Thomas Leopold Linford
Age: 55
Role: Master of Willowcrock Manner
Personality: Despite growing up the youngest of three sons in a wealthy aristocratic family, Thomas is quite down to Earth. He has a great sense of humor as is good at laughing at himself and those around him. Honestly he thought he'd never find a wife, his mother had always told him he was too flighty for his own good. He always loves excitement, and I guess that's why he gambles so much. Its his way of getting back to his youth and reliving that time when he had no worries, like who to marry off three daughters to. He desperately loves his wife and family and would do anything for anyone of his girls.
Even if it meant giving his life so they could live happy lives. He really doesn't like the idea of just having them marry whomever, but he certainly doesn't want them marrying someone who would treat the wrongly either. Deep down he's a good man that has messed up terribly and he hopes that he can do something before he is taken away to prison so that his wife and daughters are cared for in his absence.
Back Story: Thomas Linford is the youngest of the wealthy Linford family of Sandcreek Abby, his family has resided there for well over a century. His eldest brother Oliver now resides there with his family, who consists of a strapping young son and his daughter Melody. However Thomas doesn't no have a good relationship with his brother right now, considering he is one of the people he owes money. His second brother and the middle child Daniel Linford, resides in London and is a practicing doctor. As of late he has no married, and has a habit of courting his patients, for periods of time. Only for a date of marriage to never be set. He visits Willowcrock on occasion to check on the health of the family. Both of Thomas' elder brothers were given surmountable amounts as their inheritance. However with Thomas being the youngest and most stubborn of the three, he was given a limited amount. More because the families fortune was spread between three boys, but also because Thomas' father believed he was reckless and deserved to be taught a lesson.
He always had a much better relationship with his mother, most would say she spoiled her youngest, and they'd be telling the truth. For many years as a young man he wasted so much, parties, but mostly gambling. That is until he met Mary, for him it was love at first sight and even though he knew he couldn't give a wife much, they soon married in a whirlwind of romance. His parents were shocked, to say the least, for Thomas to suddenly settle down and marry was somewhat of a miracle. Because he had no home to inherit, as a reward for finally coming to his senses his father bought him a home in nearby Melbourneshire. A home that Thomas named Willowcrock Manor, at first things seemed quite well. He and Mary started a family, with their lovely daughter Eliza, then soon after that, Esther, and then the youngest Rowena. Mary's pregnancy with Rowena had been quite arduous, and after giving birth to the youngest Linford, doctors told Mary she would probably never conceive again.
Now, no one could say that Thomas didn't love his daughters, cause he loved then with every fiber of his being, but without a son to carry on the name. His branch of the Linford family would die off, not that he had to worry about it too much it was his eldest brothers duty to continue it, but he would have liked to have a son to pass things down to. So he went on trying to make a happy life for his girls, but there times that were hard for him, that itch for adventure that he had in his youth never quite faded. This need manifested in the playing of cards and making bad bets on them.
Eventually it began to take a toll on the families finances, the first loan he took was from his eldest brother Oliver. That was easy at first but he knew that he would never be able to pay it back. With that being so easy, he started asking for loans from others. Till even getting money to fund his eldest daughters wedding, it was as this party celebrating his new son in law where he met Mr. Nash. Of course, they played cards together and one cold never play a decent card game without a friendly wager. Eventually Thomas was in over his head, and when he could not pay the winnings owed Mr. Nash, he knew his goose was cooked. He had heard from many, that Mr. Nash was relentless when it came to money.
Thomas' world had come to a head, and he knew he was in trouble, he didn't want to take his young daughters with him. So he decided to go for one last hurrah and hope that his daughters would find suitable husbands, to save them from the fate that would soon befall him. He just hopes that word of this does not reach Mr Nash, because surly that would send his debtor to Willowcrock, and then what would he do. It's quite possible that he could be dragged away in irons before the night is through.