 Although Marian Fowler, a biographer, argued that the couple's marriage was unhappy (based on E.M. Forster's off-hand and misinterpreted observation that "Mrs. Cotes [is] difficult, and I fancy unhappy"), hers is not the accepted view.Duncan certainly supported her husband in various work-related endeavours.She also cultivated a friendship with James Louis Garvin while he was editor of "The Outlook" and "The Observer", at least in part hoping he might find a position for Everard in Britain.