Dosie Knox
 |
|
| Portrayed by Julia Sawalha | |
| Full Name | Theodosia Madeline Knox |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Viscountcy of Hobneigh |
| Date of Birth | 2 October, 1794 |
| Father | Charles Knox |
| Father's Rank | Viscount |
| Mother | Charlotte Knox |
| Mother's Rank | none |
| Town Residence | 37 Park Street |
| Year of Debut | 1811 |
| Dowry | £500,000 |
Dosie is the sole child of Charles Knox (formerly Montbain), Viscount Hobneigh, and Charlotte Knox, Viscountess Hobneigh.
She was played by Emily.
Family
- Father: Charles Knox (formerly Montbain), Viscount Hobneigh, b. 1749 - d. 1801
- Mother: Charlotte Knox, Viscountess Hobneigh, b. 1771 - d. 1801
- Guardian: Sir Septimus Pitts, b. 1735
- Chaperone: Mrs. Blerrill, b. 1750
History
Theodosia was born the only living child of Viscount Hobneigh and his dear wife. Though Charlotte Knox had no particular claims to birth or extraordinary beauty, neither had Charles Montbain any claims to youth or fortune. These faults were eased by what virtues they had--she, an inheritance of £500 000 from her father, a giant in the coal industry of Newcastle; and he, a fine title for the daughter of a tradesman with enough capital. Added to this, the two good, comparatively simple souls did not wholly despise one another. Rather than take her chances with a dashing fortune hunter, Charlotte felt her older suitor might be less blatantly out to get her money. (Though she was never so foolish as to believe that her money wasn't a great enhancement to her personal charms.)
Indeed, it and the Viscount's middling affection for the young woman must have been quite enough of an inducement, as the stipulations set forth in Charlotte's father's will stated that the terms of her inheritance would oblige her husband to take the name of Knox, as well as giving it to all their issue. Her money, as well, would be kept for that issue in the event of her and her husband's death--not to be absorbed into the estates attached to the title, as is typically seen. Old Digby Knox perhaps knew the business of money better than his would-be son-in-law; or perhaps the good-natured Charles was simply none too bothered by the prospect. A fortune was fine, but he would not be so churlish or greedy to insist that it go along with his own modest lands and title. He could be assured that his children, at any rate, would benefit from his bride's fortune--and what was in a simple surname that his title would not mask?
As it was, they had no son; and so when the Viscount and his wife met their end in a most tragic carriage accident, the title and modest lands that were his went to some distant cousin, and the £500 000 to the six-year-old affectionately called "Dosie" by all who knew her. Said cousin may have briefly considered contesting the wills and marriage settlement of the years gone by; but wisely allowed the matter to rest. Grandfather Knox's eagle-eye for money matters and his expensive solicitor had seen the watertight contract drawn up, solid as English oak.
Dosie, alas, was in the same carriage as her beloved Mama and Papa when calamity struck; however she was thrown clear of the wreckage and, somewhat miraculously, survived, albeit sorely bruised. It is with some regret one must note that, though her life was spared, it seems by some trauma delivered to the poor child's head, Dosie's bright brown eyes are now somewhat askew. While this is not immediately discernable by a glance or sidelong look, to meet her gaze head-on is unsettling, at first, for many. On a happier note, that same injury, whatever it was, has left her unable to recall the terrible event.
Thus, in an instant, Dosie became one of the richest little girls in England. Her father's will, no doubt altered to suit his hard-nosed father-in-law, gave guardianship of the child to her maternal grandfather's oldest business-partner and great friend, Septimus Pitts (knighted some years past, now Sir Septimus Pitts.) Her father's estate passed into inheriting hands, and Sir Septimus took Dosie to live with him in Coventry, where much of his business took place, when outside of London. The old bachelor has always been kindly disposed towards dear Dosie, albeit rather at a loss as to how to raise a small girl. That he left to his widowed sister, a Mrs. Blerrill, who has kept house for her brother, and now stands as Dosie's chaperone in London. Despite being childless herself, Mrs. Blerrill, being a woman, presumably has all necessary motherly wisdom and wherewithal to bring the girl up properly by sheer instinct. Of course.
An indifferent but generally acceptable level of education followed the move. Dosie can plunk out a tune or two on the pianoforte, but her interest in continued practising waned in the space of a fortnight, and that accomplishment went the way of needlework and foreign tongues before it. That is to say--onto the shelf. Dosie CAN dance, at least--if not with the lightest of steps, with a great deal of enthusiasm.
The majority of Dosie's £500 000 is held in trust until she is of age, naturally; however she has an ample allowance and an absent-mindedly-indulgent Sir Septimus to see to all the whims that money can service. She has often been to London with Sir Septimus in years gone by, but this spring has been attended with all the pomp and excitement of Dosie's debut into London society, and she looks forward to heartily enjoying herself.
Dosie is a rather average girl. Neither particularly pretty nor plain, she might be charitably described as healthy-looking. A robust 5'5", plump, pink-cheeked, with a brown complexion, brown hair, and merry (if slightly catawampus) brown eyes. Dosie loves all things colourful, and that principle largely guides her taste in fashion and accessories.
Personality
Many people perceive Dosie as a bit simple or dim. Perhaps they're right...but Dosie can be clever, in her way. Her way being getting her way. Without being much checked as a child, Dosie has a tendancy to run rather wild. Oddly, however, she seems to possess an uncanny knack for sussing out where the line is and making certain she doesn't put a toe over it, however much she skips along its near edge.
Dosie is highly aware of how rich she is--or will be--and her upbringing has hardly given her many restraints, leaving her with a reckless, impulsive streak which she indulges often, and encourages in others. Dosie's not altogether a Bad Sort, however--indeed, she's cracking good fun, always up for a game or a laugh, and would happily drag everyone along with her who was willing to go. She would not hurt another being for the world--unless, in her view, they had it coming to them.
Dosie has no intention whatsoever of marrying anyone, being of the opinion that women in love are quite foolish, and men in love are even worse. She believes it to be a great joke that she will be so selfish as to keep all her money for herself and her pet whims rather than submit to some fellow and devote herself to babies she knows she would never be fond of (helpless, spewing, wretched little things!); but she can be unendingly generous to her friends and those she likes. She is determined, however, that no matter how much she may flirt, she will never behave in a manner that may force her to wed against her intention--that would be the ultimate foolishness, indeed. Of course, that is the pride of a seventeen year old girl (who, naturally, knows everything,) and Lord only knows what could follow it. Then again, Dosie might just stick to her guns.
Mercurial and a little bit of a cynic, Dosie is ready to laugh at anything or anyone--tactless or enemy-mongering though it may be. Dosie does not care for who she does not care for, and adores those she adores.
Whether the result of her nature, upbringing, wealth, or head-injury, the sad fact of the matter is that for the past few years, Dosie has been secretly nursing a burgeoning case of kleptomania. Nothing valuable has ever been missed; or if it has by those who know her, they have held their tongues, perhaps believing it due to the accident which robbed her of her parents and gave her that cockeyed look, poor thing. Dosie herself is largely unaware of her pilferings as they occur, but can be later mystified at the sundry little objects and items she finds in her possession. Whether her sojourn in society will break her of the habit or make it that much worse remains to be seen.
For better or worse, Dosie is in town and overjoyed to be there, meet old friends, make new ones, and enjoy all the city has to offer a young woman of extreme fortune. Assumptions and rumours of her "simplicity" on varying levels--the eyes contributing rather a great deal, along with her forthright attitude and childlike delight in many things--may cause some to treat her with disdain, and others to soften their censure. It is a mixed bag, and Dosie doesn't pay much heed to either end.
She has some acquaintance in London--having met, on previous occasions, old family friends who knew her father and mother prior to their deaths, who came to call out of respect for memories, and perhaps to gawk at the child, a little; ("Those EYES!" "That MONEY!") but few would allow their gently-incubated young chicks to mix with the free-range Dosie. Having not really had any close friends, therefore, Dosie can be socially awkward, but is very keen to socialize despite this.
Relationships
Friends
- Helena Wriothesley, BFF omg cake and berets all damn day long okay
Aquaintances
- Henry Layton, met at the Earl of Wyck's rout. No idea what his proper name is. Does she care? Not really. She calls him Barnaby.
- Gwendolyn Moncrieff, met at the Earl of Wyck's rout. Seems a jolly sort.
Love Interests
LOL
Enemies
- Christopher Carlisle, met Mr. Carlisle at the Earl of Wyck's rout. Aware she failed to impress. Aware he is a nosy busybody. Wha'evaaaa.