The Characters
Captain Elliot
Captain Elliot captained the boat on which Christopher and Lydia were married. He acted as
Christopher's best man and threw the couple a ball when it was discovered that he and Lydia were distantly related.
He is tall and "dashing," in his mid-thirties.
Eleanor Elliot
Eleanor is the mother of Philip and Lydia. She was disappointed when her
daughter eloped, but quickly started planning the second ceremony and eagerly awaited the trip to Liberty Creek. She is the
godmother to all of Charles' children, and all of John
Henry's except Grace, who was born after they moved from England. Called Aunt Ellie by her godchildren, Eleanor loves them
all. She loves art, music, drama, and literature. She is of average height with a remarkable figure for her age. Her blond hair is
lightening and her blue eyes require glasses, but she still appears quite stately, though she remains humble. Her features are quite soft.
She and Mary are good friends. Eleanor and Phil remained in Liberty Creek after the
England Marshalls left to await the birth of Lydia's first child, but eventually returned to England.
Laura Aimes
Laura Aimes was a young married woman whom Lydia met on the ship prior to her wedding. The two
became fast friends. Laura lent Lydia her wedding gown. Laura has a young son named Billy. She is a few years older than Lydia.
Leroy Buckley
Leroy Buckley was the man who coerced Georgie into his New York brothel and put her to work as a
prostitute. He also kidnapped Tess and planned to put her to work, but she and Georgie escaped before
anything happened. He searched for them and finally found Georgie in San Francisco. From their he discovered Tess's whereabouts
and went to Liberty Creek under the name of Jed Smith. He was quite average in appearance with no distinguishing features. He was
average, bordering tall in stature, and lean. He had brown hair and eyes. He kidnapped Georgie once upon her arrival in Liberty Creek,
but was shot and wounded by Grace before escaping. He attempted to kidnap her once again at Tess's wedding,
but was stopped by a shot from Stuart. Georgie then killed him with several painful shots.
Philip Elliot II
Philip Elliot is the best friend of brothers John Henry and Charles Marshall and is godfather to all but one of their children. Philip is very ambitious and had
hopes of marrying Lydia to a titled gentleman. He was shocked to his senses when Lydia eloped and was
apologetic rather than angry. He is generally a good, loving man. He is tall with dark hair, striking blue eyes, and defined features.
Delie
Delie is Lydia's maid. She came west from England with Lydia and acted as her maid of honor. She is close
to Lydia's age and the two are friends.
Edward Eaton, Viscount Waverley
Edward married Maggie, first born daughter of the Duke of
Stancliff. He is tall, slender, and aristocratic in appearance. He is thoroughly entranced by is wife and she holds him in the palm of her
hand. Edward is the heir to the earldom of Seabrook, a seaside estate in the English Lake Country not far from Stancliff Manor. He
and Maggie have one son, Peter.
Elsa Haas
The daughter of the Liberty Creek's postman, Elsa obtained the position as housekeeper in Will and
Marietta's new home.
Mr. Haas
Mr. Haas is Liberty Creek's postman and telegraph operator. He has several children, the oldest of which is
Elsa.
Mr. Patton
Mr. Patton is the butler at Belleterre. Imported from England, he is very stuffy. He rarely smiles, but is partial to
Grace. John Henry's children think him to be drunk, but he is
really only senile.
Flora Campbell Marshall
Flora Campbell, a patriotic Scotswoman, was a respected maid at Belleterre in charge of the upstairs. She is short and hot-tempered
with wild, flaming red hair. She fell in love with Richard Marshall, but refused to marry him if
it meant she would some day be forced to be an English duchess. As a result, Richard agreed to give up his inheritance. Flora,
widowed, had one son from a previous marriage. James, or Jamie, was four when his own father died and eight when his
mother remarried.
Reverend Harris
Reverend Harris is the general Man of the Lord in Liberty Creek. He will perform ceremonies for most if not all Protestant religions.
Dr. Angel "Jack" Jackson
A dashing young doctor, Jack was born in Philadelphia the oldest child of Lazarus and
Danielle Carrol's youngest child, their second daughter. He has two married sisters, one sister attending college,
and two professional bachelor brothers, a banker and a lawyer. Jack is tall with overgrown brown hair and blue-grey eyes like his
grandmother's. After four years of medical school, two years of training in a hospital, and three years of practice with a doctor, Jack is
ready to fulfill his dream of working his own practice in a small town. The name "Angel" was his mother's idea, and he hasn't been
called that since he started school. His father dubbed him "Jack," a nickname he'd always had. Jack's grandmother Danielle insists
upon calling him Angel, though most assume it's an endearment. He has taken over the office of Liberty Creek's old doctor, but lives
with his grandparents since the upstairs apartment is still occupied by the previous doctor's widow. He has taken a liking to Madison Taylor and helped her ex-fiancé came after her again.
Jack eventually proposed to Madison and she accepted, but she later broke of the engagement just prior to their engagement party
(where it would have been announced to everyone) in favor of following Robert to Boston.
Very soon after Jack began pursuing a relationship with Carey, but was forced (literally) to step aside when
Scotty came after her.
Jonathan Rutherford
Jonathan is the ex-fiancé of Madison Taylor. He is the second son of a prominent New York family.
Being that he has come from a wealthy home, he is accustomed to getting whatever he wants, no matter what the cost may be. His
break-up with Madison was not pleasant, and he will not accept the fact that the relationship they once had is now over. Jonathan is
tall and well-built with sandy blond hair and piercing green eyes. Jonathan used his connections with New York detectives to track
Madison to Liberty Creek. He then tried to attack her, but was prevented from doing so by Dr. Jackson. Madison testified against him,
but with his father's connections and a crooked judge he was easily cleared of all charges she held against him. He returned to his
home in New York, but his presence in Madison's life has been sensed several times since. Jonathan was found dead in Lake Liberty
and it was first thought that Madison killed him, but later decided that he fell and hit his head in a drunken stupor.
Reverend Francis "Frank" Pritchett
Frank lives in the cozy community of Marshton in the Lake District of England, introduced into the store as a childhood friend of Carey. The oldest of five children, Frank decided at age sixteen that he would enter the church and take the
"living" owned by his family in the Marshton parish. His father died shortly after his youngest sibling was born, but his mother is still
the head of his household even though he inherited the estate when he turned twenty-one. His sisters–Harriet, Margery, and
Gertrude–have all married and moved away. Frank is quietly pious and not at all "fire and brimstone." His engagement to Miss Alberta "Allie" Johnston was broken when Belinda Marshall managed to
seduce him. Frank did the honorable thing and married her before moving them both to India where he took a post as an army
chaplain. His brother, Johnny, is Carey's best friend. He is of average height and build with light brown hair
and brown eyes.
John "Johnny" Pritchett
The younger brother of Frank, Johnny has never felt like the "spare." He takes care of the business aspect of
the Pritchett estate and also has literary aspirations. He and Carey are "of an age" and consider themselves
best friends. He and his mother leave each year to spend the Season in London. Johnny is much taller than his brother with a lighter
build, as well. His hair is dark blond, but he and Frank are all but identical in every other respect. Johnny travelled with Scotty to Liberty Creek after convincing him that he and Carey were meant for each other. Johnny has more
recently begun pursuing Alicia.
Edwin Graham
A minor character, Edwin is the eldest of Carey's five male friends in Marshton. He is dull and shy,
prefering the life of local politics to anything considered "society." He is a country squire and the local justice of the peace, living
alone on his family's estate. He is tall and slender, appears older than his years, has neatly cut and slicked down hair, and sports a
mustache.
Paul Moody
The youngest of Carey's five male friends in Marshton, Paul seems to be an "old soul." He has inherited his
father's estate and cares for his often sickly mother. He is understanding and has the best shoulder of the five on which to cry. He has
completed his years at Cambridge and is unsure of what to do next. He is level-headed, patient, and takes everything he encounters in
stride. Paul is the same height as Frank, but has a slimmer build. He has blond hair, blue eyes, and a warm-hearted
smile. Paul fell in love with Grace Marshall when she visited England, but put a stop to the relationship
when he discovered she was just fifteen. He told Grace it was because he felt he was too young, and the two plan to continue to write
letters. Grace found herself falling in love with another soon after she returned home, though, and Paul was told.
Alberta "Allie" Johnston
Allie, another resident of the Marshton parish, was engaged to Frank Pritchett, but had it broken when rumors
flew that he had slept with Belinda Marshall and he did the honorable thing. She went a little crazy after
this and was sent to a sanitorium in American. Allie's father, Sir Roger Johnston, a Liberal MP in the House of Commons, is a
baronet. Allie is of medium height has light brown hair, brown eyes, and a spattering of freckles.
Sheriff Gowan
Sheriff Gowan is occasionally called to Liberty Creek when problems arise. He was called when
Georgie killed Leroy, but chose not to arrest her. He was also called when Jonathan attacked Madison, choosing to arrest Jonathan.
Mr. Howell
Mr. Howell owns Liberty Creek's only general store. He often plays checkers inside by his window with other men from town. He
helped subdue Jonathan when he tried to attack Madison.
Mr. Schumacher
Mr. Schumacher disturbed Georgie and Gabe during their first night together.
His wife was having a baby and required serious medical attention. The baby was named George Randall Hewitt Schumacher. Mr. S
also helped subdue Jonathan when he tried to attack Madison.
Cole Branden
Born Cole Alexander Taylor in November 1853, Cole Branden is the estranged brother of Madison Taylor. His
parents were forced to send him away to a boarding school when he was eight years old after he was labeled a "problem" by his nanny. He later
changed his last name to keep from hurting his family's good name with his dirty dealings. Cole received a letter from his father shortly before the
time of his death. In the letter, his father asked him to make sure Madison was taken care of. He eventually tracked his sister to Boise, following the
news of Jonathan Rutherford's impending trial. Cole killed Jonathan after his release, but the death was ruled a drunken
accident. Cole is tall and muscular, with dark hair and eyes. Cole returned to Liberty Creek when Madison went to Paris, where he was found by his
wife, Isabela, who was presumed dead in a fire five years before. She told Cole they had a son, Jacob, but
Isabella killed herself—leaving only a note saying she had put their son up for adoption in the east and did not know where he was. Meanwhile, Julia Marshall had become infatuated with him. After discovering the truth about his son, Cole drunk himself
unconscious. Julia found him that way and intended only to steal a kiss, but he began making love to her in a semi-conscious state as he dreamed of
an encounter with his wife. He was left unsure of what happened, an soon after left town. Julia was left pregnant.
Greta Faust
Greta Faust was born in 1838, the daughter of German Quakers who had immigrated to the States. She was married at the age of
twenty-two to a banker’s son, Gregory Windham. When her husband died of tuberculosis in 1866, Greta reclaimed her maiden name
in an attempt to be rid of anything to remind her of her grief. Greta is a woman of good height, with a slightly plump figure and a
warm smile. Her soft brown eyes match her subtly greying hair. She has a son, David Windham, who was born in
1867, just seven months after the death of his father. Greta decided to have him retain his father's surname. David has red hair and
brown eyes, and is very active despite his having asthma.
Emily Stowbridge
Emily Stowbridge has been Madison Taylor's best friend since childhood. Emily's parents were
slaves on a cotton plantation in Georgia, but were able to escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad with the help of
Senator Joseph Taylor. Emily was born free on July 4, 1853. She married another first generation freeman, Thomas Stowbridge,
in 1874. The two have an infant daughter, Marie Elizabeth, whom they named after Madison's deceased mother. Emily and her
family live at the Taylor Estate.
Mrs. Anders
Mrs. Anders is the cook at Belleterre. Near forgotten for a year, she was a confidant for Nick
Marshall when he first contemplated proposing to Tess. She has worked at Belleterre since the
family moved in. Nick was sweet on Mrs. Anders' daughter, Rilla, when he was 15 and she 18. Mr.
Anders is dead. Mrs. Anders took care of her two granddaughters when Rilla was exposed and sent away.
Rilla Schmidt
Rilla, the daughter of Belleterre's cook, Mrs. Anders, spent her childhood with the Marshall children. She became enamored with Will Marshall, but it was Nick who paid her all the attention. Rilla, having gotten the knowledge
from her father, taught Nick about the different varieties of mushrooms and the two collected them together for her mother. When he was fifteen and she eighteen,
Nick found Rilla spying on Will while he was bathing in the creek. Rather than expose her, he joined his brother. That same summer, 1867, Rilla married Markus
Schmidt from the neighboring town of Smithson and went with him when he obtained work in his uncle's brewery in Columbus, Ohio. Hildy
came along that December, Ada in February 1871, and Konrad in March 1874. Rilla lived with Markus and the children in
Columbus until the summer of 1876 when she returned home for a visit, telling everyone she'd left the baby with Markus. After a while, she was forced to change
her story and she tearfully admitted that Markus had left her and the girls and took the baby with him. She continued flirtations with Will until Marietta scared her off, afterward turning her attentions to Nick. She became obsessed, and convinced Tess
to go on a walk during her final month of pregnancy. Tess was in labor and Rilla left her to die in the cabin by the hot springs. It was discovered that, not only did
Rilla abuse Hildy, but she also smothered Konrad and convinced Markus that he had killed him. Nick found Tess in time and Rilla was sent away.
Peter Carlson
Peter Carlson is one of Gabe's oldest friends and was one of Georgie's most frequent clients.
On a business trip in San Francisco, he happened upon Georgie at her dress shop and then paid Gabe a visit after their baby was born. He threatened to
expose Georgie if she wouldn't sleep with him again, promising to return to San Francisco after she'd had time to recover from the
birth. He became sick, though, and his return was delayed. Georgie wrote him a letter refusing to sleep with him, but his wife,
Roberta, was in charge of his mail and discovered it. She threatened to leave with their twin daughters, Polly and Peg, and have her
father financially ruin him.
Wesley Knowlton
Wesley Knowlton is a business who arrived in Liberty Creek as the representative of the mysterious Oliver Winfield. He has taken charge of building a health
resort, tentatively called the Liberty Spring Health Resort, across the lake from Nick and Tess's home. His son, Alex, has
recently arrived to work with him.
Alexander Knowlton
Alexander Knowlton, son of businessman Wesley Knowlton, has recently arrived in Liberty Creek to work with his father.
He has a dangerous, angry demeanor. He has met Alicia and taken a liking to her.
Lise Anne de Gironde
Lise Anne is the teenaged daughter of Elizabeth's younger brother Samuel. On the death of her father, she was
accompanied to Liberty Creek by Eugénie, Marietta's mother and Elizabeth's best friend.
Antoine
Antoine came to Liberty Creek as the hired companion of Eugénie Arneau. He seems to have an agenda, a mission his
mother sent him on before he died.
Gustavo Alvarado
Gustavo arrived in Liberty Creek looking for Stuart MacKenzie, whom he claimed to be a distant relative. He
was led to Nick, who agreed to help him find her when Gustavo finally admitted that he knew Stuart's
true identity as Mary MacKenzie. When the two found her in Arizona, Stuart revealed that Gustavo was her brother-in-law.
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