Mentioned in passing by Lady Winwood as someone who is likely to hear gossip from Horry's godfather, Walpole.
Arnold Gisborne thought Rule was engaged to attend to her Grace one evening.
Mentioned first as a guest at Almack's. Later tries unsuccessfully to prevent Pelham Winwood from calling out Crosby Drelincourt in a duel for wanting to make a bet about Horry and Lethbridge.
"Retired gentleman's gentleman" who owned the house where Crosby Drelincourt lived.
Mentioned as one of the "Macaronis" (foppish gentlemen) who attended the opera.
In Greek mythology, Cassandra was granted the gift of prophecy by the god Apollo, who loved her. When she didn't return his love, Apollo changed his gift by decreeing that no one would believe her predictions. Elizabeth Winwood spoke "in the voice of Cassandra" when finding out Horry had visited the Earl of Rule on her own.
Landlord of the Sun, at Maidenhead, where the Earl of Rule and Lord Lethbridge dueled.
Dressmaker mentioned in passing by Lady Caroline Massey.
Mentioned in passing as a "nervous gambler" at the Almacks card room. Acts as one of Pelham Winwood's seconds in Pel's duel with Crosby Drelincourt.
Mentioned in passing as a companion of Lady Massey; is introduced to the Earl of Rule at the opera.
Mentioned in passing by Horry as having a pet monkey, which prompted Horry to buy a monkey as well.
Landlord of Crown Inn at Slough.
Mentioned in passing in a flashback describing the scandal of Lord Lethbridge abducting Lady Louisa Drelincourt. Crew had witnessed the Earl of Rule drive out of town at night in pursuit of Lethbridge.
Mentioned in passing by Pelham Winwood as the subject of one of his bets. Pel found out she had given birth to twin boys after having 4 daughters, and he won his bet.
Mentioned in passing first by Theresa Maulfrey when she describes how Horry drove Dashwood's "gig up St. James for a bet," and then he's mentioned as visiting Horry in her opera box.
Mentioned in passing in a conversation between Crosby Drelincourt's seconds before his duel with Pelham Winwood.
Hosts a card party which Lord Lethbridge and Horatia attend.
Theresa Maulfrey tells of Horatia staking her bracelet at a card party at Lady Dollabey's.
Foppish, over-eager, heir-presumptive and cousin to the Earl of Rule. He's about 25 years old, with an "unhealthily sallow countenance," and is "much in the habit of considering his appearance above anything else." Tries his best to bring about the downfall of Horatia; fights (and loses) a duel with Horry's brother, Pelham. Eventually gets his comeuppance from his cousin Rule when he goes too far in trying to besmirch Horry's character.
Mentioned in passing when Pelham Winwood argues with Farnaby at the opera.
Mentioned that he was fatally wounded in a duel attended by Dr. Parvey.
Mentioned in passing as losing a bet with Pelham Winwood.
Mentioned in passing as one of the ladies who founded Almack's Room.
Acts as one of Crosby Drelincourt's seconds in duel between Drelincourt and Pelham Winwood. He brings the weapons (swords).
British statesman and renowned as the best orator of his day. A member of Parliament at age 19, for many years the outstanding parliamentary proponent of liberal reform. He was also a leader of fashion and a notorious gambler.
Friend of Pelham Winwood; intervenes in altercation between Pel and Crosby Drelincourt.
Mentioned in passing by Crosby Drelincourt; Fritenham broke his neck when his curricle overturned.
Mentioned that he had robbed the French Mail a year ago and was hanged. Ned Hawkins loans Gentleman's Joe's pistols to Roland Pommeroy in the plot to retrieve Horry's brooch.
First Hanoverian king of England, reigned from 1714-1727. Didn't speak any English, and was uninterested in ruling England, one result being the creation of the office of the Prime Minister and the cabinet system of government.
Mentioned in passing by Horry's godfather, Horace Walpole.
Of Queen's College, Cambridge, he was Lord Rule's conscientious secretary. Interested in politics, he took pride in writing speeches for Lord Rule, who usually toned down the rhetoric. "The son of a Dean, strictly reared," he is Rule's right hand man.
German opera composer, whose music Horry does not appreciate.
Tailor mentioned in passing by Roland Pomeroy.
German-born composer, who worked primarily in England, and who is considered one of the masters of the baroque period.
Sergeant Surgeon to kings George II and III and surgeon at St. George's Hospital.
The fashionable Dr. Hawkins tends Crosby Drelincourt's duel wound at home after Dr. Parvey has done the initial patching up.
Burly thug hired first by Lethbridge in the abduction of Horry, then by Pel Winwood in the mad escapade to recover Horry's brooch. Vows that he'll never work with "flash culls" again after all the trouble he's gone to for little reward.
Twenty-two year old lieutenant (later captain) of the 10th Foot Regiment; stationed in England while he recovers from a wound received at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The "younger son of a country gentleman, "he is of "excellent, if impoverished family," with "height, and good shoulders, and a frank, open countenance." Thanks to Horry's interference, he is able to marry his love, Elizabeth Winwood, whom he has known for years.
Guest at Lady Massey's card party.
Believed to be a cousin of Lady Caroline Massey. Lived with Caroline as a chaperone (in name only).
The Earl of Rule's groom.
Friend of Pelham Winwood; present in the card room at one of the Almack's balls.
Former governess to the Winwoods, currently residing in Kensington.
Mentioned by the Earl of Rule as having been shot in the shoulder on Hounslow Heath.
French hairdresser who was the instructor of Horry's hairdresser, Monsieur Fredin.
Arch-rival of Lord Rule. Years ago had fallen in love with Louisa Drelincourt and when refused her hand by Rule, tried to elope with her. Rule foiled the attempt, and the two have hated each other ever since. A ruthless, scheming rake and libertine, he is elegant, jaded, malicious, at times charming, but dangerous. He decides to get even with Rule by ruining Horry's reputation, but he doesn't account for Horry's unpredictable feistiness, or Rule's determination to defend his wife.
One of a party of people who accompany Lord Rule and Horatia to Vauxhall Gardens.
Betrothed of Sir Peter Mason, whom Lady Winwood thought would offer for Charlotte Winwood.
Mentioned in passing as Horry having a luncheon date with Lady Mallory.
A "fair beauty" mentioned in passing by Lady Massey at the opera as trying to enslave Lord Lethribridge.
Promised to marry Miss Lupton. Mrs. Winwood had hoped he would offer for her daughter Charlotte's hand in marriage.
Beautiful, fashionable widow of Sir Thomas Massey; Lord Rule's mistress. "She was not bon ton" due to her husband's connection with the City" (he was in trade). Hoped that the Earl of Rule would marry her. Aids in Lord Lethbridge's scheme to bring about the downfall of Horatia, Countess of Rule, but is disappointed with the result.
Wealthy tradesman—late husband of Lady Caroline Massey.
Rather vulgar, gossiping cousin of the Winwoods.
A gambling friend of Pelham Winwood.
It is mentioned that Monk was in the same opera box as Lady Massey.
Mentioned in passing that she is jealous of Lady Massey's coiffure during an evening entertainment at Lady Massey's saloon.
Mentioned in pass as the host of a card party which Pel Winwood and Roland Pommeroy attended—the two friends left the party drunk and encountered Horry on Half Moon Street in the early hours of the morning, setting off a chain of hilarious events.
The Baron of Lethbridge's butler.
In Greek mythology she was the personification of divine justice and the vengeance of the gods; she distributed good or bad fortune to all mortals.
In Shakespeare's play, Othello, a Moor serving as a general in the Venetian army, is drawn into murderous, mistaken, jealousy of his wife by his lieutenant Iago. The Earl of Rule says he is "no Othello" regarding his wife, Horatia.
Attends the duel between Crosby Drelincourt and Pelham Winwood. Sees to Drelincourt's wound. Was also present at the duel where Mr. Ffolliot was killed.
Mentioned in passing as one of the ladies who founded Almack's Rooms.
Good-natured, if slightly dim-witted friend of Pelham Winwood. Acts as one of Pel's seconds in duel between Pel & Crosby Drelincourt. Gamely participates in all the plots and escapades to retrieve Horry's brooch.
Acts as one of Crosby Drelincourt's seconds in duel between Drelincourt and Pelham Winwood. Has never acted as a second before; he confesses that he can't stand the sight of blood.
Husband to Lady Louisa Quain (nee Louisa Drelincourt).
"Extremely handsome woman, with most speaking eyes, at once needle-sharp and warmly smiling." Resembled her brother, the Earl of Rule. Had almost succeeded in eloping with Lord Lethbridge years ago, but Rule prevented it. It was Louisa who had initially proposed that Elizabeth Winwood marry Rule, but she took great glee in thinking of the mischief Horry Winwood would bring to her brother's well-ordered life as his wife.
Mentioned in passing that Horry sees Lord Lethbridge at the Duchess of Queensbury's ball, but he does not approach her.
At 17 years old, the youngest of the Winwood daughters. Horry has straight, thick black eyebrows, a pronounced stammer, and is rather short. She is mischievous, honest, frank, high-spirited, and has inherited the Winwood's "Fatal Tendency" to gamble. Boldly offers the Earl of Rule a proposal of a marriage of convenience, so her sister Elizabeth can marry her true love (Edward Heron). Cuts a merry swath through the ton, kicking up all sorts of larks and getting into numerous scrapes, but gradually matures throughout the novel thanks to her husband's gentle but firm guidance. Realizes that she wants her marriage of convenience to be one of love.
RULE, Earl of (Marcus Drelincourt).
Thirty-five years old; proud; wealthy; he has a pleasant, mocking, lazy charm which belies his keen mind and iron will. Handsome man with a tall, powerful frame. Dresses in an elaborate, yet elegant style. Can be ruthless if necessary, as shown with his dealings with his cousin, Crosby Drelincourt, and Robert Lethbridge, with whom he fights (and wins) a duel. Had decided to marry Elizabeth Winwood when he is persuaded to a marriage of convenience with Horatia Winwood, after she promises not to interfere with him. He gradually falls in love with Horry as he takes her in hand, steering her through her many scrapes while discovering her zestful spirits, refreshing honesty, and her roguish charm along the way.
Mentioned in passing as a contemporary of the Earl of Rule—they exchange words at the opera.
Mentioned in passing by Horatia who copies Lady Stokes' habit of having young men assist her in her toilette.
A racing crony of the Earl of Rule.
Mentioned in passing that the Earl of Rule decides to accept an invitation to Mrs. Wallchester's card party.
"The Beauty of the Family," with fair curls, "melting blue eyes," and a "classic profile," as well as a sweet and dutiful nature, and a good share of common sense. It was expected that she would marry the Earl of Rule to save her family from ruin until her sister Horatia intervenes. Happily marries Captain Edward Heron instead.
A widow, she suffers from frequent attacks of nerves and ill health; happily sees two of her daughters married.
Handsome, blond, blue-eyed, he's friendly, carefree, a bit impulsive, content to borrow money and spend it by gambling and carousing with his friends. He is "not exactly a fop," but has elegant and expensive taste in dress and habits. Has inherited the "Fatal Tendency" of the Winwoods—gambling. His debts force the Winwoods to mortgage everything, which in turn prompts the necessity for one of the Winwood daughters to marry well. Despite his frippery ways, he does care for his family; tries to help Horry out of her scrapes by hatching all kinds of ridiculous plots, and even fights a duel with Crosby Drelincourt, defending her reputation.