# Peter Blakeney — Pimpernel and Rosemary character guide

> Peter Blakeney in Pimpernel and Rosemary by Baroness Orczy.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Peter, M. Blakeney, Blakeney

**First appearance:** 0000-prologue

## Snapshot

A boyish English giant with laughing grey eyes and rubber-soled shoes, whose easy charm conceals a stubborn devotion and a talent for dangerous errands.

## Who they are

Peter reappears at Kis-Imre after years abroad, slipping into the garden to find Rosemary among the tiger lilies and instantly reading the strain she tries to hide. His lighthearted manner—hands in his flannel pockets, teasing about pixies—gives way to blunt honesty when he tells her she is not happy. He matters because his presence unsettles Rosemary's marriage and because his mysterious dealings with General Naniescu hint that he is playing a deeper game than anyone suspects.

## Relationships

### [Rosemary Fowkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/rosemary_fowkes)

_romantic_

Peter is also a suitor to Rosemary, creating a love triangle with Jasper, marked by tension and competition.

### [General Naniescu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/general_naniescu)

_rivalry_

General Naniescu and Peter are antagonists, with Naniescu opposing Peter's interests and relationship with Rosemary.

### [Jasper Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/jasper_tarkington)

_rivalry_

Jasper and Peter are romantic rivals for Rosemary's affection, leading to frequent conflict.

### [Elza Imrey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/elza_imrey)

_friendship_

Elza and Peter are friendly, with Elza often mediating between Peter and Rosemary.

### [Anna Heves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/anna_heves)

_friendship_

Anna and Peter share a cordial friendship, united by their mutual care for Rosemary.

### [Rosemary Fowkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/rosemary_fowkes)

_romantic_

Peter is also a suitor to Rosemary, creating a love triangle with Jasper, marked by tension and competition.

### [Rosemary Fowkes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/rosemary_fowkes)

_romantic_

Peter is also a suitor to Rosemary, creating a love triangle with Jasper, marked by tension and competition.

### [General Naniescu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/general_naniescu)

_rivalry_

General Naniescu and Peter are antagonists, with Naniescu opposing Peter's interests and relationship with Rosemary.

### [Jasper Tarkington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/jasper_tarkington)

_rivalry_

Jasper and Peter are romantic rivals for Rosemary's affection, leading to frequent conflict.

### [Elza Imrey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/elza_imrey)

_friendship_

Elza and Peter are friendly, with Elza often mediating between Peter and Rosemary.

### [General Naniescu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/general_naniescu)

_rivalry_

General Naniescu and Peter are antagonists, with Naniescu opposing Peter's interests and relationship with Rosemary.

### [Anna Heves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/anna_heves)

_friendship_

Anna and Peter share a cordial friendship, united by their mutual care for Rosemary.

## In the story

### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/prologue)

Mentioned in connection with the unfolding political and romantic tensions.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/i)

Devastated by Rosemary's engagement, he attends the Albert Hall ball in a Hungarian national dress, feeling disembodied and observing the crowd as puppets.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/iii)

Identified as the finest cricketer from Eton and Oxford; dances with Rosemary at the ball, causing curiosity among the foreigners.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/iv)

Declares his love for Rosemary, laments losing her to Jasper, and vows she will always be part of his life despite his loyalty to his friend.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/v)

Merges into the crowd after the ball; Rosemary reflects on his passionate nature and their past relationship.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned in Rosemary's memories as she compares him to Jasper and struggles with her lingering feelings.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/vii)

Serves as best man at Rosemary and Jasper's wedding; speaks warmly of his cousin Anna Heves and asks Rosemary to look after her.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/ix)

Mentioned as the object of Rosemary's thoughts; she sees a resemblance between Anna and Peter, and thinks of how Peter would feel about Anna's situation.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xiv)

Peter is mentioned by Jasper as being in Transylvania, based on Naniescu's comment about meeting him at five o'clock. Rosemary recalls their dance at the Albert Hall and longs for his sympathy and understanding, contrasting him with Jasper's coldness.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as being in Cluj; Rosemary is anxious about Jasper's suspicions regarding him.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xvi)

Referred to as the one person besides Rosemary to whom Anna confided her activities, and whose knowledge Jasper wanted kept secret.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xvii)

Arrives at Kis-Imre appearing more English and carefree; dismisses the danger to Anna and Philip.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xviii)

Roughly handled the gypsy; later plays the csàrdàs on the piano, displaying musical talent.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xix)

Plays jazz and warns Rosemary about Elza's mad plan; his music conveys deep emotion.

### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xx)

Mysteriously knows of Elza's plan; disapproves and begs Rosemary to dissuade her; abruptly leaves for Hódmezö.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxi)

Confronts Rosemary about her lies and the mistrust between them; shows frustration and resentment.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxii)

Rosemary does not see him before he leaves; she views him as callous and irresponsible.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxiii)

Absent from the ball; his lie about a telephone message is exposed, causing Rosemary's crisis of faith.

### [Chapter XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxviii)

Accused by Jasper of buying an option on Kis-Imre and possibly betraying Philip and Anna; Rosemary defends him but is troubled by the evidence.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxi)

Appears in Rosemary's thoughts and in a lightning flash; she dreams of him and recalls their past romance.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxii)

Mentioned as the object of Rosemary's love; possibly seen in the garden during the storm.

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Seen by Rosemary escaping through the smoking-room window; Jasper accuses him of stealing the manuscript and selling it to Naniescu.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Confronts Naniescu and de Kervoisin, having stolen Rosemary's manuscript to drive a bargain for the Kis-Imre property.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxv)

Negotiates the sale of Kis-Imre and secures passports for the Imreys, while deflecting Kervoisin's probing questions about his motives.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Referred to as a 'young blackguard' who obtained the manuscript from Naniescu in exchange for the title-deeds of Kis-Imre.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Revealed as the new owner of Kis-Imre, causing Rosemary's shock and distress.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xli)

Found in Romanian officer's uniform; admits to spying and betraying Philip, Anna, and Elza.

### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xliii)

Implied to have engineered the escape of Philip and Anna using a forged order and officer's uniform.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xliv)

Orchestrated the escape of Philip and Anna; Rosemary avoids thinking of him.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xlv)

Mentioned as the object of Jasper's jealousy and threat; credited with helping Philip and Anna escape.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xlvi)

Mentioned as the buyer of Kis-Imre, which Maurus calls a scandal.

### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xlvii)

Killed in the fall from the bridge; his body is laid in the mortuary chapel.

### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/chapters/xlviii)

Returns to England after two years; proposes to Rosemary; previously orchestrated the escape of Philip and Anna and now administers Kis-Imre.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters/peter_blakeney
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/pimpernel_and_rosemary_se/characters
