Raphael Colborne

Raphael Colborne

Portrayed by Richard Madden
Full Name	Lord Raphael Arthur Colborne
Associated Noble House(s)	Dukedom of Rothbury,
Date of Birth	15th April 1783
Father	Gregory Colborne
Father's Rank	Duke
Mother	Penelope Colborne
Mother's Rank	Duchess
Town Residence
Branch of the Military	Army
Ship or Regiment	Coldstream Guards
Currently Enlisted?	Yes
Enlistment Date	1805
Current or Final Rank (if retired)
Major Engagements

Lord Raphael Colborne is the younger son of Gregory Colborne, the 11th Duke of Rothbury, and his (now estranged) wife Penelope. He has lived in London for the past three years working as a translator for the military, but has only recently started participating the Season as a favour to his younger sister Meg.

Raphael is played by Sarah.

Family

• Gregory Colborne, 11th Duke of Rothbury (born 1753) – father
• Penelope Colborne, née Westfall, Duchess of Rothbury (born 1762) – mother
• Sebastian Colborne, Earl of Falstone (born 1781) – brother
• Lady Margaret Colborne (born 1793) – sister

Background

Despite being the second son of one of the richest men in Britain, Rafe’s childhood was not an especially happy one. The Duke of Rothbury had married his wife Penelope because of their physical attraction rather than any real understanding of each other’s characters, and it wasn’t long into their marriage that the clashes of personality that had, initially, fuelled their passion, instead just led to heated arguments and recriminations and their relationship became one of bitterness and resentment.

Rafe and his older brother Sebastian took solace in each other’s company and did their best to ignore the fighting, but both were glad when their parents finally came to an agreement: their mother would live in London with her socialite friends for most of the year, and would discreetly remove herself to Bath or to her sister’s when their father was required to be in Town for his parliamentary duties. For the rest of the time, the Duke would remain in the family estate in Northumberland, with friends, or abroad.

With the Duke and Duchess living separately, life became much easier for their boys, but even so Rafe was relieved to be sent away to Eton as soon as was possible. He was a bright, intelligent boy who did well in all his classes, but more important he put on a good-humoured front and quickly made friends - such as Rawdon Montgomery IV, Robbie Fitzgerald and Frederick Lazenby - with whom he spent as many holidays as possible to avoid going home, a scheme that served him well all the way through to university at Cambridge.

Things changed a bit when his little sister Margaret was born – something that came as a great shock to both Rafe and Sebastian, since it seemed unlikely their parents could still stand each other long enough to conceive another child. But however it happened, Meg was born, and both boys felt the need to provide as much support for her as they could, knowing how lonely and miserable she was likely to be in Northumberland. Rafe started reluctantly returning home more often and wrote letters when he couldn’t be there.

When Sebastian finished university and returned to Northumberland permanently to take care of the estate for their father, Rafe was left with a little more freedom. Being idle held no appeal and since the army would offer the opportunity to get as far away from his parents as possible he spoke to some connections about joining the military. He bought a commission in the Coldstream Guards and was billeted with them for three years – but what drew more interest from his superior officers, however, was Rafe’s talent for languages; as well as being educated in the classics, one of his tutors had seen in him a natural ear for language and coached him in French, Spanish and some Italian.

Discussions were had and Rafe soon found himself back in London, working as a translator for the military, (and occasionally for private clients). A little to his own surprise he enjoys the work, and having rented apartments for himself he was glad to be back in the midst of most of his acquaintance and enjoy a social life. All was quite well … until his mother abruptly decided to bring his sister to Town to introduce her to society before her official debut next year, and, horrified at the prospect of being alone and at the mercy of the Duchess’ whims, Meg begged both her brothers to come and stay with them. Rafe thus found himself thrust back into the midst of society and the Season.

Personality

Rafe comes across as a very charming and good-humoured young man, with perhaps just a trace of mockery in his speech – though never of the malicious sort. However, his smile is also his armour and many might not realise that he is far more guarded than he appears to be. As nice as he is to everyone he meets, there are few that could say they are truly close to him or know him very well, as he simply never lets his walls down far enough. Perhaps the only person who really does know what goes on inside Rafe’s head is his brother. Sebastian had always been Rafe’s rock, best friend and confidante, and he looks up to his brother as he should have been able to look up to his father.

That tendency to close himself off is a mark of his unhappy childhood, and if someone did get him to lower his guard they would find a young man who is far more uncertain about things that he pretends to be. Having learned when he was very young to keep his real feelings hidden – his parents were too caught up in their own problems to pay much attention to their children – he is not at all good with emotions, whether his own or anyone else’s. He like dealing with facts and information that he can analyse objectively, and would rather be working or partying than let himself be vulnerable with anyone.

He has a talent for making friends, developed out of a somewhat cold-hearted necessity to escape his home as a child. In his youth this tended to mean cracking jokes and coming up with pranks to amuse his fellows, once older he made sure he was fun company to drink with, hunt with and invite to parties. Despite the slightly calculated natured of this, he is a good friend to have. He considers that he owes the boys that he stayed with during the holidays far more than they could ever realise and will not hesitate to be there for them if asked.

As far as romance and marriage is concerned, Rafe expects that one day he will marry but feels no pressure or hurry while Sebastian remains single. If he does marry, he is determined not to make the same mistakes as his parents and to marry someone he is at least friends with and, preferably, cares for. Right now, however, he is more concerned with his sister’s marital prospects and that she marry someone kind, with whom she will be happy.

Thread Tracking

Wednesday 22nd May

• I'm no pair of dancing shoes: Rafe and his brother Sebastian attend Almack's and Rafe is introduced to Cora Smith [1]
• It's just life, so keep dancing through: Rafe runs into old acquaintance Rosalind Fairmont and is introduced to Katherine Winter, with whom he dances the third set [2]
• We're falling apart to half time: Rafe is introduced to Catherine Seymour by her sister Miribelle Delafield and asks her to dance the fourth set [3]
• Familiar faces, worn out places: Rafe meets old friends Frederick Lazenby and Sophia Lazenby in between dances [4]

Thursday 23rd May

• A Note to Lord Raphael Colborne: Rafe is invited to a cricket match by Robbie Fitzgerald [5]
• Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense: Rafe visits Robbie at Rotherham House to catch up [6]
• To Ld. R Colborne: Jean-Laurent d'Aubin sends Rafe a note suggesting they introduce their sisters [7]

Friday 24th May

• A Season of Sisters: Rafe takes Meg to Hyde Park where they meet Jeannot and his sister Lunete [8]