Marlene to Charley: Wales

 

Wales

March 1866

Charley-We have been summoned to Wales to consult with Alexandra, Princess of Wales-the wife of Edward VII. I am quite excited about meeting her as she is very beautiful and stylish and many women want to emulate her. I have heard she enjoys dancing-so may want several ball gowns. She is also an excellent horsewoman and as a child in Denmark, the author Hans Christian Anderson used to come to the palace and read her stories. I was unable to speak with Lawrence Alma Tadema about the painting, but did overhear Msr. B talking with a man (rather unsavory character) and from the tone of his voice, he did not seem pleased. While in the studio in Paris, I had a brief opportunity to try the key with your name on it in several cupboards, but to no avail. I will keep trying. If I may ask, what kind of work did you do for Msr. B? Please keep thinking about what the key can be.  Marlene

Charley to Marlene: Belgium

Belgium

Dec. 1865

Marlene, I hope I do not take liberties to address you so familiarly.  If so I pray you forgive an old man for his quirks.  News of the remarkable discovery made it here to Belgium.  I was summoned from Hong Kong by my dear friend Nicaise de Keyser upon the recent death of the king.  His son (Leo. II) was crowned Sunday last and my services were required.  Although it meant my work in China was cut short, it was most satisfying to visit Nicaise.  He is a noted and most accomplished painter and it was he who first told me of the discovered Antoinette painting.  The Academy here in Antwerp have dispatched a panel of experts to Paris to examine the painting and to attempt to determine its source.  I mentioned briefly with him over dinner last eve, our correspondences and your association with Msr. B.  I tell you – I have known Nicaise for quite some time and have never seen such a look on his face as when I mentioned Msr. B.  I fear you misunderstood my earlier reference to my employ with him.  It was but for a short period when I was much younger with keener senses of observation than I fear I possess today.  In fact I fear my negotiations in China may have been to my disadvantage as I wearied from the work of it.  My daughter urges me to pass the work on to younger men, but it is hard to let it go.  But I digress.  The contingent from Antwerp will include a Lawrence Alma-Tadema.  You might seek him out and hear what he has to say about the painting.  You should mention my acquaintance.  Until anon.

-Charley

Marlene to Charley: France

 

France

Paris 1865

We are back in Paris at Msr Beauchamp design studios for a brief time to replenish our fabrics and supplies. The talk of Paris right now is the “discovery” of a painting of Jeanette Antoinette, the eldest sister of Marie Antoinette. She appears to be a rather strange woman, but very stylishly dressed. Msr. Beauchamp is somehow linked to the discovery of the painting… I am very disturbed by your recent post, but I must remain with Msr as I am a widow with no means of support. I carry the key with in in a discreet place on my person, but have taken your advice and have hidden all of my notes and drawings in the studio. I am wondering if the key could unlock something here? Do you recall anything from your employ here? Most close-Msr approaches.  Marlene

Charley to Marlene: China

Hong Kong, July 1864

Mrs. Edwards, I have just arrived in China to secure silks for my work in Spain.  I may be here for some time as the civil war continues and my lack of fluency in the language hampers negotiations.  Msr. B may well be on his way to becoming the father of “Fashion Moderne”, but I tell you this not lightly – he has done it on the backs and talents of women with far more integrity than he possesses.  Msr. B is a cad with an appetite for the attractions of those above his station.  But I can confess to you that he is a fraud and a charlatan who has bought those attentions through means most nefarious!  Although I am but little known to you, I sense a kinship in you, and because of this I pray and urge you not to mention our acquaintance or the key to Msr. B.  Secure it safely, not on your person, but perhaps with your husband or a trusted friend.  Mrs. Edwards, you appear to be a woman of some talent and grace.  Do not be seduced by Msr. B’s promises for they will bear little fruit.  If you have any designs for fashion I urge you to spare your heart a great disappointment and secure any drawings or notes in a place of only your knowing.  Please for my own sake, place the key with them.  You should precede post haste!

-Charley



Marlene to Charley: Brazil

 

Rio de Janeiro 1864

M. C. Spiers

I am sorry it has taken so long to reply to you. After Austria we were summoned to Brazil to the Empress Teresa Cristina. You may wonder how Msr. Beauchamp could be known so far away as Brazil-the Empress is originally from Italy. (She is quiet plain-I am not sure why our services were requested). The voyage by ship to Brazil took many months and when we arrived we found ourselves in the middle of a war between Brazil and Paraguay. We have been here almost 6 months and are only now able to secure passage home. I hope to hear more about your employ with Msr Beauchamp. He is indeed a stern taskmaster.

Marlene Rose Edwards

p.s. I examined the key more closely and found the initials L.A.M. scratched into it.

Charley to Marlene: Spain

Barcelona, April 1863

Dear Madame Edwards,

I must say it was a shock to see the name of Monsieur Beauchamp again.  If you are apprentice to him I send you my most sincere sympathies.  You must be quiet an accomplished seamstress for him to keep you so close.  With regards to the key, I fear you have me at a disadvantage.  You say you found it in a sewing basket with name and address attached?  I know of no such key, but I have been out of M. Beauchamps' employ for quite some time now.  If you have further information regarding it, I would be most eager to hear of it.

Regards,
C. Spiers

P.S.  I am currently in Spain working on a new project.  The bullfights are most thrilling and their costumes even more so.  I will return to Scotland late next month if you have further news.



Marlene to Charley: Austria

Vienna, 1863
I hope you will not find it odd to get a message from a stranger. I am a seamstress apprenticed to the famous dressmaker, Monsieur Beauchamp. We travel the world making beautiful clothing. As you can see the Empress Elizabeth of Austria commissioned him to make this dress. I do think that flowers worn in the hair will become a new sensation. When I accepted the position with Msr. Beauchamp, I was given a lovely sewing basket and inside I found a key with your name and address attached. Oh dear, running out of room.
Yours, Marlene Rose Edwards

(Author's note:  Empress Elizabeth of Austria was one of the first women of her time to wear flowers in her hair in this style. Soon, women all over Europe were wearing flowers in their hair.)