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When the oldest dies and the second son inherits, it disrupts the fortunes of the rest of the family. It wasn't that it was never a possibility for Tomwell to stand as heir, but he just never really expected it or included it in his life plans. He loved gaming and singing and dancing and the kind of courtier playing around that accompanies those practices; he planned to become a Whisper or a courtier and become a professional musician and diplomat, but if not that, he thought maybe he could throw himself into really being a Devotion of Limerance and maybe even godsworn and leaving his family behind to completely devote himself to the arts. Anything but what actually happened to him, which is that when his eldest sister died, the full weight of becoming his brother the March's heir fell across his shoulders. Become the Voice of the Leaholdt was not what he had in mind. Especially since he's now stuck with it, since Lady Iliana and March Fairen haven't managed to have any kids. Tomwell yearns for poetry and song and the romantic life that those things might possibly entail, but instead he remains with his duty to the family, too loyal and dutiful to seriously consider abandoning practical reality in pursuit of his dreams.

Long waves of brown hair fall loosely around Tomwell's neck jaw and neck, usually a little unruly, with a forelock of bangs that keeps falling into his eyes. His eyes are blue-gray, deep-set and narrow. His strong nose and sturdy jaw lend a hint of ruggedness to looks that might ordinarily be just a little too pretty, with the soft curve of his mouth and the ridiculously long length of his eyelashes. His lean height balanced by the easy grace of his carriage, much about the way Tomwell moves suggests his dancer's elegance.

Wistful and warm, Tomwell is and has always been a good boy. He does what he's supposed to do, even if he'd rather be doing something else. He loves music and art and poetry; he loves stories and songs and idle flirtation; he loves getting to know people and working out how they tick. He likes parties, not so much giant uproarious bashes but intimate gatherings with soft music and nice food where the real allure is in meeting people and just having a good conversation. Responsibility weighs him down, but it will never entirely dampen his puppyishly boyish smile.