Marvella Rice Lawson —In her sixties, she will never be described as easygoing. She’s one of the powers-that-be at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. She and her late brother Pierre, each an art collector of vastly different tastes, amassed art worth a small fortune. When the highly intelligent Marvella walks into a room, she parts people like the Red Sea.
NOTE: Harry was an Art History major at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Her father couldn’t believe she’d major in something so useless. Her retort was that this was her only chance in life to do so, as once she was out of college she would need to work. Both parents were killed when she was in college, before her father had the chance to appreciate the woman she became. Now, at forty-two, some lights are being turned on upstairs.
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
Catherine Schuyler —At twenty-two, intelligent, level-headed, and impossibly beautiful, she is learning from her brilliant father about business. She already has a reputation as a leading horsewoman.
John Schuyler —A former major in the Revolutionary War, only a few years older than his smashing wife, he is powerfully built and works hard. As he is from Massachusetts he can miss some of the undercurrents of Virginia society.
Rachel West —Two years younger than her sister Catherine, she, too, is beautiful, but her beauty is softer, sweeter. She’s easy to please, ready to help, and possessed of deep moral conviction.
Charles West —Captured by John Schuyler at the Battle of Saratoga, the then nineteen-year-old marched all the way to The Barracks prisoner-of-war camp outside Charlottesville. The second son of a baron in England, he had the good sense to stay in America. Like John, he is dazzled by his wife and knows how lucky he is.
Karl Ix —A Hessian also captured. He and Charles became friends in the camp and continued working together after the war.
Maureen Selisse —The daughter of a Caribbean banker, she was a great catch for her ruthless late husband, Francisco. Keenly aware of her social position, she is also accustomed to getting her way. She hated that he carried on with a beautiful slave, making little attempt to hide it.
Ewing Garth —The father of Catherine and Rachel, a loving man, brilliant in business. He is a creature of his time, but one who can learn. He helped finance the war and hopes the new nation can hold together. A widower, he misses his wife, a true partner. The economic chaos of the Articles of Confederation affect his business as well as everyone else’s. He sees doom ahead for the new nation and no way out.
Jeffrey Holloway —Young, not well born but divinely handsome, he married the widowed Maureen Selisse to everyone’s shock.
Yancy Grant —Infuriated more than anyone by the above hasty marriage, he hates Jeffrey. Being challenged to a duel by Jeffrey wounded both men, yet a respect resulted from this.
THE SLAVES: BIG RAWLY
Sheba —Maureen Selisse’s lady-in-waiting. Really, she’s Maureen’s right hand and she enjoys the power. She’ll destroy anyone who stands in her way. She is believed to have run away after stealing jewelry. No one knows where she is.
DoRe Durkin —He works in the stable and limps from an old fall from a horse. He mourns his son Moses, after Moses’s flight up North in the wake of the death of Francisco Selisse, who brutalized Moses’s love, the beautiful Ailee.
William —Works with DoRe. Has riding talent but not as much as he thinks he has.
THE SLAVES: CLOVERFIELDS
Bettina —A cook of fabulous abilities. She’s the head woman of the slaves, thanks to her fame, her wisdom, and her wondrous warmth. She also has a beautiful voice. Bettina’s view: “I could be a queen in Africa, but I’m not in Africa. I’m here.” She made a vow to Isabelle, Ewing’s wife, as she died. Bettina vowed to take care of Catherine and Rachel. She has kept her pledge.
Serena —A young woman, learning from Bettina both in the kitchen and out. She has uncommon good sense and will, in the future, wield power among her people.
Jeddie Rice —At nineteen, he is a natural with horses. He loves them. He’s been riding, working, and studying bloodlines with Catherine since they were children. Like Serena, Jeddie has all the qualities of someone who will rise, difficult though the world they live in is.
Tulli —A little fellow at the stables who tries hard to learn.
Ralston —Nearly sixteen and thin, he, too, is at the stables. He works hard.
Father Gabe —Old, calm, and watchful, he accepts Christianity but practices the old religion. Many believe he can conjure spirits. No matter if he can or can’t, he is a healer.
Roger —Ewing’s house butler, the most powerful position a male slave can have. He has a sure touch with people, black or white.
Weymouth —Roger’s son, in his middle twenties. The hope is he will inherit his father’s position someday, but for now he’s fine with being second banana. He’s a good barber and in truth not very ambitious.
Barker O. —Powerful, quiet, he drives the majestic coach-in-four. He’s known throughout Virginia for his ability.
Bumbee —Fights with her husband. Finally she moves into the weaving cabin to get away from him and to comfort a lost soul.
Ruth —Mother to a two-year-old and a new baby. How she loves any baby, kitten, puppy, as well as the master’s grandchildren.
RICHMOND
Georgina —Early middle-age, quite attractive but putting on weight, she runs a tavern that also serves ladies. She knows everything about everybody, almost. No one uses last names in this world except for the male customers, men of means, in the small city.
Sam Udall —As a dedicated customer of Georgina’s, he appreciates her shrewdness. He realizes the financial world has changed since the colonists have won the war. He also understands that the old Tidewater grandees are slipping. A new man is emerging with new money if the financial chaos can be corrected.
Mignon —A runaway slave from Big Rawly, she serves in the kitchen. A tiny woman with big eyes, she eluded discovery.