Mary Sheffield

LADY MULGRAVE
CHARACTER DETAILS
Full Name:	Mary Elizabeth Sheffield
Nationality:	English
Title:	married to John Sheffield
Estate Name:	Stamerson
Age:	17
Gender:	Female
Eye Colour:	Moss Green
Hair Colour:	Pale Blonde
Marital Status:	Married
Circles:	none
RESIDENCE
London:	Princes Lodgings, Mulgrave's Apartment

Reputation: «... is a friendly young innocent, considered more a child than a woman grown, known for her talkative nature. People can only wonder how long such innocence can survive intact at the court of Charles II ...»

The First Impression & Physical Appearance

One's first impressions upon meeting Mary are that you are dealing with a very naïve child. Though she physically wears the body of a young woman, her thoughts and actions are of a precocious child. She sees the good in everyone and expects good from them in return. She smiles often and laughs just as much. One might think she had nary a care in the world. And in her mind, they'd be right. She stands only an even 5 feet tall and that's when she remembers to stand up straight and lift her chin. Her eyes are very large and a mossy green. Her nose is a button and her mouth a cupid's bow. Dimples crease both her cheeks when she smiles and giggles. Her form is plump but not fat, filling out her necklines easily while her corset forces more of her frame heavenward.

Personality

Bright, bubbly, giggly, lightheaded. All these words can be used when speaking of Mary. She is kind, sweet, and utterly gullible. Quick to help, ready with a willing heart, Mary is the opposite of the world around her. She was raised to think that all creatures under God's mantle are good. Innuendos tend to fly over her head, leaving her to blink confusedly or simply laugh, unaware of her mistake. She is a lamb among wolves. She also has a disturbing tendency to speak out-loud to herself, often debating herself over some action or point.

Background

The only child of Viscount Thomas Churchill, second cousin to Sir Winston Churchill, Mary led a sheltered life back near Stratford-Upon-Avon, where her father's estate lies.

Season IV

Recess IV, 1 June- 7 October

Since Mulgrave and Mary couldn't travel alone together to Bath then to Stratford, Arabella offered to act as chaperone. But where Arabella went, so too did the children. So a caravan of carriages set out a few days after the end of the Season, headed towards Bath. Arabella rode in the carriage with Mary and Mulgrave, while the children and the maids and menservants and nurses rode in the rest. Luckily, there were no major incidents as they reached Bath.

Since Freddie was also Arabella's cousin, she went with the pair when they visited the old seaman. Cousin Freddie was a very old 63, hard of hearing, and happy to live in his cottage with his daughter to take care of him. Doris was a pleasant woman who spent the first several minutes cleaning or fluffing or straightening, feeling uncomfortable in the company of nobility. Though a few minutes of Mary's chattering calmed her down enough to start to mother her young cousin, pressing cookies and milk on her. Mulgrave was able to see that the threat very likely doesn't come from here, but he reserved judgement. Unlike his companion, perhaps they were able to lie.

They head out after a few days of enjoying the sights and sounds of Bath, the caravan moving on. When they were about a day away from Stratford, one of the carriages suffered a broken wheel. Taking over a small inn, Arabella, Mary and the children took the only room left, leaving Mulgrave to sleep down in the tap room. The next day, he fell asleep a few minutes after the carriage set out, new wheel installed, snoring slightly. Noticing that his mouth was slightly open and allowing some drool to slip out, Mary tucked a handkerchief under his chin so he wouldn't ruin his suit. It wouldn't do to show up with a damp spot on one's clothing.

Papa, using his vast forturne, has paid any number of doctors and is better, though certainly not at his finest. He was heavily using his cane as he walked and moved very slowly to greet his daughter and her traveling companions. When Mary launched herself out of the carriage, Stamerson's valet had to hold him up so the father and daughter didn't take a tumble due to her exuberance. Stamerson did brace himself as well as possible, but what is a frail 80 year old compared to a bubbly 17 year old? Mary makes introductions, including Arabella and the children, who chatter on, asking if Mary will show them the secret passages and if there are any ghosts and other questions children ask. The men eyed each other warily, but Mulgrave is welcomed in and assigned a room in the wing farthest from Mary's.

After dinner, the men meet while the ladies and children settle in. The beginning of the conversation was stilted. Stamerson spent some time determining if Mulgrave was worthy of his precious poppet. He was still upset over Mary's letter and the implied things written there in. Mulgrave finally began to ask questions about Mary's accidents. Stamerson, not wanting to share family secrets with a man who might or might not be marrying his little princess, admitted that the accidents she had had of late were very dangerous and that there was a man in Stratford who was known for such dangerous 'jokes'. No mention of the man supposed relation to the family was made.

Mulgrave spent more time in Stratford, Mary playing eager tour guide. Arabella normally went with them as well. On walks in the wood, he kept an eagle eye out and Arabella, who was not happy in the country, would often hang back closer to the house, affording the couple some time alone. Mulgrave was intent on behaving honorably with her, especially after her words concerning her male cousin. At night, the group would gather in the parlor and play games or sing songs. Mary's love of children was very evident to all who watched. OF course, this could be explained by the fact that she was not really more than a child herself.

Eventually, Mulgrave knew he had to be on his way. He had duties of his own to attend to, which he reminded Mary. She pouted slightly, but nodded her understanding. The night before he was suppose to leave, a fire started in the barn. The family rushed out to see what was happening, getting in the way of the horses, who were running free from the flames. The pair stood near each other, when suddenly a loud bang rang out. Mulgrave, thinking the fire was cover-up for another 'accident' aimed at Mary, jumped on her, knocking her down to save her. Her head hit a large rock, knocking her out, making Mulgrave think she had been shot. He patted her down, looking for the bullet hole. Nothing was found. The bang was from one of the timbers holding up the roof of the stable breaking and falling. Before long, Mary roused, but with a ringing headache. There was a large lump on the back of her head, but other than that, she was fine.

His departure delayed by 2 days, while making certain Mary really okay (and feeling a bit guilty about her head injury), Mulgrave eventually bid the Churchills good bye, with a promise to pick Mary up and escort her to Windsor. Mary finished up her bedrest (which she didn't like at all) and spent the remainder of her Recess playing with her little cousins, ordering new dresses and finery for Windsor and otherwise living in the happy little bubble that surrounded her at all times. At the very end, Mary travelled to Oakham, upon Darlene's invitation, to practice for the Opera the lady was to put on.

Recess IV, 1 June-7 October

Since Mulgrave and Mary couldn't travel alone together to Bath then to Stratford, Arabella offered to act as chaperone. But where Arabella went, so too did the children. So a caravan of carriages set out a few days after the end of the Season, headed towards Bath. Arabella rode in the carriage with Mary and Mulgrave, while the children and the maids and menservants and nurses rode in the rest. Luckily, there were no major incidents as they reached Bath.

Since Freddie was also Arabella's cousin, she went with the pair when they visited the old seaman. Cousin Freddie was a very old 63, hard of hearing, and happy to live in his cottage with his daughter to take care of him. Doris was a pleasant woman who spent the first several minutes cleaning or fluffing or straightening, feeling uncomfortable in the company of nobility. Though a few minutes of Mary's chattering calmed her down enough to start to mother her young cousin, pressing cookies and milk on her. Mulgrave was able to see that the threat very likely doesn't come from here, but he reserved judgement. Unlike his companion, perhaps they were able to lie.

They head out after a few days of enjoying the sights and sounds of Bath, the caravan moving on. When they were about a day away from Stratford, one of the carriages suffered a broken wheel. Taking over a small inn, Arabella, Mary and the children took the only room left, leaving Mulgrave to sleep down in the tap room. The next day, he fell asleep a few minutes after the carriage set out, new wheel installed, snoring slightly. Noticing that his mouth was slightly open and allowing some drool to slip out, Mary tucked a handkerchief under his chin so he wouldn't ruin his suit. It wouldn't do to show up with a damp spot on one's clothing.

Papa, using his vast forturne, has paid any number of doctors and is better, though certainly not at his finest. He was heavily using his cane as he walked and moved very slowly to greet his daughter and her traveling companions. When Mary launched herself out of the carriage, Stamerson's valet had to hold him up so the father and daughter didn't take a tumble due to her exuberance. Stamerson did brace himself as well as possible, but what is a frail 80 year old compared to a bubbly 17 year old? Mary makes introductions, including Arabella and the children, who chatter on, asking if Mary will show them the secret passages and if there are any ghosts and other questions children ask. The men eyed each other warily, but Mulgrave is welcomed in and assigned a room in the wing farthest from Mary's.

After dinner, the men meet while the ladies and children settle in. The beginning of the conversation was stilted. Stamerson spent some time determining if Mulgrave was worthy of his precious poppet. He was still upset over Mary's letter and the implied things written there in. Mulgrave finally began to ask questions about Mary's accidents. Stamerson, not wanting to share family secrets with a man who might or might not be marrying his little princess, admitted that the accidents she had had of late were very dangerous and that there was a man in Stratford who was known for such dangerous 'jokes'. No mention of the man supposed relation to the family was made.

Mulgrave spent more time in Stratford, Mary playing eager tour guide. Arabella normally went with them as well. On walks in the wood, he kept an eagle eye out and Arabella, who was not happy in the country, would often hang back closer to the house, affording the couple some time alone. Mulgrave was intent on behaving honorably with her, especially after her words concerning her male cousin. At night, the group would gather in the parlor and play games or sing songs. Mary's love of children was very evident to all who watched. OF course, this could be explained by the fact that she was not really more than a child herself.

Eventually, Mulgrave knew he had to be on his way. He had duties of his own to attend to, which he reminded Mary. She pouted slightly, but nodded her understanding. The night before he was suppose to leave, a fire started in the barn. The family rushed out to see what was happening, getting in the way of the horses, who were running free from the flames. The pair stood near each other, when suddenly a loud bang rang out. Mulgrave, thinking the fire was cover-up for another 'accident' aimed at Mary, jumped on her, knocking her down to save her. Her head hit a large rock, knocking her out, making Mulgrave think she had been shot. He patted her down, looking for the bullet hole. Nothing was found. The bang was from one of the timbers holding up the roof of the stable breaking and falling. Before long, Mary roused, but with a ringing headache. There was a large lump on the back of her head, but other than that, she was fine.

His departure delayed by 2 days, while making certain Mary really okay (and feeling a bit guilty about her head injury), Mulgrave eventually bid the Churchills good bye, with a promise to pick Mary up and escort her to Windsor. Mary finished up her bedrest (which she didn't like at all) and spent the remainder of her Recess playing with her little cousins, ordering new dresses and finery for Windsor and otherwise living in the happy little bubble that surrounded her at all times. At the very end, Mary travelled to Oakham, upon Darlene's invitation, to practice for the Opera the lady was to put on.

Recess V, 18 October-18 April

The Sheffield’s honeymoon had to be put on hold due to Mulgrave’s recuperation. While he was healing, sitting in a carriage for any length of time was out of the question. So they stayed in Windsor for another two weeks while Mulgrave’s wound healed. A doctor was finally found, who commended Trooper Abernathy for his work under pressure. It wasn’t the best surgery ever performed and would definitely leave a nasty scar, but since it was in an area that only his wife or valet would ever see, Mulgrave didn’t seem too worried about it. What he did worry about was finally getting out of bed and walking without a cane. As the months went on, he came to rely on it less and less, though never truly gave it up.

Once they were finally able to travel, they first went to Stamerson. Mary once again nearly launched herself at her father and while he did hug her, he gave her a stern frown. He was not completely pleased to find her married without his permission. While it had been his wish that she marry and find herself someone to protect her from the danger her half-brother presented, he had not given his permission, nor had been present at the special day. As such, he informed Mary that her punishment would be not buying her the house on Pall Mall she had asked for. The little blond pouted for a full five minutes before sighing and agreeing with her father’s decision. The Viscount and the Earl spent a few tense days going over the belated marriage contract and the dispensation of Mary’s dowry, but eventually they reached an accord.

Arabella, who had been still at Stamerson, and George, who had arrived before the couple to inform the Viscount of his success in getting Mary married, fought over just who should get the finder’s fee. Arabella claimed that since she was the one to introduce them to each other, the money should be hers. George stated that since he was the one who was there when Mulgrave proposed, then he should get the money. Stamerson let them both state their cases, then informed them he needed time to decide the merits of each case. In fact, he was irritated enough at Arabella because of the havoc she was allowing her children to cause around his home to give the money to George. In the end, though, he split the funds. They both played a hand, but since the marriage had taken place when he wasn’t present, he didn’t think either deserved the full funds. Arabella decided that she was going to take the children back to London and George now had funds burning a hole in his pocket that needed to be liberated in a gaming hell. They left soon after the couple left for Yorkshire, not Ireland as planned for their honeymoon as the days became shorter and the safety of sea travel less certain.

The remnants of Mulgrave Castle sat in the middle of an encroaching forest, the scattered bricks a reminder of the violence left behind by the Commonwealth. The structure had been destroyed by the Commonwealth after it had been used to house Charles I and other Royalists before the former King’s beheading. With Mary’s substantial dowry, Mulgrave began to talk of rebuilding. A stately manor home with extensive gardens would be the perfect place to raise their family, he insisted. They would just have to stay in London while it was being constructed, of course. Mary was fine with this, eager to share Mulgrave’s dream, happy that she had been able to contribute to it in some small way. And they were already working on that family. Once Mulgrave was suitably healed, they had consummated the marriage. In fact, Mulgrave had insisted on consummating the marriage every night. And a couple times in the afternoon. And twice in the carriage.

They remained only a month in Yorkshire as winter began to take a firm grip on England. After overseeing the books for the tenants on Mulgrave land, Mulgrave decided it was time to head back south, especially since the Royal family was staying in that area. It takes a week for them to make it all the way back south. While traveling, Mary begins to read the herbal books she managed to borrow from her father’s library. It seems while Mulgrave was recovering from his gunshot, Mary had taken an active interest in the workings of medicine. She asked a multitude of questions of the doctor when he visited to see to the healing of the Earl, as well as asking her father’s doctor more questions while at Stamerson. She had noted how weak her father seemed to be getting. In fact, he had developed a cough that bothered her. He swore it was just a mild cold and the doctor was not allowed (per the Viscount’s instructions) to tell her differently. She had shot many a worried look back when they had left.

Once back in London, Mary bought several more books and spoke with a midwife. Well, the midwife was more for her own personal issues than her learning. She was married after all and Mulgrave was quite diligent in starting on his heir. Not that she wasn’t quite delighted to work on it as well. The midwife checked her over and found her not to be pregnant yet. They were staying in Mulgrave’s rooms in the Palace and Mary found herself finally learning the layout. She got lost less and less often, though she did still find new locations sometimes. Once she found herself in the King’s presence room, but there weren’t many people there and she really didn’t have any reason to be there. Mulgrave was often busy, but Mary was used to having lots of time to herself, so didn’t worry about it. She spent her time corresponding with friends and visiting the shops up and down Pall Mall and other shopping areas, often still with her footman, George following behind. After Mulgrave was shot, the footman/bodyguard was even more alert, ashamed that he hadn’t been there to protect his charge, even though she hadn’t been hurt. He was Mary’s constant shadow on her shopping trips and any trip outside the palace. So it was that Mary found herself greeting Spring and the renewal of the world.