The Black Moth · Character

Duke of Andover

A coldly calculating duke whose quiet disapproval can chill a room, he plays a long game with his sister's marriage and his own hidden grievances.

supporting

Also known as Grace, Andover, His Grace of Andover, the Duke

First appearance: V: His Grace of Andover

As a supporting figure in The Black Moth, Duke of Andover is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Writes a sardonic letter to Frank Fortescue, recounting an affair and warning him against further duels.

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Tracy, Duke of Andover, moves through Grosvenor Square with the ease of a man who expects obedience and rarely has to ask for it. His sister Lavinia fears him more than she fears her own husband, sensing that his pleasant remarks carry sinister warnings, and she is right to: he watches her old flame Captain Lovelace with the patience of a man arranging pieces on a board. His presence in the early chapters turns private flirtation into dangerous stakes, making him the quiet engine of the novel's romantic conflicts.

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See Duke of Andover in V: His Grace of Andover

Character Web

41 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central characters and antagonists
Extended family and background figures
Military and household allies

+36 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

In this scene, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Diana, after enduring Mr. Bettison’s persisten…

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Relationships

Lady Lavinia Carstares
social · positive
The Duke of Andover is a high-society acquaintance of Lady Lavinia, interacting in social… How this plays out →
Tracy Belmanoir
social · ambivalent
Tracy Belmanoir
social · ambivalent
Lady Lavinia Carstares
social · positive
The Duke of Andover is a high-society acquaintance of Lady Lavinia, interacting in social… How this plays out →
Tracy Belmanoir
social · ambivalent
Lady Lavinia Carstares
social · positive
The Duke of Andover is a high-society acquaintance of Lady Lavinia, interacting in social… How this plays out →

Lady Lavinia Carstares
The Duke of Andover is a high-society acquaintance of Lady Lavinia, interacting in social circles.
Tracy Belmanoir
The Duke and Tracy move in the same aristocratic circles, with a veneer of polite acquaintance.
Tracy Belmanoir
The Duke and Tracy move in the same aristocratic circles, with a veneer of polite acquaintance.
Lady Lavinia Carstares
The Duke of Andover is a high-society acquaintance of Lady Lavinia, interacting in social circles.
Tracy Belmanoir
The Duke and Tracy move in the same aristocratic circles, with a veneer of polite acquaintance.
Lady Lavinia Carstares
The Duke of Andover is a high-society acquaintance of Lady Lavinia, interacting in social circles.

Relationship notes

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

See Duke of Andover in V: His Grace of Andover

In the story

Duke of Andover appears across 12 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Prologue
Writes a sardonic letter to Frank Fortescue, recounting an affair and warning him against further duels.
V: His Grace of Andover
Visits Lavinia to request money; discusses the changed will and his own financial troubles; invites Lavinia to Andover.
VII: Introducing Sundry New Characters
Enters the Pump Room as a black moth among butterflies, drawing Diana's attention.
XI: My Lord Turns Rescuer and Comes Nigh Ending His Life
Masterminds the abduction, duels Jack, and is disarmed and forced to retreat.
My Lord Dictates a Letter and Receives a Visitor
Referred to as Belmanoir; identified as the man Jack fought during the abduction attempt on Diana.
His Grace of Andover Takes a Hand in the Game
Confronts Lavinia about her relationship with Lovelace and later hires Harper to spy on the Beauleigh family.
XXII: Developments
Meets Lavinia at Ranelagh Gardens and notices her unhappy expression, but dismisses it as a trivial matter.
Lady Lavinia Goes to the Play
Confronts Richard about the elopement and resolves to act, criticizing Richard's passivity.
Richard Plays the Man
Visits Richard to inform him of Lovelace's arranged departure and expresses relief at the reconciliation.
His Grace of Andover Captures the Queen
Abducts Diana, revealing himself as Mr. Everard; admires her spirit but intends to force a marriage.
My Lord Enters by the Window
Pressures Diana to marry him and fights a duel with Jack Carstares.
Epilogue
Sits in Venice reading his sister's letter, reflects on his past actions toward Diana, and resolves to return to England to bow to her as Countess of Wyncham.

Chapter companion notes

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See Duke of Andover in V: His Grace of Andover

See Duke of Andover in Prologue