So, another seemingly cosy day at Marianne’s court, sipping tea? Far from it.
By now, I believe the reader is well immersed in the spirit and routines of courtly life, and it is time to introduce the young ladies belonging to Marianne’s entourage in the spring of 1757. Their names — only occasionally appearing in the indices of history books — were not easy to trace. However, by carefully considering their years of birth and the periods during which they were present at court, I was able to identify the following persons:
Maximiliana Countess Christalnigg (1732–1758), born Countess Goess, probably the closest friend to Marianne. To compensate for her early death, I granted her a more active supporting role in the narrative.
Juliana of Attems (1741–1802). The lack of information about her life led me to assume she remained unmarried, which allows for the speculation that she continued in Marianne’s service. I expect she will reappear in my future narrative work, potentially in a more substantial role
Leontine of Salburg (1734–1793) married Count Dietrichstein in 1758 and left her position at court. A few remarks she lets fall set Marianne’s investigation in motion. Before the sun sets, all the vague clues, inklings, and suggestions about Princess Schwarzenberg suddenly coalesce into an astonishing fabrication — and once that happens, there is no turning back.
Unfortunately, no identified portrait of any of these ladies appears to exist.
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