Person

Book/Story

Nicknames

Family

Description

Allandale, Edward

APRIL LADY

Schoolboy brother to Mr. Jeremy Allandale.

Allandale, Mr Jeremy.

APRIL LADY

Brother to Phillip, Edward and Tom. Sisters, names unknown. Father deceased, mother a widow.

An extremely sensible and well-mannered young man, employed at the Foreign Office. Although not well-off financially, he is responsible for his widowed mother and younger siblings. Despite being described as "solid" and a "dead bore", he is still the principal suitor of the frivolous Lady Letitia Merion, and infatuated with her. This is not considered an eligible match, but they have remained loyal to each other despite their disparity in characters and a distinct lack of encouragement from Letty's family. Their courtship takes place through ordinary social intercourse. Jeremy Allandale is neither dramatic or reckless, but a quite placid man of great good sense.

Allandale, Philip

APRIL LADY

Brother to Mr Jeremy Allandale, intended to become a clergyman.

Allandale, Tom

APRIL LADY

Brother to Mr Jeremy Allandale, soon to be sent to school.

"Andy"

APRIL LADY

The foreman to the florist, Mr Tubbs, with whom the Countess of Cardross does business.

Baillie, Doctor

APRIL LADY

Physican to the Earl of Cardross and his family.

Barrymore, Earl of. "Cripplegate"

APRIL LADY

An Irish peer and president of the Beggar's Club, which Viscount Dysart has joined. One of the more disreputable figures of the ton, even the Prince Regent shuns his company.

Beading

APRIL LADY

The name of a family, referred to fleetingly as holding a masquerade ball which Lady Cardross points out will clash with her husband's proposals.

Berry, Miss

APRIL LADY

The elder of a pair of spinster sisters. Lady Cardross does not go to the Royal Academy exhibition in case she meets her, or similar elderly ladies "who one ought to admire, but could not contrive to like." Lady Letitia Merion feigns toothache to avoid visiting them, because she finds them dull.

Berry, Miss Agnes

APRIL LADY

The younger sister of Miss Berry.

Billingsgate

APRIL LADY

Nickname for the foul-mouthed sister of the Earl of Barrymore.

Blake, Mr.

APRIL LADY

A hairdresser of the Regency ton.

Bonaparte "Boney"

APRIL LADY

Napoleon Bonaparte, invader of Europe.

Bottisham, Mr.

APRIL LADY

An "odiously censorious" gentleman who makes an unusually complimentary remark about Lady Cardross and Lady Letitia Merion.

Brixworth

APRIL LADY

A young rake about town, one of Lady Letitia Merion's minor admirers.

Brixworth, Lady

APRIL LADY

Probably Brixworth's mother, holds an alfresco party at Richmond.

Brummell, Beau.

APRIL LADY

The ultimate Regency dandy. President of Watier's (see Mr. Watier)

Burnley, George

APRIL LADY

A friend of Mr. Felix Hethersett's, living in Clarges Street. Mr Hethersett spots Nell outside Mr King's establishment whilst visiting George Burnley at home.

Butler, Mother

APRIL LADY

A character of the underworld, proprietress of a "house of entertainment", where her particular young rakes and blades came to sleep off the effects of the night's drunken carousing.

Cardross, Countess of. Lady Helen Merion nee Irvine, "Nell".

APRIL LADY

Wife of Giles Merion, Earl of Cardross. Daughter of the Earl of Pevensey, sister to Viscount Dysart, sister in law to Lady Letitia Merion.

Lady Cardross, although extravagant and frivolous, is a pretty, generous and kind young heroine. She is very young, only being 19 and having been married almost a year to Cardross at the start of the book. She believes that the marriage is one of convenience, unawares that her husband is in love with her. Nell is desperate not to give Cardross a disgust of herself, particularly after he has agreed to pay off her momentual debts. She conceals a bill from him, fearing that he will suspect she hid it from him out of guilt, and then becomes agitated wondering how to pay it off, thus getting into hotter water than before. Meanwhile, her reckless brother Dysart, to whom she is devoted, causes her concern, and as a firm but fair chaperone, she is trying to dissuade Lady Letitia Merion from eloping with Mr Jeremy Allandale. This leads her into doing several foolish things, seriously endangering her marriage. Despite her matrimonial status, she is in effect an ingenue heroine. She perhaps is more representative of a typical Regency female than one of the more independent, strong-minded heroines.

Cardross, Earl of. Giles Merion.

APRIL LADY

Husband to Nell, Lady Cardross, brother to Lady Letitia Merion.

30 years old, Cardross fell in love with his wife, but at the time of the novel, he is beginning to suspect that she only married him for his money and title. Although he is, like his wife, firm as well as kind, and generous, he is easily exasperated by the shortcomings of others, and won't suffer fools gladly for long. Also, Cardross is much harassed by the need to keep an eye on his sister's romantic exploits, his brother in law Viscount Dysart's recklessness and need of steady guidance, and his wife's apparent frivolousness.

Catworth, Mr.

APRIL LADY

A honest jeweller whose son purchases the Cardross necklace after it is stolen.

Chudleigh, Mrs

APRIL LADY

Aunt to the Earl of Cardross and Lady Letitia Merion. Mother of Miriam Chudleigh. An awesome woman who always notices the shortcomings of her family and complains of them.

Chudleigh, Miriam

APRIL LADY

Daughter of Mrs Chudleigh. A tall, angular girl with an irritating habit of tittering and archness.

Clopton, Mrs.

APRIL LADY

The Cardrosses' housekeeper.

Cockroach

APRIL LADY

A horse racing in the King's Plate at Chester upon which Viscount Dysart bets.

Cockroach, Johnny.

APRIL LADY

A cockroach which Dysart races against a spider for a reckless wager.

Cowper

APRIL LADY

The surname of a well-known London family associated with the Cardrosses. They hold a dashing quadrille ball which Nell considers going to.

Cowper, Lady

APRIL LADY

One of the Lambs. A patroness of the charities, who uses this as an excuse to satisfy her inquisitiveness as to the state of affairs in the Cardross family. Charismatic but gossipy.

Cripplegate

APRIL LADY

See Earl of Barrymore.

Devonshire

APRIL LADY

The name of a leading Dukedom. The reference to Devonshire's mother's debts is a reference to the famous Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, a figure of Society of the late 18th century.

Dorset, Lord.

APRIL LADY

A gentleman about town remarked upon for his white horse.

Drummond-Burrell, Mrs.

APRIL LADY

One of the Patronesses of Almacks.

Dysart, Viscount

APRIL LADY

Brother to Nell, Lady Cardross.

Although reckless and apparently only concerned with dissipations and enjoying the high life of London, Viscount Dysart is more than someone who drinks too much and throws away his money. In fact, he is fiercely loyal and protective towards his sister, and well-informed and intelligent as regards matters of war. Cardross thinks, with good reason, that he should be a soldier rather than a rake about town. In fact, Dysart has been led into the rake's life by his father, and although he is obviously a daredevil and reckless, he is becoming so bored with it that he is joining rather low company in his quest for excitement.

Eastwell, Lady Maria, nee Thorne.

APRIL LADY

The pregnant wife of Sir Godfrey and daughter of Mrs Thorne. A cousin of Cardross and Lady Letitia Merion.

Eastwell, Sir Godfrey.

APRIL LADY

Husband to Lady Maria Thorne.

Fancot, Mr Cornelius. "Corny"

APRIL LADY

A close and devoted friend to Viscount Dysart.

Between them, Mr Cornelius Fancot and Dysart get up to a great deal of reckless capers and bets. They are typical roistering young Regency blades, responsible between them for a great deal of the capers which concern Dysart's sister, Lady Cardross, and scandalise the Earl of Cardross. Among their deeds include the putting to bed of a donkey alongside a complete stranger in an inn and pretending to be highwaymen.

Farley

APRIL LADY

The Cardrosses' butler.

Firebrand

APRIL LADY

A racehorse

George

APRIL LADY

One of the Cardrosses' footmen.

Hanger, Colonel George

APRIL LADY

Vice President of the Beggar's Club. (see Barrymore, Earl of.) A coarse-mannered eccentric, generally tolerated by Society but unattractive, elderly and no longer effectual.

Hardwick, Lord.

APRIL LADY

A mutual friend of the Cardrosses, the person to whom Mr Bottisham makes his complimentary remark about Lady Cardross and her sister in law.

"Hellgate"

APRIL LADY

A former Earl of Barrymore (deceased), brother to the Earl of Barrymore.

Hethersett, Mr Felix.

APRIL LADY

A cousin to the Earl of Cardross.

Felix Hethersett is in a way, the reluctant guardian angel of Lady Cardross. Although he disapproved when his cousin married her, he becomes enmeshed into her affairs. He jumps to the wrong conclusions but tries to keep them from Cardross, because he is loyal to his cousin and does not want to see Cardross destroyed by what seems to him to be going on. He almost causes more harm than good at times, although on the whole he means well.

Honoria, Aunt.

APRIL LADY

A formidable aunt of the Earl of Cardross and Lady Letitia Merion, she lives in Bath and makes both her nephew and niece nervous. Cardross threatens to send Letty to her if her behaviour doesn't improve.

Humby, Mr.

APRIL LADY

Fanny Thorne's betrothed.

Jeffery

APRIL LADY

The Earl of Cardross's coachman.

Jersey, Lady.

APRIL LADY

One of the Patronesses of Almacks.

Joe

APRIL LADY

Viscount Dysart's loyal groom.

Kemble, Charles.

APRIL LADY

An actor of the period.

Kent, Mr

APRIL LADY

The Earl of Cardross's man of business.

King, Mr. "Jew King". "Old Pope".

APRIL LADY

A moneylender in Clarges Street whom Lady Cardross almost visits.

Labourie, Augustus.

APRIL LADY

Employed at Watier's (see Mr. Watier) as head chef.

Lavalle, Madame.

APRIL LADY

Lady Cardross's dressmaker, who presses her for payment for a Chantilly-lace court dress, thus indirectly causing most of Lady Cardross's tribulations.

Lawrence

APRIL LADY

The famous portrait painter of the period, Thomas Lawrence. Cardross engages him to paint Lady Cardross's portrait, but he is indisposed at the time of the book.

Lieven, Countess.

APRIL LADY

One of the Patronesses of Almacks.

Lionel

APRIL LADY

A cousin to Dysart, in the Navy.

Lydney, Sir Jasper

APRIL LADY

A rake about town, one of the lesser admirers of Lady Letitia Merion, and the gentleman to whom Cardross's ex-mistress, Lady Orsett has transferred her attentions.

Marlow, Sir George

APRIL LADY

An acquaintance of the Cardrosses, probably one of Lady Letitia Merion's minor suitors.

Martha

APRIL LADY

The lady's maid to Lady Letitia Laleham, a silly woman who assists her mistress in her foolish schemes.

Mee, Mrs.

APRIL LADY

A minature painter to whom Fanny Thorne goes to have her likeness taken

Merion, Lady Letitia. "Letty"

APRIL LADY

Sister to the Earl of Cardross.

Comparable to The Beautiful Miss Wield of The Nonesuch, Letty has a large court of admirers and suitors. She is a rather egoistical, spoilt and selfish young beauty, but in her favour it must be said that she has remained loyal in loving Mr Jeremy Allandale. She is extravagant, somewhat unrealistic, and often tactless, but can behave very well under the right guidance which is provided by Lady Cardross. Her irresponsible behaviour may well tone down as she becomes older, as she is still very young, only 17 years old.

Milksop

APRIL LADY

A racehorse.

"Newgate"

APRIL LADY

A younger brother of the Earl of Barrymore, so called because he boasted of having been imprisoned in every gaol in the country.

Orsett, Lady

APRIL LADY

Until his marriage, the mistress of the Earl of Cardross, but now mistress of Sir Jasper Lydney, she and Cardross have remained on good terms.

Pevensey, Earl of.

APRIL LADY

The father of Lady Cardross, he has suffered a stroke and has retired to the country. It is from him that Dysart inherits his dissipative tendencies. Lady Cardross believes she married Cardross in return for his paying off her father's debts.

Pevensey, Countess of.

APRIL LADY

The mother of Lady Cardross, she is responsible for leading Nell to believe that her union to the Earl is a marriage of convenience rather than love.

Puttenham, Miss.

APRIL LADY

The mistress of a seminary for young ladies to which Mrs Thorne threatens to send Selina Thorne.

Roxwell, Lord.

APRIL LADY

The patron of Mr Jeremy Allandale.

Sefton, Lady.

APRIL LADY

Lady Cowper's friend, who accompanied her on their expediton to the Cardrosses' to find out how affairs stood.

Shotwick, Mr and Mrs.

APRIL LADY

The landlord and his wife of Mr Jeremy Allandale's lodgings.

Siddons, Sarah

APRIL LADY

A much-renowned and famous actress of the period

Smith, Mrs.

APRIL LADY

The false name fleetingly considered by Lady Cardross for visiting the moneylender's.

Somerby, Sir John.

APRIL LADY

A friend of the Earl of Cardross, whose presence prevents Lady Cardross's seeking her husband's assistance following Lady Letitia Merion's running away.

Stowe, Jerry.

APRIL LADY

One of Viscount Dysart's improper friends, he gives Dysart a tip for the horse races.

Sutton

APRIL LADY

The stately, somewhat formidable dresser of the Countess of Cardross.

Thistleton, Mr John.

APRIL LADY

The husband of Maria Thistleton, nee Thorne.

Thistleton, Maria

APRIL LADY

Husband of John Thorne, daughter of Mrs Thorne, sister to Selina and Fanny Thorne.

Thorne, Mrs.

APRIL LADY

Maternal aunt to the Earl of Cardross and Lady Letitia Merion, mother to Maria Thistleton and Selina and Fanny Thorne.

Thorne, Fanny.

APRIL LADY

Daughter of Mrs Thorne, expected to marry Mr Humby. She has her likeness taken at Mrs Mee's.

Thorne, Maria.

APRIL LADY

Daughter of Mrs Thorne. See Maria Thistleton.

Thorne, Selina.

APRIL LADY

Daughter of Mrs Thorne.

An engagingly silly young woman, a close friend of Lady Letitia Merion, Selina Thorne is much affected by the romantic novels they read, and believes that love in real life should be the same. She encourages Letty and Mr Allandale to elope because she thinks it the done romantic thing to elope against one's family's wishes, and tries to behave like a noble heroine from a novel when challenged by her mother.

Tilton, Mr.

APRIL LADY

The Cardrosses' dentist, Lady Cardross takes Lady Letitia Merion to him when she claims toothache.

Toddington, Mrs.

APRIL LADY

A figure of Society, renowned for her chestnut horses.

Tubbs, Mr.

APRIL LADY

A florist in King's Road, London, with whom Lady Cardross does business.

Tuxted, Reverend William.

APRIL LADY

The only clergyman that Selina Thorne knows.

Warren, Mr.

APRIL LADY

A fashionable perfumier, who sends Lady Cardross his bill for scent, white nail wax and Olympian Dew.

Watier, Mr.

APRIL LADY

One of the Prince Regent's cooks, who opened the first proper dining-club, which had degenerated into one of the most exclusive, fashionable and ruinous gaming clubs by the period of the novel.

Wellesley

APRIL LADY

The family name of the Duke of Wellington.

Wellington, Lord.

APRIL LADY

The Duke of Wellington.

Wenlock, Mother.

APRIL LADY

A friend of Lady Pevensey, she tries to invite Dysart to dinner at Brooks Street to meet her niece. Dysart's term for her does not say whether she has a title.

Westbury, Lady.

APRIL LADY

A Society figure who draped her ballroom with pink calico.

Wilby, Miss.

APRIL LADY

The retired governess of Lady Cardross.

Willy

APRIL LADY

Friend of Cornelius Fancot, mentioned in a throw-away drunken remark.

Wittgenstein, General.

APRIL LADY

Commander of the combined forces of Prussia and Russia, overcome by Napoleon.

Wittering, Mr.

APRIL LADY

A person with whom Viscount Dysart has an argument about warfare and battles.