with courage

meredith merchant. 35. irwin family friend. socialite & journalist. 

[merchcnts]

janewilscn‌:

jane couldn’t help but be in awe of meredith, the other guest of the irwin’s. from what jane had heard so far, she had lived quite the life. it made jane’s feel insignificant almost; after all, she had never traveled beyond the east coast, and she couldn’t imagine having a career as a writer. it seemed terribly exciting, honestly. “i should thinking being published at all is a triumph,” jane replied, knowing how difficult it must be to be a female journalist. surely it wasn’t the most welcoming field. “what are you working on next?” 

“I admire your optimism and sincerely appreciate your support,” Meredith replies, smiling brightly. She was only too excited to share her upcoming piece-- “Well, I’m currently following the all the going ons of Washington, D.C.-- everything with Lincoln is terribly exciting!” she says enthusiastically, before pausing, “Gosh...that sounds terrible, perhaps exciting isn’t the right word-- what I meant to say is that it’s such a unique time to be in journalism-- to be on the forefront of what the future of our country holds...”

[merchcnts]

vivirwin‌:

Vivian was jarred out of her early morning trance by the words and had to take a moment to pull herself into a mindset of sociability. She smiled politely and said, “Quite so. I hope it is not too dismal of me to say  But sometimes, when the world is so quiet, I feel as if I am the only person alive. As if the world has ended around me and all that is left is the elements. It’s an isolating feeling and yet one I seek out more often than I’d like to admit,” she sighed, “You must think I’m terribly nihilistic for wishing for the end of times.” 

“I wouldn’t say it’s particularly dismal, per say...”  Meredith replied, offering the woman a kind smile, “Perhaps, a bit melancholy, but it’s still a perfectly understandable feeling, nonetheless,” she declares decisively.  “There’s something terribly rare about peace and quiet these days. It seems everything’s taken a turn for the chaotic...though I’d be lying if I were to say I didn’t crave a little chaos every now and then.” 

[merchcnts]

open to all !

Stepping outside to pick up the paper, Meredith couldn’t help but smile to herself as she noticed her own name beneath an article in the corner of the front page. Looking up she chuckles as she notices another standing nearby, “I haven’t quite reached the headliner stories yet, but I suppose one must appreciate the small triumphs,” she sighed, her pride short-lived as her eyes grazed the name of headlining journalist with envy. “Ambition is such a fickle thing-- the very moment I achieve a dream, I become hungry for the next.”

[merchcnts]

vivirwin‌:

OPEN

on cool misty morning’s like this one she could be found sitting out by the pond. the dew crept at the hem of her dress. she’d forgotten her gloves so her fingers numb. listening to the trees rustle in the breeze she looked out over the glistening water which reflected the gray sky. vivian would never dare admit her melancholy to her family, so in the moments of silence outside of the house she could let the facade of her smile fall. 

What had begun as a late night stroll had morphed into an early morning dalliance as Meredith watched the rays of sun slowly peek above the pond water. Blanket draped carelessly around her shoulders, Meredith made notice of Vivian as she passed by the bench where Meredith had been seated. “It’s terribly peaceful, isn’t it?” Meredith mused, breaking the silence in the air. Her silver tongue could only handle so much serenity at a time.

[merchcnts]

elizairwin‌:

open to all. 

“pardon me, i saw a bird hit the window and i wanted to see if it was alright. do you mind if i step into the garden?” 

“Of course my dear Eliza, I’ll come with you, but you certainly need not ask me permission. I’m merely a guest in your lovely home.”

[merchcnts]

(Frieda Pinto, She/Her) You saw them through the window, and your sure it was [MEREDITH MERCHANT]. They are [THIRTY-FIVE] and are [UNMARRIED]. Currently, they are staying at the [IRWIN] house. They are known to be [CHARISMATIC]  & [DEFIANT]. They are staying at the house because [ SHE IS A FAMILY FRIEND ]. (Rach, EST, She/Her)

Meredith Merchant was born in Boston, Massachusetts to wealthy investors from India. Her mother was an Indian socialite renowned for her beauty and quick wit, while her father was known for his intelligence and adventurous spirit. Her father would go on to establish the Merchant Pharmaceutical Company in Massachusetts, amassing a small fortune for the family. Born to rather progressive parents, Meredith has always been a bit of a non-traditional child. 

Yet to mellow with age, Meredith is hasn’t quite lost her fiery spirit and determination. After attending Oberlin College in Ohio to study English, Meredith found herself volunteering as a teacher at a local Virginia school where she came upon the Irwin children who she grew particularly fond of, becoming close to the entire Irwin family. Despite enjoying teaching, Meredith lacked passion for the work, so she decided to spend the next few years of her life travelling around the U.S. writing for numerous local papers. 

Quite the activist, Meredith has found a great joy in writing about local and national politics. Returning to Virginia to report on the rising abolitionist and women’s rights movements, Meredith has taken refuge in the Irwin’s home while she writes for The Richmond Enquirer. Meredith is a generous, compassionate, kind-hearted woman with a soft-spot for children, however, she often lacks tact and can come off as bold and brash. Passionate and fiery she hopes to one day be married for love, though she is wary of suitors whom she worries may want her to be more of traditional wife.

[catherinezed]

My dear Selina, as you’ll soon be leaving Bath, I hoped you’d come visit me in London for what is left of the season. I promise you will be well entertained.

[gingeroyalty]

My dear Selena,

   as you soon be leaving Bath, I hope you would come visit me to London for what’s left of the season. I promise you will be well entertained.