Goodness, MISS WINIFRED DOWLING has arrived in London. SHE is 22, of the CORNWALL DOWLINGS. Though they are NEW to the Season, we can only describe them as SPIRITED and KIND, dear reader. Accompanied by HER SISTER AND BROTHER-IN-LAW, they have settled in and are accepting social calls. But be warned: they are known for their SHARP TONGUE.
Full Name: Winifred Dowling
Nicknames: Fred, Freddie, Winnie, Dove
Skeleton: The Tenderheart
Titles: Miss Winifred Dowling
Cast Position: Royalty | Nobility | Gentry
Birthdate: August 7th,1778
Birthplace: Cadgwith, Cornwall
If one would refer to her in a letter, theyâd surely use the words âspirited young womanâ to describe Winifred. Sheâs truly got a mind of her own, doesnât feel the need to mince words, makes sure her opinions are heard loud and clearly. However, sheâs quite aware when to speak up and when to keep her mouth shut, for her rambling has often gotten her into trouble.
Winifred doesnât care much for music and needlework - partly because sheâs horrendous at both - but she loves to read, would very happily swear off the very thought of marriage if it meant she could attend university. Still, sheâs astonishingly well educated, mostly self-taught, though only in the matters that interest her. In any case, sheâs never a boring fellow to talk to.
Growing up in the Cornish countryside, right by the sea, Winifred loves the outdoors and spends a great deal of time at Cadgwith Grove. Staring at the sea, the ships coming in and out, docking at the port where her fatherâs fishing business is located. Sheâs grown to love the loud noise of the waves crashing on the shore, drowning out the chatter and ever-present noise of a six person household. It gives her space to think, be alone. Though she enjoys nature of every kind, sheâs aware that promenading is surely entirely different from a long, refreshing walk on the beach.
Winifred is quite social, well, youâre bound to be somewhat of an extrovert as the youngest of four siblings, if you do not wish to drown in their shadows. And ever since all her sisters have moved out of the family home, sheâs got plenty to talk about - all conversations meant for four. So be wary of her rambling!
Sheâs compensating for the new-found feeling of utter loneliness that has engulfed her, now that the sister closest to her in age has left the nest, too. Itâs rare to catch her in a vulnerable state - but if you do, you can consider yourself lucky that sheâs permitted you to see that part of her.
Dearest Elsie,
I have told you time and time again how over-joyed I am at your happy match - but now that you have moved out, now that I find myself all alone, I wonder, dearest, did you have to get married quite this soon? Could you not have delayed it by, say, some months, a year? A long engagement surely would have been just as joyful.
I do not mean to spoil your happiness, my dear sister. I woke up this morning feeling so utterly alone, oh, it is a ghastly feeling. I awaken to silence. The house is empty now, save for mama - I do not wake early enough to catch papa before he goes to work - and even our mother has fallen so oddly silent. Iâm the only one left now. I knew this day would come, of course, but I still remember it as if it was yesterday when all of us played and danced and laughed in the garden. Then, one by one, you all left me - Frederica first, Camilla second, then Penelope and now you, dear Elsie, and I cannot find it within me today to feel happy for any of you for I feel so, so terribly sad.
I know it is not as if I am a burden to our parents, we have nobility in our family now, I could very well become a spinster if I so felt like it and we could still live comfortably. But I feel so terribly out of place in our home - I suppose it is your childhood home, now - and I feel Iâd better leave sooner than later. I daresay it already feels like mama is getting more posessive and protective of me by the day, if I do not leave soon she might as well never permit me to leave. She has told papa she would rather have me wait another season before my debut but he insisted it be the following one. If you had married later I couldâve very well been introduced this season that is now coming to an end! Youâve made it your mission to make my life miserable, havenât you?
In any case, papa seems....eager for me to leave but I think he simply wants to see me taken care of. I think he has picked up on how hard all your departures were on me - and I presume he knows that mama is not the best replacement for a companion, too. Especially when Iâve had three for all my life until now. Iâm afraid mama will be quite controlling of me when I leave for the season, I do hope she might change her mind and stay behind, leave me with Frederica - the other day Iâve overheard her talking to her maid about how she plans to drag me to the modiste every other day, so that I have a chance to be âthe diamond of the seasonâ. Can you believe? I want to be in London to go to balls and attend parties, not to get my measurements taken!
You must come visit, soon! I know you plan to go on quite a lengthy honeymoon - Frederica has told me sheâs sponsored your trip to the continent, lucky you! - but surely you must agree that three months abroad are an unreasonable amount of time, especially when all you do is daddle and kiss and stare into one anotherâs eyes or whatever it is you do on a honeymoon.
Iâve spent much time at Cadgwith Grove the past few days. Even our secret spot feels empty, now. It was made for four. I stare at the ships coming in and out every day and I think of you on your ship to the continent, about to embark on the first chapter of your undoubtedly terribly interesting life and soon youâll have forgotten all about me. Itâs all so terribly tragic.
Camilla has invited me to spend some of the off-season with her at Wolesley House in Torpoint, I think she, too, fears that Iâll either go insane or be locked up in a cabinet somewhere if I spend too much time with mama. Truthfully, I doubt weâll host any event this off-season with the state that sheâs in, so I think Iâll consider her offer. Really, I ought to take her offer or sheâll be terribly mad at me, Iâve already promised Frederica to stay at her London home the next season. Too many sisters!
Iâm rambling, I know. Iâm telling you all these minute details, none of this is of any interest for you, I am sure. But I have noone else to tell them to. I sometimes wonder if it is wrong to seek out a match purely to have some constant company again? I cannot stand hearing myself think. I loved being alone when you were all still here, Iâd go out to the Grove, take a walk along the sea, return home to the loud, bustling noise of our home.
It is deafeningly silent now.
Still, my dearest Elsie, I wish you all the best. I think of you constantly and am truly so happy for you. Do have babies quickly, so I will have some company again.
Yours truly,
Fred.
Dark Past
In the midst of the whirlwind of Elsieâs engagement and the arduous wedding planning, nobody noticed the prolonged stares, the heated glances exchanged between Winifred and a young man sheâd met and danced with - twice! - at one of Fredericaâs balls. Heâd introduced himself as a wealthy factory owner, a friend of Fredericaâs husband apparently, and he stayed close after the ball, for âa bit of fresh air in the countrysideâ. And to court Winifred, of course, in secret. Away from prying eyes, theirs was a passionate and short-lived romance, for, on the eve before Elsieâs wedding, when they had all gathered at Fredericaâs country home, they were discovered by Camilla - and Winifred scolded her greatly for interrupting for what had seemed to be a proposal! But Camilla had recognized the young man instantly, had forbidden either of them to ever speak to one another again, for he was no mere factory owner but a member of the Belgian royal family, a friend of Fredericaâs husband indeed, they had attended boarding school together. To top it off, Camilla had informed Winifred that he was, in fact, betrothed to another, a Dutch princess, they had been promised to one another since birth. Winifred, utterly heartbroken, had cut all contact with him, hasnât seen him since - though sheâs also not aware of the dozens of letters heâd written her, all burned by Camilla upon arrival.
Relationships
1. Though four seperate people entirely, growing up the Dowling sisters have considered themselves one entity. Despite none of them being related by blood, all adopted by Mrs. and Mr. Dowling who couldnât have children of their own, they are exceptionally close, were very rarely spotted without one another during their childhood. Even so that they insisted on sharing adjoining rooms well into their teenage years. Theyâve stayed in contact, of couse, a sisterly bond could never be broken - but all save for Winifred have now embarked on their own journeys, ther own new adventures.
2. The worst person Winifred has ever had the displeasure to get to know is one that, unfortunately, is related to her. Her motherâs sisterâs boy, an unruly young boy, perhaps the most dreadful conversationalist in the land. He truly vexes her just by existing, he cares for scarce more than himself, his fortune, his land and his title. Oh, the impertinence that men like him are granted a title, a unversity education! It makes her angry just thinking about it. She tries to avoid him at any cost.
3.Winifred carries a fondness for the written word, so it is no surprise that sheâs found a kindred spirit in the poet and novelist that resides in Cadgwith, just a stoneâs throw away from her home. Though her mother turns up her nose at this, Winifred makes sure to pay them a visit every other day, where theyâll discuss their latest poem, a novel or some radical idea Winifred has read about in a poem.
