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Main Characters
(As at the beginning of book one)
Notes here include information on the book's blurb.
Mrs. Helena Andrews
(née Billings - he-LAY-nah)
A young woman of 25 years whose husband (Captain Andrews) died in France before their child was born. She left her parents’ house in Norfolk to live with her Grandfather at Redway Acres. Helena inherited her Grandfather’s red hair and green eyes. She loves horses and has a special way or affinity with them. She is an exceptional rider.
Colonel Nathaniel Ackley
(aka Colonel, the colonel or Ackers)
A 30-year-old colonel in the army. He is the second son of the Earl and Countess of Aysthill (referred to as Lord and Lady Aysthill pronounced AYE-still). He will not inherit the Earldom. He is friends with Alexander Harker of Eastease, Robert Davenport and Lieutenant Mark Wyndham (his second cousin) who we learn died in battle. The colonel and Mr. Harker are the guardians of Mark’s twin stepdaughters, Maria and Harriet. Their father was Ernest Eldridge (the colonel’s first cousin). This means that the girls are also the colonel’s cousins.
Mr. Alexander Harker
(aka Harker or Xander)
A 29-year-old man who owns the large estate of Eastease. Both of his parents are dead. He is recently married to Genevieve, and is guardian, with Colonel Ackley, to Maria and Harriet Wyndham. Lieutenant Mark Wyndham's identical twin stepdaughters.
Mrs. Genevieve Harker
(née Hopwood - aka Gennie, pronounced Jenny)
A 23-year-old woman recently married to Alexander. She has two sisters (Martha and Amelia) and lived in Wenster in Cambridgeshire with her sisters and her parents, before her marriage.
Miss Harriet Wyndham
(Pronounced HA-ree-eht win-DHUM, aka Harry)
Is the twin sister of Maria. She is 17 years old. Their natural parents and stepfather (Lieutenant Mark Wyndham) are all dead and they are wards of Mr. Harker and Colonel Ackley (their cousin). Harriet lives at Eastease. Her sister, Maria, is married and moved away.
Miss Isabella Andrews
(aka Issie)
The four year old daughter of Helena. She has red curly hair and green eyes. She likes to make up stories and enjoys riding her pony, Elpis.
Supporting Characters
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John and Ruth Robertson
They are married and have two children called Jacky and Molly. They worked for Helena’s parents but travelled with her from Norfolk to become the stable manager and housekeeper of Redway. They both think of Helena as ‘their girl’, as they have been through a lot with her. John is known as a knowledgeable ‘horse man’
Mrs. Hopkins
The Eastease housekeeper who has known Mr. Harker and the colonel most of their lives.
Other Ackleys
David Ackley (Lord Aysthill) Nathaniel’s father; Emmalee Ackley (Lady Aysthill) Nathaniel’s mother; Viscount William Ackley, Nathaniel’s older brother; Viscountess Phoebe Ackley, Nathaniel’s sister-in-law.
Mr. and Mrs. Ridgefield
Genevieve Harker’s Aunt and Uncle who live in London. Mrs. Mirium Ridgefield is sister to Gennie's mother. Mr. Arthur Ridgefield’s family comes from the Northeast of England. They have several children
Mr. Brooks
The local clergyman. A young man of 25 years who is eager to find a wife.
Old Joe
An old widower and friend of George Stockton, who lives in the ramshackle cottage off the North Road on the opposite side to Eastease. Joe is originally from Norfolk and has a thick Norfolk accent.
Dom Shipton
A stable man at Redway Acres who works well with wood. Dom is from the Northeast of England and has worked for and been friends with George Stockton for many years.
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Perseus - Helena's stallion and preferred horse to ride.
Missy - Helena's mare.
Thor - Nathaniel's stallion.
Hudson - Harriet's stallion.
Main Characters
(As at the beginning of book two)
Notes here include information on the book's blurb.
SPOILERS if book one is not read first
Miss Maria Wyndham
(ma-RYE-ah win-DHUM)
Identical twin sister of Harriet. Born on April Fools Day to Ernest and Eliza Eldridge. Her father dies shortly after she is born and her mother marries Lieutenant Mark Wyndham a year later.
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Miss Harriet Wyndham
Identical twin sister of Maria.
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Mrs. Eliza Eldridge
(née Marsham, later Mrs. Wyndham)
Mother to the twins. Married to Ernest.
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Mr. Ernest Eldridge
Ernest's mother was Lady Fiona, half-sister to Lord Aystill (Nathaniel Ackley's father). Therefore, he and Colonel Nathaniel Ackley were first cousins. Both Ernest's parents had died.
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Lieutenant Mark Wyndham
(FYI - In the UK Lieutenant is pronounced Leftenant, although it is spelt the same way)
Mark Wyndham and Nathaniel Ackley share a great-grandfather (a previous Earl of Aysthill) and are, therefore, second cousins. Mark's older brother, Phillip, inherited the family estate in Bath, Somerset and Mark joined the Royal Navy.
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Nathaniel Ackley
(aka Ackers)
Second son of the Earl and Countess of Aysthill (referred to as Lord and Lady Aysthill - pronounced AYE-still). He is friends with Alexander Harker of Eastease, Robert Davenport and Lieutenant Mark Wyndham (his second cousin). He and Mr. Harker are the guardians of Mark’s twin stepdaughters, Maria and Harriet. As Mark and Ernest are both Nathaniel's cousins, this means that the girls are also Nathaniel's cousins (once removed).
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Mr. Alexander Harker
(aka Harker or Xander)
Owns the large estate of Eastease near Grantham (Gran-THUM) in Lincolnshire (Lin-CON-sheer). Both of his parents are dead. He is guardian with Nathaniel Ackley to Maria and Harriet Wyndham. Mark Wyndham's twin stepdaughters.
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Mr. Robert Davenport
Friends with Mark, Nathaniel and Alexander. Robert's family home is a manor house opposite Redway on the North Road of Eastcambe (pronounced eas-CUM). His mother is dead and his father lives there alone. Robert lives in London.
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The Hopwood Family
(Mr. Jacob Hopwood, Mrs. Miranda Hopwood and three daughters Genevieve, Martha and Amelia)
The Hopwoods live at Thornbane Lodge in Wenster, Cambridgeshire (CAME-bridge-SHEER). The property has seen better days, but the family does not have the means for its upkeep. Alexander Harker met the family through his friend, Mr. Samuel Woodhead, and invited them to stay at Eastease for a while and to enjoy the twins' 16th birthday ball.
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Mrs. Helena Ackley
(née Billings, previously Mrs. Andrews - he-LAY-nah)
Married to Colonel Nathaniel Ackley. Her family founded Redway Acres stable She loves horses and has a special way or affinity with them. She is an exceptional rider.
Supporting Characters
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John and Ruth Robertson
They are married and have two children called Jacky and Molly. They worked for Helena’s parents but travelled with her from Norfolk to become the stable manager and housekeeper of Redway. They both think of Helena as ‘their girl’, as they have been through a lot with her. John is known as a knowledgeable ‘horse man’
Mrs. Hopkins
The Eastease housekeeper who has known Mr. Harker and the colonel most of their lives.
Watkins
The Eastease butler
Other Ackleys
David Ackley (Lord Aysthill) Nathaniel’s father; Emmalee Ackley (Lady Aysthill) Nathaniel’s mother; Viscount William Ackley, Nathaniel’s older brother; Viscountess Phoebe Ackley, Nathaniel’s sister-in-law.
Davy Beckett Ackley, Isabella Ackley and Little Nate Ackley - the children of Helena and Nathaniel.
Mr. Brooks
The local clergyman. A young man who is eager to find a wife.
Mrs. Margaret Hubbard
Housekeeper to the Davenports.
Dom Shipton
A stable man at Redway Acres who works well with wood. Dom is from the Northeast of England and has worked for and been friends with George Stockton for many years.
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Persephone - Helena's mare and preferred horse to ride.
Missy - Helena's mare.
Perseus - Nathaniel's stallion.
Henry & Hudson - Harriet's & Maria's stallions
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