Penelope Villiers

Details

With her fair skin and big blue eyes, Penelope looks almost like a beautiful porcelain doll. Her skin is glowy, the kind that doesn’t need much makeup to look perfect. Her flowy auburn hair is quite long and falls over her shoulders. She isn’t particularly tall, but almost always wears heels.

Impressions & Attitude

She is a lady that carries herself with great dignity. Penelope is incredibly posh in her mannerisms, she can even be called haughty. A darling of society, the apple of everyone’s eye. Penelope is able to enchant with her alluring smile, all while keeping her reputation pristine. But no matter the suitors, no one is ever able to truly reach her.

Clothing

Penelope is a lady of high social standing, which is clearly reflected in her expensively made dresses. Her colour palette is powdery and subdued—pale blues, silver, ivory and pin that feel like whispers of colour. Flower patterns often find their way into her garments, especially roses. She wears expensive jewellery, the kind that you know has been in her family for generations. Her hair is always beautifully done and sometimes decorated with a delicate feather.

Penelope -Poppy- Villiers embodies the gifts of charisma and confidence, and projects her authority in a way that draws crowds together in awe. People seem naturally drawn to her graceful appearance and kind smile. She is practically perfect in every way, a young lady raised to entertain and delight those around her. While conversing with her, one soon notices her charm translating into ingenious wit. Penelope is much more than a pretty face, able to dominate a conversation if she wishes to do so. Often, she chooses not to, or in a way that no one seems to realise her forcing everyone to agree with her.

Her ability to think strategically and hold a long-term focus allows her to perfectly execute each step of her plans with determination and precision. If there’s anyone she respects, it’s someone who is able to stand up to her intellectually, who is able to act with a precision and quality equal to her own. She adores a good challenge, big or small, and can be quite competitive.

By all means Penelope is the picture of virtue and goodness, and she knows it. Just like she knows exactly how she wants someone to see her. Beneath her angelic appearance is a careful and cunning schemer. Sometimes all her confidence can go too far, and she is all too capable of digging in her heels trying to push her vision, and hers alone. She respects quick thoughts and firm convictions, her own qualities, and looks down on those who don’t match up.

Grandparents

Parents & Siblings

Has siblings.

Ancestry

The Villiers family is a name of utter prestige, one with a flawless and impressive reputation. They have existed ever since the creation of Ashmoor. They are greatly respected in society and are known to be honourable business men. Rather than making a claim for the throne, the Villiers chose to stand by their rulers which cemented their place in society. One of their family members is often the main financial advisor to the Duke of Ashmoor.

Their sigil is a golden fleur-de-lis on a light blue coat.

Estate

The Villiers family lives on their private estate called Davenrow Manor [CLICK] in Alderrath. With its elegant gated entrance, and tall white windows that stand out against the carefully maintained stone — wonderfully framed by ivy and wisteria — the Villiers manor is exactly what you’d expect elegance to look like. The ancestral estate of the Villiers is Houghton Hall [CLICK], a grand estate reminiscent of the family’s manor in Alderrath, with vining plants framing its façade. But Houghton Hall is much grander — in both its architecture and significance. The ancestral home lies in between Alderrath and Dawnmire, surrounded by green pastures and brilliant gardens.

The Villiers Bank

The Villiers family is known for their private bank, run by the members of their family. The bank was founded by Henry Villiers, who famously stated: “Be inoffensive to the rich and strong, while being consistently charitable to the poor and weak.” The Villiers bank is centuries old and is considered as one of the most powerful business enterprises nowadays. The bank is a lending institution, charging interest on loans taken out by a select few members of the public. Their clientele mostly belongs to the upper class, but they have some upper middle class clientele too.

They often fund new projects ⁠—such as buildings in the Upper Ring and merchant enterprises⁠— and lend out money to their upper class clients. Because of the sheer amount of capital flowing through their bank, their books are notoriously kept in check. Their contracts are vigorous and meticulous, guaranteeing the bank’s safety in case a loan isn’t repaid. They make good on their promises: should one not repay they forfeit the project that was funded to the Villiers, or lose their capital (e.g. an estate) in the case of a loan.

Childhood Years

Penelope Francesca Villiers was born as the daughter of Anthony and Amelia Villiers. Anthony Villiers is the main financial advisor to Edward Winter, while simultaneously being next in line to run the family bank. Albert Villiers is still at the head of the bank, but he is already educating his son in the practices so that he can one day take over. Penelope had several older siblings and a few more were born after her. The girl was an easy child growing up, raised with perfect manners that every lady of her standing should know. Her parents like to say that she had always been a proper lady, even when she was younger. She enjoyed dancing, pretty dresses and tea parties as a child, aside from playing the piano. She grew up alongside the creme de la creme of Alderrath: the Winter family. After all, the Winters and the Villiers had always been tied closely together. Penelope was particularly close to Alison Winter, who soon became her best friend.

TEENAGE YEARS

The young Villiers received an excellent education. She excelled at politics, philosophy and poetry. Her father found it important that Penelope would learn the practices of the Villiers bank, so like her brothers she was taught all about their family business. As it turned out, she had quite the knack for finance. She would spend hours reading and summers at Houghton Hall writing in her diary. Penelope was almost always found with a book near her. The endless stories of romance gave her a view of the world that was quite out of touch with actuality. While her parents were happily married, she only ever heard gossip and rumours about real love. And real love was nothing like what was described in the fairytales. It was safe to say that Penelope felt rather torn between fantasy and reality.

ADULTHOOD

Penelope grew out to a white rose amongst a garden of red escandalo ones. While she acted pristine and elegant, there was always something so intriguing about the gossip and scandals that fluctuated amongst the upper class. But for now, she'd just watch from her position in the spotlight with her observant eyes and listen to the whispers in the air.

Penelope was the apple of everyone's eye, but there was one that was even above her: Alison Winter. Having known the girl for so long, she knew just how unfit to rule Alison could be. Her best friend wasn't necessarily unsuitable, but oh how she could show more dignity towards her duties. She wouldn't exactly like to be in the heiress' shoes, but she would undoubtedly be more devoted. It had always bothered Penelope.  

Countess Summer

While Penelope's father was off being an advisor and next in line to run the bank, her brothers each had their own jobs to fulfil. Even her best friend had a role in society. Poppy felt alone —even though she had plenty of eyes of her—, restless in her perfect little world. But there was a whole secret world to see, if one just paid attention. Over the years, Penelope had gotten quite good at keeping and gathering secrets, and she never forgot them. So an idea popped up in her head.

And so, Countess Summer was born. As a rather magnificent writer, Penelope was more than capable of creating a social pamphlet detailing the gossip of the Upper Class. She is far too cunning to make her identity known to anyone. Not in the letter, not in business. Everyone is kept in the dark, save for a few loyal helpers that were able to set up a deal with a printer for her. The first newsletter is yet to be sent out, but it is safe to say that Penelope has enough gossip to write about. It is truly quite innocent, not even harmful to those around her, but it would give her something of her own.

Now

She remains in the spotlight of Alderrath, now ripe for marriage. A diamond if there ever was one. There have been many suitors, each with greater promise than the last. It is safe to say they each greatly intrigue Penelope, she entertains them in an elegant and perfectly poised manner. Soon, the first pamphlet will be sent out into upper class society. Penelope has made sure that no one would ever expect her, as she'll write about herself just as much as she'll write about others. After all, who wouldn't want to hear gossip about the respectable Villiers family?

❥ Her nickname is Poppy, but Alison calls her Nelly.
❥ Her best friend is Alison Winter, someone who she has known since she was a child.
❥ Has a few very close friends, other 'friends' she doesn't really care about, and many admirers.
❥ Very proficient at playing the piano.