Dear Liam 3rd June 1963
How are you? I am very adequate. The voyage was very nice. Daddy picked me up from Southampton; we stayed for a few days in our house in Brighton before we drove up to Oxford to meet Mother. Daddy ensured me that Mother has been very well the past weeks. She seemed a lot better; well she was the first day when daddy was home unfortunately he has to teach a summer class. And since the two days he left in the morning Mother is very nervous again. Just this morning I angered her by not wearing the right dress, she decided for me to wear a certain dress at the DA luncheon, DA stands for Daughters of Aristocracy. She wanted me to wear the Oxford-blue silk dress and I forgot and wore my green cotton dress. She was so angry that -I deserved box round the ears- I was not allowed to attend the luncheon.
She also complained that my English is horrible and she is right my pronunciation got really bad and I say things like ‘smashing’.
It is very different to be in Waterfall Downs again. Mother mentioned that she has arranged a suitable husband for me, since I caused such a scandal with Victor in America. So the only one that is suitable for me -now that everyone believes Victor deflowered me- is the young Lord Alfred Jackson. The Jackson’s are the second most important family after the royal family. I met Alfred a few times and well let’s say even though he is the only Jackson heir suitable brides are rare he has not the best reputation. But mother thinks his and my reputation well cancel each other out. I will meet him tomorrow when we go to dinner to the Jackson’s. You and I know Mother can’t make decisions regarding me but let’s face it, daddy cannot publicly say she has no say over me and who knows maybe Alfred is now as harsh everyone says I met him once before and I remember he is really smart. And daddy says I will not marry before I am sixteen so I can finish school.
Enough about me how are you? What are you doing all day? Is your mum well? I really miss you. I hope to hear from you soon.
Cordially your Jo
How are you? I am very adequate. The voyage was very nice. Daddy picked me up from Southampton; we stayed for a few days in our house in Brighton before we drove up to Oxford to meet Mother. Daddy ensured me that Mother has been very well the past weeks. She seemed a lot better; well she was the first day when daddy was home unfortunately he has to teach a summer class. And since the two days he left in the morning Mother is very nervous again. Just this morning I angered her by not wearing the right dress, she decided for me to wear a certain dress at the DA luncheon, DA stands for Daughters of Aristocracy. She wanted me to wear the Oxford-blue silk dress and I forgot and wore my green cotton dress. She was so angry that -I deserved box round the ears- I was not allowed to attend the luncheon.
She also complained that my English is horrible and she is right my pronunciation got really bad and I say things like ‘smashing’.
It is very different to be in Waterfall Downs again. Mother mentioned that she has arranged a suitable husband for me, since I caused such a scandal with Victor in America. So the only one that is suitable for me -now that everyone believes Victor deflowered me- is the young Lord Alfred Jackson. The Jackson’s are the second most important family after the royal family. I met Alfred a few times and well let’s say even though he is the only Jackson heir suitable brides are rare he has not the best reputation. But mother thinks his and my reputation well cancel each other out. I will meet him tomorrow when we go to dinner to the Jackson’s. You and I know Mother can’t make decisions regarding me but let’s face it, daddy cannot publicly say she has no say over me and who knows maybe Alfred is now as harsh everyone says I met him once before and I remember he is really smart. And daddy says I will not marry before I am sixteen so I can finish school.
Enough about me how are you? What are you doing all day? Is your mum well? I really miss you. I hope to hear from you soon.
Cordially your Jo