CHARLOTTE JULIANA DELAFORD.

Your Nickname: Mdme_Butterfly
Other Characters: None.
Any notes:

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Name: Charlotte Juliana Delaford
Age: 23
Occupation: Meddling, mostly.
Hometown: Middleton

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Appearance:

Charlotte is definitely the most striking of her sisters, having inherited her mother’s blonde hair and deep blue eyes and not her father’s darker features. Her eyes usually speak volumes of the emotions that are churning within her and are, perhaps, her most frustrating feature in that regard. Although she sometimes desperately tries to hide much of what she is feeling, she rarely accomplishes this, especially in the company of those who are well-acquainted with her.

The rest of her features are elegantly delicate and her facial structure well-defined, although some of the neighbourhood gossips have commented that she looks quite thin, which is really not ideal in a young woman or marriageable age. The male element does not seem to take offense, however, and matched with Charlotte’s wealth, she is rarely in want of suitors. (Much to her inestimable chagrin.) Her mother has often commented that she is very pretty in the face and should use it to her advantage, which Charlotte detests.

Her posture is that of a well-bred, well-taught young woman and her height gives her quite a presence upon entering or exiting a room. She is reasonably tall standing at five feet seven inches and her build is quite petite.

When it comes to clothing, Charlotte herself will admit to a terrible weakness. She is fashionable to a fault and takes great delight in purchasing much to compliment her wardrobe. (London tends to be her supplier of choice and the expense has often been of concern to her father in terms of marriage.) Her hair is always carefully styled and seems to have a talent for remaining so.

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Personality:

Charlotte Delaford wants, in every way, to be of the persuasion of the modern woman. She is headstrong and independent, fighting marriage all the way through what she herself calls ‘The Cattle Years’ of marriageable age. This should not confuse the reader into considering her cold, indeed she is sometimes quite open to the charms of young men, but stays as far away as possible from the marrying kind. She is far more interested in experiencing as much as she can of the world while she is in it and cannot be persuaded to allow herself to be locked in the parlor rooms of married society.

She takes great delight in the arts and music, particularly in the study of the piano forte and the voice. It is her greatest delight to play, but away from prying eyes. Music is her own and she dislikes performing intently, another example of the cattle parade, she has determined. She does not like to be on show, preferring to allow her other sisters the limelight.

If Charlotte does something, it is for herself, not for others. This must not give the idea that she is selfish, she is simply not a display case. She cares quite deeply for those around her and those in need of her, even if it takes a bit to shine through.

On the other hand, she is not above meddling in the affairs of others for a bit of fun. Indeed, she considers herself a little above the company and infinitely smarter than some of it. This is her greatest downfall in many ways and she knows it. That being the case, she knows the influence of wealth in society and, more importantly her place in it. I wish I could say she always uses this knowledge for the good of others, but it is not always the case. For this reason, she is a keen believer in ‘schemes’ designed to bring others together or drive them apart. In this way, she is inclined to ‘experiment’ with the society around her, which she finds rather diverting. She takes a distinct joy from arranging the affairs of her younger sister, Imogen.

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Parents: Sir Henry William Delaford, Lady Anne Charlotte Delaford (nee Wick)

Other Relatives:
Mariah Anne Lockwood (nee Delaford) (Older Sister – 27 years of age.)
Imogen Christine Delaford (Younger Sister – 17 years of age.)
James Edward Delaford (Older Brother – 25 years of age.)

History:

Birth into a wealthy family is of every advantage. Birth as a female into the middle of a wealthy family, to Charlotte, was even more so. She was not so important as her brother to be spied upon daily, nor so strategically placed as her elder sister to be wed immediately to great advantage. She was suitably and happily rather ignored. Certainly her father ensured that she had everything a young girl desired and his role in her life was more than she will ever be inclined to acknowledge, even to herself, in her independent mindset.

She had every kind of lesson as a child; equestrian training, vocal and musical training, training in embroidery (not her favourite pastime), archery and painting were amongst the many that she endeavoured to perfect, but it was music that became her first love. Although, she can still shoot an arrow and converse in French with the best of them. She grew up in her own mind, observing society rather than really participating in it. She determined that se would always be real in a world incessant with falseness. (Of course, her wealth allowed her this, making her more a part of the hierarchy than she realized.)

This vow has made Charlotte somewhat an emotional person, always outward and refusing to silence her own, sometimes cutting, commentary on the world. Inevitably, this drove a wedge between her and her older sister when Mariah chose to marry. Charlotte was unceasingly unkind to her sister’s husband and the relationship with the Lockwoods remains emotionally distant. Her brother, however, finds her incredibly amusing and the pair are very close. As are she and her younger sister, although it is a more unequal relationship, with Charlotte dominating her sister’s opinions and lifestyle. It cannot last this way eternally.

Her relationship with her parents is long-suffering, the pair having resigned themselves to the relative impossibility of their daughter making a match. They do, however, love their daughter dearly and encourage her in many of her socially acceptable schemes. Charlotte now spends her time entertaining herself as well as mixing heavily in society for the sheer joy of observation, critique and manipulation.

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