# Luke Marks — Lady Audley’s Secret character guide

> Luke Marks in Lady Audley’s Secret by M. E. Braddon.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Luke, Mr. Luke Marks, Mr. Marks

**First appearance:** 0013-xiv-phoebe-s-suitor

## Snapshot

A coarse, cunning innkeeper who hoards a secret like a weapon, savoring the power it gives him over a woman he resents.

## Who they are

Luke Marks keeps the Castle Inn and keeps something else besides: a piece of knowledge he has turned into leverage, doling out punishment for every slight he believes he has suffered. Married to Phoebe, he is a man of grudges and appetites, and his bedside confession to Robert Audley reveals a secret he swore he would carry to the grave. His bitterness and his greed make him a dangerous thread in the tangle Robert must unravel.

## Relationships

### [Phoebe Marks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/phoebe_marks)

_family_

Luke is Phoebe's husband, a brutish and greedy man who exploits her connection to Lady Audley for blackmail.

### [Robert Audley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/robert_audley)

_rivalry_

Luke is a hostile witness and minor antagonist who tries to obstruct Robert's investigation for personal gain.

### [Phoebe Marks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/phoebe_marks)

_family_

Luke is Phoebe's husband, a brutish and greedy man who exploits her connection to Lady Audley for blackmail.

### [Phoebe Marks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/phoebe_marks)

_family_

Luke is Phoebe's husband, a brutish and greedy man who exploits her connection to Lady Audley for blackmail.

### [Robert Audley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/robert_audley)

_rivalry_

Luke is a hostile witness and minor antagonist who tries to obstruct Robert's investigation for personal gain.

### [Robert Audley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/robert_audley)

_rivalry_

Luke is a hostile witness and minor antagonist who tries to obstruct Robert's investigation for personal gain.

## In the story

### [III: Hidden Relics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/iii-hidden-relics)

Phoebe's cousin, a coarse and envious countryman who covets the jewels.

### [XIV: Phoebe's Suitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xiv-phoebe-s-suitor)

Phoebe's violent cousin and suitor, who secured a position as undergroom at Audley Court through Lady Audley's influence.

### [XV: On the Watch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xv-on-the-watch)

Marries Phoebe, becomes landlord of the Castle Inn at Mount Stanning, purchased with Lady Audley's money.

### [At the Castle Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xvii-at-the-castle-inn)

Complains about Mount Stanning and argues with Phoebe about the brew-house door.

### [XXXI: Phoebe's Petition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxxi-phoebe-s-petition)

Mentioned as the abusive husband who forces Phoebe to petition Lady Audley for money.

### [XXXII: The Red Light in the Sky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxxii-the-red-light-in-the-sky)

Mentioned as being at the Castle Inn, likely drunk and in danger from the fire.

### [Ghost-Haunted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxxviii-ghost-haunted)

Luke is dying from injuries sustained in the fire at the Castle Inn and has expressed a strong desire to see Robert before he dies.

### [XXXIX: That Which the Dying Man Had to Tell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/chapters/xxxix-that-which-the-dying-man-had-to-tell)

On his deathbed, confesses to finding George Talboys alive on September 7th, hiding the letters he wrote, and using the secret to control Lady Audley.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters/luke_marks
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lady_audley_s_secret_se/characters