Letter Two
27/11/22 15:39
My dearest Bunty,
Will my trials and tribulations never end? Sir Hector was most pleased with the proceeds of the shooting party we had last week and sees this as the Next Big Thing. He has suggested that we open the house for paying guests at New Year of all things. Just when I was looking forward to bringing in 2005 with a select group of locals. Still, the roof could be doing with a few tiles here and there, so I shall have to relent. I shall make him suffer a little before giving my assent. Men! Not that you would know much about them, dear, I know you never get much opportunity to meet a nice man and we are all getting on and let us face it, any looks you did have in your youth have long gone. The "rose that withered" is apt, you will agree. I have today switched to my "winter strength" moisturiser, as there can be a cold blast down the Cairngorms that can dry a lady's skin so when on the way to Church. Why does it always seem to be windy on church visits? I hate turning up to hear lovely Dr Williams preaching at the Episcopal Church and having to sit there with a bright red face and nose. It is not fetching in the least. I am sure he likes to see me at my best. He has never married, but has maintained himself well since his translation from Ely Cathedral two years ago. I am sure that moving from England has not been too much of a shock. Sometimes I wish I had been a clergy wife, dispensing good advice to the Savage in those parts of the World that once were Empire. I sigh that our Dear Queen is no longer entitled to use "Empress of India" like her mother before her. We knew where we stood during the Empire days, and the World looked back in awe.
I do not see much point in bringing you up in conversation with Dr Williams as I had promised you, as he seems elusive about discussing ladies and I put that down to having a Harrow education. My boys have done better I think with their Fettes College training. I did tell you years ago that it was necessary to maintain a good complexion in order to get and keep a man, but you never seem to listen to me. After all I have had lots of experience with the male species as you know and have ever been disappointed that you have paid scant regard to the advice of a critical friend.
Back to New Year plans, and that means I shall not be able to invite you up this year, as all the rooms will be used. I am sure you will be able to amuse yourself in London instead and that there will be some event you could attend at low cost. Sir Hector wants to advertise in the Aberdeen Press and Journal, but really, dear, I could not abide Aberdeen trades people cavorting in my home at that special time of year. I have suggested that Catriona, the Estate Manager drop subtle hints to Sir Hector that "Hunting and Fly-fishing Monthly" and indeed that source of all that is right in Society, "The Tattler" and if all else fails, "The Lady" are better suggestions. I am going to renew your subscription again this year as a Christmas gift. So practical these gifts you know, it means I can get on with planning and thinking of others now that yours is easy and out of the way.
I read in the Telegraph the other day that London hopes to host the 2012 Olympic Games. What a shock! With all that dirt and crime I would not want to be an athlete from Botswana arriving in England for the first time and coming across some of those nefarious characters that the streets seem to team with these days. Still, Daddy did have a lovely time at the 1920 Games and I still sport his rifle from that event when out on the grouse moor. It is good to have things to remind us of the past and better times. How I miss Daddy! He would be shocked at how the estate is now with all that new money tramping across the well tended lawns.
Your ever friend, Flora
This story first appeared on www.panetwork.co.uk in 2004
Will my trials and tribulations never end? Sir Hector was most pleased with the proceeds of the shooting party we had last week and sees this as the Next Big Thing. He has suggested that we open the house for paying guests at New Year of all things. Just when I was looking forward to bringing in 2005 with a select group of locals. Still, the roof could be doing with a few tiles here and there, so I shall have to relent. I shall make him suffer a little before giving my assent. Men! Not that you would know much about them, dear, I know you never get much opportunity to meet a nice man and we are all getting on and let us face it, any looks you did have in your youth have long gone. The "rose that withered" is apt, you will agree. I have today switched to my "winter strength" moisturiser, as there can be a cold blast down the Cairngorms that can dry a lady's skin so when on the way to Church. Why does it always seem to be windy on church visits? I hate turning up to hear lovely Dr Williams preaching at the Episcopal Church and having to sit there with a bright red face and nose. It is not fetching in the least. I am sure he likes to see me at my best. He has never married, but has maintained himself well since his translation from Ely Cathedral two years ago. I am sure that moving from England has not been too much of a shock. Sometimes I wish I had been a clergy wife, dispensing good advice to the Savage in those parts of the World that once were Empire. I sigh that our Dear Queen is no longer entitled to use "Empress of India" like her mother before her. We knew where we stood during the Empire days, and the World looked back in awe.
I do not see much point in bringing you up in conversation with Dr Williams as I had promised you, as he seems elusive about discussing ladies and I put that down to having a Harrow education. My boys have done better I think with their Fettes College training. I did tell you years ago that it was necessary to maintain a good complexion in order to get and keep a man, but you never seem to listen to me. After all I have had lots of experience with the male species as you know and have ever been disappointed that you have paid scant regard to the advice of a critical friend.
Back to New Year plans, and that means I shall not be able to invite you up this year, as all the rooms will be used. I am sure you will be able to amuse yourself in London instead and that there will be some event you could attend at low cost. Sir Hector wants to advertise in the Aberdeen Press and Journal, but really, dear, I could not abide Aberdeen trades people cavorting in my home at that special time of year. I have suggested that Catriona, the Estate Manager drop subtle hints to Sir Hector that "Hunting and Fly-fishing Monthly" and indeed that source of all that is right in Society, "The Tattler" and if all else fails, "The Lady" are better suggestions. I am going to renew your subscription again this year as a Christmas gift. So practical these gifts you know, it means I can get on with planning and thinking of others now that yours is easy and out of the way.
I read in the Telegraph the other day that London hopes to host the 2012 Olympic Games. What a shock! With all that dirt and crime I would not want to be an athlete from Botswana arriving in England for the first time and coming across some of those nefarious characters that the streets seem to team with these days. Still, Daddy did have a lovely time at the 1920 Games and I still sport his rifle from that event when out on the grouse moor. It is good to have things to remind us of the past and better times. How I miss Daddy! He would be shocked at how the estate is now with all that new money tramping across the well tended lawns.
Your ever friend, Flora
This story first appeared on www.panetwork.co.uk in 2004