Aunt Primrose

Fanart by Shyranno

Rory's father (Brother)

Aunt Thistle (Sister)

Herbert Primrose (Deceased husband)†

Primrose Patterson is one of the main characters in Tally Ho. As Rory's aunt, she has full control over all of Rory's money while they remain unmarried. A widow, she lives on her estate Ritornello in Woodland Centre. She goes through housekeepers quickly. She has the power to forbid or bless Mopsie's marriage to Figs. At the start of *Tally Ho*, she is more inclined to forbid the union.

## Physical Appearance

When she is first introduced in Tally Ho, she is described as being "a tall woman who gives the impression of taking up thrice as much space as she rightly ought to."

In Chapter 1 of Tally Ho, she is wearing a rather smart-looking long, dark green jacket with brass buttons and dark green skirt, and a broad hat with flowers on it.

## Tally Ho

Aunt Primrose is celebrating her birthday with the entire family present. She hosts a foxhunt and competes in several of the Harvest Festival's events, such as the boat race and the Exotic Animal show. Despite her rivalry with Colonel Firesnuff, she loves him because he's family.

## Cakes and Ale

### Chapter 4

Aunt Primrose is having a meal at Polytropos with her friends: Duddle's Uncle Harold, String-bean Sally's great-aunt Desdemona, and Paige's half-uncle Franklin. The Jolly Good Person can attempt to speak to them (although Aunt Primrose will initially mistake them for a waiter). Aunt Primrose may or may not donate money to the Noble Gases club.

### Chapter 6

If the Jolly Good Person cannot enter the opera as they do not have a ticket, Aunt Primrose can help them get in by tongue-lashing Johnny Buttons.

## Relationships

### Jolly Good Person

Aunt Primrose was at their fifth birthday party. The Jolly Good Person was sick on her shoes after they ate too much cake.

### Rory Wintermint

Rory finds their aunt to be a rather imposing figure, who is well-meaning-but-meddling. Rory finds it difficult to stand up to her, telling the Servant that "one word from her and I tend to buckle, or fold, or spindle, or whatever metaphor you like."

## Trivia

* Her favorite cake is Battenberg cake, which is made for her birthday in Chapter 3 of Tally Ho.
* Her favorite dish is veal ragout with truffles and apricot compote, which the Servant may make for her in Chapter 1 of Tally Ho.
* She enjoys going hunting and has done so ever since she was a young woman. Although some older ladies still look askance at women who ride astride, Aunt Primrose was among the first to adopt the fashion.
* Her main automobile is a 1931 duPont Model H Merrimac Sport Phaeton, in black, with leather cream-colored interior, dual cowls, and optional soft top installed. It has four seats and a roomy boot. At the time of the Tally Ho game, it had only been acquired recently and it is her pride. She uses it to take trips to Wimbledon or the seaside to see and be seen.
* Aunt Primrose's parents collected many paintings and Aunt Primrose does her part to keep that up. She collects mostly paintings of landscapes and seascapes from the olden times, as well as some still lifes, for her art gallery. She likes to go to auctions, getting "a rush of energy, holding up that paddle" and thinks that the paintings provide a touch of class to the house.
* She is old friends with Lord and Lady Tulkinghorn and can recommend the Servant's services to them.
* The Servant notes in Chapter 3 of Tally Ho that Aunt Primrose goes through housekeepers.
* She attends political rallies.
* The lead character, Marigold, in the Fifi Buttercup novel 'Tawdry Lace' is a thinly veiled version of Aunt Primrose.

## Quotes by Aunt Primrose

*"I am relatively impressed. You have made an intelligent selection, which is especially worthy of accolade, considering the brain you are working with."* (Tally Ho, Chapter 1)

*"I just collect the things. I never know what to say about them when guests ask penetrating questions about art."* (Tally Ho, Chapter 5)

*"I don't actually care who you are. Get out there and win me untold glory."* (Tally Ho, Chapter 8)

*"Thank you for the kind words about whatever it is you said, which I have already forgotten."* (Cakes and Ale, Chapter 4)

## Quotes about Aunt Primrose

*"It strikes me that lion taming skills may come in handy with my dear Aunt Primrose ."* (Rory Wintermint, Tally Ho, Chapter 1)

*"Lovely woman. But rather thick. Not clever at all. She thinks that her team is going to win the boat race this year. Hasn't won in the last four years, and she's not going to win this year either."* (Colonel Firesnuff, Tally Ho, Chapter 2)

*"Mrs. Patterson has given instruction that we must set out an elegant table with light music. She was most specific. She then said that there would be hell to pay if everything wasn't perfect."* (Valentine Hartlock, Tally Ho, Chapter 4)

*"How can you treat me the way you do? You grind me underneath your shoe. I'm feeling like a raw cashew!"* (Mopsie, Tally Ho, Chapter 5)

*"That 'Primrose,' my good 'friend,' has been traipsing about with her peridot hairstick as if she were a great lady."* (Aunt Matilda, Cakes and Ale, Chapter 4)