happened, but rumours of my lost virtue have reached London, thus Mama's latest attempt at matchmaking. She's only trying to help, but the idea of it is unfathomable. Except to Edith, apparently.
Why did I have to challenge her? What does it prove? That I am more attractive and appealing? Everyone knows that. Let her throw herself at that boring old fossil.
Cousin Matthew was the only tolerable company at dinner. I might've gone so far as to say he was quite good company, but I've ruined that now too. He was offended that I ignored him after dinner, and he was right to be. It was all a game. Under other circumstances I would know better, but Edith's smug grin is simply infuriating.
If what she wants is to anger me, she has done it.
~~
9 August 1913
Mr. Molesley's roses were the finest in the village, as ever, but in an unexpected turn of events, Granny allowed him to win the cup. Perhaps even the most stubborn of the Crawleys can change.
Granny and Cousin Isobel may have settled their differences, but I fear Matthew has not forgiven me yet. I apologized, but he remained cold for the rest of the day. Thank goodness we return to London in two days. I cannot take any more of his disappointed looks.
Papa received a letter from Aunt Rosamund this morning. Hopefully she scolded him about removing us to the country before the end of the Season. It's very wrong-headed of Papa to keep us from Wimbeldon and the regattas, all for the sake of a village flower show.
Papa and Sybil were quite shocked when I said a envy Aunt Rosamund. Yes, her husband is dead, but that was years ago and she barely knew him. And now she has the means to be free to do as she pleases. It's not so naïve as to believe my marriage will be a great romance. If that were the case, it would have happened years ago. I will be lucky, at this rate, to find someone tolerable.
~~
1 August 1913
A chance encounter with Cousin Matthew yielded intelligence that will not be pleasing to Edith. (Edith, I know you're always trying to read my journals, and if you continue, then it serves you right that you won't like what you read.) Despite Edith's declaration that if I wouldn't have Matthew, she would, and her pursuant attempts to throw herself at him, he is decidedly not interested.
I'm surprised sometimes at how unobjectionable Cousin Matthew has turned out to be, for a man destined to steal my fortune from under my nose. Though he does still insist on riding that horrible bicycle around town. Why?
~~
7 August 1913
Edith was especially tedious today. Thanks to the rain I was unable to ride, and was instead stuck inside with her insidious prattling.
Mama has invited Sir Anthony Strallan to dinner tomorrow, I expect with the intention of throwing him at me. I may not be a débutante, but I'm not desperate. Has it really come to this?
Had Papa let us remain in London there would be far better prospects.
~~
8 August 1913
Why must I ruin positively everything?
I don't know how it happened, but rumours of my lost virtue have reached London, thus Mama's latest attempt at matchmaking. She's only trying to help, but the idea of it is unfathomable. Except to Edith, apparently.
Why did I have to challenge her? What does it prove? That I am more attractive and appealing? Everyone knows that. Let her throw herself at that boring old fossil.
Cousin Matthew was the only tolerable company at dinner. I might've gone so far as to say he was quite good company, but I've ruined that now too. He was offended that I ignored him after dinner, and he was right to be. It was all a game. Under other circumstances I would know better, but Edith's smug grin is simply infuriating.
If what she wants is to anger me, she has done it.
~~
9 August 1913
Mr. Molesley's roses were the finest in the village, as ever, but in an unexpected turn of events, Granny allowed him to win the cup. Perhaps even the most stubborn of the Crawleys can change.
Granny and Cousin Isobel may have settled their differences, but I fear Matthew has not forgiven me yet. I apologized, but he remained cold for the rest of the day. Thank goodness we return to London in two days. I cannot take any more of his disappointed looks.
