Catherine Harrington
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This character is currently on hiatus.
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Short Stats
- Character Name: Catherine Anne Harrington (nee: Erskine-Fox)
- Title: Viscountess Blackheath
- Estate Name: Blackheath
- Nationality: English
- Age: 16 (DOB: March 7, 1659)
- Gender: Female
- Eye Colour: Green
- Hair Colour: reddish-blonde
Physical Attributes
A petite young lady, Catherine stands but 5 feet tall, with a pleasantly rounded but not well-endowed figure. Lively green eyes, set in a delicate porcelain complexion, are perhaps her most attractive feature. They are as well, her most revealing, often exposing her thoughts and feelings to those who are attentive to such things. She has long, naturally curly, reddish blond hair, which unfortunately has a mind of its own, refusing to remain wholly restrained within a tidy hairstyle and giving her the appearance that she has just returned from a hatless walk in the breeze.
Although she could be described as tolerably pretty, Catherine has yet to attain an air of elegance, and no-one would call her a beauty. Rather, it is far more likely that she would be referred to as "a sweet girl" than to hear of her looks. She is outgoing, kind-hearted and youthfully exuberant, having an inclination to skip rather than glide along a garden path. Decorum is something she must concentrate on, rather than something that comes naturally to her.
Initial Impression of Personality
Catherine, despite excellent manners and deportment, often appears childlike. This is only in part due to her small stature, as she is easily awed by finery and has a natural naïveté. This can quickly reveal her as the daughter of a country Lord.
Background
Early Years
Born the youngest of three children to Robert and Elizabeth Erskine-Fox, Viscount and Viscountess Kendall, Catherine Anne's life began mere hours before her mother's ended. John, the eldest child and only son, was 10 years her senior and had little interest in his younger siblings, while Dorothy, just 4 years older than Catherine, immediately assumed the roll of motherly protector to the tiny infant.
The Viscount, apparently grieving the loss of his lady-wife, paid little attention to his second daughter. The void of parental attention was quickly taken up by the Dowager Countess Cartmel, Catherine's maternal grandmother, to whom the child quickly became strongly attached. Thus Catherine grew up largely in the company of her elder sister, and under the influence of her maternal grandmother, who visited so frequently and for such duration that she seemed to be more a resident of Kendall Park than of Cartmel Hall.
Largely as a result of the Countess's exacting standards, Catherine, and thus Dorothy as well, had a series of governesses. Despite the rather unsettling effects of the frequent changes, the daughters of Viscount Kendall received the required lessons for young ladies of their rank: reading, writing, arithmetic. Catherine's grandmother also ensured that she and her sister learned the invaluable skills of needlework, deportment, and etiquette, and the socially necessary arts of dance, music, drawing, painting, and riding. They also acquired a degree of proficiency in French and Italian, and a general knowledge of geography. Regular attendance at church provided them with tuition in Christian morality and theology.
Catherine absorbed her lessons with equanimity and very little analytical consideration, with the exceptions of those in painting and riding into which she threw herself with great passion and some natural ability. Indeed, the proudest moment of her young life was mastering the hedge jump. This was entirely in keeping with Catherine's delight in the outdoors, and she was oft to be found riding, painting, or merely strolling about the extensive grounds of Kendall Park and its environs.
The Viscount was apparently content to release control of his daughters' upbringing to his mother-in-law, with his only stipulation being that they regularly attend church. Catherine's father and mother, as their parents before them, were Anglican, and thus she too was raised Anglican. It would never occur to her to question this or the teachings of the Church, and by her 16th birthday, Catherine was devout and attended services of her own insistence.
Although her father was pleased with this development in his daughter's character, he was rather distressed to discover, when he finally turned his attention to her, that Catherine behaved more like a girl of 12 than a young lady of 16. She had the necessary social skills, but remained entirely too much the little girl for one who should be soon a wife and mother. The Viscount had nearly 5 years previous made a very advantageous marriage for Dorothy, and now it was high time that a suitable alliance be found for Catherine. Yet, unbeknownst to the young lady in question, the Viscount found himself in some financial embarrassment and so a match would have to be either delayed until the situation righted itself or one motivated by some degree of attachment at least on the part of the prospective husband. Thus a season at court seemed to supply the ideal solution, and one that the Dowager Countess would support, whether or not she knew of her son-in-law's financial embarrassment.
Thus the innocent and inexperienced Catherine found herself being sent south to the great city of London, "to put her charms and graces to proper use."
First Season - May 1675
Catherine arrived on the first of May at Whitehall Palace to take up her first season’s residence at Court, in a small, but adequate suite in Saint Mark Hall. Upon her first evening in residence, she attended the May Day Ball and began her foray into the social circles of Court. The petite, naïve young lady was quick to make several friends and to make herself known to her adored Grandmama’s old acquaintance, Countess Dunmoore. The young lady’s social calendar was most pleasingly full with various events and private gatherings, even in her first week of life at Court.
Catherine became rather smitten with a young gentleman, Master Thomas Hamilton, whose charm and irreproachable character quite captivated her. She even attracted the notice of the reputed rake, Lord Basildon. Catherine was saved from potential compromise at that gentleman’s hands though, by the caring counsel of her dear friends, Mistress Philippa Archer and Lady Patterson.
Upon a pleasant stroll in Saint James Park, momentary distress overtook the petite strawberry-blond at the sight of the elderly gentleman with whom she had danced at her first ball stricken is some terrible way and lying in great pain upon the ground. Happily, Lord Arlington, the Lord Chamberlain, was attended by Lord Farington, a medical doctor in whom Catherine had the greatest confidence, which was apparently well-founded.
Then came a most illustrious invitation, and from an entirely unhoped-for quarter. A chance encounter with Queen Catherine in the Portrait Gallery, upon the 10th of May, afforded Catherine with an invitation to take tea with Her Majesty. And both invitation and event took place in the presence of Master Hamilton, who was now the young lady’s fixed favourite. She even ventured to confess some degree of her interest to his cousin and her dear friend, Lady Atherstone.
Fatefully perhaps, Catherine then became known to a gentleman whose exotic nature and great charm would divide her admirations for a time; Sidi Abdul Mustafa Bey, of Tunis. Sweet words and gifts of blooms and perfume could not but please the naïve young lady. Yet, she was once again saved from compromise by the sage counsel of Lady Patterson and then a coincidental incident in the gardens late one evening. Sadly, Catherine was later to realize the gentleman’s true fickleness of affection at the King’s Masque.
While exploring the Labyrinth, upon the 17th of May, the young lady made the acquaintance of Sir Edward Griffin. He made most pleasant conversation, and, blissfully unaware of the effects that she had upon the poor fellow, Catherine engaged him enthusiastically, most especially on the subject of art. He then offered to take her to a local pigment shop, for which Catherine expressed great delight, and plans were fixed upon.
Catherine’s equanimity was again disquieted when screams of bloody murder split the night, that very evening. Although Catherine was greatly afraid, she ran to the aid of a stricken guardsman, only to find that he was her own friend, [Henry Cavendish|Lieutenant Henry Cavendish]]. Happily once again, he was attended by the good doctor, Lord Farrington.
In another chance encounter, Catherine became passingly known to King Charles himself, while admiring his spaniels in Saint James Park. Sadly, the bubbly young lady was sent to her bed not long after with influenza.
Laying miserably abed for several days and missing many desirable social engagements, upon the morning of the 26th, Catherine allowed her lady’s maid to summon a doctor to assure both that it was not the plague. They were dangerously misled however, by a deceitful and lecherous rogue, and Catherine was saved from compromise not a moment too soon by a guardsman’s timely arrival.
Another day’s confinement set the young lady to rights, and, upon the 28th she rose to stroll the gardens and then attend dinner at Lady Patterson’s townhome. The following evening saw the culmination of the season at the King’s Masque, and, at His Majesty’s announcement of a removal of the Court to the country for the sake of the Queen and the child she carried, Catherine made ready to depart for her return to Kendall Park.
Recess I - June through August, 1675
The Dowager Countess Carmel, Catherine’s beloved Grandmama, had fallen ill while Catherine was at court. It was she who sent the engagement ring (Christmas Present) to Catherine, wanting to be sure that her darling granddaughter received it, but not wanting to worry her with the details of why she felt the need to send it so suddenly. Instead, she told her granddaughter that it would be a lovely addition to her meager jewellery to wear while at Court.
When Catherine returned to Kendall Park at the end of the May season, she learned the truth of her grandmother’s condition, an urgent letter arriving almost as she did. Viscount Kendall, John, and Catherine then travelled to Cartmel without delay. Dorothy and her husband too rushed to the lady’s bedside. They arrived before the family matriarch died, and the countess was able to confide in Catherine a dark secret about someone at court.
Catherine sat dutifully by her grandmother’s bedside, taking in this wild and frightening tale, all the while praying for the old woman’s recovery. Within days though, the old lady whom Catherine has so loved was dead, and the family went into mourning.
Returning to Kendall Hall in the deepest grief, Catherine kept the tale a secret. She began to write poetry, as a vent for her grief. She wrote to Catriona, Heather, and Countess Dunmoore about her grandmother’s passing, but only hinted to Catriona and Heather that the venerable lady had told her something of dark significance.
Second Season - September 1675
Catherine’s second season at court began with an earnest hope of finding respite from her grief at the loss of her beloved Grandmama. Reunions with dear friends much missed over the summer months buoyed her spirits, and suggested a pleasant season to be had. And a dance with the King Himself could not but thrill and delight the petite young lady.
Her basket was bid upon and won by her friend, the young Lieutenant Henry Cavendish. Then her little party won the scavenger hunt and the honour of naming His Majesty’s new yacht. But the world was not the delight it seemed.
Her well-meaning visit to a gaoled man, whom she believed a friend, proved her undoing. She could not hide her trauma long, but found comfort and solace in the company of ladies, most especially her dear friends Mistress Margery and Lady Atherstone.
So too did an unlooked-for gift from King Charles serve to keep Catherine from the madness that threatened to engulf her. She named the sweet little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Custos: her protector.
Honoured with the task of naming the King’s yacht, Catherine was delighted to have her suggestion of “Sovereign Pride” so readily accepted. But she was perhaps more honoured to be of particular aid to Queen Catherine in discreetly departing the launching ceremony. This time her compassion had served her well.
Still, she grieved the loss of innocence and trust and security, as well as the sudden tragic death of Sir Edward Griffin, whom she had considered a friend.
It was in the most unexpected person of Lord Nigel Blackheath, however, that she would once again find safety. His fearsome visage, which had at first alarmed her, became necessary to her. He was her ‘Sir Galahad’, and then her betrothed. Speaking to her father, whom had come to take her from town to prepare to wed Sidi Abdul Mustafa Bey, Lord Blackheath convinced the Viscount Kendall to accept his offer for Catherine’s hand instead.
Recess II - October through late December, 1675
Nigel, Catherine, and her father traveled from London to Blackheath, where Viscount Kendall was able to enjoy a good look at his future son-in-law’s estates, and to meet Nigel's little sister. Content that his daughter would be safe and at least appear respectably chaperoned (she had no honour to lose, of course, so there was only appearance with which to be concerned), he took his leave and rode on to Kendall Park, with Catherine to follow in a week or two.
Her visit to Blackheath allowed Nigel and Catherine to get to know one another a bit, share some family and personal history, and such, and for Catherine and Nigel's sister, Clarice, to become friends. Catherine delighted in riding about the estates. There was also be time for letters to her friends, to fill them in on all the developments. Catherine wrote to Margery, Cat, Heather, Althea, Noni, her sister (Dorothy), and Countess Dunmoore, with details about Nigel and the home that she would come to share with him.
Catherine then returned to Kendall Park to prepare for the wedding. Surprisingly, Catherine found herself missing Lord Blackheath, although this was largely a feeling of being less safe without him near. Still, she felt his absence, and he too became one of her regular correspondents.
Her fear of death in childbed countered with her natural optimism made for some interesting mood swings that were expressed through her painting and poetry, and the occasional fit of tears. The latter, however, she endeavoured to hide from her father and brother. In fact, she came to almost actively avoid their company, lest they worry about her. She indulged, as often as the weather would allow, in long rides about Kendall Park.
The wedding plans would not long be delayed. Still, Catherine dragged her heels on everything, including dress-fittings, in a desire to hold onto her childhood. Even the style of the dress that Catherine preferred was decidedly youthful, and caused several squabbles with the seamstress. Counsel from her elder sister managed to persuade her to be reasonable.
Invitations were issued to family, of course, and to Margery, Cat, Heather, Althea, Noni, and Countess Dunmoore, although there was no real expectation that the latter would manage to attend.
Seeing her friends and visiting Windsor for the Christmas season, coupled with a need for Nigel's presence for her to feel safe, became her focus as the wedding date drew near. She felt that she must focus on something positive, lest her darker thoughts overtake her.
Third Season - Christmas 1675
The season began with the event that Catherine had feared so greatly, but which introduced the young woman to an ecstasy she had never before imagined was possible. Awaking that first morning in the luxury of their suite, Nigel, the fierce and feared soldier, was the gentlest, most attentive of husbands, and he carried her past her fear and the trauma of the past, and into womanhood.
Christmas was celebrated with an abundance of gifts and good company, and even the cold weather was a delight. Reunion with dear friends, such as Cat, Heather, Margery, Althea, and Isobel began the season with great promise. Mistress Frances was one new acquaintance whom Catherine quickly came to think of as a friend, while a few others she hoped to cultivate, should fate allow.
Then something untoward happened, and Catherine found herself and her dear sister-in-law locked in their suite, with Nigel and his men protecting them. Still, they managed to attend Mistress Margery’s dinner, and to make the acquaintances of Prince Rupert and Mistress Peg Hughes. Retiring to bed, Catherine had no notion of the jolt to come.
Summoned in the dark of night, Catherine ran to the Queen’s bedside, only to find the adored lady half delirious and dying. Catherine did not leave her side, talking and offering what little comfort she could. She was prostrate with grief at the Queen’s passing, and took to her bed. At times, she thought she must die too with the heartbreak.
Nigel read to her, cared tenderly for her, and allowed her to grieve. At length, on the first of January, she rose from her bed, at the height of the snowstorm. In an interesting state, the fairytales that Nigel had read to her and the view from the bedchamber window inspired Catherine to paint. She would capture that storm and a single unicorn for her beloved husband.
She attempted to see the King, whose time was in far too high demand. Instead, Catherine was reunited with Lady Mignonette, which was a great comfort to her. As for His Majesty, Catherine was able only to offer her presence and a most sympathetic smile.
Saint George’s Chapel provided some small solace, and Catherine quickly came to include morning service in her daily routine. A card party hosted by Lord and Lady Alyth, music, and the Frost Fair offered welcome diversion and further good company. And there was always Nigel and the painting she was creating for him.
Still, Nigel’s announcement that he must soon leave for Tangier could not have been more unwelcome. Catherine had come to feel safe so long as her husband was near. Now he would away for two months together! But she would be strong, because he required it of her. The couple determined that, as Prince Rupert had offered to take Catherine into his household for that time, she would accept that offer, and the petite Viscountess turned her attentions to passing the last days of the Season pleasantly, it at all possible.
A delightful engagement with Frances and Noni, and the ladies three puppies helped greatly to lift her spirits for a time. And the Twelfth Night festivities provided amusement. But it was the completion of her painting that most pleased Catherine, as she was able to gift it to her beloved husband just before his departure.
Recess III - early January through mid-March, 1676
As the Winter Season ended, Catherine had to face the loss of the one thing that kept danger at bay. Yet it was only a temporary thing, she reassured herself as she and Nigel parted. Many others of those dear to her also departed Windsor, including Clarice and Heather, whom both went to Blackheath, although Catherine was ignorant of the exact circumstances that had her dear friend in company with her sister-in-law there.
She joined the household of Prince Rupert, as they had agreed, and thus had the occasional companionship of Lady Anna, Mistress Hughes, and Prince Rupert. Custos was, of course, her almost constant companion. The household remained at Windsor for a time, before moving to London for the funeral of the Queen.
Her nightmares had not abated by season’s end, and indeed appeared to be now as decided a feature of her routine as chapel each morning. Although she could never recall them in the morning, they left her with a general feeling of anxiety and of being watched. Sometimes she thought she saw someone in the corner of her eye, or at a distance, but Catherine could never discover that anyone had actually been there.
Painting, writing poetry and letters, and riding Ebony in the Great Park provided some diversion at Windsor. Catherine wrote to Althea, Cat, Frances, Heather, Margery, Mignonette, Clarice, Lady Dunmoore, her father, and her sister, Dorothy. The Royal Library offered quieter occupation. Yet she required greater employment that she might keep the darkness at bay. Thus she picked up once again her investigation of the mad Duke of Norfolk.
She began almost by accident during one of her visits to the Royal Library, where a particular turn of phrase captured her imagination and set her to look up the peerage of Norfolk and the recent history of the family. Perhaps there was an account or a record that could shed some light? But Catherine did not stop there, and upon the next opportunity to speak with Prince Rupert, she enquired as to his knowledge of the family. Having ascertained that the prince had an interest in science, but not especially in medicine, it was not easy to make her enquiry seem casual. Still, her natural innocence might aid her there.
When the household moved to Town, Catherine was made comfortable in a bedchamber that was more spacious than that which she had occupied in Saint Marks Hall, despite the more modest nature of Prince Rupert’s London accommodations. Catherine was delighted and entirely comfortable. Still the nightmares, the anxiety, and the feeling of being watched followed her.
Catherine attended the King, when allowed, offering what support she might. Otherwise, her routine remained largely the same, despite the change of residence. A happy addition was the society of Lady Mignonette and Mistress Frances. She also found occasion to take tea with Lady Mazarine and with Mistress Gwynn.
Of course, cheer was much subdued, with the commencement of the official mourning period. Catherine was desolate at the funeral, but managed to contain herself in a manner that would have made her Grandmamma Carmel proud. Her grief was genuine though, as so many others’ was not.
Following the funeral, she once again turned to a ready distraction: the investigation. The Royal Library at Whitehall offered further resources, and she made a concerted effort to find any records of the annulment of the Duke’s morganatic marriage, and whatever information she could about his current location. She also hoped for a hint as to where the child, now a man, might be imprisoned.
Catherine would find nothing useful in the written records of the Norfolk/Howard family. However Catherine encountered an old servant of the Duke whom was dismissed by his brother. The old fellow was happy to talk, but could offer her no proof of her grandmother's suspicions.
It did not look promising on the whole, but Catherine was not deterred. Indeed, the possibility that she might discover more, fuelled her imagination and her determination to continue her investigations into the Spring Season.
Catherine also began work on the gates for the memorial garden, sending instruction to the Blackheath Foundry once she had worked out an idea. Through correspondence with her husband’s ironworkers, she endeavoured to devise a workable plan to present to Nigel for his approval upon his return.
With the promised reunion with her beloved husband ahead of her, Catherine could not have been more buoyant for the beginning of the new Season. Indeed, she put off celebrating her 17th birthday for Nigel's homecoming.
Family
Parents
- Robert Erskine-Fox, Viscount Kendall
- Elizabeth Camden Erskine-Fox - deceased
Siblings
- John Erskine-Fox
- Dorothy Fellows, Viscountess Siringham
Husband
- Nigel Harrington - Deceased
