Announcement, 4th October 1814

It appeared that the event which in part was caused by Lady Lopes da Almeida had ruffled a few feathers, as another unfriendly bit of rumour surfaced about her. This one claimed to have evidence by which they can testify that Lady da Almeida was indeed a mistress to Lord Torrington, or has been for the duration of the Spanish conflict. Speculations on the reasons for her arrival in England suggested that everything from an innocent 'to see the man one last time' to the downright ridiculous, that 'she had been with child'. The same source did say that Lady da Almeida did not speak any English as an encounter with her produced zero results in terms of attempted conversation. She was said to have however asked to recieve a seat to be able to attend the event, but this she did not do alone, as Lady Ines - the wife-to-be to one of the participants - also wished to bear witness to the spectacle.

Some letters were sent to the participants, inquiring if they could reserve them a seat at the event, having perhaps not believed in being chosen through the process organised by the committee.

It was after the vicious rumours began that several gentlemen appeared at the Ainsworth house which Lady Lopes da Almeida, Lady Manrique de Lara and her relatives were renting. When the offers or requests could not be put down to the misunderstanding, brought on by the language, it seemed, little ill could be said of Lady Lopes da Almeida's reaction. She was said to have asked them to leave in a cold but polite manner, and that she if at all possible ignored them and their derisive advancements.

Lady Rose was rumoured to have had enough of it all and left London, having said to have a great affinity towards Lord Torrington, but equally a great distaste for the evil tongues that ran wild in London at the moment. Since she was seen later in the day accompanying her mother, this rumour was found to have little ground.

There was a rumour that began to gain some momentum, which suggested that Slyvia has been proposed by Major Vickery, but that they chose to keep it quiet until a more opportune time. A rumour accompanying the one said that Major Vickery was still deciding on which of the three ladies to pick.

A rumour concerning  the horses suggested that several have come down with some sickness and that the military side was forced to change them, while another rumour offered curious news about who would compete against them, going so far as to say that a 'wild card' was sent for and that he was one of the finest, if not the finest rider and that he too would bring several of his company to take place alongside Alconbury.

Rumour surfaced that a few days ago, or was it a day, the dates were not well disclosed, the ladies accepted the invitation of the Commander and had also been seen visiting the new exhibition. It did not go amiss to say, that Lady Anne seemed to linger a fair deal in the company of Commander Walham and that she seemed to have also had a rather pleasant time of it. Speculations on what this could mean for the young lady and for the father who would either approve, or disapprove of such union, were also made.