John Rutledge

John Rutledge

Portrayed by Blake Ritson
Full Name	John Ronald Henry Rutledge
Title	The Honourable John Rutledge
Associated Noble House(s)	Barony of Westmore
Date of Birth	8 March, 1790
Father	Ronald Rutledge
Father's Rank	Baron Westmore
Mother	Caroline Rutledge (née Crowe)
Mother's Rank	Baroness Westmore
Town Residence	22 Half-Moon Street
Income
School
University	Cambridge
Year Attained Title	N/A

John is former character played by Sara. The Rutledges, along with Regina's chaperone Lady Marsdale, live at 22 Half Moon Street.

Family

Father – Ronald Rutledge, b. 1756 (55), Baron Westmore

Mother - Caroline Rutledge (nee Crowe), Lady Westmore b. 1760 d. 1790 (30)

Brother – Mr. Victor Rutledge b. 1785 d. 1810 (25)

Sister – The Honorable Regina Rutledge b. 1790 (21)

Background

Lady Caroline Rutledge was not inclined to have another child-- her emotions had been taxed beyond the point of even considering it, after her difficult lying-in and the long, painful birthing of the couple's first child, Victor. She descended into a deep depression after he was born; Ronald, her husband, could only attempt to support her through the dark times ahead. One step he took was to permanently move them to a country home in Kent.

However, five years later, a change came over her. Ronald again saw the spirited Caroline as he knew her. It wasn't long before she was with child-- or children, as it were. John was the first to be born, before his fraternal twin sister Regina. Again, the labor was too strenuous for Caroline. But this time, her excessive bleeding and weakness meant that she did not live to see her new children beyond five days.

Ronald took their care into his utmost consideration, struggling to turn his grief over Caroline into love for his newborns. But he could not help speculate on their similar, yet different looks-- similar to each other in their hazel eyes, auburn hair, and long noses. Yet they were so different from the Rutledge family looks: blonde curls and small narrow noses. Despite his resolution to take care of the children and raise them as his own, his doubts occasionally tainted his actions and preferences. The eldest, Victor, was the heir to the barony, after all.

But for the most part, John grew up with no dissimilar upbringing to any other gentleman. He was well taken care of by their wet nurse, nanny, and governess. He has pleasant memories of playing with his sister and exploring the empty rooms of their manor, though Victor rarely desired to play with them. John had very little connection with his brother at all, apart from a general feeling of respect created out of apprehension, but never any real rivalry. John well understood his place as second son.

Once old enough, and after his father's suggestion, he began studies at Cambridge in pursuit of becoming a physician. He struggled in school despite his love for the classics. He considered entering the Royal Navy, but John wasn't physically cut out for life at sea, nor would his bravery stand the test. John contemplated the clergy, which he admired for its way of life, and would most likely have pursued that route had his father not suggested the medical arts.

Before he could come to a full decision, tragedy struck the family again: Victor had died due to an overturned carriage accident. John felt it his duty to return back home and take care of his aging father, whose health was already beginning to deteriorate when John began university.

His father, now in better health, has ushered them off to this season in London, which will be John's first. He is in fact quite nervous at the prospect of meeting what could potentially become his future wife. Another concern resting in the back of John's mind is the fact that he is now the heir to the barony -- no longer the "second son" who is able to equivocate between careers; even still, he has no idea of the debt which he is set to inherit.

The 1811 Season

4/10 Almack's

John attended Almack's where he chatted - surprisingly - with several ladies, as well as Benjamin Hutchinson at the refreshment table. He also met Susannah Hutchinson, George Hackett, and Lady Imogen Rathbone.

4/11

John and Regina paid an early morning call to Imogen Rathbone, then went to the art institute. They then went to Hyde Park in the afternoon, where they ran into -- quite nearly -- Charity Pritchard and Henry Layton. Also in Hyde Park, they discover their close friend from back home, Belle Beacham, is in town.

4/14 Emerson Ball

John danced the Caledonian Laddie with Susannah Hutchinson.

4/16 Musical Soiree

John performed Handel's "Where'er You Walk" at Lady Viola's musical soiree. It was discovered that he had a pleasing tenor voice.

4/19 - 4/20 Brixton Weekend

The Rutledge siblings went to Brixton for the weekend. On the morning of the 20th, they watched the pall-mall match while chatting with Stephen Brydges.

Personality

John is a reserved, thoughtful and honest gentleman; others may perceive him to be quite solemn, but he prefers watching and listening to mindless chitchat. Meaningful conversation he finds interesting, however. He oftentimes is the last to speak in a group after taking everyone's opinions into consideration. Unfortunately, this leads to trying to please everyone, which as we all know is a difficult thing to do.

John is quite awkward and shy around young ladies, particularly those with high ranks, resulting in a stammer or a tic of shaking hands. But once he gets to know them better, he will let slip the occasional witticism. He does have a sense of humor and enjoys a good-natured joke, and is generally pleasant and friendly. However, when angered or annoyed, he will retreat into himself and mull over the situation for a few days before coming to a conclusion about the situation. He dislikes bounders and those primarily concerned with high ton trappings such as fashion, gossip, and romantic intrigue. While an optimist, but does not have much confidence in himself, socially or personally.

He enjoys the opera, reading classical and travel literature, foreign countries, and languages; he also has a little interest in medical issues, due to his schooling.

Appearance

He is not strikingly handsome in the very least, what with a long nose and close-cut auburn hair that hangs over his forehead. Thin and wiry at 5'10”, he stands consciously tall, causing him to stoop somewhat especially in the company of ladies. His eye color is identical to his sister's: a sharp brown, flecked with green near the iris. He refuses to wear glasses -- thinking they will make him look even more owl-like -- and will occasionally squint at things far in the distance. His manner of dress is quite conservative. Since coming to London, he's updated his wardrobe considerably, but continues to wear mostly dark browns and greens.

Relationships

Family

• Father (Ronald) – John and his father have a distant relationship overall. There have been moments of closeness -- in particular, after Victor died and John returned home -- but it usually can be likened to that of an employer and employee. Ronald's energies have been poured into his hopes for Victor as the future baron. While he has loved John as a father should love his son, they have not had much deep communication beyond what John's duties in London should be.

• Sister (Regina) – In recent years, John has taken towards looking after Regina as her older brother -- even though older only by 5 or so minutes. He is concerned by London's influence on her, but often lets her tug him around London as a means to keep an eye on her. She has a calming effect on him in social situations -- or winds up 'volunteering' him for things. They do confide in each other at times, but have grown in different directions since their childhood.

Friends

• Annabelle Beacham – A childhood friend from Kent, John has always harbored feelings for her that occasionally extends beyond mere friendship.
• Imogen Rathbone
• Benjamin Hutchinson

Acquaintances

• Claudia Morton
• Victor Kincaide
• Stephen Brydges
• Tristan Edgeworth
• Charlie Devenish
• Olivia Fitzgerald
• Charity Pritchard
• Henry Layton
• Susannah Hutchinson

Gifts

• 4/15 - Flowers given to Annabelle Beacham
• 4/15 - Flowers given to Susannah Hutchinson

Upcoming Events

• 4/22 - Evening: Beaumont House Dinner for Belle Beacham
• 4/25 - Afternoon: Lady Louth's Salon
• 4/25 - Evening: Lord and Lady Ackland's Dinner Party
• 4/27 - Evening: Pendleston House Masque

Fanfiction

• Leap Frog - by Betsy and Sara