# Lady Laura Kennedy — Phineas Redux character guide > Lady Laura Kennedy in Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Lady Laura, Laura, Laura Kennedy, Kennedy, poor Lady Laura **First appearance:** 0000-i-temptation ## Snapshot Lady Laura Kennedy chose a rich husband over the man she loved, and now wears her widow's weeds like a verdict she cannot appeal. ## Who they are Once the brilliant political hostess who launched Phineas's career, Laura is now estranged from her husband and consumed by a devotion she calls friendship but feels as passion. She has sacrificed everything for Phineas's interests while refusing to admit she sinned, only that she erred. Her fierce, self-justifying constancy makes her both his most powerful ally and the woman most dangerously entangled in his fate. ## Relationships ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _romantic_ Laura is deeply in love with Phineas, but their relationship is complicated by her marriage to Mr. Kennedy and her obsessive, unrequited passion. ### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/madame_max_goesler) _psychological_ Laura is intensely jealous of Madame Max, viewing her as a rival for Phineas's affection and often expressing bitter resentment toward her. ### [Gerard Maule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/gerard_maule) _social_ Gerard Maule is a casual acquaintance of Laura, interacting primarily through the social circles of the Palliser and Kennedy families. ### [Lord Chiltern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/lord_chiltern) _family_ Laura and Chiltern are siblings, with a strained relationship due to Laura's controlling nature and Chiltern's rebellious independence. ### [Adelaide Palliser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/adelaide_palliser) _social_ Adelaide and Laura are acquaintances within the same social set, with Laura occasionally acting as a confidante or advisor to Adelaide. ### [Mr. Bonteen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/mr_bonteen) _social_ Laura and Bonteen are political and social acquaintances, with Laura using him as a source of information and gossip about Phineas. ### [Ned Spooner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/ned_spooner) _social_ Ned Spooner is a minor social acquaintance of Laura, often present at country house parties and social gatherings she attends. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _romantic_ Laura is deeply in love with Phineas, but their relationship is complicated by her marriage to Mr. Kennedy and her obsessive, unrequited passion. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _romantic_ Laura is deeply in love with Phineas, but their relationship is complicated by her marriage to Mr. Kennedy and her obsessive, unrequited passion. ### [Madame Max Goesler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/madame_max_goesler) _psychological_ Laura is intensely jealous of Madame Max, viewing her as a rival for Phineas's affection and often expressing bitter resentment toward her. ### [Gerard Maule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/gerard_maule) _social_ Gerard Maule is a casual acquaintance of Laura, interacting primarily through the social circles of the Palliser and Kennedy families. ### [Gerard Maule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/gerard_maule) _social_ Gerard Maule is a casual acquaintance of Laura, interacting primarily through the social circles of the Palliser and Kennedy families. ## In the story ### [Harrington Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/ii-harrington-hall) Separated from Mr. Kennedy; lives abroad with her father, the Earl of Brentford. ### [Gerard Maule](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/iii-gerard-maule) Mentioned as living in Dresden with her father, the Earl of Brentford; still deeply interested in Phineas's political fortunes. ### [Phineas and His Old Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/vi-phineas-and-his-old-friends) Writes to Phineas from Dresden; inquires about his life and the Kennedys; describes her father's idleness and her own tragic situation. ### [The Deserted Husband](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/x-the-deserted-husband) Mentioned as the estranged wife living in Dresden; Phineas plans to visit her after his stop at Loughlinter. ### [The Truant Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xi-the-truant-wife) Living in Dresden with her father; expresses deep gratitude for Phineas's visit and reflects on her past mistakes and current sorrow. ### [Königstein](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xii-k-nigstein) Hosts Phineas, explains her refusal to return to Loughlinter, and declares her undying but platonic devotion to him. ### [I Have Got the Seat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xiii-i-have-got-the-seat) Mentioned as having written to Barrington Erle about Phineas, showing continued interest in his career. ### [Phineas Again in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xx-phineas-again-in-london) Writes a desperate letter from Dresden about her husband's threats and her own guilt. ### [Purity of Morals, Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxii-purity-of-morals-finn) The subject of Kennedy's letter; Phineas is determined to protect her from the scandal of publication. ### [Macpherson's Hotel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxiii-macpherson-s-hotel) Subject of the defamatory letter; Phineas acts on her behalf. ### [An Editor's Wrath](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxvii-an-editor-s-wrath) Kennedy's wife, indirectly involved as the subject of the letter and the marital discord. ### [The First Thunderbolt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxviii-the-first-thunderbolt) Her name is dragged into the scandalous article; Phineas and Lord Cantrip discuss how to protect her character. ### [The World Becomes Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxii-the-world-becomes-cold) Central to the scandalous rumors affecting Phineas; her return is anticipated as possibly ending the gossip. ### [The Conspiracy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-conspiracy) Phineas reflects on her affection for him and the unfortunate connection that fuels slander. ### [Once Again in Portman Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxviii-once-again-in-portman-square) Returns from Dresden looking sad and careworn; expresses passionate regret over her marriage and her lost youth; tries to help Phineas politically. ### [XL: The Prime Minister Is Hard Pressed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xl-the-prime-minister-is-hard-pressed) Mentioned as a friend of Phineas and the Duchess; her name is linked with Phineas in rumors. ### [The Second Thunderbolt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xliii-the-second-thunderbolt) Her name is linked to the scandal; rumors of an alliance with Phineas circulate, though Madame Goesler dismisses them as scandalous. ### [Mr. Maule's Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xlviii-mr-maule-s-attempt) Mentioned in the Duchess's letter as being deeply affected by Phineas's trouble; source of Madame Goesler's jealousy. ### [Mr. Kennedy’s Will](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lii-mr-kennedy-s-will) Receives news of Kennedy's death and his will leaving her Loughlinter; mourns and struggles with her feelings for Phineas while he is in prison. ### [Phineas in Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lv-phineas-in-prison) Visits Phineas in prison, now a widow; professes her love and belief in his innocence, offers financial help which he refuses. ### [LXI: The Beginning of the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxi-the-beginning-of-the-trial) Listens silently to the trial news, deeply affected, and later speaks only briefly to Lady Chiltern. ### [LXV: “I Hate Her!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxv-i-hate-her) Widowed and consumed by jealousy, she hates Madame Goesler for securing Phineas's deliverance and fears losing him to her rival. ### [The Foreign Bludgeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxvi-the-foreign-bludgeon) Reported to have visited Phineas in prison, causing speculation about her feelings. ### [Phineas After the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxviii-phineas-after-the-trial) Receives Phineas at home; expresses understanding and concern. ### [I Will Not Go to Loughlinter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxx-i-will-not-go-to-loughlinter) Struggles with the decision to return to Loughlinter, haunted by memories of her marriage and her love for Phineas. She writes to Phineas, hoping for his company, but is deeply hurt by his refusal. ### [Phineas Finn's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxvii-phineas-finn-s-success) Writes a letter urging Phineas to accept the offer and inviting him to Saulsby; expresses her own loneliness and disillusionment with life. ### [The Last Visit to Saulsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-last-visit-to-saulsby) Hosts Phineas at Saulsby; initially light-hearted but unaware of the serious tidings he brings. ### [LXXX: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxx-conclusion) Lives as a recluse at Saulsby with her father, the old Earl. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/lady_laura_kennedy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters