Cavendon Hall. Barbara Bradford Taylor

       CHARACTERS

      ABOVE THE STAIRS

      THE INGHAMS IN 1913

      Charles Ingham, 6th Earl of Mowbray, aged 44. Owner and custodian of Cavendon Hall. Referred to as Lord Mowbray.

      Felicity Ingham, his wife, the Countess of Mowbray, aged 43. An heiress in her own right through her late father, an industrialist. Addressed as Lady Mowbray.

      THEIR CHILDREN

      Guy Ingham, the heir to the earldom, aged 22. Attending Oxford University. He has the title of the Honourable Guy Ingham.

      Miles Ingham, the second son, aged 14, attending Eton College. He is known as the Honourable Miles Ingham.

      Lady Diedre Ingham, eldest daughter, aged 20, living at home.

      Lady Daphne Ingham, second daughter, aged 17, living at home.

      Lady DeLacy Ingham, third daughter, aged 12, living at home.

      Lady Dulcie Ingham, fourth daughter, aged 5, the baby of the family, in care of the nanny.

      The four girls are referred to affectionately as the four Dees by the staff.

      OTHER INGHAMS

      Lady Lavinia Ingham Lawson, married sister of the Earl, aged 40. She lives at Skelldale House, on the estate, when in Yorkshire. She is mostly in London. She is married to John Edward Lawson, known as Jack. He is a business tycoon.

      Lady Vanessa Ingham, the spinster sister of the Earl, aged 34, who has her own private suite of rooms at Cavendon, which she uses when in Yorkshire. She spends most of her time in London.

      Lady Gwendolyn Ingham Baildon, the widowed aunt of the Earl, aged 72, who resides at Little Skell Manor on the estate. She was married to the late Paul Baildon.

      The Honourable Hugo Ingham Stanton, first cousin of the Earl, aged 32. He is the nephew of Lady Gwendolyn, the sister of his late mother, Lady Evelyne Ingham Stanton. He has been living abroad for years. His father was the late Ian Stanton, a racehorse breeder and owner.

      BETWEEN STAIRS

      THE SECOND FAMILY: THE SWANNS

      The Swann family has been in service to the Ingham family for over one hundred and sixty years. Consequently, their lives have been intertwined in many different ways. Generations of Swanns have lived in Little Skell village, adjoining Cavendon Park, and still do. The present-day Swanns are as devoted and loyal to the Inghams as their forebears were, and would defend any member of the family with their lives. The Inghams trust them implicitly, and vice versa.

      THE SWANNS IN 1913

      Walter Swann, valet to the Earl, aged 35. Head of the Swann family.

      Alice Swann, his wife, aged 32. A clever seamstress who takes care of the Countess’s clothes and makes outfits and frocks for the daughters.

      Harry, son, aged 15. An apprentice landscape gardener at Cavendon Hall.

      Cecily, daughter, aged 12, who is allowed to attend lessons at Cavendon Hall with DeLacy.

      OTHER SWANNS

      Percy, younger brother of Walter, aged 32. Head gamekeeper at Cavendon.

      Edna, wife of Percy, aged 33. Does occasional work at Cavendon.

      Joe, their son, aged 12. Works at Cavendon as a junior woodsman.

      Bill, first cousin of Walter, aged 27. Head landscape gardener at Cavendon. He is unmarried.

      Ted, first cousin of Walter, aged 38. Head of interior maintenance and carpentry at Cavendon. Widowed.

      Paul, son of Ted, aged 14, apprenticed to his father as a designer.

      Eric, brother of Ted, first cousin of Walter, aged 33. Butler at the London house of Lord Mowbray. Single.

      Laura,