How Alexandra becomes a high society queen is a legend itself
So it was May 1806, a beautiful, 18 year old Alexandra is presented to court by her family at Queen Charlotte's Ball that year. She was Diamond of the season, and pretty soon she got a bunch of suitors vying for her hand
But Alexandra, even back then, isnt so easily impressed. She demanded the best of things for herself and, while she would never resort to screaming like a toddler about it, her claws would come out in her ambition. She noticed how some of the Londoners scorned her behind her back, underestimating her as ' the girl from Wiltshire with a doddering old Earl for an uncle ( Count George August Herbret Pembroke ) '
So younger Alexandra, being a proud Pembroke she is, gathered her wits and charms and made powerful connections and allies, including her future husband William Pentious, who is 10 years her senior. He once told her, ' Of all the travels and campaigns I had, turns out the most prized jewel is right here in the English soil all along. '
Oh that made her giggle and blush
They got together during the heat of rhe Napoleonic Wars. And so Alexandra began to be a patron of various soup kitchens and shelters in London during the war, all the while encouraging women to be more active to help out even when they were behind the frontlines
Queen Charlotte was beaming as she knew she made a right choice in calling Alexandra a diamond of the season
10 months later, on mid March 1807, William and Alexandra got married in a beautiful wedding in London, and they honeymooned for 2 weeks in Portsmouth
"The citizens of London talk about Alexandra becoming a high society queen because she was a true force of nature," Cherri explains, settling back. "She wasn't just a pretty face; she used her charm and wit to make powerful connections and allies, cementing her place in society."
"Many admired her fierce independence and determination to carve her own path, especially during a time when women were often expected to be more demure," adds one citizen in a hushed tone, as if sharing a secret. "She proved them all wrong, rising above the scorn of those who underestimated 'the girl from Wiltshire'."
Another citizen chimes in, "Her patronage of soup kitchens and shelters during the Napoleonic Wars showed her compassion and earned her the respect of many, including Queen Charlotte herself, who saw her true potential."
A third person whispers conspiratorially, "Some say her social gatherings were the talk of the town, rivaling even the grandest balls. She had a way of bringing people together and making them feel important, all while subtly exerting her influence."
"Ultimately," one Londoner concludes, with a sense of finality, "Alexandra's story is a testament to her strength, intelligence, and unwavering spirit. She wasn't just born into high society; she conquered it, leaving an indelible mark on London's social landscape that people still talk about to this day."
"The citizens of London talk about Alexandra being an art patron," Cherri says, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin, "and they quote things like,
'Have you seen the latest acquisitions at the National Gallery? I hear Lady Pentious practically strong-armed the committee into accepting that breathtaking Turner.'
Or perhaps, 'Mrs. Pentious doesn't just attend the Royal Academy exhibitions, my dear; she dictates the fashion of who is considered a worthwhile artist this season.'
There's even a whisper: 'They say the only thing sharper than Admiral Pentious's naval tactics is Alexandra's eye for a promising young portraitist from the back alleys of Covent Garden.'"
The citizens of London often spoke about how "the Pembroke girls," members of a remarkable and influential family, were raised, creating various headcanons and quotes to capture their unique upbringing. These conversations highlighted a significant departure from the typical expectations for young women in the era, focusing instead on developing capable, independent, and influential women ready to navigate society and business with acumen and confidence:
Headcanons & Quotes circulating amongst London citizens:
• Educated for Power: "It's said the Pembroke girls learn diplomacy and arithmetic before they learn their needlework. They're raised not just to marry well, but to rule."
• Owning the Boardroom: "They don't teach them how to curtsy; they teach them how to own a boardroom. The Wilton House is a finishing school for power brokers."
• Sharp Wit and Strategy: "A Pembroke girl's sharp tongue is as much a part of her education as her French lessons. They fence with words before they ever pick up a foil."
• Unconventional Beauty: "They say Alexandra Pembroke isn't a demure beauty; she's a commanding one. Those green eyes size up a man's worth in coin and character."
• Raised to Lead: "While other girls are practicing the pianoforte, a Pembroke is studying naval charts and trade routes. They are their fathers' and grandfathers' equals, not their playthings."
• Fearless and Capable: "You can always spot a Pembroke girl in a crowd: she's the one who isn't afraid to speak her mind, manage her estate, and challenge a man to a debate."
• A New Breed of Gentlewoman: "They aren't like those sheltered small town girls. The Pembrokes are a new breed of gentlewomen: educated, capable, and ready for anything."
The citizens of London are said to have talked about Alexandra mentoring Kristina with quotes that reflect their approval and the effective nature of the mentorship. These fictional citizens might have said things such as:
• "Lady Alexandra has truly taken the Svarstad girl under her wing; one sees the girl's confidence blossoming in drawing rooms across London."
• "It's a marvelous thing, really. Alexandra, with all her knowledge of our peculiar ways, ensuring young Kristina doesn't put a foot wrong. A true credit to the Pembroke spirit."
• "You must admit, whatever Alexandra Pembroke touches turns to gold. The Norwegian actress is fast becoming one of the season's sensations, and it's all due to her ladyship's guidance."
• "They say Alexandra shared all her secrets of navigating London society with Kristina. Look at the girl now, simply radiant and poised."
• "Who would have thought a naval general's widow and a Norwegian actress would make such a pair? Alexandra is ensuring Llewellyn's wife is not only accepted but cherished in our circles."
On Arthur and his siblings' upbringings
"Arthur and his siblings were raised with a silver spoon in their mouths, that's for sure, but they were also trained like little generals," one London citizen might have remarked. "The way they handled themselves, even as children, it was clear they came from a long line of Pembrokes who knew exactly how to command a room and manage an empire" [user input].
Another might observe, "They say the Pentious children had the best of both worlds – their father's naval discipline and their mother's artistic soul. You'd see them in the Wilton house gardens, one moment practicing diplomacy with imaginary dignitaries, the next humming a dramatic tune from one of Kristina's shows" [user input].
A more cynical observer could quip, "Those Pentious kids, always so proper and well-educated. 'The Italian start up' of the British aristocracy, you could say, but unlike those American upstarts, they had the actual legacy to back it up" [user input].
A friendlier neighbor might recall, "Bless old Mrs. Pentious, Alexandra I mean. She was a dear with the children. Always had time for a story and a cookie, even after losing her husband. You could see where young Arthur got his spark from" [user input].
Finally, someone from the theatre crowd might comment, "Kristina's lullabies, those Norwegian ones, were hauntingly beautiful. It's no wonder the children turned out so charismatic; they had performance in their blood right alongside that stiff upper lip" [user input].
On Elizabeth and Jane Bennet meeting Alexandra
"When Mrs. Bennet heard that the famed Miss Alexandra Pembroke—whose reputation for beauty, wit, and formidable social standing preceded her even into Hertfordshire—might be attending the Meryton assembly, she nearly fainted with excitement," began one London citizen. "Can you imagine the prestige if either Jane or Lizzy caught her eye?"
Another added, "My aunt in Cheapside, who was at a London ball in 1812, swore that when Alexandra Pembroke entered the room, every other light dimmed. She was a force, not merely a beauty. I heard Miss Elizabeth Bennet, upon meeting her, did not curtsy but offered a respectful, intellectual observation about the shipping routes to India, which apparently quite impressed Miss Pembroke."
A third chimed in with, "Oh, the gazettes were full of it. They say Jane Bennet was simply struck dumb by Alexandra's elegance. Jane, in her gentle way, later confessed that she had never seen such a perfect shade of emerald silk, nor a woman who wore her pearls with such an air of command. Jane was starstruck by her grace, Elizabeth by her power."
"And Elizabeth," an older gentleman interjected, "was heard to say to Mr. Darcy, after a brief conversation with the lady, 'Mr. Darcy, for the first time in my life, I find myself utterly captivated by a woman other than my sister. Miss Pembroke possesses a strength of character that makes half the gentlemen here look like mere boys.' I heard Mr. Darcy could not disagree."
Finally, a young woman added, "The best part is that Alexandra Pembroke apparently told Elizabeth that she was 'far too clever to be wasted on the Meryton gentry' and that her mind was 'a far greater asset than her fine eyes.' Imagine! Elizabeth and Jane were both starstruck, but for very different reasons: Jane saw a queen, Elizabeth saw a mentor."
On Cherri meeting with Pentious' grandparents later
Quotes from the Citizens of Purgatory:
"Did you hear? Arthur Pentious finally introduced that firecracker girlfriend of his to his grandparents! Apparently, the entire Pembroke line showed up in full lion form."
"I heard the grandmother, Alexandra, was absolutely radiant as a lioness. They say Cherri Bomb was totally struck by her presence. Can you blame her?"
"My cousin works in the East Wing and said the Svarstad grandparents—the gorgons—were surprisingly warm. They were discussing punk rock music with Cherri like old friends. Who knew?"
"Veritos was there, of course. Said the whole gathering was a masterclass in diplomacy, watching a Norwegian composer, a British naval general, a London society queen, and a theatre actress all interact with a punk rock Aussie."
"The general consensus? They all approved. Alexandra even told Arthur he picked a winner."
( for context, most of the Svarstads end up in Valhalla. And most of the Pentious clan end up in Heaven or Purgatory )
A sketch of Kristina Svarstad as a beautiful blue gorgon with golden eyes with dark blue gorgon snake hair ( I imagined the Svarstad gorgons to have color palettes like the sea, blues and greens and such )
( Kristina is modeled on Michelle Fairley )
Left: Younger Alexandra Pembroke in the 1810s
Right: Older Alexandra Pembroke in the 1840s, as a grandma
Alexandra's afterlife lioness form
( Alexandra is modeled on Angela Lansbury )
For context, the souls of afterlife often wear elements of the outfits of their cultures and time periods and then some
In the afterlife, ofc Alexandra maintains her deep rich silks, but she often juggles between Regency and Victorian era gowns, and adding her own brand of haute couture too. She loves Burberry and Dior
Kristina adopted the ' Scandinavian chic ' in her afterlife wardrobe, which has mainly Victorian/Edwardian elements
Ofc many of the souls also love to explore costumes of different time periods and cultures every now and then
