Lady Francesca

I think the time has come to introduce you to Lady Francesca Aubrey, the better behaved cousin of Lady Grace Altamont, who you may already have come across. You may well see more of Lady Francesca in the weeks to come.

Twenty-two year old Lady Francesca Aubrey is the youngest daughter of Lord and Lady Aubrey of Bradenham. For the first seventeen years of her life she lived a sheltered existence at her parents' Buckinghamshire country estate. Being considerably younger than her siblings she was a lonely child, given over to the care of a series of strict nannies and governesses. They were charged with raising a biddable and accomplished young lady, but, in spite of much effort and the application of many a hairbrush, they only succeeded in making Lady Francesca accomplished in those areas that she wanted to be accomplished in, such as singing and French. Through the years, Lady Francesca has perfected her own particular type of insolence, and tends to ignore any instruction she doesn't agree with, regardless of the consequences. Due to a lack of company of her own age, she was rather shy around other people. Her world changed forever at the age of 17, with the arrival of her wild cousin, Lady Grace Altamount, sent from Ireland to be refined after a childhood spent running wild. The cousins immediately recognised in each other a kindred spirit, and became close confidantes within a matter of weeks. Upon Lady Grace's arrival, both girls were sent to London to learn the refinements and social graces expected of young ladies of their standing. They very soon realised that London was full of more delights than they ever could have imagined, and learnt how to evade their governesses and chaperones for several hours at a time. Francesca was reluctant at first, but the more ebullient Grace persuaded her to explore these delights, and she is now as keen as her cousin to make the most of all that London has to offer. Having contrived to meet Mrs Derby in a salon, they are overjoyed to receive an invitation to the party of the year, and even more delighted when Mrs Derby's generous offer to chaperone the girls is accepted by Lady Aubery, who is much taken by Mrs Derby, and her assurance that the house party will be an important step on the girls' path to advantageous marriages.