A Bid for Fortune · Character

Lord Beckenham

A warm-hearted young nobleman whose solitary ramble through Sydney's botanical gardens draws a stranger to his side and a scheme around his name.

major

Also known as Mr. Wetherell, Marquis of Beckenham, Beckenham, Wetherell, The Marquis, Marquis, Presently Beckenham, the Marquis of Beckenham, Bidding Beckenham, Both Mr. Wetherell, The Marquis of Beckenham, the real Lord Beckenham, III Lord Beckenham

First appearance: part i i i determine to take a holiday sydney and what befell me there

As a major figure in A Bid for Fortune, Lord Beckenham is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Referenced as the young Marquis of Beckenham, whose tutor is Baxter; not directly appearing.

In the storyPrologueOpen this moment free

See Lord Beckenham in Prologue Book page

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He is delighted to find Hatteras aboard, eager to see everything, and utterly unprepared for the quiet men who study him from a distance. His long conversation with the shrewd, grey-haired stranger overlooking the harbour shows a mind that romanticizes ships, emigrants, and far-off fjords — exactly the openness a predator would cultivate. When his identity is later used as a weapon, the reader understands that his innocence was the point all along.

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The fuller portrait of Lord Beckenham sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lord Beckenham in part i i i determine to take a holiday sydney and what befell me there

Character Web

4 connections

A slice of how Lord Beckenham sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Nikola's network and victims
Protagonist
Diverse cast of characters

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt represents the dramatic climax because it reaches the emotional and psychological peak of the pri…

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Relationships

Unknown Narrator
friendship · positive
Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his… How this plays out →
Prendergast
friendship · positive
Sir William Hatteras
rivalry · negative
Unknown Narrator
friendship · positive
Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his… How this plays out →
Unknown Narrator
friendship · positive
Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his… How this plays out →
Prendergast
friendship · positive
Sir William Hatteras
rivalry · negative

Unknown Narrator
Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his endeavors.
Prendergast
Lord Beckenham and Prendergast are allies who cooperate to oppose Sir William Hatteras.
Sir William Hatteras
Lord Beckenham and Sir William Hatteras are social and political rivals.
Unknown Narrator
Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his endeavors.
Unknown Narrator
Lord Beckenham is a supportive ally and friend to the narrator, often aiding in his endeavors.
Prendergast
Lord Beckenham and Prendergast are allies who cooperate to oppose Sir William Hatteras.
Sir William Hatteras
Lord Beckenham and Sir William Hatteras are social and political rivals.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lord Beckenham in part i i i determine to take a holiday sydney and what befell me there

In the story

Lord Beckenham appears across 13 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Prologue
Referenced as the young Marquis of Beckenham, whose tutor is Baxter; not directly appearing.
IV: I Save an Important Life
The young bather rescued by Hatteras; identified as the Marquis of Beckenham, grateful and aristocratic.
V: Mystery
The young Marquis, eager to hear about Australia and grateful for Hatteras's friendship.
I Meet Dr. Nikola Again
Young marquis who writes to Hatteras about his travel plans to Australia and New Zealand.
VII: Port Said, and What Befell Us There
Young marquis traveling with Baxter; suffers severe seasickness for days, recovers at Port Said, and shows naive generosity by giving half a sovereign to a beggar.
Our Imprisonment and Attempt at Escape
The Marquis of Beckenham is also imprisoned and chained, showing patience and pluck throughout the ordeal.
Dr. Nikola Permits Us a Free Passage
Accompanies Hatteras in searching for the house and is present during the confrontation with Dr. Nikola.
I: We Reach Australia, and the Result
Beckenham is haunted by Nikola during the voyage and later is revealed to be an impostor; the real Beckenham is missing.
II: On the Trail
Referred to as Mr. Wetherell; distraught over his daughter's disappearance, cooperates with Hatteras and the police.
Lord Beckenham's Story
Narrates his abduction and mesmerism by Dr. Nikola.
Following Up a Clue
Beckenham is present at Potts Point and participates in the preparations for the yacht voyage.
V: The Islands and What We Found There
Referred to as Mr. Wetherell; he tells the story of his past encounter with Dr. Nikola and China Pete.
Conclusion
Present during the voyage home; the false marquis is mentioned in Phyllis's story.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lord Beckenham unlock in the free preview.

See Lord Beckenham in part i i i determine to take a holiday sydney and what befell me there

See Lord Beckenham in Prologue