Name: Francis “Fanny” Winston

Age: 25

Character Description: Fanny is a very comely young woman. Slender and fair with auburn hair, if it weren’t for her shyness and that unfortunate incident with her vomiting on Lord Buxton’s shoes, she would have easily attracted a match during her debut a couple years ago. Fanny is practical in her style, and tends to go for more understated looks, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself. She looks neat and orderly. A perfect wife for any Ton of high standing.

Skills/Accomplishments: Piano, singing, embroidery, painting
Flaws/Shortcomings: Dancing, conversation, holding her liquor

Background: The eldest child of Lord Winston, Fanny always had responsibility thrust upon her. Expected to be the most accomplished, well-mannered girl amongst her peers, Fanny often found the pressure too weighty. Although talented and beautiful, the young lady never enjoyed the spotlight on her and often became tongue-tied in mixed company. She is nothing like her longest known and closest friend, Margaret Buxton. Fanny supposes she was always attracted to Margaret as a friend, since Maggie was everything she wasn’t: bold, lively, and having a penchant for trouble. Being around Maggie Buxton was always an adventure, and being close to her made Fanny feel like she, too, was along for the adventure.

Fanny and Margaret came out to society in the same debut, and with the Season, Fanny had a handful of well-bred, good-mannered suitors. But the one she only had eyes for was Lord Benjamin Buxton. Her best friend’s brother. So, when Margaret insisted that Benjamin dance with Fanny at her family’s ball, the young woman’s stomach twisted in a knot. And in her nervousness, Fanny reached for one (or two) more glasses of wine. Between the butterflies in her stomach, the wine, and the twirling around the room, Fanny found herself bent over Lord Benjamin Buxton’s shoes emptying the contents of her stomach. Of course, everyone blamed Margaret. principled Fanny Winston would never have put herself in that situation without encouragement from her wild friend.

But, it was Fanny who bore that shame regardless. Slowly, her suitors no longer came calling. No one wanted a quiet girl who drank too much and couldn’t hold her wine. Her father had resigned to the possibility that his eldest daughter would become an old maid and possibly ruin the chances for her younger siblings. It made the offer from Count Gregory Halifax that much more appealing to her father. The engagement was settled, without so much as Fanny’s input, and a wedding date set for the end of the London Season. Fanny would be in total despair, except for the little glimmer of enjoyment that her best friend has now returned.