THE BLACK MOTH CHARACTERS

JOHN “JACK” ANTHONY ST. ERVINE DELANEY CARSTARES, EARL OF WYNCHAM, AKA SIR ANTHONY FERNDALE; JOHN CARR Falsely accused of cheating at cards, Jack fled Polite Society and, in the intervening six years, at some point became a highwayman. For the fun of it, mostly. THE HON. RICHARD “DICK” CARSTARES Jack’s brother, and the real perpetrator of the infamous card-cheating incident, Dick is haunted by his misdeeds, and tortured by his selfish wife, whom he won through Jack’s sacrifice. LADY LAVINIA CARSTARES Dick’s selfish wife. She is beautiful, vain and prone to histrionics. Sister to the calculating Duke of Andover, she was but a pawn in his game to discredit Jack for his own financial reward. That is no excuse for her subsequent behaviour – especially towards her son. JOHN CARSTARES Their son, neglect3ed by his mother. HUGH TRACY CLARE BELMANOIR, DUKE OF ANDOVER, AKA MR. EVERARD; SIR HUGH GRANDISON A Machiavellian schemer of the first order, Tracy (as he is known) is a sociopath and a serial abductor of women. He’s very witty, though, which seems to make up for it. LORD ANDREW BELMANOIR Tracy and Lavinia’s scapegrace younger brother, an inveterate, profligate gamester and spendthrift who is yet friend to all. Relies on Dick for financial support. CAPTAIN LORD ROBERT “BOB” BELMANOIR The other Belmanoir. No one likes Bob. HARRIET FLEMING A cousin to the Belmanoirs believed to have married beneath her station. WILLIAM FLEMING Her unprepossessing husband. DIANA BEAULEIGH Beautiful, determined and unconventional, the gently-bred Diana is an object of much affection, including that of Tracy – who, of course, wants to abduct her – and Jack, who saves her from said abduction. Twice. ELIZABETH “BETTY” BEAULEIGH Diana’s maiden aunt, a woman of much fortitude. An excellent judge of character. MR. BEAULEIGH Diana’s ineffective (often indifferent) father. THE HON. FRANK FORTESCUE Tracy’s best-friend, a man of principle and good sense, but who just can’t seem to quit him, and believes in his ability to be a better man, for some reason. SIR JOHN FORTESCUE A dull dog – so, naturally, he is a friend of Dick’s. Elder brother of Frank. SIR GREGORY MARKHAM Another friend of Tracy’s. SIR MILES O’HARA A genial country squire and Justice of the Peace before whom Jack is brought after an ill-fated robbery attempt. Happens to be Jack’s best-friend. MRS. MOLLY O’HARA A kind-hearted, vivacious and somewhat managing matron, wife to Sir Miles and with a weakness for men with “white hands.” Was prepared to lie to her husband for Jack’s sake. Matchmaker DAVID O’HARA Their son. CAPTAIN HAROLD LOVELACE A former love of Lady Lavinia’s. The dapper Captain’s return to London leads that lady into indiscretion, with her intent to run away from her husband and child. LORD FOTHERINGHAM Tracy’s friend; rebuffed by Diana. MR. BETTISON Local squire, also in love with Diana. SIR FABIAN DENIS A proposed suitor for Diana. HESTER THOMPSON Friend of Miss Betty. Unpleasant company, but generous with her home in Bath. GEORGE THOMPSON Her son, apparently worthless. ISABELLA FANSHAWE A lovely widow newly arrived in London, who once knew Jack on the Continent. She becomes Dick’s confidante, much to the displeasure of Lady Lavinia. WILL STAPELY Mrs. Fanshawe’s sometime escort. LORD AVON Giver of card parties; has a braying laugh. JIM DAVENANT Once a friend of Jack’s, attends Lord Avon’s card party. JACK CHOLMONDLEY Also attends Lord Avon’s card party. NETTLEFOLD Also attends Lord Avon’s card party. PRITCHARD Also attends Lord Avon’s card party. TOM WILDING Also attends Lord Avon’s card party. LORD FALMOUTH Attends Lord Avon’s card party; has a lisp. WELSH Once participated in a now legendary fencing battle with Jack Carstares. LADY CARLYLE Rival of Lavinia Carstares. LADY FANNY DEVEREAUX Another of Lavinia’s rivals; attended Ranelagh. JULIAN A guest of Lavinia’s at Ranelagh. CHEVALIER JULIAN D’EGMONT Knows all the gossip from the French Court. SIR DOUGLAS FAVERSHAM A cisisbeo of Lady Lavinia’s. CAREW Gentleman to whom Andrew owes money, COLONEL DARE Held the card party at which Dick cheated. EVANS Attended the fateful party. MILWARD Also attended the fateful party. FITZGERALD Also attended the fateful party. LORD FOTHERINGHAM Also attended the fateful party. GUNDRY Gentleman to whom Dick once owed money, leading to his decision to cheat at cards.. MRS EVANS A pretty widow. MRS. MOLESLEY A wealthy widow loving in Bath. CHADBER Keeps the inn at Fallowfield; makes good beer. MR. CHILTER A thin and harried clerk, he is taken by the outlaw’s kindness during a holdup and lies on his behalf. Later employed by Jack. MR FUDBY His employer, portly and cantankerous. MR BRAND Town clerk of Lewes. Not fond of Mr Fudby. MR. HEDGES The Mayor of Lewes. MR. DUNBAR An intended victim of Jack’s highway robbery. MR. WARBURTON The Carstares family lawyer and general factotum. Has a deep affection for Jack. JIM SALTER The most faithful of valets – among other things it seems there is nothing Jim cannot do – Jim is devoted to Jack and in on the secret of his illegal activities, but not his earldom. MARY The woman he is courting. HARPER Employed by Tracy to inveigle himself into Diana’s household, and to aid in her abduction DOUGLAS Groom to the Beauleighs JAMES Butler to the O’Haras. GEORGE Footman to the O’Haras. JAMES Footman to the Carstares. BETTY Nurse to John Carstares. JENNY The smartest horse in all the land, there is no horse to compare with Jenny. She does almost get Jack arrested, though.