Richenda Cardew
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| Portrayed by Natasha Little | |
| Full Name | Richenda Cardew |
|---|---|
| Title | Madame R |
| Associated Noble House(s) | None |
| Date of Birth | 5th November 1785 |
| Father | Frederick Rice |
| Father's Rank | Army Officer |
| Mother | Laura Moss |
| Mother's Rank | Opera dancer |
| Town Residence | 1 Welbeck Street |
| School | a small select girls' school |
| University | of Life |
| Profession | Courtesan |
| Income | Variable |
Richenda Cardew (nee Moss) is a courtesan, the natural daughter of an opera dancer and a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army - a man she has never met. She is played by Sharpie.
Family
Father: Frederick Rice (58)
Mother: Laura Moss (46)
History
The natural daughter of Colonel Frederick Rice, Richenda was born two years after her father returned home from the war in the Americas. Not wishing to be burdened with a daughter whose mother he could not marry, and yet wishing to do his best for the child, the Colonel found a place in the country where mother and child could live in relative obscurity.
From there, Richenda went to a small select school in order to learn various accomplishments and skills with an eye to becoming a school-teacher or a governess. The first position she took after leaving school was as governess to the two young daughters of a French émigré, Édouard Lefévre and his wife Marie, when she was just sixteen. This position led to a position as companion to Héloïse de Parigné, the elderly widowed aunt of Marie Lefévre when she went to take the waters at Cheltenham.
While at Cheltenham, Richenda met the handsome and debonair Captain Evelyn Forsythe, becoming his mistress when Madame de Parigné died. Moving to London with the Captain, Richenda quickly found herself a favourite of the demi-mondaine Madame Casaubon, becoming her protégée and eventually, with her patroness' blessing and a list of potential clients, striking out on her own, thanks to a small legacy from Madame de Parigné and some generous gifts from Captain Forsythe and other clients taken during her time with Madame Casaubon.
In 1811
Richenda lives at 1 Welbeck Street, on the corner of Welbeck Street and Mill Hill Mews. While not a large house, she still manages to keep a room for those who require a discreet place to meet for their assignations.