Swallowcliffe Hall 1890: Polly's Story

Polly Perkins can hardly believe her luck when she is taken on as under-housemaid at Swallowcliffe Hall. At first it's all she can do to keep up, with endless fires to be laid and beds to be made, never mind when guests arrive from London for a country house party. Will she ever feel at home in this grand old house, full of whispers and ghosts from the past? But friendship and comfort are found in unexpected places and Polly slowly becomes used to her new life - until the discovery of a tragic secret tests her loyalty to the Vye family. When a young American heiress comes to stay at the Hall, Polly must decide whether now is the time to reveal what she knows.

A fascinating insight into the world of country house servants in Victorian times, with extracts from contemporary manuals and etiquette guides at the start of each chapter.