Whiskers In The Dark

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS

THE PRESENT

Mary Minor Haristeen, “Harry”—She’s loyal, logical, loves her husband, her animals, her friends. She farms on her old family farm. Her weakness is her curiosity. Her husband is Pharamond Haristeen, DVM, “Fair,” an equine vet specializing in reproduction. More sensitive than Harry, he provides ballast.

Susan Tucker—She’s known Harry all her life; they are now forty-two. She tries to keep Harry out of trouble, rarely succeeding. Ned Tucker, her husband, is a first-time representative to the Virginia House of Delegates. Susan’s grandfather was a former governor of the state, who owned Big Rawly Estate.

The Very Reverend Herbert Jones—As the pastor of St. Luke’s Church, he knows his flock and is a central part of the community. Widowed, he has three Lutheran cats: Lucy Fur, Cazenovia, and Elocution.

Arlene Billeaud—Master of Blastoff Beagles, she was wounded in the Middle East while in the Army. She has a prosthetic leg and moves around easily. This year she is in charge of the Hounds F4R Heroes fundraiser for veterans held at the Institute at Aldie, Virginia.

Jason Holzknect—Retired from the foreign service where he built a fine career in communications, he is Master of Chesapeake Beagles. He’s made bundles of money through his car dealership.

Clare Lazo Holzknect—Joint Master with her husband, she was a Navy captain, having met Jason overseas.

THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY CLOVERFIELDS

Catherine Schuyler—Highly intelligent, she assists her father in his business. Her passion is breeding and training horses. Impossibly beautiful, she is married to Major John Schuyler, a hero of the Revolutionary War. It is a good marriage.

Rachel West—A warmer personality than her older sister, by two years, the twenty-year-old Rachel is married to a former POW, a British captain, captured by Catherine’s husband at the Battle of Saratoga. Both are involved in building St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, which Charles designed, thereby finding his passion apart from his wonderful wife.

Ewing Garth—The owner of Cloverfields, the father of the above sisters, he is a sound businessman. He pays attention to the economy, nascent, as well as Europe’s. He is a warm, kind man who greatly misses his deceased wife.

Maureen Selisse Holloway—Rich beyond imagination, she owns Big Rawly, still in the Holloway family today. Susan Tucker’s maiden name is Holloway. Maureen’s younger second husband, Jeffrey Holloway, not well born, works with his hands and is divinely handsome, which overcomes the above. Maureen has a sharp business sense, is farsighted, and can be brutal and ruthless when she needs to be.

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: CLOVERFIELDS

Bettina—A cook of magical abilities, she is also head slave woman on the estate. When Ewing’s wife was dying, Bettina nursed her and stayed with her. When Isabelle died, Bettina promised her mistress she would take care of Catherine and Rachel. She kept her promise.

Jeddie Rice—With good hands and a light seat, he has a sure touch with horses and soaks up everything Catherine teaches him. At nineteen he’s a man but evidences no interest in anything but the horses. He is ambitious without being obnoxious, for a horseman can rise in the world, slave or free.

Ralston—Seethes with competitive anger at Jeddie. He’s not a bad hand with the horses, but he lacks Jeddie’s marvelous gifts. At sixteen he thinks he knows everything. He has discovered women and is making a mess of it.

Tulli—He might be eleven but he looks about nine. Such a sweet little fellow, he works at the stables and tries very hard.

Barker O—Runs the stables, drives the horses, is splendid on the seat of the carriages. He enjoys a big reputation among horsemen, much deserved.

Roger—Being butler, his is a powerful position. He must know most of the people who call on Ewing, as well as how to treat them according to their station. He’s a good, reticent man.

Weymouth—Roger’s son, in his twenties. He does a good job but he lacks his father’s drive.

Bumbee—She’s in charge of the weaving, buying yarns and fabrics. She’s an artist, truly, and the ladies who work with her do as they are told.

THE SLAVES: BIG RAWLY

DoRe—Runs the stables, is Barker O’s counterpart. As Jeffrey Holloway now builds sumptuous carriages, DoRe shows them off to buyers. He has been courting Bettina.

Elizabetta—As Maureen’s replacement lady’s maid since Sheba vanished with a fortune in pearls set amidst diamonds, hers is a nonstop position. She’s lazy when Maureen is away. She’s a decent sort.

William—Worked in the stables but escaped Big Rawly riding a neighbor’s blooded horse. He has sneaked back, foolish, but he’s come to steal more things and he’s come for Sulli.

Sulli—Pretty, in her teens, she believes she and William can run away together and live happily ever after. Not only will they be free; they will be free and rich. She thinks she’s in love.

THE ANIMALS

Mrs. Murphy—Harry’s tiger cat, who often evidences more brains than her human.

Pewter—A fat gray cat with an inflated opinion of herself. She believes the world began when she entered it.

Tee Tucker—An intrepid corgi bred years ago by Susan Tucker, the sensible dog watches out for Harry and endures Pewter.

Pirate—A half-grown Irish wolfhound who came to Harry and Fair when his owner died. He is very sweet and learning the ropes from Tucker. Rule One: Never believe anything Pewter says.

Tomahawk—Harry’s retired gray Thoroughbred.

Shortro—A gift from Joan Hamilton of Kalarama Farm, this young Saddlebred is adjusting to hunt seat. He’s smart.

Ruffy—A beagle ghost living at the Institute.

THE EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY ANIMALS

Piglet—The corgi that started the corgi line still at Big Rawly. He endured the war and captivity with Charles West.

Reynaldo—A blooded horse, terrific conformation and fast. He’s young, full of fire.

Crown Prince—The above’s half brother, calmer.

Black Knight—Thoroughbred stolen by William, he has come to Cloverfields, where he has been restored to health and happiness.

Chief—A bombproof horse who takes care of Ewing Garth.

Sweet Potato—A saucy pony for the children.