1828 Suffolk. A woman in precarious circumstances. Emma after giving loyal services at the Rectory is summarily dismissed when the new Rector takes over. The new rector under the thumb of his pretentious and overbearing mother sees Emma as a threat to her ambitions of getting her son married to someone of “quality”. Emma does not suit.
Emma falls on her feet when she is offered a job as ladies maid cum assistant to a reluctant housekeeper at the nearest manor and it looked like things will settle down. It was not to be and a series of mishaps including a drunken episode by her brother and the disastrous robbery of Emma’s possessions including documents and jewellery by the Squires brother put paid to any stability for Emma. The final nail in the coffin is when the squire himself faces bankruptcy and eviction because of the fraud and robbery by his own brother. The manor is put up for auction.
The last bit is a fairy story and gives the happily ever after to this read.
For readers who like to know what it is to live in the early 19th century in rural England, the lifestyle, the rather helpless position of women, the dominance of men - this is good descriptive reading.
Sent by The Book Guild for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley
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