Sophia Lazenby

Sophia Lazenby

Portrayed by Talulah Riley
Full Name	Sophia Hermione Lazenby
Associated Noble House(s)	Barony of Kirkham
Date of Birth	16th December 1792
Father	Richard Lazenby
Father's Rank	Baron Kirkham
Mother	Roseanne Lazenby (nee Cass)
Mother's Rank	Lady Kirkham
Town Residence	8 Cumberland Place
Year of Debut	1810
Dowry	£17,500

Sophia Lazenby is the only surviving daughter of Baron Kirkham and his wife, Roseanne, one of the oldest families in the country. Whilst raised on the family estate in Lancashire, she has acclimatised to London life very well. After debuting last year alongside her cousin, she is determined not to return to the family home after this Season. At least, not without having found herself a match.

Sophia is played by Georgia.

Family

• Father: Richard Giles Lazenby, Baron Kirkham (1758 – present, fifty three)

• Mother: Roseanne Margaret Lazenby (nee Cass), Lady Kirkham (1764 – present, forty seven)

• Brother: Frederick Robert Lazenby (1784- present, twenty seven)

• Sister: Diana May Lazenby, (d. 1786-1792, six)

• Brother: Jacob Percival Lazenby (1789 – present, twenty-two whereabouts unknown)

• Brother: Laurence Edward "Teddy" Lazenby ( 1796 – present, fifteen)

• Nephew: Tobias Samuel Lazenby (1807 – present, four)

• Uncle: Sir Peter Randal ( 1763- present, forty eight)

• Maternal Aunt: Lady Agnes Randal (nee Cass) (1769- present, forty two)

• Cousin: Mr Michael Randal (1790- present, twenty one)

• Cousin: Miss Emmeline Randal (1791- present, twenty)

Background

Two months before Sophia's birth, her older sister Diana had died from scarlet fever aged six. Sophia's birth was, therefore, bitter sweet, to say the least. Although her mother remained distant from her throughout her childhood, Sophia found company with her two older brothers and relished to opportunity to look after her younger sibling, Laurence, born four years after herself. She was taught at a local seminary and proved to be a bright girl, observant and polite. She developed a talent for music, particularly in playing the piano and occasionally the harp.

When she was fifteen, the family was rocked by the scandal of her older brother, Jacob, who vanished abroad after a dalliance with a local girl, resulting in a pregnancy, her nephew Tobias, a suicide and, she suspects, Frederick's heartache. Since then, the family's prospects gradually improved as Frederick took over the running of the estate.

Last year, arrangements were made for Sophia to debut with her cousin, Emmeline, a similar age to herself. Her mother took little to no interest in the plans so Sophia spent a large amount of time away from home at her aunt and uncle's residence being fitted for dresses, learning the finer points of etiquette and propriety and so on. Due to the estate doing well, she had a larger dowry than most girls of her status would. She came out in London with moderate success, not achieving an engagement but showing more charm and manners than her cousin. Sophia returned to Lancashire afterwards and managed to convince her oldest brother, Frederick, to accompany her during the next Season.

Current

Sophia is not the wallflower she was during her first Season, having developed more confidence in herself and her surroundings. As such, she is making far more connections than before, largely by her own methods and accepting the proper invitations. Whilst she is still unsure of herself at times, she feels much more herself away from her mother's shadow. Her brother's company in London is also a comfort to her, and she quite enjoys schooling him through Society. Whilst she looks to settle her own future this Season, she is also keeping an eye out for any potential matches for Frederick, knowing that love and affection is more important to him than to her.

Trivia

Rides a dapple grey gelding named Cygnus, a gift from Frederick a few years previously.

Takes her tea strong, black, with a slice of lemon.

Tries not to indulge the sweet tooth she shares with her brother.

Relationships

Family

• Richard Lazenby: Her father provides the parental care and guidance her mother never did, Sophia looks on him kindly and affectionately.
• Roseanne Lazenby: A distant mother, struggled with depression after Diana's death and Sophia's birth, the negative feelings and struggle to bond since have constantly affected their relationship.
• Frederick Lazenby: Sophia's closest confidante, she has a very close relationship with her brother, though they sometimes struggle to adapt to changes in each other's lives.
• Diana Lazenby: The deceased sister she never knew, Diana is often a source of comparison and jealousy, a symptom of Sophia's insecurity
• Jacob Lazenby: Sophia is unsure how she feels about her wayward brother and the pain he has caused. She cannot share in her brother's hatred of him, but would not welcome his return.
• Teddy & Tobias Lazenby: Sophia adores her younger brother and nephew, she displays a strong maternal instinct with them both.
• Peter & Michael Randal: She does like her uncle and cousin, whilst not feeling as strongly towards them as her father and brother, she enjoys their company and values Michael's friendship with Fred.
• Agnes Randal: She feels very indebted to her aunt, who has taken her under her wing these last two years to ensure Sophia was successful. Agnes wishes to make up for her sister's lack of love for Sophia, and Sophia has no objection to this.
• Emmeline Randal: Sophia and Emmeline are always at odds. Emmeline, being less pretty and less well recieved in Society, is jealous of Sophia and often teases her along with her group of friends. Emmeline has something of a crush on Fred, which does nothing to help their relationship.

Friends

• Viola Fitzgerald: Connected through their fathers, Sophia finds Viola intimidating yet aspirational.
• Olivia Fitzgerald: She finds Olivia much easier to talk to than her sister
• William Devenish: A friend from Yorkshire via the Fitzgeralds.
• Charlie Devenish: A friend from Yorkshire via the Fitzgeralds.
• Elise Hampton: Sophia finds Elise very pleasant company and surprisingly easy to talk to