The Secret of Chimneys · Character

Lord Caterham

The reluctant ninth Marquis of Caterham, who inherited a famous house and a national reputation he never wanted, and would rather be anywhere else.

supporting

Also known as Caterham, the previous Lord Caterham

First appearance: X: Chimneys

As a supporting figure in The Secret of Chimneys, Lord Caterham is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Host at Chimneys, involved in the unfolding events.

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Lord Caterham is a small, shabbily dressed, melancholy man who finds politics tedious and politicians worse. His brother made Chimneys a stage for history; he would prefer to let it be a private country house and slip abroad unnoticed. When George Lomax bulldozes him into hosting a delicate diplomatic weekend, Caterham's weary resignation becomes the backdrop against which murder and intrigue unfold.

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See Lord Caterham in X: Chimneys

Character Web

36 connections

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

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Central suspects and investigators
Minor or peripheral characters
Protagonist

+31 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

This is the story's dramatic climax because it reveals the full scope of the false Lemoine’s scheme and Anthon…

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Relationships

George Lomax
social · ambivalent
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax… How this plays out →
Anthony Cade
social · positive
Virginia Revel
social · positive
Bundle
family · positive
Virginia Revel
social · positive
Anthony Cade
social · positive
George Lomax
social · ambivalent
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax… How this plays out →
George Lomax
social · ambivalent
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax… How this plays out →
Bundle
family · positive
Virginia Revel
social · positive
Anthony Cade
social · positive
Bundle
family · positive

George Lomax
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax often imposing on Caterham's hospitality.
Anthony Cade
Anthony and Lord Caterham are courteous host-and-guest acquaintances, with Caterham bemused by the chaos Anthony brings.
Virginia Revel
Lord Caterham and Virginia Revel are friendly acquaintances, with Caterham treating her as a charming guest.
Bundle
Bundle (Lady Eileen Brent) is Lord Caterham's spirited and independent daughter, with a loving but exasperated father-daughter dynamic.
Virginia Revel
Lord Caterham and Virginia Revel are friendly acquaintances, with Caterham treating her as a charming guest.
Anthony Cade
Anthony and Lord Caterham are courteous host-and-guest acquaintances, with Caterham bemused by the chaos Anthony brings.
George Lomax
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax often imposing on Caterham's hospitality.
George Lomax
George Lomax and Lord Caterham are fellow aristocrats and political allies, with Lomax often imposing on Caterham's hospitality.
Bundle
Bundle (Lady Eileen Brent) is Lord Caterham's spirited and independent daughter, with a loving but exasperated father-daughter dynamic.
Virginia Revel
Lord Caterham and Virginia Revel are friendly acquaintances, with Caterham treating her as a charming guest.
Anthony Cade
Anthony and Lord Caterham are courteous host-and-guest acquaintances, with Caterham bemused by the chaos Anthony brings.
Bundle
Bundle (Lady Eileen Brent) is Lord Caterham's spirited and independent daughter, with a loving but exasperated father-daughter dynamic.

Relationship notes

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

See Lord Caterham in X: Chimneys

In the story

Lord Caterham appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Secret of Chimneys
Host at Chimneys, involved in the unfolding events.
Anxiety in High Places
The ninth Marquis of Caterham, a small, shabbily dressed gentleman who dislikes politics and is reluctantly persuaded by George Lomax to host a house party at Chimneys.
Mr. McGrath Refuses an Invitation
Mentioned as the host of the Chimneys invitation that Anthony declines.
X: Chimneys
Agitated host of Chimneys, discovers the body and identifies it as Count Stanislaus, though hesitantly.
XI: Superintendent Battle Arrives
Returns from estate tour and is summoned to the library by George Lomax; provides a description of the house party to Superintendent Battle.
XII: Anthony Tells His Story
Hosts the gathering; welcomes Anthony and shows interest in his story.
XIII: The American Visitor
Depressed host who accepts Virginia's vouching for Anthony; invites Anthony to stay; laments the murder and the disruption to his party.
Mainly Political and Financial
Briefly appears watching Anthony and Virginia leave; mentions Lomax's request for Battle.
XV: The French Stranger
Strolls with Bundle. Virginia takes his arm to ask him to show her the body.
Tea in the Schoolroom
Hosts lunch and privately offers Anthony a drink, complaining about entertaining foreigners.
A Midnight Adventure
Arrives with Bundle, observes the damage, delegates cleanup to Tredwell.
Mr. Isaacstein’s Suitcase
Breakfasts with Bundle; discusses Battle's request for guests to stay on; invites Anthony Cade to remain.
XXV: Tuesday Night at Chimneys
Hosts the evening gathering, expresses irritation at the constant disruptions and detectives.
The 13th of October (Continued.)
Host of the gathering, expresses liking for Anthony and later switches on the lights during the struggle.
King Victor
Present during the revelations and asks for clarification about Mademoiselle Brun's identity.
XXIX: Further Explanations
Cheerfully comments on the satisfactory clearing up of events and congratulates Anthony.
Sundry Details
Flees to London with Bundle to avoid George Lomax's political discussions.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lord Caterham in X: Chimneys

See Lord Caterham in The Secret of Chimneys