THE LADY PRIMROSE HAZELTON OPENS THE GROUNDS OF ATHELHAMPTON HOUSE FOR
The Glorious Twelfth
* GROUSE HUNT TO OPEN THE SHOOTING SEASON WITH GARDEN PARTY ** REFRESHMENTS TO BE PROVIDED BY LADY SOPHRONA RAMSBURY ** DOGS AND HORSES PROVIDED BY HAZELTON KENNEL AND STABLES *
August 12, 1811Athelhampton House, Dorset
Hunting parties to depart the house at 10 in the morning
Garden party with afternoon tea to follow 3 in the afternoon to 7 in the evening
RSVP TO LADY PRIMROSE HAZELTON, IRIS HOUSE, MAYFAIR, LONDON
At 10am on August 12th at Athelhampton House, the hosts of the season's first hunt assemble outside the stables. Lady Primrose Hazelton sits atop the tallest horse wearing a fine outfit of perfectly tailored men's riding clothes complete with green waistcoat and silver cravat. Beside her are six of her siblings and Lord P Andrew Moore. They assemble the guests and horses are provided for those who have not brought their own. A large pack of well-behaved English Setters mill about.
Lady Primrose Hazelton announces the beginning of the grouse hunt and leads the hunters past the dovecote into the small woods and beyond to a hunting moor, where the hunt lasts until 2pm.
The Hazeltons have employed many locals to help with the hunt, provided dogs that will fetch birds, and pluckers to clean them. Guests are encouraged to take any of their birds they wish home, however, birds can also be donated to the Athelhampton staff and the local poor house.
After the hunt, the participants are given a place to change and rest before the garden party.
The garden party begins at 3pm and lasts until 7pm.
In the Central Fountain Square, afternoon tea service has been laid out on several tables.
At the start of the garden party, Lady Primrose Hazelton and Lord P Andrew Moore gather all guests into the Central Fountain Square and Lord Moore makes an announcement: "I am delighted to announce that I have asked Lady Primrose Hazelton for her hand in marriage and she has accepted. I am the most happy I have been thus far in my life and I will endeavor to give her as much of that happiness as is possible for a husband. I thank you all for hearing of our joy. May you enjoy this day as much as we are!"
Kitchen Garden: Large herb, vegetable, and fruit garden with benches for resting, statuary, and a string quartet playing in the corner.
Rose Garden: Walled mid-size English rose garden with adjacent octagonal Cloister Garden; music can be heard from the kitchen garden.
Riverside Walk: A gentle sloping walk alongside the River Piddle, lined with lanterns and the occasional footman for assistance. Adjacent to the Small Woods.
Small Woods with Dovecote: Where the hunters leave from and return to.
Central Fountain Square: A string quartet plays in one corner; a constantly refreshed selection of food and beverages are laid out for self-service, but servants are on hand to assist.
Powder Room: Inside, ground floor, used for guest refreshment as necessary.
Parlor: A quiet, chaperoned area inside where guests may socialize out of the elements.
Captain Katharine Sunderlin
Attending: The hunt from mid-morning onwards and the garden party.
What she wore: As usual, the Captain is dressed in her Navy uniform at all times. Except no bicorn because I can't stand them.
Her horse, Regina of the Thousand Steps:
Her hunting hawk, who shall go unnamed for personal reasons:
ISO's (In Search Of's) for possible interactions:
1 - During the hunt: Kat spends some time at the edge of the wood, far away from the shooting. She is quiet and solemn, and appears to have something weighing heavy on her mind. Instead of taking to a rifle (despite rumors of her excellent eyesight and unerring aim), she bids her white hawk hunt instead. Do you challenge her hawk to catch something specific, strike up a conversation, or merely enjoy the silence?
2. During the garden party: Kat lets young Alexander (her boy of 3) play in both the fountain and down by the riverbank, where he gets completely wet! Do you comment on such unruly and undisciplined behavior? What does the boy think he is, a duck? And shouldn't his mother be teaching him better manners?
3. During the garden party: Kat, Gabriel, and Captain Griffen relax on a picnic blanket by the river walk. While Gabriel watches over young Alexander by the river, the two Captains appear to be having an emotional conversation. Closer inspection will reveal that Kat is crying, but she embraces Captain Griffen all the same. Do you watch? Do you ask what's going on?
During the event, Kat does the following:
- Arrives a little late with Captain Griffen, her son, and her companion Gabriel.
- Stays relatively quiet and solemn, hunting by herself in the morning with her hawk, but never riding above a walk.
- When Prim & Percy's wedding is announced, Kat gives a joyful cry. She rushes up, grasps Prim by the waist, and spins her around before kissing her on both cheeks in the familiar French fashion.
- Just after congratulating the future couple, Prim & Percy drag Kat off to the house with somewhat serious expressions, and when Kat is next seen with her family and Captain Griffen, she is much more subdued and serious.
- (any ISO responses!!)
Lord Percival Andrew Moore will be attending both the Grouse Hunt and the Garden Party. He will be hanging around Lady Primrose Hazelton for most of the day and during the Garden Party he will be playing with the children, playing his violin, and being very much charming chap.