Mr Graves
No. 18 Charles Street
Mayfair
London

2 October 1872

Mr Graves,

If you would be so kind as to ask her ladyship if I may return to my duties in early November, I would greatly appreciate it.

Mr Salmalin, the baby and I are all well and much invigorated by a visit by the Frazers as well as a surprise visit from my brother, James.

Please also, thank Sir Cosmo for allowing Mr Salmalin to remain so long away from his duties. We both look forward to returning to work.

Sincerely,
Mrs Salmalin
The Cottage
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire

Telegram sent 1 November 1872

Sir Cosmo Cowperthwaite
Edenfield Court
Edenfield, Lancastershire

Boundry breached STOP
Inappropriate gift from Drake STOP
Secure W’s room this am STOP
Both returning 1st train STOP

Salmalins
The Cottage
Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire

1 November 1872

Dear Miss Pinker,

I am writing to Alert you to an alarming incident of concern regarding Sir Cosmo’s ward.

I had hoped we would have a few more years before we would need to worry about certain matters, but it appears, as with many other things, Sir Cosmo’s ward (or at least her admirers) are ahead of schedule.

I believe Sir Cosmo and Lady Cowperthwaite could benefit from your advice at this time, given their limited experience raising young ladies of wealth in society.

Your devoted servant,
Mrs Salmalin

Mr Templeton
Cabaret les Fantastiques
London

7 November 1872

Dear Mr Templeton,

I am writing to request a consultation with you in regards to a Family Matter that has recently been brought to my attention by my employer. I am currently in Edenfield, but could arrange to come to London sometime in the next little while if that would be convenient.

I hope all is well with you and that you continue to prosper.

Sincerely,
Mrs Salmalin
Edenfield Court
Edenfield, Lancashire

15 November 1872

Dear Miss Wilhelmina,

Please accept my condolences on the loss of your aunt. I am sorry you are having to go through this so soon after making her acquaintance. There is not much more I can say given the situation. If you need anyone to look after on-going experiments while you attend her funeral, I hope you will think of me.

Sincerely,
Victoria Salmalin

Mrs Phillip Whitnell
Whitnell House
Thornford, Cheshire

10 December 1872

Dearest Mother,

Greetings and felicitations of the season. I am writing to confirm that Mr Salmalin and I plan to remain with the Cowperthwaites for the Christmas season. Our employers were quite unreasonably generous with leave for both of us earlier this year during my confinement and we do not wish to presume overly upon their generosity. Have you decided if you will spent Christmas at Whitnell House, or in Town with your friends?

Your granddaughter is thriving. She is as quiet and well-behaved as a child of her age can manage, I suspect that she takes after my husband in more than just her looks. Her eyes are darkening from the universal baby blue-grey and are already darker than my own. Her hair is as thick as mine but very dark. It is too early to tell if it will be black or just very dark brown. She is currently fascinated by hands, her own and others, and finds them better than any toy.

Robert, my friend Ruth’s son, seems to have adopted her into their little tribe. Whenever I leave Octavia with Ruth, I return to some story about how Robert was trying to teach her to sit up, or some such. Given that he is only a year older than she, it is rather remarkable. Ruth is already making noises about setting up a nursery school for the children and given her expertise in teaching children I suspect it will be a good school.

I am finally caught up with most of milady’s correspondence– really Sir Cosmo’s secretary, Mr Chadwick, handled most matters in my absence. There was an attempt to ‘organize’ my filing system, which I have since straightened out, but otherwise my portion of the household is back under control.

Give my love to the Family.

Your loving daughter,
Victoria

Mr O’Flaherty
Doverton Abbey
Snodbury, Worcestershire

11 December 1872

Dear Mr O’Flaherty,

Thank you very much for the opportunity to visit your new property. I realize that not having a wife or sister to act as hostess can make visits awkward, but I found your staff to be quite helpful and enjoyed touring the grounds.

I hope my presence was not unduly intrusive. Miss Botley has said I can stay with her on future visits if you are concerned about privacy or propriety.

I look forward to seeing you at Edenfield Court for Christmas. Lady Cowperthwaite has expressed her excitement that you have accepted Sir Cosmo’s invitation to stay, and says to tell you that you may certainly bring a guest to festivities. She is planning to send you a note in her own hand (I take no responsibility for the contents thereof) confirming the details.

I have something to ask– and I did not want to spring it on you at the last minute. I was wondering if you would be willing to stand as one of my daughter’s godparents. I am making arrangements to have her Christened in a private service in the next few weeks. I have consulted with my husband as much as is possible in this matter and he supports my choices. If you like I will explain my thinking in more detail once you arrive, but I wanted you to have time to think on the matter in advance.

Awaiting your response, your friend,
Victoria Salmalin

Mrs Phillip Whitnell
Whitnell House
Thornford, Cheshire

24 January 1873, Saturday

Dearest Mother,

Thank you so much for the letter detailing the excitement you all had over the Christmas holidays. Nothing so exciting happened here. As I mentioned in my last missive, Octavia was Christened at the New Year with Lady Cowperthwaite, the Frazers, and Mr O’Flaherty standing as her godparents. Yes, to answer your question, it is a rather unusual collection of people but (as you are all to aware) Octavia is going to need all the help she can get and I stand by my choices.

I have just returned from a brief trip to Brighton where my friends Mr Graham and Mr Chigwidgeon have launched the region tour of "A Royal Engagement, or a Princess goes to Sea,” which I was lucky enough to see during its original run in London. The new cast is very good– the bring a different feeling to the play but it is still very enjoyable. Sir Cosmo, Lady Cowperthwaite and the rest of the household are visiting Lord Greyminster and Miss Pinker in Hornsea. We are all beginning to make our plans for the Return to London.

Will you be taking a house in Town again this Spring? I heard about young Mr Crakenthorpe’s visit to Thornton– I await further news in your hand regarding that matter.

Your loving daughter,
Victoria

10 February 1873, Monday

Dearest Husband,

I have written these letters in the past few days. I gave them into Lady Cowperthwaite’s keeping, and can only hope she remembered to give them to you after the ship set sail.

I wrote these letters after it became apparent, after the first news regarding Sir Cosmo’s unexpected trip to Constantinople, that you would need to accompany the Cowperthwaites. It was equally clear that Octavia and I were not yet up to a sea voyage of such duration. As much as I would like to be by your side on this adventure, the only sensible course was to remain behind.

The enclosed letters are for you to open as you desire– I can only hope you miss me as much as I anticipate missing you. I do not think we have been apart for more than a week since our wedding. I am trusting you to keep our dear friends and companions out of trouble, or at least rescue them from anything they might get themselves into. Most of all I hope you have an entirely uneventful voyage and return safely to my side.

Your devoted wife,
Victoria

Mr James Whitnell
Glasgow University
Glasgow, Scotland

2 April 1873, Wednesday

Dear James,

It has been so long since I have heard from you, I can only assume you are busy teaching, or giving exams, or spending all your earnings bending your elbow and have none left for postage.

I am in London watching over the combined Cowperthwaite/Frazer children while their parents are gallivanting around Constantinople. I received word when they arrived safely in early March and again a few weeks ago when they departed for home. My dear husband is with them and I look forward to his return most of all. Octavia has grown so much in the time he has been gone– he will be so surprised. Or, perhaps not, Mr Salmalin is not the easiest man to surprise.

Based on their telegrams they should be arriving home any day now. Until they return, I wait in London with the rest of the staff. I have managed to get some good work in during the days and it has succeeded better than I expected in keeping my mind off of the long journey my husband is taking. Though I miss having people to talk to who understand my interests.

Now that the day of his return hastens, my ability to concentrate is greatly disturbed. Every messenger that comes to the door draws my attention. The needlepoint I am working on has been found shoved in odd corners of the house as I lay it aside unthinking when the bell announces the arrival of the post. Never before has the fact that the post arrives several times a day seemed insufficient to my needs.

The children have been quite good overall and Violet and Daru have done a wonderful job keeping them to their schedules, but the routine of the nursery, unbroken by parental visits is becoming stale and the children are restless (as am I). We are planing a small party to celebrate young Galen’s birthday. He is already a year old, with Octavia hot on his heels. Or, at least, so it seems to me.

I am sorry this letter is not full of more news or at least more entertaining. I will write again when I have something worth saying.

Write soon.

Your sister,
Victoria

Telegram sent 4 April 1873

Sir Cosmo Cowperthwaite
Liverpool

All well here also STOP
Confirm Rendezvous Edenfield 5 Apr STOP

Mrs Salmalin
No 18 Charles Street
London

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