Charlotte Tolson

This one time, in India...

Charlotte Katherine Tolson, born Miss Charlotte Tolson, is the only daughter of Thomas Tolson and Katherine Tolson, Baron and Baroness of Middleton. She is played by Izzie.

Charlotte "Lily" Tolson

Portrayed by Megan Fox
Full Name	Charlotte Katherine Tolson
Associated Noble House(s)	Baronry of Middleton
Date of Birth	May 12, 1789
Father	Thomas Tolson
Father's Rank	Baron
Mother	Katherine Tolson (nee Burstow)
Mother's Rank	Baroness
Town Residence	{{{residence}}}
Year of Debut	1807 (India), 1811 (England)
Dowry	£15,000

Family

Charlotte's immediate family is quite small, though her extended family is much larger.

The Tolson's

Thomas Tolson, Baron of Middleton - Father

Katherine Tolson, Baroness of Middleton - Mother

Edward Tolson - Brother

The Landon's

Augusta Landon, Dowager Marchioness of Beningborough - Great-Aunt

Edmond Landon, Marquess of Beningborough - Uncle

Marion Landon, Marchioness of Beningborough - Aunt

Richard Landon, Earl of Seyton - Cousin

Elizabeth "Ella" Landon, Countess of Seyton - Cousin-in-law

Elizabeth Landon - Cousin

Juliet Landon - Cousin

Frederick Landon - Cousin

Amelia "Amy" Landon - Cousin

The Burstow's

Samuel Burstow, Baron of Roth - Maternal Uncle

Angela Burstow (nee Waldegrave), Baroness of Roth - Maternal Aunt (1776 -1791)

Gerard Burstow - Cousin

Lucy Burstow - Cousin

Childhood (1789-1807)

Much of Charlotte's childhood was spent following her brother, Edward Tolson, around their Bengali home. Despite her mother's attentions, the young Charlotte could not help but notice the displeasure that she seemed to cause her father, even at an early age. Katherine Tolson was often preoccupied with society gatherings, so it was left to their Indian nanny Anika to raise the children. Although Edward was five years older than Charlotte, they found that they were quite well suited in temperment, though Edward did enjoy pulling the occasional prank on his younger sister. Charlotte was more than happy to oblige him with retaliation on her part. While Edward was rather bookish, he was known to cause some trouble, including the famous elephant riding expedition that he had coerced Charlotte into doing with him. Edward was tutored at home with a group of other English boys from the colony, while Charlotte was tutored by Anika and her mother. She formed a close friendship with three other girls in Bengal: Laura Somerville, Clare Meyrick and Julia Kitteridge. The four were inseparable, becoming Charlotte's best friends (aside from Edward, who instinctively seemed to know exactly what Charlotte needed when she was upset). In contrast to these happy memories, Charlotte also experienced first hand the pain of war and bloodshed on her door step. As the Mahraja's of India fought against the East India Company, the young Charlotte often found herself amid violence, something which her mother could not keep her from. To this day, she still has nightmares regarding the battles.

Debut (1807)

Charlotte made her debut to the small amount of Bengali society in 1807, and was proclaimed to be the Incomparable for her year. (Though as Charlotte points out, she was only one of five other ladies debuting that year, and thus she did not exactly have much competition). She received three proposals during her debut year, all of which she turned down, much to her father's displeasure. While the Tolson family had prospered in India, Thomas was still well aware of how much a Season cost, and he was not amused to have to pay for another Season, simply because Charlotte refused to marry any of the boys that she had grown up with.

Bengali Society (1807-1810)

Charlotte spent another three years in society, and watched happily as her friends married. While she did feel left out, Charlotte knew that she could never marry the boys that she had grown up with, an idea that she was highly uncomfortable with. Things would change, however, in 1809, when Charlotte found herself in a scandal with a soldier.

The Thomas Leith scandal (1809)

C'mon, you didn't think that it would be that easy, did you?

Overview

Charlotte met Lieutenant Thomas Leith, second son of a Viscount, one evening at a ball. Over the course of a few months, the two began courting in secret, as her family disapproved of him greatly. They planned to elope, but Charlotte left him at the altar, choosing her family over him.

For more information, please see:

Some Enchanted Evening: http://z9.invisionfree.com/thelondonlife/index.php?showtopic=1350

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not: http://z9.invisionfree.com/thelondonlife/index.php?showtopic=1887

Summons to England & Arrival in London (1811)

Following the Thomas Leith scandal, Charlotte kept herself mostly hidden away in the Tolson home, afraid to face the gossip that surrounded her and her family. A blessed relief came in the form of a letter from England, which summoned the Tolson family home. While Charlotte initially was relieved, she soon saw the summons as a curse. She was being forced to leave the only home she had ever known, her friends and even her godchildren. A strong bout of depression plagued her as they traveled from India to England, and she took an instant disliking to the island.

Now, as she begins her final Season (the last her father will pay for), Charlotte finds herself lost among the bustle of London. She feels quite alone, and therefore is a lot quieter and shy, a stark contrast to the popularity and outgoing personality that radiated from her in India.

Friendships

Laura Somerville

Clare Meyrick

Julia Kitteridge