New characters introduced in this book

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

Will you help create character descriptions for the new characters in this book?

[Tanya, Moderator/Hostess]

Harriet.

Harriet is first mentioned in a conversation between Geoffrey Charles and Ross when they happen to meet in Portugal.

'Regarding your stepfather. You said he had not married again.'

'True. Has he?'

'No. But I received a letter from Demelza shortly before I left. In it she says that there is a rumor in the county that George is now - at last - taking an interest in another woman.'

'Mon dieu! Who is she?'

'Unfortunately I can't remember the name. It's no one I know. Harriet something. Lady Harriet something.'

'Ah,' said Geoffrey Charles significantly. 'That may explain a little.'

George first meets Lady Harriet Carter at a dinner party. Her physical appearance is described:

"She was dark - as night dark as Elizabeth had been day fair - and not pretty, but her face had the classic bone structure that George always admired. Her raven hair had a gloss like japan leather; she had remarkably fine eyes. She was dressed in that elegant good taste that he recognized as the hallmark of women like his first wife."

"Her voice was husky and she had an attractive laugh, which was almost all breath - low, indolent and sophisticated. You felt there wasn't much she didn't know about life - and didn't tolerate."

"She had been born Harriet Osborne and was a sister of the sixth Duke of Leeds. She was about twenty-nine and a widow.

Harriet's favorite pastime is hunting. She adores her horse and her dogs most of all. She quickly shows herself to be a witty and clever conversationalist, not afraid to bluntly state her mind. In some ways, she seems similar to Caroline. George is surprised to find himself curious about her.

[Wanda]

I love Harriet's character. How ironic that George Warleggan would marry her hoping to impress her and her family with his great wads of cash, only to find that she didn't care one whit for his money. Of course she's happy to spend it, but unlike poor milksop Elizabeth, who worried daily about what George must be thinking, Harriet has a mind and will of her own, and unafraid to use both of them.

[Pat]

Harriet is one of my favorite characters. I love her devotion to her dogs; and how they live in the house despite George's expectation that they would be relegated to the kennel; and she seems to at least try to be a good stepmother to Ursula and Valentine. Her relationship with Clowance and Stephen is interesting. Harriet is definitely similar to Caroline, but perhaps a bit more realistic and less sheltered (no slight to Caroline, who I've always liked).

[Joanne]

Harriet and Caroline also both have a soft spot for Ross, too - further infuriating George. I agree that Harriet knows how to handle George - much better than Elizabeth, or Ross. I love how she amuses herself by entertaining people George does not care for.

[Sonia]

I am glad I read the books so as to know who Harriet is. Here in USA we haven't got that far yet when Elizabeth dies in childbirth. We are up to Drake and Morwenna having to part. What a dreadful time Morwenna is in for having to marry that horrible character.

[Parker]

Really like Harriet. Love the fact that she stands up for herself as a matter of course (and not when pushed to it, like Elizabeth). Being an animal person myself, I also love her devotion to her dogs and horses.

[Stella]

Like all others who have posted here, I very much like Harriet and thoroughly enjoy reading and re-reading how she gets her own way with George. I find myself at times almost feeling sorry for George. Harriet is a real character and a good role model for women. She doesn't complain but just gets on with her life the way she wants to. haha!!