Araminta Gunningworth (née Winchelsea; formerly Reiling) is the stepmother of Sophie Bridgerton.
History[]
Early Life[]
Born as Araminta Winchelsea, she grew up to marry a man of the last name Reiling, and eventually bore him two daughters, Rosamund and Posy. Some time later, he passed away, and Araminta soon after married Richard Gunningworth, the Earl of Penwood.
After moving in, she met her new husband's ward, Sophie Beckett, and easily deduced that she was in reality his illegitimate daughter. She demanded her husband cast her out, but the duty-bound Earl refused. Later, she got Sophie alone and threatened her to know her place and stay out of her way.
Araminta avoided Sophie over the years that followed, up until the Earl's sudden death years later. Araminta was distraught, since she had failed in her marriage to become pregnant with the male heir that would secure her future and her daughters'. The Earl's will stated that Araminta would receive two thousand pounds a year, unless she took in Sophie, at which her inheritance would be tripled. Araminta was reluctant at first, not wanting anything further with her husband's bastard, but ultimately decided to do so. However, when she informed Sophie of the new arrangement, she deliberately left out that the Earl had also left his ward a sizable dowry, instead hoarding it for herself.
1815[]
Araminta forced Sophie to become a lady's maid to her and her daughters, though she made her do the work of three servants. Sophie is helping Araminta and her daughters get ready for the Bridgerton masquerade ball, and Araminta boasts that Rosamund will catch the eye of one of the unmarried Bridgerton brothers. When Sophie wishes she could go, Araminta and Rosamund quickly mock her wish.
The day after the ball, Araminta yells at Sophie because one of her shoe pairs are scuffed, even though she didn't wear them. Though Sophie is polishing silver, she offers to get the scuffs out. Araminta then orders her to polish her entire shoe collection, which is extensive. Araminta then gets a visitor's card, and is shocked to see that it's Benedict Bridgerton. She tells Sophie to get Rosamund and Posy ready, then cruelly tells her to lock herself in Araminta's closet until Benedict is gone.
Benedict arrives, and Araminta tries to be pleasing to him, while boasting about her daughters. He asks if they have any distant female relatives, which surprises Araminta. After he leaves, Araminta notices him with a silver glove, and Rosamund says that it probably belongs to the lady in silver that Benedict was with at the ball. Araminta realizes he was looking for the lady, and confronts Sophie, knowing it was her. She fires her, saying she's no longer useful because she lost the allowance she got from keeping Sophie the year before. She mocks Sophie's status as a bastard, but Sophie fires back that she's kinder than Araminta. Araminta slaps her, then orders her to finish polishing all her shoes before leaving. After Sophie left, Araminta realized that she had stolen her diamond shoe clips.
1817[]
Araminta and her daughters were kicked out of the Penwood estates by the new earl, and moved into a new home in London that was near the home of Violet Bridgerton. She was notorious in town because she hadn't been able to keep a lady's maid and for her feud with Portia Featherington; she had poached the Bridgerton lady's maid.
Araminta sees Sophie coming out of Violet's house one day, and immediately has her arrested for stealing her shoe clips. Though Sophie tries to run, she is caught and put in jail. Araminta later comes to the jail, gloating about how she finally got rid of Sophie. However, Violet and Benedict showed up to rescue Sophie. Posy also showed up and claimed she had stolen the shoe clips. Sophie then revealed all of Araminta's abuse to the magistrate. Posy revealed the dowry that the Earl had put aside for Sophie. Violet blackmailed Araminta into saying that Sophie was a legitimate distant relative of the Earl so that she could marry Benedict, or Violet would have her solicitors search Araminta's accounts for Sophie's dowry, possibly leaving Araminta penniless. With no choice, Araminta agreed. She tried to leave with Posy, but Sophie convinced Violet to take in Posy and keep her away from Araminta's wrath. Posy happily agreed, forcing Araminta to comply. When she insulted Posy, Sophie was furious and hit Araminta hard enough that she fell to the ground. Araminta left, defeated and humiliated, and left London soon after.
Later Life[]
Araminta encountered Posy while shopping with Rosamund, and insulted Posy and her status. Posy didn't care anymore, and dismissed them.
Personality[]
Araminta's ambition is to be a leader of the ton, having power over everyone around her. But her demeaning personality makes her ignored instead. If the ton found out Araminta's darkest secrets, she knows she will be ruined.
Relationships[]
Familial[]
Rosamund Reiling[]
Araminta favors her older daughter, Rosamund. Araminta and Rosamund are both petite with golden blond hair and blue eyes.[1]
In 1817, Rosamund set her cap at Phillip Cavender.[2] However, Araminta would not allow her daughter to settle for a mere mister, even though Rosamund's father was not a member of the aristocracy.[3]
Posy Reiling[]
Araminta does not treat her younger daughter, Posy, well. Unlike Araminta, Posy is chubby and has dark hair. Araminta has trouble accepting that Posy does not resemble herself and Rosamund.[1]
Notes and Trivia[]
- Araminta never allowed her step-daughter Sophie to take a day off, even though Araminta allowed other servants to.[4]
- Araminta has over 80 pairs of shoes.[5]
- Araminta boasted about a pair of diamond shoe clips that she used to have. However, the diamonds turned out to be simple paste and not worth much money.[6]
- Araminta is notorious for mistreating her servants. She once stole Portia Featherington's lady's maid, promising the maid higher wages. However, after a fortnight, the lady's maid begged Portia to re-hire her, as Araminta required the maid to do the work of three people, scullery maid, upstairs maid and cook. She also forced the maid to polish 300 pairs of shoes. Araminta went through three lady's maids in 1817.[7]
References
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