# Aileen Peavey — Leave It to Psmith character guide > Aileen Peavey in Leave It to Psmith by P. G. Wodehouse. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Miss Aileen Peavey, Miss Peavey, Aileen, Fancy Miss Peavey **First appearance:** 0000-i-dark-plottings-at-blandings-castle ## Snapshot A soulful American poetess whose wistful manner conceals a sharp, slangy schemer — and a past with the man now calling himself Cootes. ## Who they are A guest at Blandings Castle, Miss Peavey drifts through its literary society with a delicate, spiritual air that her hostess's relations find something of a strain. Yet her solitude on a country road reveals a woman who sings the Beale Street Blues and greets a long-lost accomplice with 'Well, if this ain't the cat's whiskers!' That reunion turns her from wistful ornament into the plot's most resourceful operator, coolly engineering schemes while wearing her soulful face. ## In the story ### [Baxter Suspects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/vii-baxter-suspects) Poetess staying at Blandings; asks Psmith for an autograph; defends him against Baxter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as a poetess staying at Blandings; asked Lord Emsworth if dew is fairies' teardrops. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii) Flutters around Psmith, calls him 'Maître' and 'Master', presses her autograph-book on him; holds his hand until Freddie interrupts. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Admires Psmith's charm and poetic soul; asks about Miss Halliday. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Mentioned in reference to Psmith's earlier conversation with her; appears briefly at the end of the chapter. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/vi) Her autograph album provided the handwriting sample that Baxter used to expose Psmith. ### [Psmith Engages a Valet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ix-psmith-engages-a-valet) Returns early from the unveiling due to a headache, walks back to the castle, and unexpectedly meets Cootes on the road. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/ii) Miss Peavey returns early from Lord Emsworth's speech due to a headache and begins walking back to the castle. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iii) Enjoys a solitary walk, sings 'The Beale Street Blues,' and is shocked to encounter Edward Cootes, recognizing him as Eddie. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Reunites with Eddie Cootes on the road; reveals she is visiting Blandings Castle and is after Lady Constance's diamond necklace. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Miss Peavey returns early from Bridgeford and engages Psmith in conversation about his poetry before letting him go. ### [Sensational Occurrence at a Poetry Reading](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/x-sensational-occurrence-at-a-poetry-reading) Walks in the Yew Alley, worrying about Cootes' disappearance; meets him and discusses her scheme for the necklace. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/i) Walks alone in the Yew Alley, brooding over Cootes' absence; reveals her scheme to steal Lady Constance's diamond necklace during the poetry reading. ### [More on the Flowerpot Theme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/xii-more-on-the-flowerpot-theme) Observes Eve and Psmith in the Yew Alley; deduces Eve was on the terrace during the theft and that the necklace is hidden in Psmith's cottage. ### [Psmith Receives Guests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/xiii-psmith-receives-guests) Enters in a black and silver dress, gathers the necklace, and rebukes Cootes for his clumsiness. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/iv) Revealed as a criminal accomplice to Cootes, she seizes the necklace and defies Psmith, but is forced to relinquish it when Cootes surrenders. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/chapters/v) Revealed as a thief; Psmith expresses a grudging respect for her deeper nature. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters/aileen_peavey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leave_it_to_psmith_se/characters