The next chapter in the book is called 'Maud'.
It is about Maud Burke, also known as Emerald Cunard. Maud Alice Burke (3 August 1872 – 10 July 1948), later Lady Cunard, known as Emerald, was an American-born, London-based society hostess.
Maud met George Moore, who she had an affair with, and this liaison was resumed when she and George bumped into each other in England after her marriage. George Augustus Moore (24 February 1852 – 21 January 1933) was an Irish novelist, short-story writer, poet, art critic, memoirist and dramatist.
Maud met Prince Andre Poniatowski, and she thought he would marry her, and even the newspapers published a possible engagement when they got wind of rumour. Poniatowski, who planned to marry someone else, was horrified and forced Maud to make a public denial.
Maud then married Sir Boche Cunard.
Maud disliked life in the country, but focused on decorating the house. Around this time she remet George Moore, but she didn't start the affair with him until she had her daughter, Nancy.
Apart from Moore, there were other lovers like Lord Alexander Thynne. Lord Alexander George Boteville Thynne (17 February 1873 – 14 September 1918) was a British Army officer and Conservative politician.
Thomas Beecham was another of her lovers, but he was the love of her life. Sir Thomas Beecham (29 April 1879 – 8 March 1961) was an English conductor and impresario best known for his association with the London Philharmonic and the Royal Philharmonic orchestras. Although they never lived together, it continued, despite other relationships on his part, until his remarriage in 1943.
The relationship with her daughter Nancy was tumultuous because Maud had never really wanted to be a mother. Nancy Clara Cunard (10 March 1896 – 17 March 1965) was a British writer, heiress and political activist. She was born into the British upper class, and devoted much of her life to fighting racism and fascism.
Chapter thirteen is about the three American women who had a special relationship with the Prince of Wales (later the King). There were three women who we have already seen in the book.
The first one is Jennie Churchill. When her husband's healt was deteriorating, she had an affair with Prince Karl Kinsky. The affair ended when she heard he was marrying.
In 1895 Randolph died, and Jennie started an affair with the Prince of Wales.
Jenny also had a brief affair with William Waldorf Astor. William Waldorf Astor (31 March 1848 – 18 October 1919) was an American-English attorney, politician, businessman (hotels and newspapers), and philanthropist. Astor was a scion of the very wealthy Astor family of New York City.
Jennie's sister was married to John Leslie, but he had a romantic relationsip with the Duke of Connaught.
Consuelo Yznaga was the second American heiress who the Prince of Wales had a close friendship with. Consuelo was married to Lord Manderley.
Lord Manderley went to live openly with Bessie Bellwood, and as a consequence, he was ostracized. When he left her, she sued him for what he had borrowed from her. Bessie Bellwood ( 30 March 1856 – 24 September 1896) was a popular music hall performer of the Victorian era.
Consuela had to weather terrible events in her life. In 1892 Lord Manderley died. Then two of her daughters also died, adn her son married an unsuitable woman, Helena Zimmerman.
The next chapter in the book is about the Bradley-Martins. They were rich socialites who aspired to get a position in the nobility through their daughter. They travelled to Europe often, and had a castle in Scotland, Bal Macaac.
What is remarkable about the couple is that they married off their daughter, Cornelia, when she was only sixteen. She hadn't even come out, and the Bradley-Martins were openly criticised. The man who married her was the Earl of Craven. Cornelia Craven, Countess of Craven born Cornelia Martin (September 22, 1877 – May 24, 1961) was an American-born heiress who married into the British aristocracy and was known as one of the "Dollar Princesses." William George Robert Craven, 4th Earl of Craven OBE (16 December 1868 – 10 July 1921), styled Viscount Uffington from 1868 to 1883, was a British peer and Liberal politician.
No comments:
Post a Comment