Claudia Morton
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| Portrayed by Scarlett Johansson | |
| Full Name | Claudia Morton, Lady Worth |
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| Associated Noble House(s) | Barony of Worth |
| Date of Birth | 1 August 1786 |
| Father | Sir George Stevens |
| Father's Rank | Baronet |
| Mother | Margaret Stevens |
| Mother's Rank | Baronet's wife |
| Town Residence | {{{residence}}} |
| Year of Debut | 1803 |
| Dowry | £3,000 |
| Year of Marriage | 1806 |
| Spouse | George Morton |
| Spouse's Rank | Baron Worth |
| Issue | none |
Claudia is a former character played by Sara.
Family
Father - Sir George Stevens, Baronet b. 1756 (55)
Mother – Lady Margaret Stevens, b. 1762 (49)
Brother – Mr. Cassius Stevens, b. 1781 (30)
Brother – Mr. Gideon Stevens, b. 1783 (28)
Brother – Mr. Dominic Stevens, b. 1784 (27)
Husband – George Morton b. 1761 (50), Baron Worth
Lady Worth does not frequently visit or write her parents, despite insisting that their familial ties be very tight to anyone who asks. In truth, she has particular animosity towards them for marrying her off to such an old man, and a Baron nonetheless (couldn't they have found someone younger and higher ranking?). Her brothers are a different story and she corresponds with them often.
Background
Resting on self-made wealth and a title of baronet, with three healthy sons to carry on the family name, Sir George Stevens was looking forward to a pleasant and relaxing decline into his later years. Then his wife, Margaret, whispered over dinner one evening that one more branch was to be added to their family tree. A little baby girl. With the family name guaranteed to continue through his sons, George was ambivalent. The trouble only started when their new daughter Claudia began walking and talking. Most of her early youth was lived as her brothers' equal, running wild and playing war. She was (and still is to some extent) obstinate. For the most part, her lackadaisical father turned a blind eye to her actions. But once her daughter reached adolescence, her mother would take no more.
Almost overnight, Claudia found herself shackled to a rather strict governess: Miss Welch, who rarely let her fraternize with her brothers. Every purpose of her lessons was to transform the little hellion into a refined, marriageable young woman. Stubborn to a fault, Claudia persisted in hiding from her governess, skipping lessons or purposefully disobeying the ladylike rules that Miss Welch tried to instill in the young child. Three governesses were hired and quit before Claudia reached that age where becoming an adult woman suddenly overtakes all other childish ambitions. Her increasing interest in fashion, men and dancing helped to accelerate lessons previously ignored.
She debuted in London with decent success at age 17, attracting several suitors. Claudia, nourished by the attention, could never settle on just one. Money or appearance didn't concern her. Neither did a title. Claudia just assumed that whichever man she was to marry would need to have all three of those things or she would not choose him. As in her youth, Miss Stevens flouted society after her initial splash, appearing where and when she wanted, with friends, without friends... but one thing was constant: the coquette always had a man on her arm – just not one she would ever consider for a husband.
Through these years, she only had one serious interest: a young man met at a ball, but not of the peerage. He too was under pressure from his family to marry well. They joked once or twice about running off together and scandalizing their parents. But that idea never came to fruition; he found a serious and practical match to whom he was quickly engaged and married. Sadly, his bride was a rather jealous woman who hardly allowed him female friendship. A fear began to grow in Claudia's heart that her marriage would be similar: few friends, no brothers... a dismal, lonely life.
With a 20 year old unwed daughter on her hands, Claudia's mother began concocting other plans. Margaret wouldn't allow Claudia to slide into spinsterhood unchecked. A year was spent making inquiries and arranging “chance meetings”. Finally, Margaret's anxiety over their new position in society pressed her into contacting a much older man – her husband's age, in fact – Baron Worth. Well known in society for his recent desire to marry despite his age, it was discovered that he had been unwed his entire life. Strange indeed, considering his wealth, which would have been a tasty morsel for any young woman – but 25 years ago. However, he explained, he felt it was simply time to experience the joys of matrimony. In fact, he even seemed honored that the Stevens family was offering their daughter – whether she wanted to be offered was another story.
Margaret took a firm hand with both her husband and daughter. Her husband wanted his quiet life back and gave her the reins. All her brothers had little to say, preferring to step out of the way of their mother... except for Dominic, who tried to intervene, but had no success.
Claudia's head spun as she found herself in a whirlwind match with the world's oldest man. For heaven's sakes – almost her father's age! And even worse, the same name as her father's! He couldn't have been less like anything she ever dreamed of marrying – though he had a noble profile, his other features were nondescript and his whitish hairline rapidly receding. Receding hairline or not, the two were married, and have been for the past five, long, uneventful years.
Personality
Claudia adores attention. That marriage band on her finger hardly restrains her from flirting with young dandies her age. She excuses her behavior to herself by reasoning that she was pushed into this marriage by her parents-- they should have foreseen the consequences. Any negative remarks she receives are simply laughed off or ignored, though they take their toll later in private. She is not impervious to harmful gossip and can find herself agonizing over a comment made in passing days later.
She desperately wants to be still young and free, taking carriage rides alone with men, or scandalizing the Ton in some ridiculous manner. But now she fears her life is delegated to being a lazy, married country crone. Claudia will always try to contradict that looming stereotype with gossiping, drinking, gambling, chattering. She's often rather stubborn, and loves being spontaneous, being in society, and being surrounded with people.
Yet she has few close friends. Allowing others to glimpse her true personality, opening that door to display her true self without the affectations and the attention-seeking personality... those moments are few. Not only that, but her personality can be abrasive to most. Her friends usually are her mentors. At times she seeks approval from those around her, but she values and appreciates honest guidance and truth, even if she doesn't always obey it.
For instance, Claudia and her brother Dominic, a clergyman, write almost every other day to each other. Another friend is Lady Jane Middleton; having met her through her husband, the two became fast compatriots. Her husband is friends with Lord Westmore. His daughter, Miss Regina Rutledge, joined them at Bath. The girl annoyed Claudia to no end with her indifference to society; she could not help prompting her to make a match quickly, for her sake.
Claudia has no interest in her husband's activities, preferring him to lead his own life separate from hers. It's not that he repulses her; she just views him as incredibly archaic and dull. Honestly, she does not know much about his life before their marriage, and prefers to keep it that way.
Even Claudia wonders why she's amused by children, but she gets along quite well with them and enjoys their company. Perhaps its something innocent and fresh about their outlook on the world, or perhaps they remind her of herself so long ago.