Clever, ruthless and handsome, William Courtney is the eldest of Hal Courtney’s sons. He becomes known as ‘Black Billy’ to his three younger half – brothers, partly because of his dark and ‘wolfish’ complexion, and partly as he always dresses in black. His siblings fear and loathe him from a young age. He marries Alice Grenville and is left in charge of High Weald while his fathers and brothers sail away to hunt pirates. He and Alice have a son, Francis, who is Hal’s first grandson and thus heir to the estate. At the beginning of Monsoon he is twenty – four.

• Parents: Lord Hal (Henry) Courtney - Judith Nazet
• Other Relatives: Half – brother to Sir Tom Courtney, Sir Guy Courtney, Dorian Courtney.

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