Patricia M Osborne

Introducing the Main Characters in The Oath

Who is Françoise Angélique Dubois?

Françoise is one of the main protagonists in The Oath.

She was born on 23^rd March 1895 at Vue de Jardin in Penketh, a fictional village in France.  

She’s a stunning looker with gorgeous emerald eyes and shining long chestnut brown hair that runs loose and wild when blowing in the wind. 

When Françoise’s not running carefree through cowslip, she likes to spend time with her best friend, Geneviève, sharing secrets while embroidering cushions.

Françoise’s family are close-knit, with her parents still very much in love. Françoise hopes to find this same kind of happiness when her time comes to take a husband.

Her dreams are shattered on her seventeenth birthday when Papa announces Playtime is over. Seventeen is old enough to wed and bear a child.

Françoise is bound by a one-hundred-year oath, and although devastated when she sets sail for England with her elder brother André for company, she tries to look on it as a new adventure and hopes she’ll find the same love and happiness with her new husband as her parents share.

Who is Tilly?

The second narrator is Matilda Ann Greenwood known as Tilly. Tilly is English and works in service as a maid at Highwood Hall, the Dubois residence. She shares a room with her best friend Daisy.

Tilly is also a looker with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes. She’s in love with the footman Archie, and refuses to listen to the rumours that he’s a scoundrel and treats girls like dirt.

Tilly misses her home and family and looks forward to days off when she spends time with her mam, elder brother and younger siblings. Her young twin brother and sister get excited when she turns up as Cook always packs Tilly a hamper with special treats. 

On Françoise’s arrival, Tilly is promoted to Lady’s maid. The girls, both of the same age, instantly connect.

Who is Sir Charles Henry William Dubois?

Sir Charles is a handsome baronet and lives at Highwood Hall with his mother, Elizabeth. He has black hair with dark eyes like rich soil. Charles is no more enamoured about fulfilling the one-hundred-year oath than Françoise but he has been told it’s his duty to marry a woman of good breeding who can bear him an heir. However, he has secrets to keep from his bride-to-be.  

Who is André Dubois?

André is Françoise’s elder brother and he’s a bachelor. Like Charles, André is handsome but his hair colouring isn’t as dark as Charles’.

André is caring, affectionate and a protector for his sister. He agrees to stay at Highwood Hall until Françoise is settled, before returning home to France. In the meantime, he attracts the attention of eligible ladies and their mothers in the district as a good catch.

Who is Lady Elizabeth Dubois?

Lady Elizabeth is mother to Charles. She’s a widow and has also lost a child. Elizabeth is slim and elegant. On Françoise and André’s arrival she arranges a celebratory welcome for her future daughter-in-law. Elizabeth is set in her ways and will always defend her son, no matter his behaviour.

Who is Antoinette Dubois?

Antoinette Dubois is known as Maman. She’s the mother of Françoise and André. In looks she’s the complete opposite of Lady Elizabeth. Maman is rounded and shows no sign of elegance. She’s very motherly until something happens to change that. She’s also forgetful, stubborn and old fashioned and refuses to move into the modern world.

Who is Lady Suzanna Astley?

Lady Astley has a good sense of humour. In a lot of ways, she reminds Françoise of Lady Elizabeth due to her tall, slim frame and stylish bearing. Suzanna is in her fifties. She has white hair and is open-minded. Suzanna lives at Hargreaves Hall with her nephew. She is a good friend of Antoinette’s and encourages her to see things in a better light.

Who is Matthew Astley?

Matthew Astley is Lady Astley’s nephew. He’s a complete contrast to Charles Dubois in appearance and nature. Matthew’s blond haired with blue eyes, gentle and thoughtful. He falls in love with Françoise from their first meeting. As an eligible bachelor, Matthew like André, is also under the gaze of mothers looking for a husband for their daughters.

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