Welcome to Noeple Blood, a production of I Heart Radio and Grimm and Mild from

Aaron Manky, listener discretion advised.

In 1931, a socialite named Ethel Margaret Wiggum held her 19th birthday party

at the Embassy Club, one of London's most exclusive sub-clubs at the time. It was

the kind of place where film stars and royalty comingled. And Margaret was the

center of it all. She was the beautiful wealthy daughter of a Scottish

businessman and after her coming out as debutante of the year in 1930, she soon

became a darling of London society thanks to her glamorous fashion and her

aura of confidence. According to legend, the night of the birthday party, Margaret

had an astrologer predict her future. I see happiness, laughter, much love, but be

where? There is danger. Danger from what, Margaret asked? Treachery, the

astrologer replied, you will be betrayed by the people you trust. Flash forward

30 years and Margaret, then 50 years old and the Duchess of Argyle, arrived at

court, wearing a tailored peacote, mink wrap, and pearl earrings. She was there to

begin the divorce proceedings from her second husband, the Duke of Argyle,

which would end up being the longest and costliest divorce proceedings British

history had ever seen. The couple had met after Margaret's divorce from her

first husband, American businessman Charles Sweeney. But it soon became clear

that Margaret had found another doomed match. The Duke was filing for divorce from

his wife on the grounds of adultery, alleging that Margaret had taken 88

lovers in their time together. A list of lovers that included cabinet ministers,

Hollywood actors, and royals. It was a tabloid frenzy. Not only thanks to the

...