Daniel Rossington

Daniel "Neil" Rossington

Portrayed by Jared Padalecki
Full Name	Daniel James Rossington
Associated Noble House(s)	Dukedom of Welby, Marquessate of Easton, Marquessate of Raulings
Date of Birth	January 5, 1781
Father	Theodore Rossington
Father's Rank	6th Duke of Welby
Mother	Miranda Rossington
Mother's Rank	Dowager Duchess of Welby
Town Residence	10 St. James Square
School	Eton
University	Cambridge
Profession

More puppy than man, most days.

Daniel James Rossington, born Lord Daniel Rossington, is the second son to Theodore and Miranda Rossington, 6th Duke and Duchess of Welby. He is the younger brother of Hugh Rossington, the 7th Duke of Welby, and the heir to the Dukedom of Welby.

Neil was played by Izzie.

Family

Neil is the heir apparent to the Dukedom of Welby. He is the second son of Theodore Rossington and Miranda Rossington. His elder brother, Hugh Rossington, is the current Duke, but is dying of consumption. Hugh is already widowed, his wife Jane Rossington dying while giving birth to their daughter, Madalene Rossington.

He is also cousin to Katharine Steele, Julianne Grafton and Jemima Palmer.

Childhood (1781-1792)

As the second son of the Duke of Welby, Neil grew up knowing that he would have very few responsibilities in life. All of the pressure of inheritance fell on his elder brother, Hugh Rossington, who always seemed quite happy to be locked up in the library with his books. Neil, on the other hand, spent the vast majority of his childhood out of doors, always getting into mischief and exploring the Welby estate. At the age of 10, he met his best friend, Patrick Grove. The two boys became inseparable, despite the distance between their houses, and soon Patrick's sister, Penelope Grove, would join the boys, though she was more of a tag-along than a welcomed addition. Neil would routinely make the journey to Pendleston Court for a few months a year, before starting school.

Schooling (1792-1803)

Neil reluctantly tottered off to Eton in 1792, where his extremely social personality ensured that he collected a large amount of new friends, while his studies certainly suffered. Graduating near the bottom of his class, it was with great reluctance that Neil pursued an education at Cambridge, starting in 1799 in Magdalene College. He studied modern history, hoping that he would be able to skim through his program, and he just barely managed to graduate in 1802.

Post-Graduation (1803-1806)

Following his graduation, Neil took the opportunity to travel around the Continent for a year, enjoying the sights, sounds and pleasure of France, Germany, Italy and Greece. He returned at the beginning of 1805, and spent a few months at Pendleston Court with Patrick, Penny and the Marquess. He then traveled to London to witness the 1805 Season with Hugh, causing a variety of problems with his rakish behaviour for his older brother. Following the Season, he then returned once more to Pendleston Court. He was called back to Surrey in February of 1806, as his father had passed away. Hugh was now the Duke of Welby, a position that he had been trained for very well by their father. Neil stayed at home for a month before returning to Cambridge for a while, visiting old friends. In June of 1806, he was called back to Welby once more, this time to stand as witness for Hugh's marriage to Jane Rossington.

Jane (1806-1809)

Neil's meeting with Jane was not conventional - he had not heard of the lady, nor seen her, prior to Hugh's wedding day (despite being in London for her first Season). His first glimpse of her was of her walking down the aisle to meet Hugh at the altar, and much to Neil's surprise, found her to be quite beautiful. It had always been Neil's opinion that Hugh would marry a rather plain lady, perhaps with a large dowry. Hugh had never been eloquent with women, and found more comfort in his books than socializing. It was quite beyond Neil's comprehension how a lady such as Jane would have wanted to marry his brother, and following the ceremony, Neil made it his business to get to know his new sister-in-law. It was with great shock to both Neil and Jane as they discovered how perfectly they seemed to be made to compliment the other. They both enjoyed things the outdoors (a place that Hugh had never developed a love for), and the two found seclusion on the grounds of Welby, enjoying their time together. To Neil, it was if he and Jane were married, though their physical relationship never went past a few stolen kisses around Welby.

This all changed in late 1808, when Jane told Neil that she was pregnant with Hugh's child. This was joyful news to Hugh, who was beginning to worry, as Jane had not been pregnant once in the three years they had been married. The two traveled to the Marquessate of Easton following the news, but had to return to Welby before Jane gave birth. She claimed it was due to homesickness, and wanting to give birth in the same home that Hugh and his ancestors had been born in, but she also longed to see Neil again.

On March 22, 1809, Jane went into labour and gave birth to a daughter, Madalene Rossington. While Madalene survived her birth, Jane did not, and succumbed to a fever. She passed away on March 24, 1809.

Paris (1809-1811)

The shock of Jane's death shook Neil more than he was allowed to show. In all things, Hugh should have been the one completely devastated by his wife's sudden death. And while Hugh was certainly upset at his wife's passing, he had never really loved her, at least not in the way that Neil had. Forced to hide his true feelings regarding Jane along with his grief, Neil only stayed in England for her funeral, leaving the day after for Paris.

Paris had been one of Neil's favourite places on his European tour; there was just the right level of debauchery that Neil sought at the time, and now he flung himself head first into the seedier districts of Paris. Spending his nights drinking, playing highly illegal card games (meeting Marcus Fairmont along the way) and sleeping with what seemed to be the majority of women in Paris, Neil tried to rid his mind of Jane, love and everything that had transpired between them.

It was on a cold February morning in 1811 when Miranda Rossington finally tracked down her son, passed out in the front hallway of his rented rooms. While Miranda had never been overly harsh with Daniel, forgiving many of his past exploits and concentrating more on Hugh's education, she needed to find Neil before he killed himself.

With a heavy heart, she told her youngest son of the consumption that plagued Hugh's life. Shut away in Welby, Hugh was still running the estate, but was slowly dying. Neil had to prepare himself for inheriting a Dukedom that was never meant to be his, and had to prepare himself for taking on his three year old niece, Madalene, as his ward once Hugh died.

The enormity of the situation shocked Neil, and as much as he wanted to delve right back into his life of debauchery, he pulled himself out of his metaphorical gutter and sought to right things in his family. Returning to England at the beginning of March, he and his mother spent the month at Welby, watching over Hugh and Madalene. The young girl quickly found a place in Neil's heart, and he has doted upon her ever since.

Present Day (1811)

On Hugh's orders, Neil left Welby for London in April of 1811, in order to attend the Season and find a wife. While Miranda has stayed behind to take care of Hugh and Madalene, she has eyes and ears around London who report on what Neil is up to. One of these 'spies' has jokingly been named as Patrick Grove, though Neil doubts Patrick's claim to such a position.

Residences

The Rossington family owns a number of homes, including the Welby Estate (connected with the Dukedom of Welby) and the Easton Estate, which is connected with the Marquessate of Easton. The primary residence of the Rossington family in London is Welby House, located at 93 Park Lane. Neil, however, resides in his own rented rooms, located at 10 St. James Square.

Friendships

• Patrick Grove - Neil's best friend in the whole world. They've known each other for years (25, to be exact), born almost five years apart to the day. Patrick is the only one who knows of Jane, and why Neil disappeared to Paris. Would trust the man with his life. They have an epic bromance.
• Penelope Grove - despite the fact that Penny flat-out refuses to treat Daniel as a friend, Neil would call her a friend (if only because he's known her for her entire life). Likes to try to illicit less-than-polite responses out of Penny, and has spent many happy hours teasing the poor girl when they were younger. Now that she's older he respects her a bit more, teases her less often, but she will always be his best friend's younger sister. He does have some suspicions regarding any romantically inclined feelings she has towards him, and the point isn't helped by Patrick egging Neil on into believing that Penny is in love with him. All the better for Patrick if they did marry; at least then Neil would officially be a member of his family.

Acquaintances

• Marcus Fairmont, Marquess of Foxford - Met at a high-stakes, illegal card game in Paris. Finds it funny to flirt with his sister, to annoy Marcus to no end. The two get along quite well, however, and Neil finds Marcus to be an amusing presence in his life.
• Rosalind Fairmont - sister of Marcus, Neil finds her to be quite a well spoken young lady. He greatly enjoys her company, and flirting with her, although he has no romantic feelings toward her whatsoever.
• Charlotte Tolson, daughter of the Baron of Middleton - Neil is impressed with the newest attraction straight from India. While soft-spoken and rather shy, Neil thinks her to be quite an interesting individual. He will stay far away from the lady though, as he can already tell that Marcus has her under his protection.
• Elise Hampton, ward of the Marquess of Emerson - While the two have crossed paths multiple times, Neil did not garner a formal introduction to Elise until Almack's. The two flirted over a dance, and Neil finds her to be very much like Jane, something which he is not certain he likes or not yet.
• Victor Kincaide, Viscount Hawksley - An alright chap, Neil gets along with him decently enough, though probably would not seek out his company again.
• Katherine Winter, cousin to the Marquess of Foxford - Though Neil doesn't know her name, he quite likes the young debutante, and finds her to be charming, beautiful and absolutely captivating.
• Elizabeth Dunford, sister of the Duke of Claitonborough - Another beautiful blonde debutante, Neil met Elizabeth while accompanying some ladies shopping on Bond Street.
• Charity Pritchard, cousin of the Marchioness of Emerson - While Neil appreciates Charity's good humour, he's not quite so certain that everything she does is appropriate in society.
• Juliet Landon, daughter of the Marquess of Beningborough - An old friend of the family, Neil knows all of the Landon children to some extent or another. He's usually on the wrong end of Juliet's temper.
• Caroline Gardiner, sister of the Baron of Ackland - An old acquaintance from her visits to Welby, Neil sought to reintroduce himself to her at the Musicale.

Threads History

April 10, 1811

• Neil attends the first Almack's of the Season.
  • A Pair of Knaves - Daniel Rossington, Marcus Fairmont, Charlotte Tolson, Rosalind Fairmont. Almack's Assembly Rooms, evening: Neil and Marcus meet up, for the first time in almost a year, since their first meeting at a highly illegal, underground card game in Paris that Neil attend during his depression. Marcus recognizes him, and therefore does not trust him as he imagines Neil to be quite the shady character. Neil expresses an interest in meeting Marcus' sister, Rosalind, whom he flirts with shamelessly. Marcus, in the meantime, finds Charlotte Tolson, and brings her in to round out the couples, and they set up for the next dance.
  • Standing up for the 7th - Daniel Rossington, Marcus Fairmont, Charlotte Tolson, Rosalind Fairmont. Almack's Assembly Rooms, evening: After flirting with Rosalind, Neil asks to dance with her. Meanwhile, Marcus finds Charlotte and drags her into the fracas (as they had already been scheduled to dance), in order to perhaps keep Rossington in line. Instead, he becomes distracted by Miss Tolson and her conversation, while Neil and Rosalind flirt away under her brother's nose. Charlotte and Rosalind arrange for riding lessons to be given to Charlotte.
  • Out of Place - The 8th Dance - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton, Lady Emerson (NPC). Almack's Assembly Rooms, evening: Neil and Elise are properly introduced for the first time, and share a dance together. They both try to flirt with the other, but it takes some time before they both catch on to the other. Neil secures a riding lesson with Miss Hampton, and the two separate eager for the next day.
  • Drunkeness is nothing more than involuntary madness - Daniel Rossington, Marcus Fairmont, Gabriel Pritchard, Thomas Sterne, Arthur Dalrymple, George Hackett. White's Gentleman's Club, evening: After Almack's, the gentlemen retire to White's for a game of vingt-en-un, which Neil loses, and must sing a song.

April 11, 1811

• Neil spends the day in Hyde Park with Miss Elise Hampton and company.
  • A Morning Stroll - Daniel Rossington, Isabel Meredyth. Hyde Park, 9 am: Neil takes a quiet walk around Hyde Park, nursing a hangover, when he bumps into Isabel Meredyth, a young lady he had never met. He escorts her back to her carriage after almost landing her in the Serpentine.
  • Catch Me When I Fall (Act I) - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton. Hyde Park, 4 pm: Neil and Elise start their riding lesson. Elise does quite well, until she falls off her horse, and Neil catches her - right in plain view of Nicholas Gosling and the Duchess of Beaumont.
  • Ohmygod - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton, Nicholas Gosling, Daphne Werlington. Hyde Park, 4:30 pm: Daphne and Nicholas come to see if Elise is okay, which ends in Nicholas and Elise having a bit of a jealous throwdown. Neil stands by and makes a few jabs here and there against Gosling, and then takes his leave with Miss Hampton for a walk and their own little picnic.

April 14, 1811

• Easter Sunday and the Emerson Ball.
  • Easter Sunday - Daniel Rossington, Patrick Grove, Penelope Grove, Marquess of Pendelston (NPC), rest of the board. St. George's Church, morning: Sitting by himself at his family's pew, Neil is feeling incredibly out of place among the families celebrating Easter, until he happens on his best friend, Patrick Grove, and the Grove family. After discovering the Marquess' failing health, Patrick and Daniel head off to catch up with each other after the service.
  • A friend is one before whom I can think aloud - Daniel Rossington, Patrick Grove. St. George's Church Courtyard, morning: Patrick and Daniel head off to a quiet corner to discuss events that have transpired in the years the two have been apart, and also try to find Patrick a wife...based solely on looks?
  • Fan Flirting 101 - Daniel Rossington, Katherine Winter. Emerson Ball, evening: Having finally arrived at the Emerson Ball, Daniel finds himself on the receiving end of a flirtatious fan gesture given to him by none other than Katherine Winter. Trying to avoid the lady (so that she doesn't think he took the accidental gesture seriously), he ends up being mistaken for Mr. Higgenbottom, which is when he quickly resolves to find Patrick.
  • Moral Indignation is Jealousy with a Halo - Penelope Grove, Daniel Rossington, Victor Kincaide, Patrick Grove, Edward Tolson, Charlotte Tolson. Emerson House, evening: After finding Penny and Patrick, Neil is introduced to another acquaintance, Victor Kincaide. They wait until Miss Hampton and Miss Pritchard make their debuts, and then scuttle off to find their dance partners for the first set.
  • Caledonian Laddie, Rosie & Neil - Rosalind Fairmont, Daniel Rossington. Emerson House, evening: After locating Lady Rosalind, Neil and Rosalind dance the first set together, happily speaking of dresses, Shakespeare, and flirting their way throughout the dance.
  • Dancing the 5th - Daniel Rossington, Harriet Fforde. Emerson Ball, evening: Neil would be the first to admit that the only reason why he asked for Miss Fforde's hand was out of sheer curiosity - he, along with the rest of the Ton - knows about her broken engagement, and he wishes to learn more about her.
  • The Sixth: Spirit of Fancy - Daniel Rossington, Katie Winter, Augusta Winter (NPC). Emerson Ball, evening: Still inadvertently working under the guise of Mr. Higgenbottom, Neil spots the girl who sent him a rather suggestive fan flirtation earlier in the evening, and decides to ask her for a dance. He attempts to (poorly) charm her into accepting his offer, and the two dance. Neil makes a mental note to find her name, and comes away charmed with her.

April 16, 1811

• Neil goes shopping on Bond Street and attends Lady Viola's Musicale.
  • An Afternoon of Trinket Shopping - Daniel Rossington, Juliet Landon, Charlotte Tolson, Charity Pritchard, Elise Hampton, Damien Relmsey, Patrick Grove, Penelope Grove, Elizabeth Dunford, Henry Layton. Bond Street, afternoon: A very large shopping party heads out to Bond Street in search of accessories and gossip, bumping into Lord Daniel and Lords Stanwood and Parry along the way.
  • Meeting over Supper - Daniel Rossington, Caroline Gardiner. Cavisham House, evening: Following the first half of the performances at the musicale, Neil encounter an old acquaintance in Miss Caroline Gardiner, who he had met at Welby several years earlier. They reacquaint themselves over supper.

April 19, 1811

• Neil attends the Tolson Dinner Party.
  • little dinner conversations - Penelope Grove, Daniel Rossington. Beningborough House, evening: Daniel engages in conversation with his dinner partner, Penny.

April 22, 1811

• Neil has tea with Miss Hampton, and attends the Beaumont Soiree in honour of Miss Annabelle Beacham.
  • A Neglect to mention, of Tea in the Afternoon - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton. Emerson House, afternoon: Forgetting that he was supposed to call on Miss Hampton for tea, Neil luckily shows up to call on the lady.
  • Blind Man's Bluff Seated - Annabelle Beacham, Charlie Devenish, Viola Fitzgerald, Penelope Grove, Daphne Werlington, Thomas Sterne, Daniel Rossington, Elizabeth Dunford, Juliet Landon, Nicholas Gosling, William Gosling, Theresa Fairfax, Hugo Fotherington, Olivia Fitzgerald, Helena Wriothesley. Beaumont House, evening: Neil takes part in one of the games of the evening at the Beaumont Soiree.
  • The Alphabet Game - Nicholas Gosling, Charlie Devenish, Annabelle Beacham, Arthur Dalrymple, Felicity Staunton, Victor Kincaide, Anothony Dunford, Nathaniel Scarborough, Penelope Grove, Stephen Brydges, Imogen Rathbone, Daniel Rossington, Helena Wriothesley, Hugo Fotheringon, William Gosling. Beaumont House, evening: Neil takes part in another game at the Beaumont Soiree.
  • That Screen Does Not Hide Your Smile, Sir! - Daniel Rossington, Theresa Fairfax. Beaumont House, evening: Neil and Lady Courtenay engage in a highly flirtatious game of drawing each other's shades.

April 23, 1811

• • Let us dine and converse, as pleasant people do - Daniel Rossington, Penelope Grove, Rebecca Garrison, Patrick Grove, Emma DeLancey, Theresa Fairfax, Benedict DeLancey. Pendleston House, evening: Neil attends Penny's first dinner party, and behaves inappropriately.

April 24, 1811

• • Making Amends, via a picnic - Daniel Rossington, Patrick Grove, Penelope Grove. Hyde Park, late morning/early afternoon: As an apology to Penny for his behaviour, Neil sets up a picnic in Hyde Park for them to enjoy.

April 30, 1811

• • In which true identities are revealed - Daniel Rossington, Katherine Winter, Miranda Rossington (NPC), Anthea Winter (NPC). Raulings House, evening: Following the supper given for Lady Julianne, Neil is properly introduced to Miss Katherine Winter, while she unexpectedly meets the Dowager Duchess.

May 1, 1811

• • Rowdy as Rakehells - Daniel Rossington, Patrick Grove. Vauxhall Gardens, evening: Neil and Patrick drunkenly lurch around Lord Wyck's rout.

Fanfiction

• So close to reaching that famous happy end - Challenge issued by Katherine. Set in July 1808, it provides a glimpse into Neil and Jane's relationship.
• The Hangover - Set in August 1809, this story shows some of Neil's antics in Paris following Jane's death.

Vignettes

• Vegas, Baby - Prompt given by Emily. Neil the morning after the best night of his life, 2013.