The main characters of this book are fictional characters, while The Rakes of Marlborough House are real historical figures. Lady Brooke held the heart of the Prince of Wales for ten years. In 1893, “Brookie” became Earl of Warwick, and the year before that, the charming Daisy became interested in the ideas of socialism. Unlike her contemporaries, she showed sincere concern for the fate of the poor, the elderly, miners and industrial workers and spent her entire vast fortune on charitable purposes. The Prince of Wales was extremely superstitious. He never sat at a table of thirteen people, and forbade turning over mattresses on Fridays. When the Prince of Wales became King Edward, Mr. Arthur Balfour was appointed Prime Minister. He died unmarried with the title of first Earl of Belfour. His love affair with Viscountess Elko proceeded in true Edwardian traditions and lasted from 1883, when the Viscountess married, until 1922, when the Earl of Balfour died.