# Lady Fanny Marling — These Old Shades character guide > Lady Fanny Marling in These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Fanny, Marling, Fan, Lady Fanny **First appearance:** 0004-iii-which-tells-of-a-debt-unpaid ## Snapshot Avon's vivacious, fashion-obsessed friend, who dresses Léonie for Versailles and cannot resist matchmaking where the Duke is concerned. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Léonie de Bonnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard) _friendship_ Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society. ### [Hugh Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/hugh_davenant) _friendship_ Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes. ### [Monseigneur le Duc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/monseigneur_le_duc) _social_ Fanny and Monseigneur le Duc are polite acquaintances, connected through the family circle of Avon and Léonie. ### [Edward Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/edward_marling) _family_ Edward is Fanny's husband, and their marriage is one of comfortable affection and mutual support. ### [Léonie de Bonnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard) _friendship_ Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society. ### [Léonie de Bonnard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard) _friendship_ Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society. ### [Edward Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/edward_marling) _family_ Edward is Fanny's husband, and their marriage is one of comfortable affection and mutual support. ### [Monseigneur le Duc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/monseigneur_le_duc) _social_ Fanny and Monseigneur le Duc are polite acquaintances, connected through the family circle of Avon and Léonie. ### [Hugh Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/hugh_davenant) _friendship_ Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes. ### [Hugh Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/hugh_davenant) _friendship_ Hugh and Fanny share a warm, easy friendship, often collaborating in social schemes. ### [Edward Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/edward_marling) _family_ Edward is Fanny's husband, and their marriage is one of comfortable affection and mutual support. ### [Monseigneur le Duc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/monseigneur_le_duc) _social_ Fanny and Monseigneur le Duc are polite acquaintances, connected through the family circle of Avon and Léonie. ## In the story ### [Introducing the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ix-l-on-and-l-onie) Mentioned as Avon's sister who will take Léonie in and teach her to be a girl. ### [Lady Fanny's Virtue Is Outraged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/x-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiii-the-education-of-l-onie) 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxv-l-onie-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvi-the-presentation-of-l-onie) 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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxix-the-disappearance-of-l-onie) Discovers Léonie's empty bed and farewell note, panics, and informs Avon of her disappearance. ### [His Grace of Avon Trumps the Comte's Ace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxx-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxii-his-grace-of-avon-astonishes-everyone-for-the-last-time) Anxious over Avon's absence, overjoyed at the marriage. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters