An extract from the character background of Dame Karin Mayer.
[…] Her Uncle ensured that as she was brought up she was able to attend high society social functions. Now she has reached the age of 23 he is trying to introduce her to English high society with a view to getting her betrothed to a nice member of the English nobility. The actual main reason for doing this is to aid her infiltration of England in her role as a Jesuit agent. […]
An extract from the character background of Sir Richard Molyneux.
| Familiar Demon | Mammon sits on (well, more peers over) his shoulder. Sometimes he gives investment advice. Sometimes he does less helpful things. |
| Illiterate |
Richard Molyneux (Mol, to his friends) is the young man-about-town, handsome, well spoken, and always at the height of fashion. His charm, manners, and easy way with money ensure that he is always popular at any party. His family have all passed away, leaving Richard with a modest sum of money, which, through good luck at the gaming table and good fortune in lending money and selling insurance, he has managed to transform into his present fortune. This was helped in no small part by the angel who will occasionally give Richard a good hint as to what would and would not be good investments. […]
“Lady Karin Mayer must come from a very wealthy family, if her family believes they can marry off a Dutch lady to a proper Englishman.”
Karin Mayer: Spoke to on occasion. Seems to be settling in well. No mention of the possibility of a dowry.
Mistress Apollonia,
You said that you might be willing to help me ensure that any gentleman I might consider as a potential husband was of good heart. I wondered if you might be able to see if Sir Richard Molyneux was of good character. I realise his is well respected and a young girl like me can hardly hope to be so lucky, but a girl can dream and endeavour to improve herself.
Yours faithfully,
Karin.
An extract from the turnsheet of Dame Karin Mayer.
I wish to send Sir Richard Molyneux a small token of my affection. He struck me as a man of fairly good standing (admittedly not Catholic but never mind) and certainly both rich and powerful - likely to have influence with the king. It could be useful to have him taking an interest in 'sweet and innocent Karin Mayer' as a potential wife. To that extent I would like to anonymously send him a small but thoughtful gift. Perhaps a snuff box or cameo painting. I'll try and make it as anonymous as someone like 'sweet and innocent Karin Mayer' could manage so it'll probably be fairly easy to trace back but that's kind of the point really.
An extract from the turnsheet response of Sir Richard Molyneux. Written by Ann.
You receive a rather elegant little silver snuff box, delivered anonymously. Mammon is delighted by this, and so in order to shut him up you look into who sent it. It takes little effort to find out that it was the Lady Karin, and Mammon spends some time having a rather raucous celebration in your head. Dowry is shouted regularly.
In response to a letter from Don Santiago de Maldonado proposing to attack Dutch colonies in the Orient with the cooperation of Sir Richard Molyneux and Luca Braganza. Written by Ann.
Mammon reads through the mail going “Obvious, obvious, oh well done (rather sarcastically)….what?!”
“So, we are to lose allies in the war against the Spanish, likely lose the possibility of the Lady Karin's dowry, also aid them [the Spanish] and this gentleman, and he seems to believe that what we gain ourselves would be sufficient reward? Now, attacking a colony under the -Spanish- flag, killing most of the residents so there's noone to tell inconvenient stories, then going in under the English one and helping to rebuild whilst of course maintaining an armed presence there to assist them should the Spanish butchers come again and taking a cut from the profits to pay for them, and gradually infiltrating might be an option. Though technically illegal. Perhaps if Sir Luca could be persuaded to do it with no involvement from you in the initial attack, but plenty from Don Santiago, then if anything went wrong simply claim ignorance and the best intentions.
“That, or simply use this plan after Spain is ours. Incidentally do look into how much of a dowry Lady Karin comes with, your hand in marriage could be a very valuable asset. Somerset's daughter might be a good match, certainly if she comes with an amount appropriate for her father's holdings. How old are you willing to go? I wonder if the Directress is married.”
And later, about a minute before the Luncheon Friends meet.
“Oh, and I, or rather you, invited the Lady Jessica Burbane along. Be nice.”
The name rings bells - she's the Earl of Newbury's daughter, and known for her virtue.
“Mol seems to have an admirer. Didn't you hear about the snuff box?”
My dear Dame Karin,
I would be most honoured if you would join me this Friday for a tour of the sights of London. With your permission, I shall make myself available to you at your London residence late on Friday morning.
I am ever yours,
Sir Richard Molyneux
Written by Gareth.
My dearest Karin,
I have been considering your position in England recently, and have realised that I have treated you most unfairly. There you are in an unknown and unfriendly court, with little money for your dowry should you find an appropriate husband. I have decided to keep aside a substantial sum from my private funds for you, if you find a man suitable for you.
I hope you have been keeping well in England. I know it must be difficult for you spending so much time in an unknown and foreign land.
Take care,
Uncle Arjan
An extract from the turnsheet of Dame Karin Mayer.
He has said he shall show me around London and I shall show him around Amsterdam. If there turn out to be no [time to prepare for] this it will probably be a fairly lame tour (if it happens at all… if not I'll make my excuses to just go on the London portion of it). If there [is time] then I shall attempt to convince him of my sweet innocence and convey my interest in him as a potential suitor. Letting drop subtle hints, the occasional glance and blush along with maybe a stumbling over a sentence or two while nervous. Flirt with him a little and maybe suggest that we should begin a formal courtship.
Written by Gareth
Richard Molyneux takes you around London, as you had arranged. You have a very entertaining day, as he shows you some of the hidden gems of London; a small backstreet theatre with some amazing up-and-coming thespians, an unassuming art gallery with some relatively unknown but quite beautiful pieces of art, a coffee house in a less reputable part of town which nonetheless serves excellent coffee and cakes and has amazing service.
Mol makes much use of his new snuff box, and makes many comments about how much he appreciates it and how thoughtful the mysterious gift was. He is extremely courteous and graceful at all times; although he does occasionally drop the word 'dowry' in unexpectedly, he covers up with such grace that it mostly seems amusing in a good-natured way rather than anything more.
As the day comes to its close, he surprises you somewhat by losing his airs and graces, and dropping down on one knee and asking you to marry him. When you prevaricate, he seems slightly shaken, nods, and agrees to wait until you hear back from your uncle.
You also show Mol around Amsterdam a few days later; Luca Braganza escorts the two of you safely to the city, avoiding the fighting taking place in other parts of the republic. Your tour isn't as impressive as his, but he seems very happy and interested by it anyway.
An extract from the turnsheet of Sir Richard Molyneux.
I've arranged to take Dame Karin out around London in return for a similar favour around Amsterdam. I'll enjoy the company, make idle chit-chat about the weather, and make judicious use of my shiny new snuff box. I won't reveal that I know she sent it yet, but I will comment on what a lovely thoughtful gift it was. I'll try and take her around the “hidden gems” of London (to use her phrase)–the bits that the tourists rarely see, but are some of the best bits of the town. I'll ask the staff at my various establishments for their opinions on where these might be if I don't know.
Relevant Quirks/Skills: Diplomacy 3, Fop, Droit, Mammon (not because I want him there, just because he probably won't shut up throughout…)
Written by Ann
You take Karin around London, touring tiny gardens in out of the way places, coffee houses that are down what look like terribly unpromising dark alleys but are in fact full of terribly intelligent (and impressive) people and good food, and a banking house with particularly impressive architecture. Mammon, indeed, doesn't shut up, and occasionally you accidentally compliment Karin on her dowry when you meant dress, and so on. Fortunately you manage to smooth these over with little effort, as she flirts rather nervously with you.
It's whilst you're showing her the beautifully ornate decorations in the banking house that both she and you are rather shocked to find you on your knees and proposing. On reflection the fact that Mammon had been rather quiet for a while should have been an indicator that something was a little wrong. She is obviously over the moon, and as she replies you frantically try to figure out a good way out, before coming to the conclusion that there really isn't one, and you'll have to go along with it for the moment.
“Yes… but… yes, yes, of course yes but I should tell my Uncle and ensure he approves of the match. I mean… I'm sure he will, you are a wonderful gentleman and I'm sure he shall think me a very lucky girl but one must do these things properly. I shall contact him directly and I shall let you know at the next court meeting.”
You are escorted around Amsterdam by her, safe passage having been arranged by Lord Luca. You are suitably behaved. Mammon lounges contentedly in the back of your head. This isn't as reassuring as it might have been.
Sir Richard Molyneux, on your trip around London, proposes to you… [occasionally mentioning 'dowry' instead of other words and quickly covering up].
Do you accept?
I think I shall be slightly stunned by his proposal and speechless to start with. I shall then say… (in a very excited and stuttery manner - obviously over the moon at this) “Yes…but… yes, yes, of course yes but I should tell my Uncle and ensure he approves of the match. I mean… I'm sure he will, you are a wonderful gentleman and I'm sure he shall think me a very lucky girl but one must do these things properly. I shall contact him directly and I shall let you know at the next court meeting.”
I will contact my uncle to ensure he and the Jesuits approve - I think it would be shrewd match and a useful way to integrate myself further into English court life. If my superiors think similarly then we can go ahead with this match. There is a 'dowry' I guess that should be of significant interest to Molyneux. I await both Arjan and Christophe's replies…
An Extract from the turnsheet of Dame Karin Mayer.
Put effort into preparations for this so it looks like I'm actually taking it seriously. Contact [Dame Fiametta] about getting a wedding ring sorted. I'll also introduce my fiancé to my uncle - they have to meet anyway but I know Molyneux wants to talk trade as well… it's a good introduction. The wedding is likely to be a Protestant affair since nominally I'm the only Catholic in the family (my uncle being Protestant on the surface) - this is all to lure them into a false sense of security although I will retain my public Catholic faith.
Written by Gareth.
Your preparations are going well. However, you will have to speak to a Catholic Bishop to get permission to marry an Anglican. And the church will expect you to bring your children up in the Catholic faith.
You introduce your fiancé to your uncle; they seem to get on well.
Dame Fiametta Castaldi has made you a most lovely wedding ring; she is truly an amazing artist.
An extract from the turnsheet of Sir Richard Molyneux.
I sense M's going to be a bit of a bugger over the next few months. Just a hunch. The AP here is going into a few different things: firstly, convincing him that he's cocked things up on the lady front already without meddling any more, that Dame Karin does have a really big dowry, that she could provide valuable inroads to the Dutch Trading Company, that if he likes Lady Jessica so much he should consider keeping her for himself, and just to generally stop trying to interfere in my love life. Does this warrant SP for Diplomacy? Yes, I will keep on asking on anything where there's any vague possibility that I'll get it…
Written by Ann.
He sulks a little, but is placated, particularly by the repeated mentions of the dowry. Lady Jessica he wasn't terribly bothered about – just some girl with money. Lady Katherine (daughter of the Duke of Somerset) however, he really does like. He'd be very grateful if you could set him up with a handy body which isn't yours he could go travelling in and use to speak to her. Oh, and an identity. He assures you he won't do anything too inappropriate, he just would like to spend some time talking shop with someone who isn't you for a while.
An extract from the turnsheet response of Sir Richard Molyneux. Written by Ann.
Brandage sends you a lovely sonnet to read to Karin. It takes Mammon a few tries to manage to read it without giggling, but when he does it is really rather touching, speaking of True Love, fidelity and how love is far more important than money. Karin, when you read it to her, is very touched.
A notice circulated by Sir Richard Molyneux
It is with great pleasure that I announce my engagement to the Dame Karin Mayer. We are to be wed in Westminster shortly after the next court meeting.
“Sir Richard's servants are all whispering about the sonnet he wrote for his Dame. You wouldn't think of it but apparently not only does he love something besides money, he can put it in words that would melt the heart of Winter herself!”
An extract from the turnsheet of Dame Karin Mayer.
Although second in importance, last chronologically. Finish all the preparations and make sure I am fitted properly for the dress that [Oswyn Osillbury] said he'd make. Ensure invites go out and that a suitable reception is organised. Basically everyone from court will be invited and anyone who would be insulted if they weren't invited will also be invited I guess although the final decision comes down to Molyneux. I think the Ottoman ambassador will be invited but only because I want to expose her and her daughter to as much Christianity as possible and it would be terribly gauche to miss them off the list. However they will not be treated as family - just honoured guests. The wedding will hopefully be held a few days prior to the next court meeting and although my mother will not be in attendance (unless Arjan insists) Arjan will be there and will give me away. I have obtained permission from the Bishop of Arundel for the Anglican wedding so that's also all sorted. This means that everyone will already be in the right place for the next court meeting and there should be a feeling of merriment about. While everyone is around for the wedding and the court meeting I shall do nothing untoward at all - no sneaking, no meeting with contacts, no magic, nothing. I will be the best wife I can be in helping Richard Molyneux host the king. I'll try and make everyone feel welcome and be a good hostess. I'll support my new husband in all he does. Of course this is all an elaborate act but that's besides the point!
As a note - I did kind of lie to Richard about how I got the pox but the less said of that the better.
An extract from the turnsheet of Sir Richard Molyneux.
I've no particular plans for this, other than to try to ensure it comes off successfully. The wedding will be held a couple of days before court, Anglican, with the local vicar in Kirkby. Hopefully Master Oswyn will be sorting out our clothing, and I'll find nice wedding and engagement rings somewhere. Sir Simony is providing entertainment. This may prove to be a mistake, but oh well. I'll send him the work that Brandage <ins>I</ins> wrote–if it's so good, he can't screw it up that badly. The AP is for resolving any carnage that ensues for any reason. Addendum:
Part of the East India Company briefing. Written by Ivan.
Attending the wedding of Sir Richard and Dame Karin Mayer is one Arjan Mayer, the bride's uncle. Our intelligence on him is slight. We do not believe him to be a member of the Dutch Company and yet he is an extremely wealthy merchant. This is an unusual combination. Keep an eye on him if possible and sound him out as either a threat to the East India Company or an ally against the Dutch Company.
Written by Ann.
The wedding of Sir Richard to Dame Karin was a wondrous occasion, and almost everyone who was anyone was there.
The ceremony was performed by the Archbishop of York in Sir Richard’s local church in Kirkby. As the couple recited their vows beautiful flowers appeared to erupt from the ground around their feet, a halo of perfumed blooms growing to surround them. Those versed in the symbolism of flowers would recognise the Stephanosis and ivy both as symbols of happiness in marriage, and the red and white roses twining together as symbols of eternal love and unity. A few sprays of mock orange complimented Dame Karin’s dress, and there was a faint scent of rosemary mingled in with the perfume of the roses.
Those with an eye on fashion noticed that the ring Dame Karin presented her husband with bears all the hallmarks of a Castaldi.
One of the readings was a particularly lovely poem proclaiming Sir Richard’s love for Dame Karin, the virtues of chastity, temperance and the importance of love for your wife (as well as King and God) above money and all other things.
The couple left the church through a sword arch, organised by some of Lord Luca’s men.
The reception afterwards was splendid, with no expense spared to ensure the guests enjoyed themselves. A number of guards, provided by Lord Luca, ensured that everything went smoothly and overly merry guests were prevented from causing any embarrassment to themselves.
As a wedding present, the King gave the happy couple the titles Viscount and Viscountess of Sefton.
An extract from the turnsheet of His Grace William Frewen, The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. Archbishop of York.
Perform wedding of Sir Richard Molyneux to Dame Karin Meyer. Assuming I haven't had her killed before then.