# Lord Rupert Alastair — These Old Shades character guide > Lord Rupert Alastair in These Old Shades by Georgette Heyer. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lord Rupert, Rupert, Alastair **First appearance:** 0015-xiv-the-appearance-on-the-scene-of-lord-rupert-alastair ## Snapshot The Duke of Avon's charming, reckless younger brother, a gambler who masks sharp instincts beneath his foppish chatter and comic horror of poets. ## Who they are Rupert moves through the Polite World as a lounging man about town, forever betting Merivale a monkey on his brother's schemes and fleeing drawing rooms where anyone reads verse. Yet his real tension is loyalty: he has lived with Justin for years and knows that still waters run deep, that the quarrel with Saint-Vire was never forgotten. His gleeful suspicion that 'there's something afoot' makes him the reader's first hint that Avon is playing a long game. ## 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 mad brother, possibly in a sponging house or living on Edward Marling's bounty. ### [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) Arrives at Merivale with much baggage, curious about the Duke's ward and the rumors surrounding her. ### [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) Visits the Court to meet Léonie, charms Madam Field, and becomes Léonie's fencing partner and friend. ### [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) Spends his days with Léonie, teaching her to fish and quarreling with her like a child. He is suspicious of Saint-Vire's presence and notes the resemblance between Saint-Vire and Léonie. ### [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) Chases Léonie, then pursues the coach to Portsmouth but arrives too late. ### [XVIII: The Indignation of Mr. Manvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xviii-the-indignation-of-mr-manvers) Has been staying with the Merivales; is in pursuit of Saint-Vire and Léonie. ### [Lord Rupert Wins the Second Trick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xix-lord-rupert-wins-the-second-trick) Follows Léonie to France, is wounded by Saint-Vire, but manages to rescue her. He is weak but determined, and they hide together. ### [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) Injured in the shoulder, recounts the rescue, and is ordered to rest by Avon. ### [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 being above-stairs with an indisposition. ### [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) Recovering from his wound, observes the change in Avon's behavior and deduces his brother's feelings for 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) Debates with Fanny about Avon's intentions; jokes with Edward and supports the plan to travel to Paris. ### [XXIV: Hugh Davenant Is Agreeably Surprised](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxiv-hugh-davenant-is-agreeably-surprised) Spreads rumors about Léonie's beauty and hints at mystery; later goes out gambling with Marling. ### [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) Avon's rakish brother, dances with Léonie and is tasked by Avon to lead out Mademoiselle de Vauvallon. ### [XXVI: The Presentation of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvi-the-presentation-of-l-onie) Accompanies the party to Versailles, complains of gambling losses, and teases Léonie. ### [The Hand of Madame de Verchoureux](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxvii-the-hand-of-madame-de-verchoureux) Offers to escort Léonie home; greets Merivale warmly. ### [The Disappearance of Léonie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxix-the-disappearance-of-l-onie) Mentions plans to visit a new gaming-house in the Rue Chambéry; leaves with Fanny earlier in the evening. ### [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) Arrives with d'Anvau and Lavoulère, is teased by Madame du Deffand, and admires Avon's regal appearance. ### [XXXI: His Grace of Avon Wins All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/chapters/xxxi-his-grace-of-avon-wins-all) Mentioned as being present at the soirée and helping to guard the doors. ### [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) Optimistic about Avon's success, toasts the new Duchess. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters/rupert_alastair - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/these_old_shades_se/characters