A thoroughly enjoyable Cinderella story. Jane is the daughter of a gentleman who was disowned by his father when he married a servant. Edward became a clerk, and they lived happily until he died when Jane was eight. With his death came a loss of income, so Jane and her mother became servants. Many years later, Mrs. Bailey achieved the post of housekeeper, and Jane became a lady's maid. She is happy with her place in the world when a stranger arrives with a message summoning her to meet her estranged grandfather, Mr. Millthorpe.

Robert and his widowed mother have lived with his great-uncle-by-marriage since he was eight. He has grown rather fond of the grouchy, domineering, and sometimes manipulative old man and handles much of the estate's business for him. He's not too happy to be sent on this extended trip to retrieve an unknown woman with no explanation of why.

I liked the protectiveness that Jane's employer felt for her and her desire to get to know Robert a little before helping him. I laughed a little at everything Lady Kingswood put him through before she agreed to let Jane leave with him.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Robert and Jane. It built slowly over the length of their journey and after they arrived at Beechmount Hall. Jane intrigues and attracts Robert from the start, but he is very cognizant of the difference in their stations. I loved seeing them get to know each other. Jane's intelligence delights Robert, and they while away the hours of travel talking about everything from politics to food to what life is like as a servant. There are some sweet scenes of Robert's gentlemanly behavior and growing feelings for Jane.

Jane's life takes an unexpected turn when she reaches her grandfather's home. Thrust into a situation where she's no longer the servant, but the served, she feels more than a little bit lost and out of her element. Her grandfather makes cryptic statements that do nothing to ease her discomfort, though he eventually loosens up. The scene involving her dress and her grandmother's portrait was especially moving. Meanwhile, his wife does everything she can to make Jane feel unwelcome. Robert's mother is sweet, and Robert himself provides support and encouragement when Jane needs it. The time they spend together pulls Robert and Jane closer, but their social stations still present a considerable obstacle. Jane still plans to return to her post as a lady's maid and feels the pull of her current life at Beechmount Hall.

I ached for all of them when Mr. Millworth died, but especially for Jane and Robert. Mr. Millworth continued his manipulative ways from beyond the grave, complicating matters for both Robert and Jane. Robert, who had just realized the depth of his feelings for Jane, now fears she'll think he only wants her for her inheritance. Neither one wants the other to feel compelled to marry. Robert receives good advice from an unexpected source but fails to use the one thing that would solve his dilemma. I hurt for Jane, who gained what she wanted but without the one thing she craved the most. I loved the ending as Robert's love showed through his kindness and compassion, and Jane recognized it and dared to admit her own. The epilogue's peek into Jane, and Robert's future was a nice wrap-up to the book.

I liked the attention to detail in describing a servant's life and duties, from scullery maid to housekeeper. The differences in status between the servants and their employers were dealt with realistically. I loved the scene at the inn where a stunned Robert discovers what being a servant rates for sleeping quarters. I loved what he did about it, not just for Jane but also for the other maids. I liked how his conversations with Jane provided an eye-opening view into a world he never considered before. I also liked the scene at Beechmount Hall when Jane experienced being on the receiving end of having a lady's maid. Her observations from her place in both worlds were a fascinating peek at a group rarely featured. ( )

It's impossible not to like Jane and Robert and take delight in their initial friendship followed by their burgeoning romance. The path to romance didn't run completely smoothly. There was the issue of Jane being the long lost granddaughter to a wealthy and aristocratic family. Her appearance was met with open hostility by some, mild curiosity by others, and hope and love by her grandfather.
I loved the realism is this book. Jane didn't have an easy upbringing after her father died and her story is treated with intelligence and sympathy.

This is a lovely and touching read. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who enjoys historical regency romances. ( )