Chapter One (A Widow in Waiting)

Synopsis
Eleanor de Maine, the widowed Lady Farnton, receives a visit from Isabel de Maine, her sister-in-law, when Isabel and her parents come to Langley Hall. Sequestered with Annie in Eleanor's room, Isabel demands to be told the truth about her brother Alfred's death - and in doing so, forces Eleanor to divulge one of her greatest secrets.

Introduced

 * Eleanor de Maine, Lady Farnton
 * Lady Isabel de Maine
 * Mr. Andrew Langley
 * Annie Donovan

Mentioned by name

 * Robert de Maine, Marquis of Calverton
 * Sylvia, Marchioness of Calverton
 * Alfred de Maine, Lord Farnton
 * Grace Marlowe
 * John Marlowe
 * Edwin Marlowe
 * Anthea Marlowe
 * Kieran Massey
 * Nevan O'Grady

Mentioned indirectly

 * Lord Philip de Maine
 * Philip de Maine's wife and children
 * Becky (possibly)

Visited

 * Langley Hall
 * Eleanor's room

Mentioned

 * Miss Beasley's Seminary
 * London
 * Calverton
 * Glenscar

Chronology
August 1786 - Robert de Maine and his wife Sylvia, the Marquis and Marchioness of Calverton, arrive at Langley Hall in company with their eighteen-year-old daughter Isabel.