The Girl in the Great House

By Maggie Freeman

16th Century England. When Elaine and Thomas Fisher wed, it is a true love match.

Elaine and her new husband leave their home in northern England and head south, where Thomas plans to get commissions working in the fine houses in the area. But things don’t go as planned: Thomas is forced to sell his tools to feed his pregnant wife, and when he stops at a pub for a drink, a man is killed, and he hangs for a crime he did not commit.

Elaine, now known as the murderer’s widow, is alone, with her infant son Samuel to care for. She learns that Sir Richard Belvoir, Master of the fine house Cymberie, is dying. She has no choice but to care for him, despite him ordering Thomas’ death. 

While most at the grand house treat her poorly, and the villagers shun her, the cook Nathaniel feeds her well, and her strength returns, as does Sir Richard’s. Elaine knows her job won’t last forever, so when the Puritan candle maker Walter Vernon asks her to marry him, she has a decision to make. But is there more behind the proposal than Elaine can fathom?