Do you have a question for our guest columnist? Simply owl our agony aunt for the good advice you so desperately need!

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Dear Eleanora,

I am troubled, my daughter is in the throes of the season and has entertained several suitors settling on one who is, on paper, a perfectly adequate match. By Merlin though, for him to remain on paper would be a blessing. His face is one that only a mother might love, and I am aghast that my daughter finds him to her tastes despite him possessing a brow that would make the neanderthal blush. Am I doomed to ugly grandchildren or should I have my husband discharge him from her sight?

Yours, Fiona

Dear Fiona,

Congratulations on a season that appears to be going in favour for your daughter, it is a testament to a mother to see suitors lining up. My word, you paint a picture of this gentleman and while I understand your fears, I would like to reassure you that his countenance is not guaranteed to pass on to your grandchildren. Only this week in town in fact I encountered a delightfully bonnie baby in the possession of a most homely family. You have said that he is an adequate suitor that your daughter also finds attractive, that his face requires a dimmer candle to enjoy should not take away from your triumph as a mother. I tip my bonnet to your season.

Yours, Eleanora

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Dear Eleanora,

It is that time of the year again, My youngest is soon to be wed and I must discuss her marital duties with her, but how best to go about this task? My conversation with her elder sister was an appalling embarrassment and myself and my husband have not engaged in conjuation for so long I fear they might have changed it. I cannot have a second daughter come back to me in tears that I had left her ill prepared for what should be a celebratory moment.

Yours, Effie

Dear Effie,

Ah yes, a difficult time for many mothers, our daughters rely on us to prepare them but society dictates that we ourselves are barely more prepared than they. A common problematic approach is to discuss the subject without actually discussing it. As a writer, similes and metaphors are delightful, as a women with no prior knowledge of marital duties? I cannot see how I might connect matters. Be honest and open, it may be awkward but as her mother it is your duty. If this does not help, might I also suggest you enlist the help of your presumably now more experienced elder daughter.

Yours, Eleanora

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Dear Eleanora,

Dresses, dresses, dresses, so many of them. My husband and I thought ourselves well off and capable of affording a season with ease, but the dresses. I am to understand that wearing a dress to a second ball would be a faux pas, but I am concerned that our funds will struggle to maintain their replacements as the season reaches its climax. Our girl already has her eye on two more at the modiste that will eat up almost every knut we had put aside for the next month of events. Please help.

Yours, Agatha

Dear Agatha,

An expensive time of year it surely is, particularly for those women who strive to give their daughters the best. Unfortunately your understanding is correct and wearing dresses more than once may hamper courtship chances in some circles, not all, but enough that you are best to avoid it if possible. Fear not though, there are ways to reduce your costs. A sash here, a little stitching here, a ruffle offcut silk there can change the silhouette of a dress just enough to keep onlookers in the dark and the knuts firmly in your purse. In fact one of my esteemed colleagues has written a very helpful article on this very subject which I would suggest you peruse.

Yours, Eleanora