Publisher's Synopsis
The first novel presents a 19th century woman in her mid-30s who is born of good people but who is almost penniless. While she strives to earn money by serving the upper class members, she fails to get by. She works for the selfish Lady Maria Bayne who isn't treating her right, despite Emily's kind heart and good nature. But luck is just around the corner, with her being courted by the wealthy Marquis Walderhurst. He is considerably older than her, but he is rich and apparently kind hearted. She gets married and she becomes "one of the richest Marchionesses in England". It appears that all her problems are gone. The story is similar to Cinderella's and the first novel ends with "and they live happily ever after". But are they really going to live happily ever after?The second novel shows us that real life isn't like in fairy tales. Her husband travels to India, leaving Emily Fox-Seaton with his child. Things take a strange twist as Alec Osborn, the former heir, attempts to regain what he believes to be his birthright. Murder plots abounds which endanger the life of the heroine. However, she still doesn't believe anyone is out to get her despite the numerous accidents occurring in the area.Frances Hodgson Burnett hasn't just written a modern fairy tale but has also brought the racial and social inequality of that era to light.
