Photograph of Mary Emily Howard with her pet dog, late 19th century

Studio portrait of Mary Howard with her pet dog, late 19th century.

Local girl Mary Howard was installed as the housekeeper at Lydiard House by the 5th Viscount Bolingbroke, but secretly the pair were lovers. Whilst at Lydiard Park protocols were observed but in Bath, were Lord Bolingbroke rented a property in Gay Street, the couple masqueraded as Mr and Mrs Wilson.

They married in a private ceremony in 1893, a fact not known by the wider family until the Viscount's death in 1899.