Regina Rutledge

Regina Rutledge

Portrayed by Hattie Morahan
Full Name	Regina Anne Rutledge
Associated Noble House(s)	Barony of Westmore
Date of Birth	8 March 1790
Father	Ronald Rutledge
Father's Rank	Baron of Westmore
Mother	Lady Caroline Rutledge (nee Crowe)
Mother's Rank	Baroness of Westmore
Town Residence
Year of Debut	1808
Dowry	£9,000

Regina is a former character played by Sara.

Family

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

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

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

Brother – Mr. John Rutledge b. 1790 (21)

1811 Season Chaperone – Lady Marsdale b. 1757 (54)

Background

Childhood was nothing less than a cheerful, active one, consisting of playing and exploring in the countryside around Greenstone, the Rutledges' permanent estate in Kent. Her twin brother John and she were often each others' only playmates (apart from 'neighbour' Belle Beacham), as their older brother Victor had little interest playing with the "babies". So Regina absorbed many of John's gentle and quiet manners, but always with a little restlessness that later expressed itself through long, solitary walks, sketching out of doors, and daydreaming under a favorite tree.

She was educated at home with a governess, one whom later Regina realized must have been a very sweet and resilient woman-- what with having to teach a youth who spent most of her French lessons staring out the window at the landscape. Seeing Ginny's focus lie elsewhere, her governess encouraged her to paint watercolors en plein air. Regina took to this quickly, excited to be able to capture her visions of the countryside and friends onto paper.

Her attention soon was demanded by cultivating other accomplishments -- preparations to catch a titled and wealthy husband. Baron Westmore had absolutely no intention of keeping an old maid on his hands. Besides Ginny's increasing age, there was another pressing matter behind Westmore's desire to marry her off to a man. He had concealed from his family for several years that, having lived above their means for some time due to his pride and jealousy of other families, they were in a considerable amount of debt.

Though its society was certainly respectable, the Kent countryside was not fruitful enough in suitable bachelors for Mr. Rutledge. And Regina herself was not prepared to marry. Unaware of her father's money pressures, she decided to marry for love, and continued to dance and have fun, making no attachments -- at least on her side. Baron Westmore was not amused and decided his best chance would be to send her away, launching her into the ton with the help of Baron and Baroness Worth, spirited society friends of the Rutledges.

John went to Cambridge and Regina was delivered to Bath. Baroness Worth put her through endless dances, society calls, tea parties, and ensured Miss Rutledge was seen at the right place in the right time. Yet, whether a compliment to Regina's commitment to marry for love, or a testimony to her idealistic and (sometimes) light-hearted nature, Regina remained Baroness Worth's patience was never that resilient, but this was stretching her hospitality a bit too much.

Before Baroness Worth did anything however, word came that Victor Rutledge had died. She hurried home to be with her ailing father. John joined them as well, taking time away from Cambridge. As the old adage says, time heals all. Months later the Baron eventually recuperated, and under the eye of Lady Marsdale, a spinster and family friend, ushered the siblings off to London for the season for another shot at finding love -- and money.

The 1811 Season

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

On Easter Sunday, the Rutledges attend church, with Ginny in particular remembering her deceased eldest brother Victor. Later at the Emerson Ball, Regina and Belle had a brief talk about dancing after which she danced the Flower Garden with Lord Latimer.

4/16

Much to her excitement, Regina also has visited the Royal Academy twice: once immediately after arriving and once with several new acquaintances including Olivia Fitzgerald and Charlie Devenish..

4/19 - 4/20 Brixton Weekend

On the evening of the 19th, Regina had a particularly long conversation with new acquaintance Victor Kincaide, hardly realizing she was being analyzed for future wife material . The next morning, the Rutledges watched the pall-mall match while chatting with Stephen Brydges.

Personality

With her warm, calm disposition, Regina trusts easily, always attempting to see the good in a person. While this can lead to deep friendships, it can also have some disastrous consequences, too.

She's not extremely witty, outgoing or an adept conversationalist, but Regina enjoys being around those who are and tries to learn from them. She is quite observant in her own way, enjoying to watch (dare I say study?) people and nature. And yet at times, she can be a little preoccupied or dreamy -- which prompts some interesting conversational topics from her. While not entirely shy, she struggles to maintain the proper etiquette of the ton. But her friendships are treasures to her. Regina is extremely loyal to her friends, who bring out her cheerful and bright side.

On topics of love, Regina is somewhat naive - her heart has never been broken, and she dreams of finding true love rather than making a match for money. On this point, she believes she still has that freedom, unaware of her father's debts. If she knew, she'd probably worry up a storm: she can be a chronic worrier, especially over the relationships of her friends and family, and lets it silently plague her until she reaches a breaking point.

Traditional and modest by nature, and having little experience in romance, the indiscretions typically accepted by her peers would cause her shock (or at least to blush!). The gossip of the ton provides little interest, as she reasons it's usually untruthful, but she will occasionally listen – only listen mind you! -- with the expression of one who can't help but look at an accident as they pass by.

Regina is somewhat known for her talent in watercolor painting. She relishes watching a picture slowly develops before her eyes on paper, and views life and love much the same way. Her other 'talents' have been thrown to the wayside-- her singing voice is comparable to the howling wind and forget playing on the pianoforte. Dancing is a little better, but she'll usually get dizzy and stumble into someone or lose step whilst thinking about how someone's hair looks like a duck, and this absentmindedness doesn't lend itself to memorizing and reciting poetry. So she continues to paint.

Relationships

Family

• Father (Ronald) – She has always believed herself to be quite close to her father, being his only daughter, but now has doubts about his honesty towards his family. She believes he would have told his family about the debt if it were true.

• Brother (John) – John and Regina were inseparable as children, but since her going to Bath and him going to Cambridge, they've each grown their own ways. Of course, they're still close and Ginny adores her brother. She usually puts him at ease in social situations (or makes him more nervous by 'volunteering' him for things) and is somewhat of a confidant.

• Dog (Wags) – The family pet back home is the runt of the litter and particularly favored and babied by Ginny.

Friends

• Annabelle Beacham

Acquaintances

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

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

Gifts

• 4/15 - Flowers from Lord Latimer