Ian & Isabelle McTavish

Ian and Isabelle McTavish, characters from the The Unexpected Heiress series, are the red herring in the mystery behind Amelia Hayes's death. Although clues are scattered in the chapters beforehand, Ian is first seen in Chapter 7 and his name is revealed in Chapter 8. Isabelle makes her first appearance in Chapter 8.

Appearances
Ian has green eyes, black hair, and fair-to-tan skin. He wears a standard gray chauffeur uniform with brass buttons.

Isabelle has gray eyes, curly blonde hair pinned behind her head, and fair skin. She wears a gray dress.

The Unexpected Heiress

 * Chapter 7: Belle of the Ball
 * Chapter 8: The Chase

The Unexpected Heiress

 * Chapter 8: The Chase

Amelia Hayes
When Amelia visited the Whittenby estate, Isabelle used to work there and was assigned to be her maid. They became friends and because Amelia took an interest in her life, Isabelle admitted to her that she fancied Ian. Because it was and is not allowed for unmarried staff to become involved with one another, Amelia volunteered to be their go-between and would deliver letters from Isabelle to Ian and from Ian to Isabelle. Little did Isabelle know that Ian reciprocated her feelings and so whenever Amelia visited, she would help them arrange places to meet so they could be together.

"I need to see you. I know it's risky because of all the lies, but my heart can't wait any longer. Meet me by the stables at midnight. I pray you'll be there." When a letter from Ian to Isabelle was found in Amelia's room by a maid, the assumption was that Ian wrote it to Amelia. The butler and the head housekeeper reprimanded Ian for the letter and he was allowed to keep his position. Lord and Lady Whittenby never found out and the butler and housekeeper hid the information from the staff, but gossip spread.

When Isabelle found out she was expecting, she wrote to Amelia for help. Amelia borrowed a large sum of money from her aunt and with Ian and his friend who works in the mercantile exchange, they opened up a bank account under the name "Stanley Weatherington". Amelia purchased a home for them near the Whittenby estate, and Isabelle quit her job before she began to show signs of the pregnancy. In hindsight, Isabelle feels if they had let the head housekeeper and butler know about their relationship and gotten married before she had gotten pregnant, she might have been able to stay employed.

Amelia recommended Dr. Porter to them, and attended some of Isabelle's appointments at Erithford Hospital in London. Even though Isabelle said they could just use a midwife, Amelia insisted on the doctor and they used pseudonyms to conceal their identities there. When you mention a trunk of toys and supplies there, both Ian and Isabelle are surprised but promise to go to the hospital to retrieve it.

Because Ian doesn't have a telephone, sometimes he would go to Windcroft village to meet with Amelia to talk about finances and supplies. They met at the inn because the innkeeper doesn't pry into people's business. The three of them would also attend the village dances as well when the McTavishes were able to go to Windcroft; Amelia seemed to want to escape from life at the manor and Isabelle needed a distraction. However, Ian never met Amelia on Windcroft Estate proper.

Ian and Isabelle sent Amelia a small wedding gift, a candle that Isabelle made and wrote "I.M" on the bottom of since both of them have the same initials. They had not seen Amelia for a long time, her last two visits with them spaced far apart.

Your Character
After explaining all that transpired, they tell you that the last time they saw Amelia, she gave them a small toy bear that she made herself. Isabelle offers the toy to you, and if you choose to take it, you find a small pouch sewed inside the bear. It contains a signet ring for the Walrus Club, which is used as a passkey into the headquarters. Ian and Isabelle mention that they had introduced Amelia to "the cause", and when Ian would meet with Amelia, she wanted to learn more about the politics and ways to help society. Isabelle feels like Amelia became impassioned with the cause and may have angered some political figures due to her outspokenness.

Trivia

 * Isabelle's character model resembles Mrs. O'Malley from the Desire &amp; Decorum series.
 * Ian shares his first name with male Professor Kingsley from Queen B.