Biography
Chapters
Biography
Rosamonde Catherine Audley was born on April 13th, 1859, to Lord Charles Audley and Lady Jane Audley (née; Weatherfield). Her great-grandfather was named a baronet because, generally speaking, of his wealth and fame as a barrister, and the Audleys lived in a suitable country house for those of their station (it is on the lives of ones like her family that novels such as Middlemarch turn, and Pride and Prejudice in earlier generations) just outside of Haverhill. She was the youngest of their children, and their last. (Her name is her mother's one concession to romance in her life; an otherwise stately and reserved woman, her daughters were to be named Gwendolyn Elizabeth and Rosamonde Catherine as compared to Charles James, James Edward, and Henry William for her sons.) Rosamonde and her elder brother, Charles, were the only surviving children of the five who were conceived. Charles was the eldest, and between his birth and Rosamonde's birth, two brothers and a sister were born and died in infancy, or very early childhood. She was born perhaps a year after her sister's death, so in her mind, her only sibling is Charles, who is at least ten years older than she.
Perhaps much of the blame for her unorthodox (call it that) upbringing falls on Charles and her father. Having endured the deaths of two brothers, and a sister, Charles longed for a playmate and companion. When she survived after her birth, he was understandably enthusiastic--much to the dismay of their parents when they discovered him trotting about the yard and going over small jumps on his pony with his toddler sister tied to his waist with a ribbon, but let it be known that Rosamonde was laughing. Their father was indulgent of their games, encouraging them--he had seen his eldest son despondent after the deaths of his siblings, and was happy for him to finally have a playmate. The fact that this playmate was a girl didn't seem to matter. The two were fairly inseperable for a few years, trotting around on Charles's pony, playing in hedges, going just a bit farther than their father wanted them to go, and getting far muddier than their mother could abide. Their mother feared (perhaps rightly) for what this wildness would do to her daughter.
Charles was later sent to school, and Rosamonde was left alone this time, to be eduated by governesses who would describe her as 'intelligent', but also 'strong-willed', 'spirited', and even, 'stubborn'. It was during this prolonged, and very nearly permanent separation from her earlier companion that Rosamonde realised her essential dislike for the other girls in the neighborhood and her greater affection for both horses and the natural world at large. Charles would eventually become a barrister and took to staying far more in London than at their family house.
Of course, he still visited from time to time, sometimes bringing friends, sometimes visiting his sister in particular. She was growing up, and a young woman now, seventeen years old, and had very recently 'come out'. Of course, that meant that she was much more inclined to be invited to neighborhood events--loathe as she might be to go to them--including those held at the home of the Rodericks. She was none too fond of them, as coarse as they seemed and as tiresome as parties were. And she had littler interest still in this son of theirs--just another boorish man, and a rascal at that, and she knew of his name and his reputation.
However, when she was nineteen years old, her brother announced his intention to host a house party and hunting party at their family house late one November, and he intended to invite the better part of the neighborhood, including one Mr. Clifton Roderick, with whom he had become quite friendly over the years. Perhaps Charles had been recieved into the younger Mr. Roderick's circle of friends, or perhaps he wanted a little scandal to draw attention to his party. Either way, those days were to be significant more for Rosamonde than for Charles.
An off-hand remark about Clive's speed at galloping across their property turned to a brief encounter--not quite a confrontation, but not entirely a challenge either--which resulted in a ride, which ended up more as a race (though Rosamonde pulled back before the land grew too rough and unpredictable: there was no point in endangering herself or her horse, and Mr. Roderick was a fool to dash across it like that). But he was interesting, clever, and different, reputation aside. Such was the catalyst to Clive and Rosamonde talking more, encountering each other more, and eventually becoming friends within several months.
Soon, an entire year had passed, and the two remained quite close, much to the chagrin of both families. By early January, the two became even more involved after a secretive confession on his part during a Twelfth Night party. The relationship was kept under wraps at Rosamonde's behest, and he himself was elusive about the affair to everyone; such remained for nearly another year, until the two became engaged in mid-1880. It was almost too obvious that the engagement would have been met with a cold reception. Rosamonde's mother already opposed their friendship, though the final decision rested with Rosamonde's father. While not one to spoil his daughter and grant her every wish, her father saw through her immediately, and understood the affection she felt for Clive. Marrying Clive was marrying down in more than one way, given his reputation and the taint of trade on him. But he was wealthy and established, and he had seen the two together and knew he was kind, and Charles was immensely fond of him too. After a certain amount of time, seeing how the waiting agonized Rosamonde, he granted his permission for them to marry. Her mother argued fiercely with her father upon hearing his decision and, knowing of this, Rosamonde has since tried to reconcile with her mother. It has become a point of pride with her to prove that she is both happy and capable.
The two were married in early October of 1880. After the acquisition of their own estate and the honeymoon following the wedding itself, the two began to start their own lives on their own terms.
Personality
The word that best applies to Rosamonde is 'independent'. However, unlike the firebrands of romances and novels, Rosamonde is more of a stone that will not be moved. She doesn't burn with passion, nor does she weep with desire or despair, though she is spirited. She will do as she pleases. She doesn't burst into tears (though she's cried), and she doesn't shout and scream. While not exactly patient (she doesn't suffer fools gladly), she'll sooner excuse herself with a vaguely biting remark than endure stupidity or silliness. Parties are the worst as far as she's concerned, and most will find her standing on a terrace or balcony as soon as possible for as long as possible.
She is also considered a fair wit--though hers is of a sort that makes her mother hold her breath when her daughter speaks. She can be cutting, or downright cruel, which tends to frighten away some of the milder-tempered girls. Some gentlemen, however, are attracted by her difference--though not to woo her or make her a lover. With them she is not flirty or coquettish (coquettes annoy her and the coquettes despise her). She knows they don't want to marry her, and she has at least partially resigned herself to the idea of ending up a spinster. Still, she enjoys their conversation, and feels a bit freer speaking to them than to other ladies her age. She likes being thought of as clever and witty, and she likes proving herself the equal of the men she speaks to--the equal both in mind as well as in ability (horseback-riding and hunting both spring to mind here).
This temperament also appeals immensely to certain other girls in the neighborhood, so while she may hate having to carry on mindless conversations with her mother's relations (excusing herself as often as she can), she'll gladly carry on very spirited talks with her friends. They perhaps admire her for her independence, and she encourages them. She doesn't mean to start a revolution, and she isn't unwittingly (and anachronistically) feminist, but she does encourage a measure of it.
She has, due to her unusual nature and tendency to be scathing, found herself feeling alienated among the other ladies. As such, she tends to be suspicious of those wanting to be her friend. She doesn't suspect them of cruelty, necessarily, but she is hesitant to form a connection with them. It takes a fair amount of time to win her friendship. But, once she has made an attachment, she is immensely loyal. Once she decides on a friendship, it is fixed in her mind.
She is devoted to her parents and her brother, and to Clive, which had made matters none too simple at times. Her mother is still appalled at her decision to marry Clive (nevermind that it was Rosamonde's father who approved the match). Her loyalty makes her long to make her mother happy, and for many years she has tried to make peace with her. At the same time, her independence forbids her to submit completely. It has, over time, evolved into something of a competition in Rosamonde's mind: she wants nothing more than to prove to her mother that she is both capable and free.
As such, when she was young, she set out to master the necessities of etiquette and how to maintain and household for her mother's sake. It was not as instinctive to her as it was for her mother, so a great deal of what she does is an imitation of her mother--it feels like a false front to Rosamonde, but she sees the necessity of it. She is polite, but she is minimal, and tending towards sarcasm at times. And yet, it still doesn't seem to have won her her mother's full approval--she will battle this for many years to come, especially after marrying Clive.
Clive himself first appalled her. He was brash, brutish, talked too much, and even she was more refined than he. But after speaking to him, and realising he was more clever than he seemed, and losing to him in a race, it became another competition in her mind. From competition sprang friendship, and from friendship sprang love, as she realised he was the one with whom she would be most happy--he wouldn't demand she change, nor did he think of her solely as a friend or competitor.
Flaws and Weaknesses
Her single biggest flaw is her stubbornness. Rosamond is stubborn, willful, thickheaded, single-minded, and obstinate. Unfortunately, she can also be rather passive about it, preferring to press on as she would prefer rather than begin an outright confrontation over something.
For example, should her mother insist that she not go riding one morning, so her petticoat won't have mud on it when the Bennetts come to visit, Rosamonde won't argue or claim she can keep her petticoats clean, thank you Mother. Instead, she'll simply wait until her mother walks away and go out riding anyway. If it comes to words, she doesn't shriek or shout, but is cutting with sarcasm and coldness.
When she wants something, she pursues it as relentlessly as one pursues a quarry when hunting, and when she hates something, she avoids it and loathes it entirely. She neither forgives easily nor makes connections and acquaintances easily. She is social, but is not considered especially friendly.
Society and her mother, meanwhile, see a different set of flaws in her, in that she is too that she is too scathing, too harsh, and far too 'wild' for proper gatherings. She is not the mild maiden she is expected to be, though she's not regarded as either embarrassing or risque. She's just a bit unrefined (blame her brother) and too bold.
In her mind, most of her neighbors, her mother's friends, and even a certain number of her relatives are unbearably insipid--downright stupid even. And so she reacts accordingly, not speaking precisely her mind, but certainly letting them know of her irritation with them. And, given her thick-headedness and resistance to change, it's doubtful she'll moderate her opinion very easily.
Abilities and Skills
Rosamonde is inescapably human. She neither has supernatural powers, nor so I especially think she would want any. However, she is a skilled horsewoman, willing to take risks, but well-aware of her limits and her horse's limits, and she thinks of her favourite horse (Diana) as a friend. She can excel at most things requiring a bit of physical effort--at least, as compared to other ladies of her age--including horseback-riding, as mentioned, but also archery and a little bit of spontaneous and ill-advised running. She is intelligent, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and curious, though her exposure to things like science and mathematics have been somewhat limited by her gender.
Appearance
Rosamonde is of average height--though perhaps on the tall side of average. Her mother blames this on her being too active when she was young--she 'overdeveloped' herself. In reality, she simply resembles her father and brother in their height. However, her mother takes credit for the rest: like her mother, she has golden-blonde hair, very pale blue eyes, and very fair skin.
Though not considered the neighborhood beauty (that honour belongs to Miss Helen Bradshaw), she is still considered quite handsome. Her personality is sometimes too shocking for those who would woo her, though the gentlemen do seem to enjoy her conversation and competitiveness. They would sooner see her as a friend than a lover.
She dresses as a lady of her station ought--and one may credit or blame her mother for that, thanks to her mother's insistence and Rosamonde's wish to please her. However, she tends towards simpler dresses: nothing with immense clouds of lace falling off the shoulders and the hem. Fine fabrics appeal to her more than ribbons and lace. Riding habits are among her favourite clothes, obviously. Her jewelry is relatively simple, even when she is dressed for the evening, rather than immense collars of diamonds or pearls. Perhaps the only whimsy shows in her hats (and she is not the sort of care if someone else has on a very similar one).
One, Two, Three [Note: images are from the television production of Daniel Deronda, which are not perfectly accurate to my OC's era--it's about five years earlier, but it's the closest I could find to the proper period.]
Biography
Rosamonde Catherine Audley was born on April 13th, 1859, to Lord Charles Audley and Lady Jane Audley (née; Weatherfield). Her great-grandfather was named a baronet because, generally speaking, of his wealth and fame as a barrister, and the Audleys lived in a suitable country house for those of their station (it is on the lives of ones like her family that novels such as Middlemarch turn, and Pride and Prejudice in earlier generations) just outside of Haverhill. She was the youngest of their children, and their last. (Her name is her mother's one concession to romance in her life; an otherwise stately and reserved woman, her daughters were to be named Gwendolyn Elizabeth and Rosamonde Catherine as compared to Charles James, James Edward, and Henry William for her sons.) Rosamonde and her elder brother, Charles, were the only surviving children of the five who were conceived. Charles was the eldest, and between his birth and Rosamonde's birth, two brothers and a sister were born and died in infancy, or very early childhood. She was born perhaps a year after her sister's death, so in her mind, her only sibling is Charles, who is at least ten years older than she.
Perhaps much of the blame for her unorthodox (call it that) upbringing falls on Charles and her father. Having endured the deaths of two brothers, and a sister, Charles longed for a playmate and companion. When she survived after her birth, he was understandably enthusiastic--much to the dismay of their parents when they discovered him trotting about the yard and going over small jumps on his pony with his toddler sister tied to his waist with a ribbon, but let it be known that Rosamonde was laughing. Their father was indulgent of their games, encouraging them--he had seen his eldest son despondent after the deaths of his siblings, and was happy for him to finally have a playmate. The fact that this playmate was a girl didn't seem to matter. The two were fairly inseperable for a few years, trotting around on Charles's pony, playing in hedges, going just a bit farther than their father wanted them to go, and getting far muddier than their mother could abide. Their mother feared (perhaps rightly) for what this wildness would do to her daughter.
Charles was later sent to school, and Rosamonde was left alone this time, to be eduated by governesses who would describe her as 'intelligent', but also 'strong-willed', 'spirited', and even, 'stubborn'. It was during this prolonged, and very nearly permanent separation from her earlier companion that Rosamonde realised her essential dislike for the other girls in the neighborhood and her greater affection for both horses and the natural world at large. Charles would eventually become a barrister and took to staying far more in London than at their family house.
Of course, he still visited from time to time, sometimes bringing friends, sometimes visiting his sister in particular. She was growing up, and a young woman now, seventeen years old, and had very recently 'come out'. Of course, that meant that she was much more inclined to be invited to neighborhood events--loathe as she might be to go to them--including those held at the home of the Rodericks. She was none too fond of them, as coarse as they seemed and as tiresome as parties were. And she had littler interest still in this son of theirs--just another boorish man, and a rascal at that, and she knew of his name and his reputation.
However, when she was nineteen years old, her brother announced his intention to host a house party and hunting party at their family house late one November, and he intended to invite the better part of the neighborhood, including one Mr. Clifton Roderick, with whom he had become quite friendly over the years. Perhaps Charles had been recieved into the younger Mr. Roderick's circle of friends, or perhaps he wanted a little scandal to draw attention to his party. Either way, those days were to be significant more for Rosamonde than for Charles.
An off-hand remark about Clive's speed at galloping across their property turned to a brief encounter--not quite a confrontation, but not entirely a challenge either--which resulted in a ride, which ended up more as a race (though Rosamonde pulled back before the land grew too rough and unpredictable: there was no point in endangering herself or her horse, and Mr. Roderick was a fool to dash across it like that). But he was interesting, clever, and different, reputation aside. Such was the catalyst to Clive and Rosamonde talking more, encountering each other more, and eventually becoming friends within several months.
Soon, an entire year had passed, and the two remained quite close, much to the chagrin of both families. By early January, the two became even more involved after a secretive confession on his part during a Twelfth Night party. The relationship was kept under wraps at Rosamonde's behest, and he himself was elusive about the affair to everyone; such remained for nearly another year, until the two became engaged in mid-1880. It was almost too obvious that the engagement would have been met with a cold reception. Rosamonde's mother already opposed their friendship, though the final decision rested with Rosamonde's father. While not one to spoil his daughter and grant her every wish, her father saw through her immediately, and understood the affection she felt for Clive. Marrying Clive was marrying down in more than one way, given his reputation and the taint of trade on him. But he was wealthy and established, and he had seen the two together and knew he was kind, and Charles was immensely fond of him too. After a certain amount of time, seeing how the waiting agonized Rosamonde, he granted his permission for them to marry. Her mother argued fiercely with her father upon hearing his decision and, knowing of this, Rosamonde has since tried to reconcile with her mother. It has become a point of pride with her to prove that she is both happy and capable.
The two were married in early October of 1880. After the acquisition of their own estate and the honeymoon following the wedding itself, the two began to start their own lives on their own terms.
Personality
The word that best applies to Rosamonde is 'independent'. However, unlike the firebrands of romances and novels, Rosamonde is more of a stone that will not be moved. She doesn't burn with passion, nor does she weep with desire or despair, though she is spirited. She will do as she pleases. She doesn't burst into tears (though she's cried), and she doesn't shout and scream. While not exactly patient (she doesn't suffer fools gladly), she'll sooner excuse herself with a vaguely biting remark than endure stupidity or silliness. Parties are the worst as far as she's concerned, and most will find her standing on a terrace or balcony as soon as possible for as long as possible.
She is also considered a fair wit--though hers is of a sort that makes her mother hold her breath when her daughter speaks. She can be cutting, or downright cruel, which tends to frighten away some of the milder-tempered girls. Some gentlemen, however, are attracted by her difference--though not to woo her or make her a lover. With them she is not flirty or coquettish (coquettes annoy her and the coquettes despise her). She knows they don't want to marry her, and she has at least partially resigned herself to the idea of ending up a spinster. Still, she enjoys their conversation, and feels a bit freer speaking to them than to other ladies her age. She likes being thought of as clever and witty, and she likes proving herself the equal of the men she speaks to--the equal both in mind as well as in ability (horseback-riding and hunting both spring to mind here).
This temperament also appeals immensely to certain other girls in the neighborhood, so while she may hate having to carry on mindless conversations with her mother's relations (excusing herself as often as she can), she'll gladly carry on very spirited talks with her friends. They perhaps admire her for her independence, and she encourages them. She doesn't mean to start a revolution, and she isn't unwittingly (and anachronistically) feminist, but she does encourage a measure of it.
She has, due to her unusual nature and tendency to be scathing, found herself feeling alienated among the other ladies. As such, she tends to be suspicious of those wanting to be her friend. She doesn't suspect them of cruelty, necessarily, but she is hesitant to form a connection with them. It takes a fair amount of time to win her friendship. But, once she has made an attachment, she is immensely loyal. Once she decides on a friendship, it is fixed in her mind.
She is devoted to her parents and her brother, and to Clive, which had made matters none too simple at times. Her mother is still appalled at her decision to marry Clive (nevermind that it was Rosamonde's father who approved the match). Her loyalty makes her long to make her mother happy, and for many years she has tried to make peace with her. At the same time, her independence forbids her to submit completely. It has, over time, evolved into something of a competition in Rosamonde's mind: she wants nothing more than to prove to her mother that she is both capable and free.
As such, when she was young, she set out to master the necessities of etiquette and how to maintain and household for her mother's sake. It was not as instinctive to her as it was for her mother, so a great deal of what she does is an imitation of her mother--it feels like a false front to Rosamonde, but she sees the necessity of it. She is polite, but she is minimal, and tending towards sarcasm at times. And yet, it still doesn't seem to have won her her mother's full approval--she will battle this for many years to come, especially after marrying Clive.
Clive himself first appalled her. He was brash, brutish, talked too much, and even she was more refined than he. But after speaking to him, and realising he was more clever than he seemed, and losing to him in a race, it became another competition in her mind. From competition sprang friendship, and from friendship sprang love, as she realised he was the one with whom she would be most happy--he wouldn't demand she change, nor did he think of her solely as a friend or competitor.
Flaws and Weaknesses
Her single biggest flaw is her stubbornness. Rosamond is stubborn, willful, thickheaded, single-minded, and obstinate. Unfortunately, she can also be rather passive about it, preferring to press on as she would prefer rather than begin an outright confrontation over something.
For example, should her mother insist that she not go riding one morning, so her petticoat won't have mud on it when the Bennetts come to visit, Rosamonde won't argue or claim she can keep her petticoats clean, thank you Mother. Instead, she'll simply wait until her mother walks away and go out riding anyway. If it comes to words, she doesn't shriek or shout, but is cutting with sarcasm and coldness.
When she wants something, she pursues it as relentlessly as one pursues a quarry when hunting, and when she hates something, she avoids it and loathes it entirely. She neither forgives easily nor makes connections and acquaintances easily. She is social, but is not considered especially friendly.
Society and her mother, meanwhile, see a different set of flaws in her, in that she is too that she is too scathing, too harsh, and far too 'wild' for proper gatherings. She is not the mild maiden she is expected to be, though she's not regarded as either embarrassing or risque. She's just a bit unrefined (blame her brother) and too bold.
In her mind, most of her neighbors, her mother's friends, and even a certain number of her relatives are unbearably insipid--downright stupid even. And so she reacts accordingly, not speaking precisely her mind, but certainly letting them know of her irritation with them. And, given her thick-headedness and resistance to change, it's doubtful she'll moderate her opinion very easily.
Abilities and Skills
Rosamonde is inescapably human. She neither has supernatural powers, nor so I especially think she would want any. However, she is a skilled horsewoman, willing to take risks, but well-aware of her limits and her horse's limits, and she thinks of her favourite horse (Diana) as a friend. She can excel at most things requiring a bit of physical effort--at least, as compared to other ladies of her age--including horseback-riding, as mentioned, but also archery and a little bit of spontaneous and ill-advised running. She is intelligent, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and curious, though her exposure to things like science and mathematics have been somewhat limited by her gender.
Appearance
Rosamonde is of average height--though perhaps on the tall side of average. Her mother blames this on her being too active when she was young--she 'overdeveloped' herself. In reality, she simply resembles her father and brother in their height. However, her mother takes credit for the rest: like her mother, she has golden-blonde hair, very pale blue eyes, and very fair skin.
Though not considered the neighborhood beauty (that honour belongs to Miss Helen Bradshaw), she is still considered quite handsome. Her personality is sometimes too shocking for those who would woo her, though the gentlemen do seem to enjoy her conversation and competitiveness. They would sooner see her as a friend than a lover.
She dresses as a lady of her station ought--and one may credit or blame her mother for that, thanks to her mother's insistence and Rosamonde's wish to please her. However, she tends towards simpler dresses: nothing with immense clouds of lace falling off the shoulders and the hem. Fine fabrics appeal to her more than ribbons and lace. Riding habits are among her favourite clothes, obviously. Her jewelry is relatively simple, even when she is dressed for the evening, rather than immense collars of diamonds or pearls. Perhaps the only whimsy shows in her hats (and she is not the sort of care if someone else has on a very similar one).
One, Two, Three [Note: images are from the television production of Daniel Deronda, which are not perfectly accurate to my OC's era--it's about five years earlier, but it's the closest I could find to the proper period.]
