Duke James Richmond -- Connections Thread

With how things have gotten in the general connections thread, I thought it would be best if I took James' tie building to the side. Since I have been an eager beaver in pursuing ties, I feel partially responsible for making the general post the morass it is now.

Brief About

A tall and reasonably attractive young man of 24, the young Duke of Somerset is an athlete and outdoorsman to the core. Following in the footsteps of his late brother Nigel and father Henry, James is an excellent rider and has a genuine gift with horses. Indeed, the Richmonds of Bath are known to produce some of the finest horses for dressage, steeplechase, and horseracing.

James was a bit of hell-raiser and a rascal before he left for India, getting into mischief with the Trouble Squad ™️. By the grace of Heaven, he was not ruined, nor his family's reputation ruined. Since his return from India in April of 1810, Duke James enjoyed hosting extravagant hunts and house parties at Castle Richmond in Bath or at Castle Dunrobin in Sutherland, Scotland. With his mother, the dowager duchess's help, he also hosted a ball just before the last London season.

Those who follow horses and horse racing would be aware that the Dukes of Somerset have one of the finest stables and breeding programs in Western Europe.

General Stats

Age: 24

Height: 6'2,

Weight: 200 lbs, Athletic build

Hair: Light Brown

Eyes: Bright Blue Eyes

Orientation: Bisexual

Titles: 7th Duke of Somerset, 9th Marquess of Bath, 5th Earl of Sutherland

Easy / Quick Character Tie Options

• Horse enthusiasts of all kinds.

• Peers from his time at Cambridge

• Locals to Southwest England, where his mother was a consummate hostess

• Those generally in their mid-twenties who debuted in the spring of 1807

• Political types who knew and worked with Henry Richmond (Father), 5th Duke of Somerset in Parliament.

• Naval types who were at the battle of Trafalgar and knew his late brother (Nigel)

• Ladies who were debuted at the same time as his late sister (Anne)

NOTE:  None of what appears below is really "open info" but is meant as a way for me to connect with people I don't know and to build a richer backstroy for my character.  I really hope you'll respect me and my character by not meta-gaming anything you read here.  

Timeline

England/Scotland — Recent History

May 1810 — February 1811

Ties Sought

• Dance Partners at a Ball during the end of the 1810 season.

• You were at one of my house parties or a hunt (fall 1810)

• I spilled my drink on your date by accident (or on purpose).

• You're an older sort that I have a fascination with.

• You're involved in politics and want to shape my character's political views (he has a seat in the House of Lords).

• You're involved in the religious debate and want to sway me to your side.

• You love horses.

India

September 1808 — April 1810

England — Graduation and Joining Society

May 15th, 1807 -- August 1808

Ties Sought

• Fellow Newbies to the Season — What it says on the tin. We likely danced together at a ball. Perhaps exchanged awkward conversation over a punchbowl.

• The "Near Miss" Friend — Society at large pinned high hopes on us; our parents weren't opposed. We shared a variety of moments that were completely accidental that everyone made assumptions about. We are friendly but don't really see each other like that. Right?

• The "We Never Saw That" Friend — Did we stumble upon a coupling enflagrante delico? Did we witness a luminary of society engage in some petty thieving? Did we see a bit of mutual groping in the least likely place? Whatever it is, whenever we see each other, it is either frightfully awkward, or we are prone to snickers and giggles. ( @Lady Theodosia Graves (She/Her Rachael) )

• The "Totally Didn't Kiss In The Garden" Friend — Perhaps we did kiss. Perhaps we simply found ourselves in a garden and barely managed to avoid a scandal. I think this tie could be all sorts of fun and delightful, but will definitely require us to speak via messenger!

• The "Alibi" Friend — We have covered for each other, at least once for each of us, for reasons we may or may not have discussed. This is totally something that should be worked out via messenger. ( @Lady Charlotte Grant )

Ireland — Mourning & Moving On

November 18th, 1805 — August 25th, 1806

Ties Sought

• Horse Racing Enthusiasts (Available starting in late May of 1806) — Any — Henry, James' late father, had spent his life building up the Richmond family stables in Bath to have quite the reputation. James always took pleasure in riding and being "outdoorsy". Mostly, he loves horses and fellow race enthusiasts could have helped bring him out of his funk from losing both father and brother so close to each other.

• The Libertine (Available from early June 1806) — Ideally, someone who's Irish — Did James want to be you, sleep with you, or merely adventure with you? Up to us to figure out. The crux of this tie is that you really evoked an image in time that helped model James' love of adventure and curiosity about people. This does not need to be a sexual/romance tie.

• Easing Out of Morning w/ Irish Beer -- @Lady Theodosia Graves (She/Her Rachael) -- I watched a horserace in Ireland where her family's horse won the race. After going up and congratulating them, Mrs. Graves invited me to their celebration festivities. As I was exiting mourning, this was a welcome respite. Shortly after dinner, friend Theo suggest we go down to the village pub and get drunk on cheap beer. We become DEAR friends. (TS?)

Cambridge — Education,

September 1st, 1802 — October 28th, 1805

Ties Sought

• Best Friends & Good Friends — I've read that going to university was more about networking than it was about learning. James was the younger son of a Duke, but still the son of Duke.

• The Angel(s) on my Shoulder — were you trying to set me down the road of piety and diligent study? or were you trying to keep me from making a scandal of myself? In maturity, I am likely relying on you to help act as a moral compass so that I can be a Proper Duke (tm)

• The Devil(s) on my shoulder — for good or for ill, you were probably encouraging me to do all sorts of things. Perhaps you are Peter Pan to my Wendy. Perhaps you haven't grown up yet.

• Former Tutors — James is an awfully clever sod. Besides that, he genuinely did enjoy surpassing expectations and earning praise. When he could be convinced to buckle down and study. Were you one of the people trying to groom James to go into Law/Politics?

• Acquaintances — While James was popular, I don't expect everyone to meet him to be his lifelong friend. Were we just in different circles but amicably so? Perhaps we remember each other for one shining moment of almost friendship before our circles rotated away from each other again?

England/Scotland — Childhood,

July 2nd, 1786 (Birthday) — Augst 31st, 1802

Ties Sought

• Childhood Friends

  • Peerage or Commoner born are welcome. There's a local village (as yet unnamed) where you could have grown up and gotten into mischief with the "brats from the big house"

• Neighbors in Bath/Somerset/Wiltshire/Devonshire

• Younger Brother/Sister (1 slot open -- must message me directly about this to discuss extensively)