Story Line
The year is 1841, and Ashford Estate has been quiet lately. Now, with the Winter season in affect, the Hayes family has happily accepted requests from the many dear friends and family members asking if they can once again return. And with all of these families comes great drama like before. Love affairs, rumors, greed, the whole nine yards. But of course, who can resist the temptation of it all? Who can resist desire, money, power, beauty, lust. They couldn't before, and old habits do die hard. To the outside world, Ashford Estate is a wholesome, elegant home. A vacation spot for family friends. But, to those who are behinds it's closed doors know the sinful truth.
The Families
The Hayes
Being the owners of the home, Richard and Edith Hayes, Duke and Duchess of Kent, have a lot on their plate. Edith continues with her duties of hosting charity events, having balls and parties for her guests, and helping out the local village while Richard continues with his duties as Duke. Keeping the secret of Emma Snow being Richard's illegitimate child just to themselves these last few years successfully, will they continue to be able to keep it hidden? William is simply enjoying his time and his young age. He spends most of his days with the boys, hunting and whatever it is men their age do. Richard says that William should grow up, and act like a respectable man of his rank, but William continues to party all night and have fun. Especially with his friends Thomas and James who also stay at the Ashford Estate. He doesn't really notice Vivienne at first and all of her flirting because he is just trying to have a good time, but eventually he realizes what is happening (up to those people to decide what happens). Charlotte on the other hand is what you would call the "Perfect Child". She does what is expected of her and does it with class and elegance. Rarely does Charlotte color outside the lines, except for one thing. Recently, Char has discovered her feelings for Joseph one of the butlers at Ashford. Knowing it isn't right or acceptable, Char attempts to stay away from those feelings. Will she go against everything she's been taught? Or find love in her own class? Lydia, being the youngest, is often left on her own to do what she pleases, and she likes it that way. Of course in public, she acts how a woman of her rank would act, but behind closed doors it is something completely different. Only few know of the affair going on between her and the butler, Maxwell Turner. She knows it shouldn't continue, but Lydia is having so much fun feeling like a rebel. With her lady in waiting and best friend Bess, her cousin Anne, and her dear friend Evangeline by her side, Lydia has fun doing what she wants. Who will catch her eye?
The Cunninghams
Cousins to the Hayes family, Anne and Andrew Cunningham have been sent off to live with the Hayes for the time being. Duchess Cunningham has asked Edith (her sister in law) to look after Anne, and to teach her to be more of a lady, to have more elegance. And of course, Andrew didn't want his sister to make the trip alone, so he has happily joined on the journey. But what Duchess Cunningham doesn't know is how corrupted the Hayes family really is. Being with her dear cousin Lydia, Anne continues to have fun and play. With Anne and Andrew being so close, they know each other's every secret. Anne knows that Andrew has a bit of a drinking problem to over come before their father finds out and takes away the money that he is rightfully entitled to. Many nights has Anne helped her brother to his bed chambers to get him into bed safely. Little did they know that while she was helping him, one of the ladies in waiting saw and accused them of having an inappropriate incest relationship. With an uproar within the village, the Cunningham household was not an inviting place for either one of them. Their father, the most level headed of the Cunninghams, called for a grand family meeting to decide the fates of his two, incest accused, children. Arriving at the meeting, Andrew and Anne were angry and resentful of the mess that the lady in waiting had caused. With their mother and father not wanting any further disturbance within the village, thus created the idea of sending Anne away to Ashford Estate. There, she would learn how to be a "proper lady" by the hand of Edith Hayes. The mere idea of Anne being the only one punished for a crime she did not commit was an outrage for Andrew. After a few flipped chairs and broken chalices, Andrew decided to leave along with his sister. Arriving at Ashford Estate, Andrew and Anne Cunningham have found all new kinds of trouble to get in to with their cousin Lydia Hayes. Will their parent's decision to send Anne away be a profitable one?
The Huntingtons
With his father passing three years ago, Jack had earned the title of Duke of Devonshire. Jack is a carefree man that likes to Hunt and be with his friends. Of course, he does his job as duke very well, especially for someone his age. Jack has very few enemies, except for Andrew Cunningham, brother of Anne. It should be interesting to see how those two play out. A part of Jack that he keeps to himself is that he is a romantic, and wants to find a woman he can spend the rest of his time together. So, deciding to have a nice vacation and some fun, Jack and his friends, along with his best mate David and his dear sister Georgiana decide to stay at Ashford. While at Ashford, Jack falls for Lydia and attempts to catch her eye in many ways. Will they end up together? Who knows. But also while staying at Ashford, Georgiana catches the eye of William and Lydia's dear friend Thomas Thoreau. Georgiana plays hard to get, but will she give in? And of course. Dear David loves to tease Judith and Charlotte. But David can't decide which one he really wants. But the man that everyone loves really is Benjamin He is the life of the party and everyone loves to be around him. Benjamin swears he never wants to get married, but once he admits his feelings for Rebecca to himself, will he want to turn in the bachelor life?
The Servants
The Butlers
The butlers of Ashford Estate are certainly filled with drama. Maxwell Turner in the past has had relations with Lydia, and knows that they could never be together, but he can't really but his feelings to rest. They of course because of Maxwell's charm begin their torrid love affair once again. Johnathan O'Brien is just doing his best to keep his job. He is too naive to know when a girl flirts with him. He eventually because of the people in the house becomes more aware of things. Joseph and Maxwell are best friends. They are snarky and funny and always joke around with one another. They act like the big brothers that pick on Johnathan, of course they don't mean it. Joseph has a crush on Charlotte Hayes and knows he shouldn't. So he keeps it to himself for a while. (up to the person playing him if he shares it or not) Then theirs Michael who after usually keeping to himself and dong his job without any problems after so many years, begins a love affair with Edith, Duchess of Kent and owner of Ashford Estate. Their love for one another has been present for 15 years, but they both know that it could never be. What are they to do?
The Maids
With Emma Snow being the new addition to the workforce, she most certainly has the most drama of the working group. She just doesn't know it yet of course. Mary has feelings for Maxwell, but she knows of his feelings and affairs with Lydia, so she keeps them to herself, until her and Esther become closer and better friends. Esther is too embarrassed to express her feelings for new Johnathan because everyone calls him naive and clumsy, they all make fun of him (in the joking matter but nonetheless). So she just admires him from afar for now (people playing those characters can decide what to do). Emma and Maggie, being the youngest on the workforce become fast friends, and are always helping each other out when they can.