# Léonie de Bonnard — These Old Shades character guide > Léonie de Bonnard in These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mademoiselle Léonie de Bonnard, Mistress Léonie, Léonie, Mademoiselle **First appearance:** 0002-i-his-grace-of-avon-buys-a-soul ## Snapshot A tavern-keeper's supposed sister with Titian hair and a gambler's nerve, she becomes the Duke's page and then the sensation of Paris. ## Who they are Léonie enters the story disguised as a boy, quick with a blade and quicker with a retort, and is swept into Avon's household where she blossoms into a beauty with no memory of her true parentage. She adores Avon with a devotion she cannot name, yet bristles at the idea that she is too lowborn to wed him — a tension Lady Fanny gleefully stokes. Her unguarded recollections of Versailles and her striking resemblance to someone the Comte de Saint-Vire fears make her the puzzle everyone is trying to solve. ## Relationships ### [Lady Fanny Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling) _friendship_ Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society. ### [Monseigneur le Duc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/monseigneur_le_duc) _family_ Monseigneur le Duc is Léonie's long-lost father, and their reunion is fraught with emotional tension and eventual reconciliation. ### [Hugh Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/hugh_davenant) _friendship_ Hugh is a kind and protective friend to Léonie, treating her with gentle respect and admiration. ### [Madam Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/madam_field) _professional_ Madam Field is Léonie's former keeper and employer, who exploited her as a page boy before Avon rescued her. ### [Monseigneur le Duc](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/monseigneur_le_duc) _family_ Monseigneur le Duc is Léonie's long-lost father, and their reunion is fraught with emotional tension and eventual reconciliation. ### [Lady Fanny Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling) _friendship_ Fanny becomes a warm and protective older sister figure to Léonie, guiding her through high society. ### [Madam Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/madam_field) _professional_ Madam Field is Léonie's former keeper and employer, who exploited her as a page boy before Avon rescued her. ### [Lady Fanny Marling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/lady_fanny_marling) _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 is a kind and protective friend to Léonie, treating her with gentle respect and admiration. ### [Hugh Davenant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/hugh_davenant) _friendship_ Hugh is a kind and protective friend to Léonie, treating her with gentle respect and admiration. ### [Madam Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/madam_field) _professional_ Madam Field is Léonie's former keeper and employer, who exploited her as a page boy before Avon rescued her. ## In the story ### [VII: Satan and Priest at One](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/vii-satan-and-priest-at-one) The girl at the center of the discussion. Avon reveals she was raised as a boy by Jean Bonnard and is now his page. He suspects she is the legitimate daughter of the Comte de Saint-Vire. ### [IX: Léon and Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/ix-l-on-and-l-onie) Desperately resists being forced to become a girl, but ultimately submits to Avon's authority, agreeing to try to be Léonie. ### [Lady Fanny's Virtue Is Outraged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/x-lady-fanny-s-virtue-is-outraged) Struggles with the transition from being a page in boy's clothes to wearing women's attire. She is loyal to Avon but feels lonely and uncomfortable in her new role. ### [XI: Mr. Marling's Heart Is Won](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xi-mr-marling-s-heart-is-won) Léonie is introduced to Mr. Marling, awkward in her new skirts but charming, and she expresses her discomfort with feminine attire. ### [XII: His Grace of Avon’s Ward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xii-his-grace-of-avon-s-ward) Practices curtsy, expresses desire to remain with Avon, negotiates for fencing lessons, shows disapproval of Avon's fan. ### [The Education of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiii-the-education-of-l-onie) Eagerly learns to become a lady, mastering curtsies, riding sidesaddle, and fencing; her lively spirit transforms Avon Court; she is warned to beware of Saint-Vire. ### [XIV: The Appearance on the Scene of Lord Rupert Alastair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xiv-the-appearance-on-the-scene-of-lord-rupert-alastair) Explores the countryside, meets Lady Merivale and her children, and visits Merivale Place, where she defends the Duke against criticism. ### [Lord Rupert Makes the Acquaintance of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xv-lord-rupert-makes-the-acquaintance-of-l-onie) Eagerly meets Rupert, asks him to teach her fencing, and fiercely defends the Duke of Avon against criticism. ### [XVI: The Coming of the Comte de Saint-Vire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xvi-the-coming-of-the-comte-de-saint-vire) Enjoys her time with Rupert, listens eagerly to stories of the Duke, and expresses a wish for the Duke's return. She is unaware of Saint-Vire's arrival. ### [Of a Capture, a Chase, and Confusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xvii-of-a-capture-a-chase-and-confusion) Dresses as a boy to tease Rupert; is abducted by Saint-Vire. ### [XVIII: The Indignation of Mr. Manvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xviii-the-indignation-of-mr-manvers) Revealed to be Saint-Vire's daughter; has been taken to France by Saint-Vire. ### [Lord Rupert Wins the Second Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xix-lord-rupert-wins-the-second-trick) Awakens after being drugged, escapes the Comte, and is rescued by Rupert. She tends to Rupert's wound and shows resourcefulness and fear. ### [His Grace of Avon Takes Command of the Game](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xx-his-grace-of-avon-takes-command-of-the-game) Overjoyed at Avon's arrival, recounts her escape, and is instructed to change into feminine attire. ### [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) Presented as Avon's ward, receives a pearl necklace, and is coached in the game of pretense. ### [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) Delights in the delay of Gaston and Madame Field, teases Avon, and demonstrates her loyalty and affection toward him. ### [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) In riding dress, asks Fanny's leave to ride with Avon; later charms Edward into staying by inviting him and Davenant. ### [XXIV: Hugh Davenant Is Agreeably Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiv-hugh-davenant-is-agreeably-surprised) Feels overwhelmed by the preparations but displays wit and charm, calling herself a wit and teasing Avon. ### [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) The debutante at the center of the ball, presented as Avon's ward, charming guests with her naive and engaging manner. ### [XXVI: The Presentation of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvi-the-presentation-of-l-onie) Presented at Versailles, flirts with Condé, gives him her violets, and later recognizes the Vicomte de Valmé as resembling Jean Bonnard. ### [The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvii-the-hand-of-madame-de-verchoureux) Learns from Madame de Verchoureux that she is the illegitimate daughter of Saint-Vire; struggles with the fear that her birth will prevent a future with Avon. ### [The Comte de Saint-Vire Discovers an Ace in His Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxviii-the-comte-de-saint-vire-discovers-an-ace-in-his-hand) Confronts Saint-Vire, armed with a pistol, and defiantly rejects his paternal claims and threats. ### [The Disappearance of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxix-the-disappearance-of-l-onie) Flees the household after discovering her true parentage, leaving farewell notes to protect Avon from scandal. ### [XXXI: His Grace of Avon Wins All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxi-his-grace-of-avon-wins-all) Revealed as Léonie de Saint-Vire; rejoices at her noble birth and Saint-Vire's death, but is heartbroken when Avon insists she must go to her family and rejects her offer to be his mistress. ### [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) Returns married to Avon, joyfully embraces her new role as Duchess. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/leonie_de_bonnard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters