Helen Ransome
Full Name: Helen Saint-Brieuc RansomeNicknames: (none)
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Occupation: Patroness/manager of two small poorhouses
Nationality: British
Languages: English, French, Latin
Current status: Spinster
Current Residence: Chelmsford House, Brook Street, Mayfair
Overall Appearance: Helen appears tall and fit. She typically is seen in poorer economic areas of London, dressed in poorly fitting dresses that are years out of date. She invariably wears a hat, but it usually is unfashionable fabric or straw, unadorned by decoration. In cooler weather she will wear a spencer and in wet weather it will be an oilskin. She usually speaks in a low, unaccented, voice that eavesdroppers usually cannot understand. Her shoes rarely may be seen; but if they were, they would be black and sturdy. She is never without her reticule, but it is often concealed in a large pocket as protection against thieves. She has a weapon in another pocket, has learned much about wielding it, but is hardly an expert. There is a large scar on her arm.
She had not appeared regularly in social situations strictly involving courtship and marriage in many years. Being a member of an important ducal family, however, she had nevertheless appeared in many social and arts events with family, close friends, and in the political arena, all dressed unfashionably. However, with Lady Londonderry's Soiree April 1, 1840, this may be about to change.
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 156
Eye Color: Gray
Hair color: Dark Brown
Hair Style: Long and straight
Complexion: lightly tanned
Body shape: fit
Distinguishing Marks: a big scar on her right upperarm near to her elbow
Clothing: Poorly Fitting and out-of-date
Basic Personality: Helen has concealed her personality for many years. After exhibiting a fresh and unspoiled outlook as a child, she began hiding her thoughts and wishes as an adolescent after harsh discipline from her father. As an adult, she now takes a passive resistance to this abuse from her father, which she mostly ignores. She uses this same approach to many that she cannot feel that she can trust, and has only few real friends. She can be firm and authoritative in the poorhouses, when it is necessary.
Magic Percentage: Abj40/Ent5
Special Skills:
- First Aid, knowledge of basic medicines and techniques.
- She has read much about a lot, understands most, knows who to ask questions about what she doesn't.
- She listens well, has learned about investing, has two trusts, but knows little about the particulars of #2 yet!
- Management of circumstances and of people is a skill that she has learned quite well.
History: The Dukedom of Chelmsford was created by Charles II upon his restoration to the throne in 1660. George Frederick, the first duke, was a faithful follower of Charles; but he was a supporter of William and Mary rather than of James II, and thus participated in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 deposing James as king.
George Randolph Ransome, the seventh duke, was under considerable pressure to find a good breeder as a wife in order to continue the senior branch of the Chelmsford Dynasty. His heir as of 1805 was John James of the junior branch, who had been supporters of James II going back to 1688, and therefore had to be prevented from inheriting at all costs. While on a secret mission in France during 1806, George encountered a French beauty, Valerie Saint-Brieuc, separated and hiding in a coastal town apart from her family. They became engaged, married, and had a daughter, Helen, born in England in 1807.
The marriage went well for a while, but began deteriorating when Valerie did not soon become pregnant with the heir. Conditions became so extreme in 1820, that Valerie disappeared or ran away. It was not publicly known if the husband had physically harmed his wife, but verbal abuse had been witnessed by many, and in public. Knowledge of her presence, or even of her existence, is still unknown as of today. George became so frantic to beget an heir that he began divorce proceedings in Parliament to permit him to remarry. He truly now is distressed at the idea of dying without an heir and the junior branch inheriting. That, in fact, could be granted at any moment. Helen remains the only child.
Helen had been a happy child. However, when her mother left, she was devastated. Their last interview had been confused and hurried. Helen had not understood then, and still does not truly understand as of today. Inquiries to the Saint-Brieuc family, from both husband and daughter, have been failures. Investigators in France have not met with success. Personal trips to France by both, separately, have not revealed any information whatsoever.
Helen withdrew into herself. She took little interest in public life, was not interested in marriage, in fact developed few friendships. She took an interest in abused women, began to support poorhouses financially, and even started volunteering at one or two of them. Fortunately, she had an inheritance through an unmarried aunt. When she declared no interest in marriage, her father stopped most financial support.
Living or Dead Family:
Father- George Randolph Ransome, Duke of Ransome, 62
Mother- Valerie Delphine Saint-Brieuc, Duchess of Chelmsford (location/existence unknown). (52)
Older sister of George, Aunt, Lady Anne Ludlow (widow, Dowager Duchess of Lebrun; would be Helen's chaperone) 64, and family.
son: Paul Ludlow, Duke of LeBrun, 45
wife of Paul: Lucy, Duchess of LeBrun, 39
granddaughters: Amelia, 19, Beatrice 18
Younger sister of George, Aunt, Lady Jane Huddlestun (Countess of Hornby) 57; Uncle, Lord Richard Huddlestun (Earl of Hornby) 62, and family.
son, Henry, Viscount Hepplewhite, 36
wife of Henry, Tessa, Viscountess Hepplewhite, 30
There are other children, sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters in the families, except in George Randolph's.
Friends:
Lady Alicia Summers, 23; husband, Baron Summers, 27, daughter, Paula, 1, chaperone Dowager Countess Claire Brossard, 65
Regina Morse, 22, brother John, fellow, 28, brother Thomas, curate, 24, intended, Samuel Wilson, 25