Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall? Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding? On her journey from wellborn lady to servant to uncertain future, Margaret must learn to look past appearances and find the true meaning of "serve one another in love."
I respect [a:Julie Klassen|928415|Julie Klassen|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/authors/1351867046p2/928415.jpg]'s intent with this novel. I think it just felt typical and unsurprising. I mean there were pirates and sword fights which were entertaining flourishes. But mostly it was a standard girl's character improves through unexpected circumstances and romance ensues.
There was too much time spent in below stairs details. It felt a little like reading an episode of Downton Abbey. And while I get that she was trying to immerse you in the time period and going for historical accuracy, that didn't make it any more interesting to me.
I also found the ending rather abrupt. I wasn't surprised by how it all played out so I wasn't looking for the reveal, I was looking for the experience. I wanted to be able to enjoy them being together and a little bit of awkwardness over the whole thing would have been fun. Not 6 sentences explaining where everyone ended up.
But overall it wasn't a bad book. The character and the setting and the plot were all pleasant enough. It was a nice, light, easy read.
