Emma DeLancey
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| Portrayed by Charity Wakefield (former character) | |
| Full Name | The Honourable Miss Emma DeLancey |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Barony of Annandale |
| Date of Birth | 3rd April 1788 |
| Father | William DeLancey |
| Father's Rank | Baron Annandale |
| Mother | Martha DeLancey |
| Mother's Rank | Baroness Annandale |
| Town Residence | Annandale House |
| Year of Debut | 1805 |
| Dowry | ? |
The Honourable Miss Emma DeLancey is the youngest daughter of the Baron of Annandale.
Emma is a former character who was played by Betsy
Family
- Father: William DeLancey, Baron Annandale (b. 1749)
- Mother: Martha DeLancey, Baroness Annandale (b. 1756 d. 1809)
- Brother: Mr. John DeLancey (b. 1780 – d. 1807)
- Sister: Mrs. Margaret Holmes (b. 1781)
- Brother-in-law: Mr. Philip Holmes (b. 1776)
- Niece: Miss Elizabeth Holmes (b. 1806)
- Nephew: Master Jacob Holmes (b. 1809)
- Niece: Miss Amelia Holmes (b. 1811)
- Cousin: Mr. Benedict DeLancey (b. 1785)
Background
Emma was born the third and last child of Lord and Lady Annandale. The baron and baroness had two children already – John, the heir, who was eight years older than Emma, and Margaret who was seven years of age. Emma had been a last attempt for a spare. At the age of ten, like her sister before her, Emma was sent away to a girls’ seminary. Her teachers reported that she was well-behaved, clever, and an excellent pupil; they also noted her marked unhappiness at being away from her family and living among strangers. Worried, her parents withdrew her from the school after her first year and hired a private finishing governess, a Mrs. Rutherford; Emma flourished under her instruction, and became a very bright scholar, though she never came out of her shell as her parents would have liked.
Emma debuted in London in April of 1705. While her parents spent a good deal on a London debut, Emma (true to form) did not exhibit well in Town, amid the more glittering young ladies, and greatly disliked the crowded parties and fast pace of life. She received no offers her first Season. She would later attend a country house party where she met a young officer by the name of Fotherington; they both seemed pleased with each other, but he never made an offer. She has occasionally attracted other suitors – the local curate took a shine to her, as well as a widower acquaintance of her brother-in-law. However, Emma’s shyness has always been her undoing. Her brother’s and mother’s deaths (the former by a riding accident, the latter from her chronic poor health) caused her to become more withdrawn, and at three-and-twenty, she has reconciled herself to being put upon the shelf. Her father wishes she might marry her cousin and his heir, Benedict DeLancey, but recognizes that with Emma’s smallish dowry and Benedict’s presumed debts, such a match would be unwise.
For the time being, Emma is content to keep house for her father. On a whim and despite his ill health, Lord Annandale has decided to come to town, presumably to take up his seat in Parliament, but privately to keep an eye on Benedict, whom he suspects of running a bit wild. He has brought Emma along with him, hoping she might make some connections in town – if not a husband, then at least someone who might befriend her and take her on as a companion or governess when he is gone.
What Emma has kept a secret from the world is her status as a prospective author. Emma's talent in writing was indulged by her late mother and elder sister, it only with the encouragement of her sister. Her brother-in-law has agreed to act as Emma's literary agent in trying to publish her first novel, a morality story for young ladies. She (or rather, Mr. Holmes in her stead) is currently shopping around her novel, which is part of the reason Emma has deigned to attend yet another season. Should such a secret become public, it would ruin any chances for a more secure future.