Long Spoilers

I'll start with these people since this will be a great news to all of us.

Gerald and Charles Pendleton
- Gerald embezzled money and dragged his sons into fraud. Ian Dalton exposed the scheme, causing the Pendletons to go bankrupt
- Charles (his favored son) ended up in prison, while John (his eldest) drowned his failures in drink
- Gerald, ruined and disgraced, was left contemplating suicide with a gun in hand.

Mr. Tom Pryce
- Gerald pushed Laura toward Tom Pryce, but Tom himself was unaware of how abusive Gerald was toward her. He thought he was being introduced to a potential match, not realizing the coercion behind it.
- Not a refined man — coarse in manners and plain-spoken — but he was not cruel. He even stated that he never acted harshly or disrespected a woman, which showed a better moral code than Gerald gave him credit for.
- Once Tom realized Laura’s reluctance and distress, he withdrew from pursuing her. He refused to force a woman into marriage, proving he had more honor than Gerald. He also pulled out of Gerald’s financial schemes, withdrawing his investiture, which contributed to Gerald’s ruin.

AND THEN THESE PEOPLE:

Laura Pendleton (Miss Pendleton)

- Suffers abuse from her uncle Gerald, who tries to force her into marriage
- Despite trauma, she grows into a resilient and forgiving woman.
- Reunites with John Ashton after 12 years (at Bath), confronts her past heartbreak, and ultimately forgives him
- After the Bath incident, she decided to go back to Ian's home and asked him for marriage.
- Marries Ian and finds peace and happiness at Whitefield Hall
- Had twins, a boy and a girl.

Ian Dalton
- Wealthy landowner, initially cynical and rough, but deeply in love with Laura
- Protective to the point of violence—he even injures John out of jealousy
- Shows obsessive devotion (keeps Laura’s old scarf as a token of love)
- He gave up Laura after the Bath incident, went to London to apologize to Miss Lance, and went to his home where he suffered a tuberculosis for 4 months before he met with Laura again and was being proposed to.
- Marries Laura and builds a warm, loving life with her at Whitefield Hall.
- Finds peace as his love is finally reciprocated.

Laura & Ian’s twins
- They had twins, a boy named Louis and a girl named Jane (after Laura’s late father and Jane Hyde).

Laura’s Grandmother – Abigail Pendleton
- Abigail took Laura in after her parents’ deaths, trying to raise her with dignity despite Gerald’s cruelty. Gerald’s abuse of Laura broke Abigail’s heart. She tried to protect her granddaughter, but her own strength faded with age. Eventually, Abigail fell ill and died, leaving Laura completely at the mercy of Gerald’s household. Her death marked the end of Laura’s childhood protection — the point when Gerald’s tyranny fully consumed Laura’s life.
- Laura was not able to attend to Abigail's funeral since she was banned by her Uncle. Her Uncle also did not gave her the money that was promised under Abigail's will and then bribed the attorneys to change it. He is willing to pay more money to the attorney that spare Laura's any money. After the death of Abigail, Gerald did not wait to kick out Laura and did not let her prepare the funeral for her grandmother.

Louis Sheldon (Laura’s Father)
- An American artist who came to England.
- Abigail Pendleton (Laura’s grandmother) hired him originally as an art tutor/companion in her household.
- While living there, he met Dolores (Abigail’s daughter) and fell in love with her at first sight.
- Connection to Ian Dalton: Louis only met Ian later in life, after leaving Laura at the Pendletons’ house — not during Ian’s boyhood. He became a formative influence on Ian as an adult, not as a child.
- He is known as Ian's childhood beloved teacher.

The Love Story of John & Dolores
Laura to Olivia:
“When I was about your age, Olivia, my father came to this country from America. His name was Louis Sheldon, and he was an artist — quiet, gentle, and so full of life. My grandmother, your great-aunt Abigail, hired him into the household. That was how he first met my mother, Doña Dolores. She was Spanish, full of warmth and grace, and he loved her from the very first moment he saw her.

They had little in the way of money, and they came from different worlds — he a Protestant, she a Catholic — but none of it mattered to them. They chose each other. Their marriage was simple, poor perhaps, but it was rich with love.

I remember my father’s kindness and my mother’s laughter, but only as shadows now, for I lost them very young. My mother died first, and my father could not bear the grief. His health was never strong, and soon, I lost him too.

Still, their love has never left me. It is why I believe so firmly that love — true love — is worth sacrifice. And it is why I named my daughter Dolores, so that my mother’s name, and the love that gave me life, would never be forgotten.”

OTHER CHARACTERS:

John Ashton
- Laura’s first love who abandoned her due to poverty and family obligations
- Married a rich woman under pressure, but never stopped loving Laura
- Reappears, confessing his regrets and sins, and asks for forgiveness.
- During a tense confrontation, Ashton taunted Ian by insinuating he had taken Laura’s innocence when she was seventeen:
“She was seventeen, I was twenty-two… what do you think we did together? Perhaps I already took her innocence…”
- Ian, furious at this slander, beat Ashton violently until he lost consciousness.Ashton ended up with broken ribs, teeth, and a battered face. Laura later visited him out of pity and for Cecilia’s sake.
- While bedridden and praying for his daughter Cecilia’s survival, Ashton realized he had to let go of Laura.
- Ultimately releases Laura, admitting Ian Dalton is the right man for her
- Gains Laura’s forgiveness, allowing them both closure. This was Ashton’s moment of release, sacrificing his pride and old dream for his daughter’s well-being and Laura’s happiness.


Mrs. Ashton (John’s late wife)
- Married John but lived in misery, knowing he still loved Laura.
- Died young from illness worsened by emotional torment
- Her tragic fate highlights John’s indecision and inability to let go of Laura.

Cecilia Ashton (John's Daughter)
- A fragile girl with a weak heart who often suffered from coughs and colds
- John doted on her and cared for her tenderly despite his own illness
- Laura befriended Cecilia, becoming a source of comfort for the child. The child actually tried to tell Laura that she wants her to be her new mother however Laura told her a story. “But I'm not the one you're looking for, Cecilia. That's because... Umm... Because I'm not good enough for your father.” She added jokingly that she was “greedy” like Erysichthon from Greek mythology, cursed with insatiable hunger. If she married Cecilia’s father, she said, “he'll go bankrupt for feeding me.” When Cecilia asked why she was slim despite that, Laura said, “That's part of God's curse.”

Anne & her husband Oswald McGill
- Anne married Oswald, a young lawyer.
- He later became the Dalton family’s private lawyer, securing wealth and honor for them
- They lived happily, traveling together, and remained close friends of Laura and Ian

Jane Hyde & Miss Lottie
- Miss Lottie (Lotis) was a disabled but strong woman who preferred relationships with women. She lost her great love in Africa and turned to writing.
When Jane Hyde was still uncertain of her path, she crossed paths with Miss Lottie at a publishing office. Impressed by Jane’s wit and potential, Miss Lottie requested the Editor to take Jane on as her assistant.
- Jane became Miss Lottie’s assistant, but more than that, she became her companion and confidante.
- Jane wrote a book basically showcases her love for Miss Lottie. She read it first to Laura and Laura pushes her to be brave and read it out to Miss Lottie. Jane told Laura to wait outside the room of Miss Lottie for 2 hours. After 2 hours, Laura tried to listed what was happening inside the room but she just heard giggles and the creaking bed. Laura left with feeling flushed.
- Jane said that they might go to places like Marseille, Milan, or Osaka—and if they found a place they liked, they could even settle there. She tried to convince Laura by saying that abroad, no one would judge her for her past but Laura decided not to go since she has other plans for her which is to confessed to Ian.

Henry Fairfax (eldest nephew of Ian Dalton)
- First nephew, born when Ian was just eight — Ian treated him almost like a son
- Studied at Cambridge, then went to Paris to pursue art, showing talent and passion
- While studying art in Paris, Henry got entangled with Celine, a seductive and dangerous woman. After a drunken night, he woke up in her bed and, out of guilt, proposed marriage. She accepted. Celine soon revealed her sadistic nature — she whipped him, scarred him, and told him she could only stop hurting herself if she hurt others. Henry, ashamed and feeling trapped, endured her cruelty for months, becoming her “toy.” The relationship collapsed when Celine’s husband, a French officer, returned. Henry finally escaped, traumatized and deeply ashamed.
- Returning to England, Henry saw Laura as the opposite of Celine: pure, gentle, and healing. He began worshipping her, dreaming of her as his “goddess” and savior from his nightmares. In a desperate moment, he confessed: “I can’t live without you, Aunt Laura… you are my only hope.”Laura, horrified but compassionate, told him he was confusing reverence and trauma with love. She rejected him kindly, urging him to return to Cambridge and rebuild his life. Ian eventually discovered Henry’s obsession. He saw Henry hugged Laura's laps at Laura's study office. Enraged, he physically attacked Henry and even shooting him for daring to desire Laura. Ian accused him: “You don’t love her. You’re just seeking salvation after Paris.” He then banished Henry from Whitefield Hall, cutting him off as family: “Henry, you’re no longer my nephew.”
- Henry later wrote a farewell letter: he chose to return to Paris and dedicate his life to art, even if it meant poverty
- He never returned to Whitefield; Ian accepted this with mixed sadness and relief, knowing Henry wouldn’t survive under family duty

Olivia Fairfax (Ian’s niece)
- Grows from a spoiled, sometimes rebellious girl into a refined young lady under Laura’s influence. Initially, she does not like Laura since her first love was her Uncle Ian and she later found out that Laura is a bastard child. However, as time goes by, she grew to love Laura and understood her when Laura told her what happened to her parents' love life.
- She becomes very attached to Laura, seeing her as both aunt and role model.
- She was also the one who told Mrs. Starr about Laura's story especially why she rejected Ian multiple times. This helps Laura so much after she married Ian since Mrs. Starr shared to other people who frequently visits her place.
- She proudly acts as godmother to Laura and Ian’s twins, Jane and Louis, showing maturity and pride in her family role.

Daniel Dalton (Ian’s nephew, eldest mischievous one)
- Sent to Eton College to discipline him; he dreams of becoming a naval officer. Laura encourages him by framing Eton as training for his dream.

Gregory Dalton (the younger brother — sometimes called George)
- Very attached to Laura, especially when Daniel leaves for Eton — he enjoys having her attention to himself. More gullible and softer than Daniel, often the victim of his teasing.

William Fairfax (Ian’s cousin, lifelong friend) and Miss Dora Lance
- Loyal but often frustrated with Ian’s arrogance and handling of women. Especially about what happened to Miss Lance's scandal.
- Stood by Miss Lance during her humiliation, caring for her when society shunned her.
- Through this, William fell in love with her resilience and vulnerability. He admired how she held herself despite being mocked.
- Ian also apologized to Miss Lance after he went to the Bath and decided to gave up Laura and to return to his home.
- Eventually married Miss Dora Lance, giving her dignity and happiness after scandal.
- Their wedding was a major London event, turning Miss Lance’s downfall into a redemption story.
- Miss Lance and Laura stayed friends. Ian and Laura was invited to the wedding.


(Personally, I wasn't a fan of the addition where Henry falls in love with Laura; it felt unnecessary. The bond between him and Ian seemed wasted, and Henry comes across as a rather pitiable young man. Although this subplot was likely intended to create a contrast between Henry's misguided, obsessive "love" and Ian's true, mature love, as well as to highlight Ian’s jealousy and protectiveness, it didn’t resonate well with me.)