[Charlotte Tolson (Izzie)]

Your Name: Izzie
Age: 19
Contact Info: Eh, just PM me
Where'd You Find Us: In the depths of Mordor…
____________________
Name: Daniel James Rossington
Nickname (if applicable): His family calls him Neil, but school friends call him Ross.
Age: 30
Date of Birth: January 5, 1781
Title: Lord Daniel Rossington

FAMILY
FATHER: Theodore Rossington, 6th Duke of Welby (1753-1806)
MOTHER: Miranda Rossingston, Dowager Duchess of Welby (1756-present)
BROTHER: Hugh Rossington, 7th Duke of Welby (1779-present)
SISTER-IN-LAW: Jane Rossington (nee Leighton), 7th Duchess of Welby (1783-1809)
NIECE: Lady Madalene Rossington (1809-present)

BACKGROUND
Daniel Rossington was born on an uneventful January morning. It was an easy labour, and his mother likes to say that he just “popped” into the world. The word “uneventful” would sufficiently describe his life up until his twenty-fifth birthday. His childhood was relatively boring, by all standards. He attended Eton, and barely graduated, due to his easy-going nature (laziness, his father called it). As the second son of a Duke, Neil was quite aware that he would never have to do anything in his life, except for get married, and this fact is something that he cherished his entire life.

After leaving Eton, he dawdled off to Cambridge, and graduated almost at the bottom of his class. Having his education completed, Neil prepared himself to sit back, and enjoy the rest of his life exactly as he wanted to do it: by doing whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. All of this would change, however, when his father died suddenly of a heart attack only a few days after his graduation from Cambridge.

Suddenly, the easy life that Neil had set himself up for had disappeared – instead of traveling around the continent, he was now forced to spend endless hours learning how to take care of household accounts, as he would now be the heir to the Dukedom, until Hugh had a son. After a considerable amount of time, Neil managed to apply himself enough to be a fairly decent at this. Believing that perhaps his life was once again back on track, he set out to his brother’s wedding. It was here that he first fell in love – with his new sister-in-law.

After a period time, Jane Rossington confessed that she too had feelings for Neil, and the two began to meet in secret, never taking their physical relationship beyond discreet kisses throughout the manor. Their relationship was so easy and natural, they knew that they had meant to be together, and were deeply in love with each other. It was when Jane fell pregnant with Hugh’s child that Neil realized what he was doing, and respectfully bowed out of the picture, allowing his elder brother to lead a happy life with his beautiful wife. Seven months later, however, Jane died giving birth to a daughter, Madalene.

Devastated, and unable to show his grief properly, Neil took off for the continent, living as a complete rakehell, forgetting any kind of responsibility he had at home. It was not until a visit from his mother in Paris that Neil snapped out of his depression. The Dowager Duchess had always been an imposing figure, but had been relatively lenient on her youngest son. Now, however, she unleashed her full power over Neil, and dragged him back to England.

Whilst Neil had been away, his brother had become consumptive, leading his mother to seek him out abroad. Now, Neil finds a Dukedom poised to fall neatly his lap. Nearing the end of his life, Hugh has demanded that Neil travel to London and find a wife, so that he can die in peace knowing that his Dukedom and small daughter are well taken care of.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Standing at an impressive 5’10”, Neil is tall and muscular, the effect of spending too much time playing sports and not enough time studying. He has shaggy brown hair that gets in his eyes a lot, and he always seems to be pushing it out of his face. He has a rougish smile, and soft brown eyes. With a soft face, Neil is far from being chiseled, and more on the “adorable” side, a description he has never been able to shake.

PERSONALITY
The hardships that have plagued the Rossington family during the past five years have had an interesting impact on Neil’s personality – always the easy-going lad, Neil had strived to make his life as easy and simple as possible. He took the hand that life had dealt him quite well, and played it to his best advantage. Since the death of his father and sister-in-law, however, it is quite possible that Neil has become even more lenient with his life, causing his mother to think that he’s gone completely mad. While still completely sane, Neil is in what could be described as a state of shock – the spell of depression that followed Jane’s death was probably the most intense negative feeling he had ever experienced, so used to having a happy life of luxury. Responsibility is not something that Neil planned to have in his life, and now with his future of becoming a Duke, and adoptive father to his niece, Neil is quite keen to get away from his responsibilities, and live as freely as he can, harking back to his days as a rakehell in Europe.

Charming, adorable and easy to love, Neil uses his friendly manner to breeze through his last few months of bachelordom, before having to find a wife and settle down. Very social, he actually enjoys going to Almack’s – even if the matchmaking mama’s of the ton practically fall over themselves getting him to dance with their daughters. He flirts with the debutantes, ensures that their mothers are content in thinking that he is perhaps going to court their daughters, and chats loudly and amiably with old school chums. Tolerating the glittering world of the London ton is easy for him, and Neil believes that he will never fall in love again. His ideal future Duchess is someone who he gets along amiably with, with whom he can share the rest of his life with, and perhaps grow to love over time.

When he’s not flitting about the London social scene, Neil spends a great deal of time outdoors – he finds that air, especially the fresh air of the country, clears his head, and allows him to think more clearly. He has always preferred to play sports or go riding out of doors instead of being cooped up in the house reading. Hyde Park is his favourite place in London, and he can often be seen bounding out of his town house towards the park, whistling as he goes.

Determined not to let the drama of his family affect him presently, Neil rarely speaks of his family, so as not to incur anymore gossip surrounding the Dukedom that he is to inherit.

[Elizabeth Dunford (Liz)]

PMing you!

[Elizabeth Dunford (Liz)]

Approved.

[Daniel Rossington (Izzie)]

{Relationships}

Family (All NPC)

Miranda Rossington - Mother. Is at Welby with Neil's brother and niece. Miranda is the one who fetched Neil from that hole he was living in in Paris to bring him back to England. Loves her son dearly, but doesn't understand him all the time.

Hugh Rossington - Older brother, the current Duke of Welby. Married Jane Rossington (nee Leighton), and had one daughter, Madalene, whom Jane died giving birth to. Is consumptive, and is leaving the Dukedom to his less responsible, younger brother Neil. Does not particularly get along with Neil, but tolerates his presence.

Madalene Rossington - Niece, daughter of Jane and Hugh Rossington. Neil finds it difficult to be around her some days, as she is very much like her mother, who Neil still loves and misses every day. He wants to provide for Madalene, however, which is why he is in London to find a wife.

Friends

Patrick Grove - Daniel's best friend in the whole world. They've known each other for years (25, to be exact), born almost five years apart to the day. Patrick is the only one who knows of Jane, and why Neil disappeared to Paris. Would trust the man with his life.

Penelope Grove - despite the fact that Penny flat-out refuses to treat Daniel as a friend, Neil would call her a friend (if only because he's known her for her entire life). Likes to try to illicit less-than-polite responses out of Penny, and has spent many happy hours teasing the poor girl when they were younger. Now that she's older he respects her a bit more, teases her less often, but she will always be his best friend's younger sister.

Acquaintances

Marcus Fairmont - Met at a high-stakes, illegal card game in Paris. Finds it funny to flirt with his sister, to annoy Marcus to no end. The two get along quite well, however, and Neil finds Marcus to be an amusing presence in his life.

Rosalind Fairmont - sister of Marcus, Neil finds her to be quite a well spoken young lady. He greatly enjoys her company, and flirting with her, although he has no romantic feelings toward her whatsoever.

Charlotte Tolson - Neil is impressed with the newest attraction straight from India. While soft-spoken and rather shy, Neil thinks her to be quite an interesting individual. He will stay far away from the lady though, as he can already tell that Marcus has her under his protection.

Elise Hampton - While the two have crossed paths multiple times, Neil did not garner a formal introduction to Elise until Almack's. The two flirted over a dance, and Neil finds her to be very much like Jane, something which he is not certain he likes or not yet.

Isabel Meredyth - Met her very briefly during a walk around Hyde Park, escorted her to her carriage. Young lady seemed to be quite flustered by London, but she was very kind nonetheless.

Victor Kincaide - An alright chap, Neil gets along with him decently enough, though probably would not seek out his company again.

Katherine Winter - Though Neil doesn't know her name, he quite likes the young debutante, and finds her to be charming, beautiful and absolutely captivating.

Elizabeth Dunford - Another beautiful blonde debutante, Neil met Elizabeth while accompanying some ladies shopping on Bond Street.

Charity Pritchard - While Neil appreciates Charity's good humour, he's not quite so certain that everything she does is appropriate in society.

Juliet Landon - An old friend of the family, Neil knows all of the Landon children to some extent or another. He's usually on the wrong end of Juliet's temper.

Caroline Gardiner - An old acquaintance from her visits to Welby, Neil sought to reintroduce himself to her at the Musicale.

{Chronological RP History}

April 10, 1811

A Pair of Knaves - After the 6th - Daniel Rossington, Marcus Fairmont, Charlotte Tolson, Rosalind Fairmont - Almack's Assembly Rooms, Evening
Neil and Marcus meet up, for the first time in almost a year, since their first meeting at a highly illegal, underground card game in Paris that Neil attend during his depression. Marcus recognizes him, and therefore does not trust him as he imagines Neil to be quite the shady character. Neil expresses an interest in meeting Marcus' sister, Rosalind, whom he flirts with shamelessly. Marcus, in the meantime, finds Charlotte Tolson, and brings her in to round out the couples, and they set up for the next dance.

Standing up for the 7th - Daniel Rossington, Marcus Fairmont, Charlotte Tolson, Rosalind Fairmont - Almack's Assembly Rooms, Evening
After flirting with Rosalind, Neil asks to dance with her. Meanwhile, Marcus finds Charlotte and drags her into the fracas (as they had already been scheduled to dance), in order to perhaps keep Rossington in line. Instead, he becomes distracted by Miss Tolson and her conversation, while Neil and Rosalind flirt away under her brother's nose. Charlotte and Rosalind arrange for riding lessons to be given to Charlotte.

Out of Place - the 8th Dance - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton, Lady Emerson (NPC) - Almack's Assembly Rooms, Evening
Neil and Elise are properly introduced for the first time, and share a dance together. They both try to flirt with the other, but it takes some time before they both catch on to the other. Neil secures a riding lesson with Miss Hampton, and the two separate eager for the next day.

"Drunkeness is nothing more than involuntary madness" - Daniel Rossington, Marcus Fairmont, Gabriel Pritchard, Thomas Sterne, Arthur Dalrymple, George Hackett - White's Gentleman's Club, Evening
After Almack's, the gentlemen retire to White's for a game of vingt-en-un, which Neil loses, and must sing a song.

April 11, 1811

A Morning Stroll Daniel Rossington, Isabel Meredyth - Hyde Park, 9 am
Neil takes a quiet walk around Hyde Park, nursing a hangover, when he bumps into Isabel Meredyth, a young lady he had never met. He escorts her back to her carriage after almost landing her in the Serpentine.

Catch Me When I Fall (Act I) - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton - Hyde Park, 4 pm
Neil and Elise start their riding lesson. Elise does quite well, until she falls off her horse, and Neil catches her - right in plain view of Nicholas Gosling and the Duchess of Beaumont.

Ohmygod - Daniel Rossington, Elise Hampton, Nicholas Gosling, Daphne Werlington - Hyde Park, 4:30 pm
Daphne and Nicholas come to see if Elise is okay, which ends in Nicholas and Elise having a bit of a jealous throwdown. Neil stands by and makes a few jabs here and there against Gosling, and then takes his leave with Miss Hampton for a walk and their own little picnic.

April 14, 1811

St. George's Hanover Square: Easter Sunday - Daniel Rossington, Patrick Grove, Penelope Grove, Marquess of Pendelston (NPC), rest of the board - St. George's Church, Morning
Sitting by himself at his family's pew, Neil is feeling incredibly out of place among the families celebrating Easter, until he happens on his best friend, Patrick Grove, and the Grove family. After discovering the Marquess' failing health, Patrick and Daniel head off to catch up with each other after the service.

A Friend is One Before Whom I Can Think Aloud... - Daniel Rossington, Patrick Grove - St. George's Church Courtyard, Morning
Patrick and Daniel head off to a quiet corner to discuss events that have transpired in the years the two have been apart, and also try to find Patrick a wife...based solely on looks?

Fan Flirting 101 - Daniel Rossington, Katherine Winter - Emerson Ball, Evening
Having finally arrived at the Emerson Ball, Daniel finds himself on the receiving end of a flirtatious fan gesture given to him by none other than Katherine Winter. Trying to avoid the lady (so that she doesn't think he took the accidental gesture seriously), he ends up being mistaken for Mr. Higgenbottom, which is when he quickly resolves to find Patrick.

Moral Indingnation is Jealousy with a Halo - Penelope Grove, Daniel Rossington, Victor Kincaide, Patrick Grove, Edward Tolson, Charlotte Tolson - Emerson House, Evening
After finding Penny and Patrick, Neil is introduced to another acquaintance, Victor Kincaide. They wait until Miss Hampton and Miss Pritchard make their debuts, and then scuttle off to find their dance partners for the first set.

Calendonian Laddie: Rosie and Neil - Rosalind Fairmont, Daniel Rossington - Emerson House, Evening
After locating Lady Rosalind, Neil and Rosalind dance the first set together, happily speaking of dresses, Shakespeare, and flirting their way throughout the dance.

Dancing the 5th - Daniel Rossington, Harriet Fforde - Emerson Ball, Evening
Neil would be the first to admit that the only reason why he asked for Miss Fforde's hand was out of sheer curiosity - he, along with the rest of the Ton - knows about her broken engagement, and he wishes to learn more about her.

The Sixth: Spirit of Fancy - Daniel Rossington, Katie Winter, Augusta Winter (NPC) - Emerson Ball, Evening
Still inadvertently working under the guise of Mr. Higgenbottom, Neil spots the girl who sent him a rather suggestive fan flirtation earlier in the evening, and decides to ask her for a dance. He attempts to (poorly) charm her into accepting his offer, and the two dance. Neil makes a mental note to find her name, and comes away charmed with her.

April 16, 1811

An Afternoon of Trinket Shopping - Daniel Rossington, Juliet Landon, Charlotte Tolson, Charity Pritchard, Elise Hampton, Damien Relmsey, Patrick Grove, Penelope Grove, Elizabeth Dunford, Henry Layton - Bond Street, Afternoon
A very large shopping party heads out to Bond Street in search of accessories and gossip, bumping into Lord Daniel and Lords Stanwood and Parry along the way. In Progress

Meeting Over Supper - Daniel Rossington, Caroline Gardiner - Cavisham House, Evening
Following the first half of the performances at the musicale, Neil encounter an old acquaintance in Miss Caroline Gardiner, who he had met at Welby several years earlier. They reacquaint themselves over supper. In Progress

Please do not post here. If I have missed someone, or a thread, PM Neil's account to let me know.

Updated July 12, 2010