Illustrated London News, Saturday, 21 April 1866

A SECOND CHANCE FOR A SECOND-SEASON DEB

A ball was held last Saturday hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch at their Westminster residence to mark the reopening of Parliament after the Easter recess. Though it was one of several society events held on that particular evening, it was noted that the ballroom of Montagu House was packed to capacity. Such is the prestige of the Buccleuch name, it would be easier to name the illustrious members of the Ton who did not attend. Alas, though we have it on excellent authority that Their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and Princess Louise were invited, both remain at Her Majesty the queen’s side at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

As always, the Duchess of Buccleuch was most elegantly attired in a ball gown of silver and grey silk with a scalloped hemline, trimmed with silver lace. Her daughter, Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas Scott, wore a gown of apple-green satin with an overdress of cream crêpe trimmed with green ribbons, in stark contrast to the demure hues that marked her first, truncated Season. Despite assurances that she is fully restored to health after her prolonged sojourn in Scotland, the Duke of Buccleuch’s formerly exuberant second daughter’s temperament is notably subdued this Season. Indeed, she now more closely resembles her more restrained and circumspect elder sister, Lady Victoria Kerr. A lasting legacy of the illness which brought her previous Season to a premature end, perhaps?

Lady Margaret’s return to society initially received a muted response, but her dance card was much sought after at the Buccleuch ball. A certain Scottish earl, who has been observed paying close attention to the lady for the second year running, was rewarded with a march. Could it be that the announcement we were deprived of last July has merely been postponed, and not cancelled? Will the earl’s persistence bear fruit? (And is that fruit ready to be plucked?)

We eagerly await developments in what is turning into a riveting saga.