Rose Mortmain

Living… with her father, stepmother, and siblings in a decaying castle in the English countryside. Rose’s father was a previously successful author, but his wife’s death leaves him allegedly without inspiration. Without a stable source of income, the “state of affairs” at the castle is quickly worsening.

Profession… none. Rose stays home to help with the family, although she tries to convince her stepmother Topaz to let her go to London and model or even sell herself on the streets.

Interests… reading. She and her sister Cassandra read lots of novels from the turn of the century and fantasize about what it must be like to be the characters (Rose wants to live in a Jane Austen novel).

Relationship Status… unfortunately single, although Rose quickly seeks to remedy that when two wealthy brothers from America inherit the castle and its surrounding property.

Challenges… escaping poverty. Rose looks to do so by marrying rich, saying that she’d “marry a chimpanzee if he had money!” The Cottons don’t seem to be interested in her, but with Cassandra and Topaz’s help, her flirting improves.

Personality… simultaneously romantic and practical. Rose fancies herself a romantic heroine and wishes for a love story like those she reads about, but asserts that she has no problem marrying for money. She prioritizes her physical well-being over love, at least initially.