Gwendolyn Moncrieff
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| Portrayed by Rosamund Pike | |
| Full Name | Gwendolyn Lillian Moncrieff |
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| Associated Noble House(s) | Marquessate of Avening |
| Date of Birth | May 3, 1790 |
| Father | Roland Moncrieff (deceased) |
| Father's Rank | Marquess of Avening |
| Mother | Amelia Moncrieff (deceased) |
| Mother's Rank | Marchioness of Avening |
| Town Residence | {{{residence}}} |
| Year of Debut | 1809 |
| Dowry | £35,000 |
Gwendolyn is terribly indecisive and happily lets others take decisions for her whenever possible. She isn’t forward, but she isn’t shy either, although sometimes she might look somewhat aloof, especially when around children, since she is not very fond of them. She doesn’t have a very strong constitution and tends to get tired rather easily after physical activities. For that reason, she isn’t particularly fond of dancing or horseback riding, although she has received proper education in both areas. She prefers indoors to outdoors, nonetheless she doesn’t mind spending a whole afternoon lying down under an oak tree, reading books or conversing with friends.
Family
Father: Roland Moncrieff, the 4th Marquess of Avening - Born 1742, deceased.
Mother: Amelia Moncrieff (nee Norton), Marchioness of Avening - Born 1750, deceased.
Sister: Mariah Holmes (nee Moncrieff), Countess of Richford - Born 1770 (married to Cedric Holmes, Earl of Richford).
Brother: Oscar Moncrieff - Born 1774.
Cousin: Frederick Moncrieff
Background
When Lady Avening realized that she was with child again, the whole family were quite surprised, for it had been ten years since her last pregnancy. Gwendolyn’s birth was a blissful event, as was her survival, unlike the Marquess’ other three children. She grew up almost as an only child, since her younger sibling was fifteen years older than her, and she received all the proper education that was needed for a girl who was to become a fine young lady. Nevertheless, her parents saw to it that she wouldn’t be too spoilt, as that would surely turn out to be a disadvantage later on.
Gwendolyn debuted in London - at the age of eighteen, about a year after her mother’s death - and her conduct and performance turned out to be to the approval of the high society; although she had the misfortune of fainting during one of her dances at Almack’s. Afterward, she rarely visited the assembly rooms and tried not to dance a lot at private balls.
When her first Season in London came to an end, Gwendolyn returned to Essex and has not returned to the Town since, mainly because her sister hasn’t been able to accompany her due to her sixth pregnancy, and partly because she prefers the serenity of their country estate to any sort of entertainment that London can provide. Her absence from the society, however, did not mean that she would be completely left alone. Last Christmas, when they had a little gathering at Avening Manor, one of his brother’s friends proposed to her when she least expected it, as she used to regard him merely as an old acquaintance.
The match is not an undesirable one, and Gwendolyn knows that her brother might be pleased if she answers positively. Nevertheless, her sister believes that she can find a better husband. Gwendolyn herself has not been able to make a decision yet, hence her sister – at whose house she has been staying for the last month – intends to send her to London, both to celebrate her birthday among her friends, and to distract her mind a bit before answering the proposal.
Relationships
Family
Friends
Acquaintances