Arabella Fitch

Role None — out with the fishing fleet, husband-hunting season Nationality British Status alive Age 22

Description

Twenty-two, pretty, and out from England three months with the fishing fleet, staying with her aunt Mrs Courtney. Slightly vacant in conversation and devastatingly effective at the pianoforte — she plays at every gathering of the season. She has attracted attention from every unmarried man under forty and appears genuinely oblivious to all of it, and she smiles at everyone in exactly the same way.

Background

One of the season’s new arrivals: a daughter shipped east to the one marriage market where the odds favour her, with her aunt directing the campaign.

Connections

• Harriet Courtney — aunt and hostess
• Edmund Courtney — her uncle by marriage
• Freddy Cavendish — seated beside him at the Magistrate’s dinner, by her aunt’s arrangement
• Thomas Wyndham — her partner in the procession, the same evening, by the same hand

In Play

Chapter 4, Session 9 (9 October 1814) — introduced by reputation, then in person. Meg described her to Katherine in the afternoon as Harriet’s protégée with a head like a hot air balloon, spacious and perhaps empty.

At Garden Reach she was paired with Thomas Wyndham for the procession into dinner, to his visible displeasure, and appeared rather more charmed by Freddy. She is part of the fishing fleet.

Chapter 4, Session 10 (9–10 October 1814) — the pianoforte, and the sidelines. She played at the close of dinner at Garden Reach, and played very well. On Monday morning she was on The Maidan for the games, cheering loudly for Freddy from the edge of the canopy (Maidan Steeplechase and Tilts).

Appearances

Table Talk — the Magistrate’s Dinner

Campaign Log

• Session 14 - A Morning of Manners and Monstrosities — served the tea at the Committee, and waited for Mrs Courtney’s nod before pouring for Mrs Ward.