Rosalind Fairmont

Rosalind Fairmont

Portrayed by Gemma Arterton
Full Name	Rosalind Aisling Fairmont
Associated Noble House(s)	Marquessate of Foxford, Earldom of Cremorne
Date of Birth	December 19, 1790
Father	Fergal Fairmont
Father's Rank	Marquess of Foxford
Mother	Camilla Fairmont nee Astor
Mother's Rank	Marchioness of Foxford
Town Residence	{{{residence}}}
Year of Debut	1809
Dowry	£35,000

Rosalind Fairmont, is the eldest daughter of the late Marquess of Foxford. Her brother, Marcus Fairmont, is the current marquess. She is played by Alex.

Background

Family

Rosalind's father was the 6th Marquess of Foxford, a well established Irish marquessate. Her mother hails from the very respectable English family, the Astors of Cremorne. The couple were introduced in London during the lady's first Season and enjoyed a rather Fairy-tale-eque before marrying mid-season.

The marchioness bore three children; Marcus, Rosalind and Jemima.

Rosalind has one aunt on her mother's side, Lady Anthea, wife of Mr. John Winter. She has four cousins from this union, Jack, Andrew, Augusta and Katie.

Childhood

Rosalind's childhood was a sunny one (metaphorically only, given how much of it was spent in rainy Ireland), marred only by minor upsets such as her brother’s leaving for school, the occasional horse riding mishap and a somewhat competitive relationship with her young sister that manifested in the odd sisterly spat.

She was constantly under the watchful eye(s) of her mother and a string of governesses, and became proficient in drawing, singing, dancing and playing the piano whilst cheerfully taking no interest whatsoever in reading.

Despite being closer in age to her sister, Jemima, Rosalind has always been far closer to her elder brother, Marcus.

As a young girl, Rosalind spent a significant amount of time in England, both in London and at the country seats of her parents' friends, including Jubilee Court with the Pritchard family (where she befriended Misses Elise Hampton and Charity Pritchard.) Through this travel, her Irish accent has been quite tamed.

Debut and onwards

Rosalind's London debut was a much anticipated event in the Fairmont household, not least by Marcus who was keen to share his friends and Town experiences with his wide-eyed sister. However, in the summer of 1808, the Marquess was taken by a violent illness. His death was swift and unexpected and the Fairmont family was left reeling and without its head and its heart.

Ten months later when Rosalind was set to make her debut, the journey to London was somewhat subdued and, with the Marchioness quite unable to mix with the society yet, introducing Rosalind to London and vice-versa fell to Marcus.

1809

The opening weeks of the 1809 season were a whirl of colorful parties and balls and Rosalind was absolutely in her element, keen to . With the number of available and attentive gentlemen she was constantly surrounded by, it was inconceivable that she should leave London unwed. However, as time passed, she found her interest in "hunting" a husband waning. She could return home, spend another winter with her family, mourn her father properly and return to play another colorful Season. Autumn fell upon London with Rosalind still single and eager to return home to Foxford.

1810

The 1810 season passed in a similar whirl and Rosalind finds herself in London yet again for the 1811 season, still unwed and only a little fussed by the fact.

The young lady feels quite at home in London these days and counts members of its prominent families among her friends. Her closest confidantes include Georgiana Haworth (now Lady Louth) and fellow Irishwomen, Miss Felicity Staunton.

Now

Notable new acquaintances this season include the foreigner, Charlotte Tolson and her reserved brother Edward Tolson, the rakish Captain Thomas Sterne and the very charming Daniel Rossington .

At the first public ball of the season, Rosalind was unexpectedly reunited with family friend, the Earl of Emerson, the Marquess of Emerson and has since renewed her acquaintance with the marquess's dashing younger brother, Gabriel Pritchard.

Keen to scope the season's social situation, Rosalind hosted a city picnic in Kensington Gardens early in the season . Invitees included Viola Fitzgrald (a past admiree of her brother's!), Amelia Leveson, Charlotte Tolson, Juliet Landon and Felicity Staunton. Notable gatecrashers included her brother, Amelia's brother Sylvester Leveson, Geoffrey Stapleton and Dougal, her brother's spaniel.

Tidbits

• Her most prized possession remains the handsome bay mare given to her on the occasion of her sixteenth birthday by her father and whom she named Lux.

• Her biggest vice stems from her desire to know things. She listens to (and quite enjoys!) what her brother would deride as gossip, loves to know who has been to which event (and what they were wearing...) and is an avid reader of the notices in the Tatler.