A Damsel in Distress · Character

Reggie Byng

A good-natured young man hopelessly in love with someone else, yet relentlessly pushed by his mother to propose to Lady Maud.

supporting

Also known as Reginald, Mrs. Reginald Byng, old Reggie

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in A Damsel in Distress, Reggie Byng is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Explains to Lady Caroline that Maud is in love with another man; distracted by Alice Faraday's presence.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

Reggie Byng is Lady Caroline's stepson, a cheerful, muddled sportsman who has been groomed since childhood to marry Maud, though neither of them wants it. He is secretly smitten with another woman and confesses his relief to George Bevan the moment he learns Maud loves someone else. His amiable bungling and misplaced sheets make him a comic engine of the plot's misunderstandings and midnight escapades.

See Reggie Byng in I Book page

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Character Web

22 connections

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

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Main Cast & Household
Secondary & Comic Characters
Protagonist

+17 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the dramatic climax because George reaches the emotional and psychological peak of his despair, realiz…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

George Bevan
friendship · positive
George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his… How this plays out →
Lord Marshmoreton
social · ambivalent
Alice Faraday
romantic · positive
George Bevan
friendship · positive
George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his… How this plays out →
George Bevan
friendship · positive
George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his… How this plays out →
Lord Marshmoreton
social · ambivalent
Alice Faraday
romantic · positive
Alice Faraday
romantic · positive
Lord Marshmoreton
social · ambivalent

George Bevan
George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his romantic schemes.
Lord Marshmoreton
Lord Marshmoreton and Reggie Byng interact as acquaintances, with Reggie often seeking his approval or avoiding his wrath.
Alice Faraday
Alice Faraday and Reggie Byng are involved in a romantic subplot, with mutual affection and comedic misunderstandings.
George Bevan
George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his romantic schemes.
George Bevan
George and Reggie become friendly allies, with Reggie often assisting George in his romantic schemes.
Lord Marshmoreton
Lord Marshmoreton and Reggie Byng interact as acquaintances, with Reggie often seeking his approval or avoiding his wrath.
Alice Faraday
Alice Faraday and Reggie Byng are involved in a romantic subplot, with mutual affection and comedic misunderstandings.
Alice Faraday
Alice Faraday and Reggie Byng are involved in a romantic subplot, with mutual affection and comedic misunderstandings.
Lord Marshmoreton
Lord Marshmoreton and Reggie Byng interact as acquaintances, with Reggie often seeking his approval or avoiding his wrath.

Relationship notes

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

See Reggie Byng in I

In the story

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

I
Explains to Lady Caroline that Maud is in love with another man; distracted by Alice Faraday's presence.
Chapter VI
Brings Maud into the library and tries to lighten the mood.
Chapter X
Meets George on the golf course, reveals Maud's feelings for George, and confides his own love for Alice Faraday.
XI
Reggie is mentioned as the favorite in the sweepstake, drawn by Keggs.
Chapter XII
Nervous and tipsy, he mistakes George for the man he met earlier and struggles to propose to Alice Faraday.
XIII
Reggie's sheet is used for George's escape; he later mistakenly thinks his friend Jack Ferris played a practical joke.
XVII
Ignoring Albert's advice, he spends time with Alice Faraday, to Albert's disgust.
XVIII
Mentioned as the original sweepstake draw for Keggs before the swap with Albert.
XIX
Mentioned as one of the people who mistakenly told George that Maud loved him.
Reggie's Wedding Morning
Ecstatic and talkative, Reggie shares his wedding plans and the story of how he won Alice Faraday, including his drunkenness at the ball and the anonymous letters that guided him.
XXI
Newly married to Alice Faraday; discusses how to inform his stepmother, Lady Caroline Byng, about the marriage.
XXII
His elopement is the subject of dinner conversation, causing Albert pain.
XXIV
Mentioned as having sat on the stone seat and married Alice Faraday; George served as his best man.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Reggie Byng unlock in the free preview.

See Reggie Byng in I