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Characters

Klaus Van Maasten

Debonair Prussian Rake Klaus Van Maasten has long been a thorn in the side of the British allies of The Second Compact.

A master of disguise, and an accomplished womaniser, Van Maasten's perfect English accent has allowed him to infiltrate polite society in London and the Home Counties. His affair with the wife of the best friend of The Prince of Wales was his masterstroke. Lady Richmond only realised her betrayal when extremely accurate reports of her assignations appeared in the scandal sheets.

Lord Lindsay Pengellon

Noted Liberal voice in the conservative House of Lords, Lord Pengellon of Brighton is a philanthropist, bon-viveur, husband, father and accomplished swordsman. He's also a fierce critic of the accelerated industrialisation of England favoured by the Steam Lord majority in the upper house.

Pengellon's wife, Katharin, is related to King Ludwig of Bavaria, and the couple have been leading lights of the Brighton social scene since moving to the town in 1859.

Pengellon had a new house built on a hill to the north of the town in 1865. Fairlie Place was designed by Lord Lindsay and noted Bavarian architect Erdmann Erbauer. The estate runs from the Surrenden Gallops down to the London Road, has a tennis court and a croquet lawn with its own summer house.

Emily Pengellon

Daughter of Lord Lyndsay, Emily Pengellon scandalised polite society when she cut off one of Harry Gidlow's little fingers in a sword fight. Gidlow is the oafish second son of Lord Standish, and is an oily twerp who idolises the gorgeous Emily.

Harry and his father have played down the incident, claiming that the pinky was lost in a fencing accident. Few believe this, but it is Emily who has lost face, especially in London society.

Emily recently left Brighton, and is believed to be in Paris.

Allies: Lord Lyndsay Pengellon, Count Rudi von Schilling.

Enemies: Harry Gidlow, Lord Standish.