his daughter Melissa marrying Sir Richard Wyndham to repair the family fortunes. He has taken to brandy in the face of his imminent ruin. Frederick Griffin – Cousin of Penelope Creed. A young man with a face like a fish and a wet mouth, being importuned by his mother to marry Pen Creed. Piers Luttrell – Childhood friend of Penelope Creed, he is secretly betrothed to Lydia Daubenay. He is twenty-one years old, and described as a pleasant-faced young man with a good pair of shoulders and easy, open manners. He was at Oxford with Beverley Brandon, and Beverley spends some time at his home. He discovers a body in the woods where he had arranged an assignation with Lydia Daubenay. Pen Creed believed herself to be betrothed to Piers and ran away to him. Lydia Daubenay – A rather silly young lady who is secretly betrothed to Piers Luttrell. She is a pretty girl, of about seventeen, small, plump, and brown haired. In an effort to hide her betrothal to, and meetings with, Piers Luttrell she pretends that Pen Creed (in her boy's disguise) is her suitor. Lydia faints after witnessing a murder, much to Pen's disgust. Jimmy Yarde – Thief whom Sir Richard Wyndham & Pen Creed meet during their travels. He is involved in the theft of the Brandon Diamonds. Horace Trimble – Thief in league with Beverley Brandon & Jimmy Yarde. His rank is probably false. Lydia Daubenay witnesses him commit murder in the spinney near Queen Charlton. He is subsequently arrested by the Bow Street Runners at Bristol. References The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer 1940 British novels Novels by Georgette Heyer British historical novels Heinemann (publisher) books