Winifred Waetling

At the young age of 16, Winifred was left to care for her sister, Daphne, and their charming country estate when her father was killed in a tragic carriage accident on Christmas Eve night some 10 years ago. Her father’s sister, Zoe Bainbridge, and her husband Digby, are the only surviving relatives for the girls.

Winifred doesn’t give a thought to fashion, as she is far too tight with her few pennies to spend them on such frivolousness. Unless the intended frivolities are for Daphne. Winifred is determined to give to Daphne what she was denied in the way of a Season and its accompanying opportunities. To that end, Winifred began a business that she has grown into a fairly profitable affair.

It all began when Lady Darrington’s daughter, Amanda, was engaged to a certain Lord Fainright. Amanda Darrington was convinced that this was her “true love” and she began to talk of nothing but the lavish wedding she would have. Lady Darrington’s suspicions were aroused and she spoke, in some desperation, to her acquaintance, Winifred, about the situation. On an innocent, late-night drive through Lord Fainright’s district, Winifred discovered that the good Lord’s home was falling to ill repair and that the coach he was using to fetch Amanda Darrington in for parties and a turn about Hyde Park, was actually one that he rented daily and paid for with gambling winnings from the previous evening – for Lord Fainright was nothing if not a fabulous cards man. Upon the discovery that her newly affianced Lord was not actually a sound businessperson, but one of the gambling set, Amanda Darrington dropped Lord Fainright before the season was out and managed to make a wonderful match with one of the up and coming business set.

Lady Darrington was so happy to have avoided the scandal, she sent Winifred a card filled with gratitude and a small contribution for her trouble. This got Winifred to thinking, and she began to offer her services, discreetly, to mothers of society who wished to investigate personal matters for their families. This has since evolved into investigations of all sorts and has taken root in the heart of her sister, Daphne, as well. It has given them entrée into situations and societies that they may not otherwise have known, and they have developed contacts in the form of grateful patrons all over London and its surrounding countryside. Their greatest passion is in solving problems, riddles, conundrums and enigma of all varieties. Winifred is slightly stubborn, brightly passionate, alarmingly curious, and fiercely loyal.