Olivia Fitzgerald
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| Portrayed by Justine Waddell | |
| Full Name | Olivia Phoebe Fitzgerald |
|---|---|
| Associated Noble House(s) | Earldom of Rotherham |
| Date of Birth | 2cd August 1793 |
| Father | Richard Fitzgerald I |
| Father's Rank | Earl of Rotherham |
| Mother | Madeleine Fitzgerald (nee Freye) |
| Mother's Rank | Countess of Rotherham |
| Town Residence | {{{residence}}} |
| Year of Debut | 1811 |
| Dowry | £45,000 |
Lady Olivia Fitzgerald is the youngest daughter of the Earl of Rotherham. She is seventeen years old and has a dowry of £45,000. She has just started her first London season and is already gaining friends and admirers for her unconventional wit and unselfconscious charm. However, unbeknownst to any of these new acquaintances or even to her family, she is already engaged to Sir William Devenish.
Family
Richard Fitzgerald, Earl of Rotherham - father
Madeleine, Countess of Rotherham - mother
Robbie Fitzgerald - brother
Viola Fitzgerald - sister
Richard Fitzgerald, Lord Surrey - brother
Cordelia, Lady Surrey - sister-in-law
Henry, Madeleine and Mortimer - nephews and niece
Dorothy Greystone - maternal aunt and chaperone in 1811 season
John Fitzgerald - paternal uncle
Emma Fitzgerald - aunt
John, Lucy, Helen, Percy - cousins
Christopher Carlisle - cousin
1793-1810: Early Years
As the youngest child in the Fitzgerald family, Olivia was never short of elder siblings and friends to play with and indulge her. Olivia's childhood was happy. However, while she generally loved her position, being the youngest sister of Viola Fitzgerald was not always easier. Viola was better than Olivia at nearly everything that the two sisters did and this led to some natural resentment and insecurity.
Olivia shared governesses with Viola and was also taught all the same accomplishments: music, French, Italian, deportment, drawing and so on. Olivia was indifferent at most of them mainly because she did not want to compete with her sister and fail. The one area in which she exceeded Viola was in art and she has consequently displayed more interest and ability at this. Olivia also has a large imagination and has always been a keen reader of romantic fiction and actor of plays. She is good at seeing things from other people's perspectives.
The most important event of Olivia's childhood was a serious bout of pneumonia in 1803 when she was ten. Though she does not remember being ill or was made aware of the danger of her condition, her family was scared and they all removed to Southampton for the summer to aid her recovery. She enjoyed that holiday. She made a full recovery but was treated with caution for several years following.
1810-1811: Will Devenish
For as long as she could remember, Olivia hero-worshipped her slightly older neighbour William Devenish. He always indulged her and gave her time (and treats) even when she was overlooked in favour of Viola. As they both grew older Olivia's hero worship turned into infatuation. Somehow they ended up engaged in 1810.
... I really need to work out how this happened at some point...
1811: Debut and Current Season
Olivia came to London in April 1811 several days after her sister and made her first public appearance at the Emerson Ball. Although she misses Will, she is enjoying the season very much and making plenty of new friends. At Viola's musicale she played a simple piece on the pianoforte adequately.
Relationships
Friends
Charlie Devenish: Charlie has been Olivia's playmate and best friend since early childhood. Lady Cassandra Edgeworth: Their families' estates being quite close, Olivia and Cassandra have known each other for a long time and Olivia would consider her her best female friend. She is glad they are both debuting together. Tristan Edgeworth, Lord Latimer: Cassandra's brother. Olivia considers him a good friend as well. Lucy Fitzgerald: Olivia's cousin and a year younger than her. Although they don't meet very often, they get on reasonably well. Annabelle Beacham: One of Olivia's newest friends, they've only met a couple of times but Olivia likes her sunny personality. Regina Rutledge: Another new friend. Olivia is not quite sure about her, but likes her well enough. Arthur Dalrymple, Lord Linley: Olivia's one dance with Arthur was very pleasant and she liked him a lot. Valeri Christiakov, Lord Christiakov: Another dance partner. Olivia likes his sense of humour enormously and finds his background intriguing. Henry Layton, Lord Parry: Really Viola's friend but Olivia likes him too and he seems willing to tease her equally.
Suitors
Sir William Devenish: Olivia's childhood sweetheart and fiance since 1810.
Olivia is played by Rose.