As Pluck Would Have It

Lady Caroline Ponsonby, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Bessborough, was born in London in 1785 and swiftly proved herself to be as enchanting as she was uncontrollable. Laudanum, even when sweetened with lavender, failed to calm her. Governesses left. Her grandmother, the pious and well-read Lady Spencer—she became Caroline’s primary educator at […]