Esmond Haddock, son of the late owner of a widely advertised patent remedy known as Haddock's Headache Hokies and the late Flora Deverill, master of Deverill Hall, King's Deverill, Hampshire in The Mating Season. Broad-shouldered, about 30, author of fruity and emotional sonnet sequences. Lives with his five imperious aunts: Charlotte, Emmeline, Harriet, and Myrtle Deverill and Daphne Winkworth. In love with Corky Pirbright. Jeeves' uncle Charlie Silversmith is his butler.

• The Mating Season