The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

Bonnie is the quick-witted, determined daughter of the Willoughby family who begins to see through Slighcarp’s schemes. Her courage and resourcefulness drive the effort to safeguard the family fortune and expose the truth. She uses wit and daring to navigate danger and protect those around her.

Sylvia is Bonnie’s brave cousin who stands by her in the face of deception. She assists in uncovering the governess’s plans and helps execute daring escapes. Her loyalty and quick thinking keep hope alive during the darkest moments.

Letitia Slighcarp is the calculating governess who seizes control of Willoughby Chase, dismisses the staff, and engineers the forgery of a new will. She pursues the girls with ruthless determination and orchestrates their transfer to the harsh Blastburn orphanage.

Lady Willoughby is Bonnie’s ailing mother, whose illness motivates the journey and the events surrounding the Will. Her absence creates vulnerability that allows Slighcarp’s plans to take hold.

Lord Willoughby is the patriarch whose estate and fortune are central to the drama. His status anchors the family’s claim to their home and fortune, and his survival after perilous turns helps restore order.

Mr. Grimshaw is the master forger who partners with Slighcarp to falsify documents and scheme to seize the estate. His criminal craft drives the central threat and the tension surrounding the forged will.

James is the loyal footman who aids Bonnie and Sylvia, navigating dangerous assignments to help them until Slighcarp’s plans unravel. His steadfastness is a steadying force amid the turmoil.

Pattern is the steadfast maid who survives Slighcarp’s purge and becomes a quiet ally in the effort to restore order. She provides practical help during the escape and reconstruction of the household.

Gertrude Brisket runs the Blastburn orphanage with an iron fist. The harsh conditions and dangerous machinery symbolize the brutal realities of the era’s social system and set the stage for the girls’ challenge to oppression.

Rupert is a teenaged overseer at the orphanage who embodies cruelty, pushing Sylvia toward peril on the factory floor. His demise reflects the consequences of the oppressive regime surrounding the children.

Simon is a discreet boy living in a nearby cave who becomes a crucial ally to Bonnie and Sylvia. He helps them navigate dangerous paths and provides essential support for their escape.

Dr. Morne is the local physician who becomes a focal point in the girls’ attempts to secure help. His involvement underscores the tension between care and suspicion during the crisis.

Aunt Jane is Lord Willoughby’s cousin who ultimately inherits the East Wing, ensuring Bonnie and Sylvia have a home as the villains are defeated and order is restored.

Joey is a small boy at the Blastburn laundry whose death becomes a catalyst for the protagonists to challenge the harsh regime and fight for better conditions.