Rosamond Booth
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| Portrayed by placeholder | |
| Full Name | Rosamond Elaine Booth |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | None |
| Date of Birth | February 12, 1792 |
| Father | Philip Booth |
| Father's Rank | Gentry |
| Mother | Mrs Elaine Booth |
| Mother's Rank | Gentry |
| Town Residence | |
| Year of Debut | 1810 |
| Dowry | substantial |
Rosamond Booth is the youngest child and only daughter of Philip Booth and Elaine Booth. She is a former character played by Reed.
History
Born and raised in Norwich, in Norfolk, Rosamond Booth was a very sickly child whilst growing up. She came very close to death as a baby from the measles. Little Rosamond survived the illness, but it left the girl permanently blind. This did not occur to the Booth family until well over a month later, when they realized their infant daughter failed to make eye-contact with them.
She was lucky enough to have two very dedicated parents who both doted on and took care of her. Having suffered many minor illnesses in her childhood, Rosamond was not a very active girl. She could rarely be left to her own devices, and both her parents and her governess gave her constant attention. As she grew older, Rosamond’s bouts of poor health grew fewer and far between. As she grew stronger, her governess could now be more her teacher than her nurse.
Her blindness prevented her from learning many skills expected of an accomplished young woman. However, Rosamond has spent her eighteen years learning to function as best as she can. With great determination - and a great deal of assistance from Millicent Eyre, her governess - she was able to learn to speak both French and German. She enjoyed listening to others read both poetry and novels and while she could not play the pianoforte, she grew very fond of music.
Once reaching the age of sixteen, Rosamond was very eager to finally debut. She was met with great resistance from her mother, who was still very protective of her daughter. Mrs Booth also held the secret notion that no gentlemen with any good sense would ever marry a young woman with Rosamond’s affliction. What man in his right mind would want to take on a wife like that? Her mother thought that Rosamond would surely be a burden to any man who would take her. Rosamond finally got her wish at eighteen after appealing to her father, and she debuted in Bath in 1810. Alas, her mother still prevented her from making the most of the season, and Rosamond was often forced to stay behind while her family spent time at various assemblies and the Pump Rooms.
Now in London, Rosamond is determined to make the most of this upcoming season. Should she ever marry, Rosamond's dowry will be quite substantial indeed, as her uncle intends to contribute a great deal to it. The combined dowry provided by both Mr Booth and Mr Hill will surely be very attractive to any gentleman who might be willing to take on a wife with such unique circumstances.
Personality
Rosamond Booth is a girl who keeps to herself. However, this is not entirely of her own free will. Her family keeps her near, often keeping her out of the public eye. As a result, Rosamond is quite lonely, and very much starved of attention. She longs to make a friend, but her lack of socializing has caused her to become very bashful towards anyone who is not a member of her family. As much as she loves her brother and appreciates her old governess's company, it would be wonderful to have a friend who has not known her since birth. However, when she does make another's acquaintance, she finds it difficult to strike up conversation, for she has had so little practice. Rosamond is often so worried of making a poor first impression that she simply doesn't say anything at all. She is envious of her older brother, who seems to be able to make a new friend at the drop of a hat.
Despite all this, while she may be visually impaired, Rosamond likes to think that she is a highly functional blind woman. She knows her way around the house, and can always find her way home after taking a turn in the garden. Rosamond hates being waited on constantly by the rest of her family. She does not wish to be looked upon as someone who is incapable of doing anything herself. She wants nothing more than to have some sort of independence. However, her parents and older brother do not allow it. They treat her like a child, and Rosamond is beginning to resent it. She has become more stubborn with her family since reaching maturity, particularly with her mother. She wishes Mrs Booth would see her for the capable woman that she has become.
Rosamond has developed a great love for music, and dearly loves to sing. She has a pleasant voice, but has great stage fright. It takes a great amount of coaxing to convince Rosamond to sing for anyone other than her family, and as much as she would love to be able to sing properly in public, she cannot help but retract into herself at the notion. There is nothing more terrifying to Rosamond than being put on the spot. She would much rather sing privately, or as part of a congregation.
She also found a great deal of solace in the Church. A devout Christian, Rosamond does her best to remember that, even in the darkest of times, everything that has happened to her has all been a part God’s plan, and that the Lord works in very mysterious ways indeed. She looks forward to the Sabbath every week, for she never worries whilst sitting in the pew whether or not her bonnet is sitting properly atop her head, nor does she wonder whether or not she is being stared at by the other parishioners. It is one of the few times where she feels truly free.
Family
Mr Philip Booth (b. 1753), Father - A kind-hearted man, who cares deeply for his daughter. Is more open to the idea of Rosamond being out in polite society.
Mrs Elaine Booth, née Preston (b. 1762), Mother - More severe than her husband. She is very protective of Rosamond, and tries her best to shelter her. After much arguing with her husband, she finally allowed her daughter to debut last year.
Mr Dennis Booth (b. 1784 ), Brother - The heir to the Booth estate, Dennis is a perfectly amiable young man. Unfortunately, he is not the cleverest of men; Indeed, he lacks any good sense, but has a heart of gold and dotes upon his younger sister.
Mrs Joan Hill, née Preston (b. 1756), Maternal Aunt - A large, boisterous woman. The wife of a merchant, Mrs Hill and her husband have recently come into a very great amount of wealth. Having never had children of her own, she has taken it upon herself to spoil her nephew and niece rotten.
Mr Albert Hill (b. 1750), Uncle by marriage - Twice as large and half as outgoing, Mr Hill is a successful merchant currently residing in Bath with his wife. As he is without children, he intends to contribute a great deal of money to Rosamond's dowry.
Friends
Millicent Eyre - Once her governess, now her companion.
Acquaintances
Anne Gibson - The Gibsons are friends of the Booths.
Theodore Meredith - Mrs Booth called upon the young physician when she feared Rosamond to be ill.