These Old Shades · Character

Lady Fanny Marling

Avon's vivacious, fashion-obsessed friend, who dresses Léonie for Versailles and cannot resist matchmaking where the Duke is concerned.

supporting

Also known as Fanny, Marling, Fan, Lady Fanny

First appearance: iii which tells of a debt unpaid

As a supporting figure in These Old Shades, Lady Fanny Marling is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned as Avon's sister, married to Edward Marling, and fond of Avon.

In the storyIntroducing the Comte de Saint-VireOpen this moment free

See Lady Fanny Marling in Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire Book page

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Lady Fanny Marling moves through Parisian society with an eye for a petticoat of gold net and an ear for the latest scandal, and she takes the bewildered Léonie under her wing with genuine warmth. She reads Avon's feelings for his ward long before he admits them, teasing Léonie about jewels and duchesses until the girl bursts into tears — then regrets her runaway tongue. Her blend of frivolity and real kindness gives the novel its social texture and pushes Léonie toward confronting what she feels for Monseigneur.

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The fuller portrait of Lady Fanny Marling sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Lady Fanny Marling in iii which tells of a debt unpaid

Character Web

54 connections

A slice of how Lady Fanny Marling sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Main characters and allies
Court, society, and extended cast

+49 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 chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and emotional peak of the Duke of Avon’…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Léonie de Bonnard
friendship · positive
Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through… How this plays out →
Hugh Davenant
friendship · positive
Monseigneur le Duc
social · positive
Edward Marling
family · positive
Léonie de Bonnard
friendship · positive
Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through… How this plays out →
Léonie de Bonnard
friendship · positive
Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through… How this plays out →
Edward Marling
family · positive
Monseigneur le Duc
social · positive
Hugh Davenant
friendship · positive
Hugh Davenant
friendship · positive
Edward Marling
family · positive
Monseigneur le Duc
social · positive

Léonie de Bonnard
Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society.
Hugh Davenant
Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes.
Monseigneur le Duc
Fanny and Monseigneur le Duc are polite acquaintances, connected through the family circle of Avon and Léonie.
Edward Marling
Edward is Fanny's husband, and their marriage is one of comfortable affection and mutual support.
Léonie de Bonnard
Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society.
Léonie de Bonnard
Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society.
Edward Marling
Edward is Fanny's husband, and their marriage is one of comfortable affection and mutual support.
Monseigneur le Duc
Fanny and Monseigneur le Duc are polite acquaintances, connected through the family circle of Avon and Léonie.
Hugh Davenant
Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes.
Hugh Davenant
Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes.
Edward Marling
Edward is Fanny's husband, and their marriage is one of comfortable affection and mutual support.
Monseigneur le Duc
Fanny and Monseigneur le Duc are polite acquaintances, connected through the family circle of Avon and Léonie.

Relationship notes

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

See Lady Fanny Marling in iii which tells of a debt unpaid

In the story

Lady Fanny Marling appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire
Mentioned as Avon's sister, married to Edward Marling, and fond of Avon.
His Grace of Avon Refuses to Sell His Page
Mentioned in a letter to Avon; reports on Rupert, Edward, and various news from England.
IX: Léon and Léonie
Mentioned as Avon's sister who will take Léonie in and teach her to be a girl.
Lady Fanny's Virtue Is Outraged
Initially outraged by Avon bringing Léonie to her, but after a private conversation and seeing Léonie's distress, she softens and agrees to help clothe and guide her.
XI: Mr. Marling's Heart Is Won
Fanny enthusiastically convinces her husband to host Léonie, relaying the story of Avon's adoption and her own delight in the girl.
XII: His Grace of Avon’s Ward
Helps Léonie prepare, tries to keep her decorous, discusses Avon's intentions with him.
The Education of Léonie
Her haughtiness is used as a model for Léonie's bearing; her maid Rachel is mentioned as a source of vulgar language.
XXI: The Discomfiture of the Comte de Saint-Vire
Mentioned as having sent Léonie a pretty dress.
The Arrival of Another Player in the Game
Arrives unexpectedly, having left her husband Edward to join the Paris venture, offering to chaperone Léonie.
Mr. Marling Allows Himself to Be Persuaded
Determined that Justin shall marry Léonie; coaxes and teases her husband Edward into staying in Paris.
XXIV: Hugh Davenant Is Agreeably Surprised
Takes charge of the household and eagerly organizes the ball, sending invitations to all of Paris.
XXV: Léonie Curtsies to the Polite World
Assists in preparing Léonie for the ball and manages the social proceedings, delighted by Léonie's triumph.
XXVI: The Presentation of Léonie
Acts as Léonie's chaperon, presents her to Madame de Saint-Vire, and later discusses the evening with Avon.
The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux
Accompanies Léonie in society and inadvertently reveals to Léonie that Avon is in love with her, causing Léonie's emotional crisis.
The Disappearance of Léonie
Discovers Léonie's empty bed and farewell note, panics, and informs Avon of her disappearance.
His Grace of Avon Trumps the Comte's Ace
Present with her husband, comments on Avon's handsomeness and relays Léonie's excuses.
His Grace of Avon Astonishes Everyone for the Last Time
Anxious over Avon's absence, overjoyed at the marriage.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lady Fanny Marling in iii which tells of a debt unpaid

See Lady Fanny Marling in Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire