The Servant Duchess of Whitcomb

by Vicktor Alexander

  Orley was all but certain the whole of Tlondon was going to forget all about his servant Duchess of Whitcomb shortly. He just felt sorry for Yarborough and Madame Marie-Etienne Nitot. They were going to need all the help and support they could get.

  Scandalous Whispers of the

  Remmington Realm

  Cast of Major Characters

  The Gentry

  • Lady Lucien Timothy Hawthorn, Duchess of Pompinshire—The only male born to Annabelle and Rosemary Hawthorn. A bluestocking. Sneaks away to attend lectures and symposiums. Longs to be treated as an equal to the men of the world. Has a gorgeous singing voice. His marriage to Heathcliff Eddington, the Duke of Pompinshire, aka “The Duke” was the social event of 1814. At his very first countryhouse party, more than one scandal occurred that has made him a bit of a celebrity and someone most of the ton would gossip about in the ballrooms, sitting rooms, etc.… were they not so afraid of his husband, maldy, and the powerful friends Lucien has made.

  • Heathcliff Robert Eddington III, Duke of Pompinshire—He has a gruff and almost scary demeanor. He inherited his grandfather’s title and is in line to inherit his father’s as well. Has a military background. Has a secret romantic side.

  • Lady Eshe Eddington—Tafrican slave who at ten years old is released from the household of a noble’s home and let go in the East End. He is adopted by the Duke and Duchess of Pompinshire, which is extremely controversial. Heir to the dukedom, which is going to cause quite a scandal.

  • Lord Blaine Myerscough, Viscount of Yarborough—Known as the “fool” of his Eton chums, Lord Yarborough enjoys making people laugh. He also loves a game of billiards. Though his humor makes people think he is never serious, they could not be more wrong. He volunteers at and sponsors orphanages in the East End and within Tlondon.

  • Orley Garrick, Duke of Whitcomb—From the respected Whitcomb dukedom, Orley is a hero around Angland after being kidnapped and tortured for days and never giving up any military secrets or information. He is reserved and intense and walks with a limp from his injuries. He still suffers from nightmares but rides his horse, paints, duels, and exercises to ward them off. After years of silently suffering from nightmares and being one of the most sought-after gentlemen in Tlondon society, “The Double Duke,” as he is called,

  being the only man with two dukedoms—Whitcomb and Nants— finally met and eloped with Chester Boland, the Tafrican maid who used to work at Southerby Manor. In time he finds out that his kidnapping in Badajoz went a lot deeper, a lot higher, and a lot more personal than he could have ever expected.

  • Lord Quincy Davenport, Marquess of Galeon—He is a sweetheart who is extremely romantic. An extremely tall and very muscled man, most people are scared by his size without realizing Lord Galeon is a sweet man inside. He is a widower. His wife, Isadora, was believed to have died with his unborn son.

  • Ambrose Harrington, Duke of Norfolk—The richest and most respected, highest titled member of the ton. Second only to His Majesty. Extremely gorgeous and wildly intelligent. Has a rich, military background and a beautiful, if highly scandalous and controversial, love story with his husband Redden… a former slave and his former charge.

  • Redden Harrington, Duchess of Norfolk—Known as the most beautiful Tafrican male woman in all of Angland, Redden was a captured slave on his way to the Continent when he was purchased by Ambrose, educated, sponsored, and then married, all by the same man. While Lady Brighton tries to set the fashion in Angland, Redden does it effortlessly. He has a few secrets he keeps from polite society.

  • Lady Isadora Gennaro Benedetto, née Davenport, believed deceased Marchioness of Galeon—Raised by her grandfather King Ferdinand I, even though her father, King Ferdinand VII, had been told that her mother had miscarried. Lady Isadora was believed tragically killed while Lord Galeon served in His Majesty’s Navy.

  • Charles Woodhead, Conte of Piedmont—Father of Stephen Woodhead. Lost his first wife in childbirth, which made him an attentive but not completely loving father to his son, Stephen. Remarried Peter Hayhurst who is much younger than him and had more children whom he dotes on. At his husband’s insistence, he followed his son to Titaly. Purchased a title and soon became one of the most respected nobles in the area. Has a pleasing disposition and welcoming manner but also a connection to Quincy’s wife.

  • Peter Woodhead, Contessa of Piedmont—Fotmy of Stephen Woodhead. The second countess or contessa of Charles Woodhead, whose first wife died in childbirth. Only a few years older than his stepson, though he loves Stephen as if he were his own. Convinced his husband to follow their son to Titaly with their family. Very sweet

  and nurturing. Can handle a very large family and, while sweet, is also very fierce. Has no knowledge of his husband’s secondary life.

  • Stephen Woodhead, Visconte of Savoy—Old Eton chum of Orley Garrick, Duke of Whitcomb. Moved to Titaly when he was unable to purchase a commission to join His Majesty’s Navy. Feeling the pressure to marry a nice sweet Anglish lady or even a Titalian lady by his family, but he has someone else in mind….

  • Captain Jack Edmond—A former soldier of His Majesty’s Navy. Known for being gorgeous and an intemperate flirt. He lost the love of his life to death, someone he only refers to as “Yan” whom he has never gotten over. He has a Tscottish accent and looks a lot like a certain viscount related to Lady Lucien, who tends to avoid him whenever the two are in the same room.

  The Servants

  • Imogen—Butler of Southerby Manor. Married to Wilhelmina.

  • Wilhelmina—Housekeeper of Southerby Manor. A former Tafrican slave. Married to Imogen.

  • Chester—Female son of Imogen and Wilhelmina. Half-Tafrican, Half-Anglish. Used to work as a maid at Southerby Manor. After meeting Orley Garrick, the Duke of Whitcomb, Chester Boland eloped with the duke and became the duchess of two dukedoms. Chester has twelve brothers and sisters, most of whom are still servants at Southerby Manor, though his brother Ben has come with him under Orley’s employ. Chester gives birth to a premature son, Samson, after suffering an injury from Orley’s horse. Samson Garrick’s survival is a miracle and one Chester celebrates every day. He knows Samson will one day grow up to do something amazing. Perhaps he is right.

  • Thompson—One of Imogen and Wilhelmina’s sons. Heath’s groom who travels with him.

  • Dwight—Lead groom at Southerby Manor. Son of Imogen and Wilhelmina.

  • Katherine—Daughter of Imogen and Wilhelmina. Maid. Lover of scandals and gossip. Often writing things down.

  • Owen—One of the footmen of Southerby Manor. Is in love with one of the women of the gentry and is determined to pursue her despite Wilhelmina’s protests.

  • Ben—One of Imogen and Wilhelmina’s children. One of the servants at Southerby Manor, he joins the Duke of Whitcomb’s household when Chester elopes with the Duke.

  • Bena—One of Imogen and Wilhelmina’s children. One of the servants at Southerby Manor.

  • Robert—One of Imogen and Wilhelmina’s children. Married to Lucille. One of the servants at Southerby Manor.

  • Daven—One of Imogen and Wilhelmina’s sons. One of the servants at Southerby Manor. Known for carrying on illicit affairs with widows.

  • Maribelle—Daughter of Imogen and Wilhelmina. A servant at Southerby Manor.

  • Leonidus—Son of Imogen and Wilhelmina. The burliest of Heathcliff’s servants. Has a secret, scandalous past with Lady Octavius.

  • Janice—Youngest daughter of Imogen and Wilhelmina. A servant at Southerby Manor.

  • Margot—One of the maids at Southerby Manor. Is in love with Dwight, but is engaged to another man.

  • Lucille—Married to Robert. One of the maids at Southerby Manor. Manages to always find out the best gossip and all of the scandal happening both in Southerby and Tlondon and loves to share.

  • Melissa “Missy” Biddle—Tscottish lady’s maid hired by The Duke and Duchess of Whitcomb. A huge comfort and friend
to Chester.

  • Mr. Gareth Jones—The butler at Coventry Estates. The youngest butler hired, he has caught the eye of Captain Jack. He has a very big secret, and it is one that could have him arrested if discovered.

  Historical Figures

  • Nafoleon Bonafarte—A Tfrenchman set on total and complete world domination. A military and political leader, he rose to prominence during the stages of the Tfrench Revolution and was Emperor of the Tfrench. He is a thorn in the side of Angland, and Teurope is determined to see him stopped.

  • Sir William Shakespeare—An Anglish poet, playwright, and actor, Sir William Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Anglish language.

  • His Royal Highness, Prince Regent George IV—Made King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover following the death of his father, King George III, on 29 January 1820. He died ten years later. He served as Prince Regent from 1811 until his accession, because of his father’s final mental illness. His extravagant lifestyle contributed largely to the fashions of the Regency.

  • Princess Caroline Brunswick—Queen of the United Kingdom as the wife of King George IV from 29 January 1820 until she died in 1821. Between 1795 and 1820, she was the Princess of Wales. She is the descendant of the ruler of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel in Germany, her father, and her mother, Princess Augusta, the sister of George III. In 1794, she was engaged to her first-cousin and George III’s eldest son and heir, George, Prince of Wales. George and Caroline married the following year, and nine months later Caroline had a child, Princess Charlotte of Wales. Shortly after Charlotte’s birth, George and Caroline separated. By 1806, rumors that Caroline had taken lovers and had an illegitimate child led to an investigation into her private life. Could it be that one of her lovers was a certain Southerby servant?

  • Princess Edward—The fourth son of King George William Frederick, III. Princess Edward was the fotmy of Queen Victoria. Princess Edward was the first member of the royal family to live in the Colonies for more than a short visit and the first princess to enter the Tunited States after independence, which caused quite the scandal, indeed.

  • General Wellesley, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington—An Anglish soldier and statesman, native of Tireland. General Wellesley was the leading military and political figure of the 19th century. He led the allied forces to victory against the Tfrench at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813 during the Nafoleonic Wars. Following Nafoleon’s exile in 1814, he served as the ambassador to Tfrance and was granted a dukedom. His battle record is exemplary.

  • Don Jonne—An Anglish poet and cleric in the Church of Angland. He is considered the preeminent representative of the metaphysical poets. His works are strong, sensual, and include sonnets, love poems, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires, and sermons. But it is his sensual sonnets and love poems that often cause the most ruckus among the members of the beau monde. For while rakes use them to entice genteel young women away from their chaperones for a bit of illicit activity, quite often, the young women swoon, overcome from the salacious and shocking prose.

  • Sir E.T.A. Hoffman—Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann was a Tgerman Romantic author of fantasy and horror, a jurist, composer, music critic, draftsman, and caricaturist. He is most known for being the author of the novella The Nutcracker and the Mouse King on which the famous ballet The Nutcracker is based. Hoffmann’s stories were very influential during the 19th century, and he is one of the major authors of the Romantic movement.

  Cast of Minor Characters

  The Gentry

  • Lord Annabelle Hawthorn, Earl of Yorkshire—Lucien’s maldy. Served in the military. An upstanding man of great character, she is also very overprotective and scary when it comes to her children.

  • Lady Rosemary Hawthorn, Countess of Yorkshire—Wife of Annabelle Hawthorn, daughter of Rowena Nibley. Has Tspantish heritage that is a source of controversy among some of the ton. Lucien’s mother.

  • Douglas Robert Eddington, Duke of Cumbria—Heathcliff’s father.

  • Jane Eddington, Duchess of Cumbria—Wife of Douglas Eddington. Heathcliff’s mother.

  • Lord Mary Hawthorn, Viscount of Merseyside—Heir of the Yorkshire earldom. Lucien’s sister. Oldest daughter of Annabelle and Rosemary Hawthorn.

  • Lady George Hawthorn, Viscountess of Merseyside—Husband of Mary Hawthorn.

  • Lord Frances Hawthorn—Sister of Lucien Hawthorn, daughter of Annabelle and Rosemary.

  • Lady Sophie Hawthorn—Wife of Frances Hawthorn.

  • Lady Charlotte McCalfrey, Marchioness of Kent—Lucien’s sister. The only other girl born to Annabelle and Rosemary. Married to Rourke McCalfrey. Extremely close and protective of Lucien.

  • Lord Rourke McCalfrey, Marquess of Kent—A former Tscottish soldier and noble, he married Charlotte and is extremely protective of Lucien.

  • Lord Amelia Hawthorn—Sister of Lucien Hawthorn, daughter of Annabelle and Rosemary.

  • Lady Gabriella Hawthorn—Wife of Amelia Hawthorn.

  • Mr. Madison Kipling, heir to the Viscount of Cavendish—Lucien’s former crush. Has a scandalous and mysterious connection to the War of 1812, Orley’s kidnapping, Frederick Remmington, and many others.

  Lady Rowena Nibley, Baroness of Nibley—Lucien’s grandmother. An elegant woman of Tspantish ancestry. She is proud, strong, and intelligent with lofty goals and high ideals. She thinks Annabelle is quite beneath her daughter Rosemary and constantly questions her lord’s motives. It is a source of great contention.

  • Lord Martin Nibley, Baron of Nibley—Lucien’s grandfather and Rosemary’s father. A hard-nosed man who has very old-fashioned views of men and women. He feels as though private matters should be kept private, and women and children should be seen and not heard.

  • Arlington Remmington—Best friend of Mary Hawthorn and unofficial protector of Lucien Hawthorn, Arlington is now the sole proprietor of the Remmington Gentleman’s Club. Once his family was left destitute by his father’s philandering and gambling, Arlington took over the responsibility of raising his younger siblings.

  • Frederick Remmington—Arlington’s younger brother and Lord Madison’s friend.

  • Lady Fayette Harrington—The son of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk. Beautiful, but a hellion. Often finds himself in trouble and sneaking into places he has no business being.

  • Noel Marlowe, Duke of Brighton—A homely looking man who has a big secret and a scandalous tie to his sister-in-law, male spinster, Lady Eve.

  • Easter Marlowe, Duchess of Brighton—A very fashionable woman who believes that the higher the price, the better the quality. Has no problem spending all of her husband’s money to look good, even if he looks homely. Has a few very big scandalous secrets.

  • Lady Eve Cornock—The male spinster sister of Her Grace the Duchess of Brighton. Has a scandalous secret and a secret love that would cause extreme controversy among the ton.

  • Lady Ophelia Byron, Countess of Exeter—Judgmental and arrogant. She has no problem condemning someone to hell but then turning around and befriending them for social gain.

  • Lord George Byron, Earl of Exeter—Extremely conservative and pious. Looks down on lots of people. Thinks he is better than everyone due to his relationship with His Majesty.

  • Lady Gareth Jefferson, Viscountess of Oakley—The son of the Viscount of Oakley. Shy and gentle, Lady Gareth caused quite the stir when he married the wealthy Tamerican, but theirs is a beautiful love story that Lady Gareth has been slowly writing and publishing secretly under a different name.

  Lord John Jefferson, Viscount of Oakley—A wealthy Tamerican who married into the Oakley viscountry. Made his wealth in importing and exporting fabrics and gems.

  • Lord Thurman Folsom, Marquess of Nottingham—Known for his wicked sense of humor and for being a prankster. Thurman also has a horrible sense of style but is often the person who sets the fashion trends in Angland by bringing over
new styles from other countries.

  • Lady Lawrence Folsom, Marchioness of Nottingham—Classically beautiful and thin, despite being the fotmy (see definition below) of six children. Lady Lawrence appears at first glance to be a male woman of propriety and class. Being married to Thurman, that is not true. Lawrence is just as amusing as his husband.

  • Marie-Etienne Nitot—A beautiful male Tfrenchwoman. Known for being wildly exuberant and overly flamboyant, he crafted jewelry for Nafoleon and is now ostracized for having a shoppe in Angland. Makes the most beautiful jewelry in the country. Has a love of the game of billiards, enjoys laughing, and has a scandalous reputation.

  • Lord Richard Thorbishare—A dandy and the town gossip. He is invited to every party, but trusted by no one.

  • Lady Madeleine Sherwood, Viscountess of Addlebury—Former lover of Heathcliff’s. Wants to continue their liaison.

  • Lady Adelaide Pormonteau—Heathcliff’s governess. A kind, gentle, older woman with mysterious ties to Lord Quincy.

  • Mister Sydney Hayhurst—The accountant for the Duke of Pompinshire. Manages his holdings, books, and other financial affairs.

  • Mister Bertram Lansing—The lawyer for the Duke of Pompinshire. Handles any and all legal matters that may arise involving the Pompinshire estates, holdings, the duke, and his family. Handles wills, dowries, marriage contracts, etc.

  • Lord Vash—He is the most sought after member of the ton in Southerby but engages in illicit actions—with his wife’s approval and encouragement—with friends and family alike.

  • Lady Vash—A woman who persistently looks for a way to rise above her current station. No matter who she has to sleep with, befriend, or even… kill to do so.

  • Lord Emory Shropshire, Baron of Leeds—An utterly forgettable man, but for his considerable height and thin stature. He has been known to step into a room and out of it and not be noticed. And yet, with his every attendance, scandal seems to follow. This may be coincidence. And yet coincidences do not exist, do they?