This second novel in Atwater’s Regency Faerie Tales series is just as charming and delightful as the first. We’re heading downstairs in this one but it’s still full of faerie shenanigans!
Housemaid Euphemia Reeves has fallen in love with a man far above her humble station. The youngest son of The Family, he is generally pleasant to the servants and is aware enough to take his muddy boots off at the door to save them some work. Obviously this makes him a perfect though improbable match! Effie has resigned herself to an invisible life below stairs, stitching her feelings into her embroidery, when she bumps into Lord Blackthorn, who we had met briefly in the first book. Lord Blackthorn is very excited at this chance to do good deeds and so offers to help Effie marry the man she loves in return for one of her beautiful embroideries on his jacket. Effie is justifiably hesitant but accepts his deal. Who knew a faerie godfather could be such enthusiastic trouble?
Although this is a Cinderella retelling and overall sweet with a happy ending, Atwater does not shy away from the harsh reality of Effie’s life (nothing that requires a warning, not that harsh). Effie and her fellow servants are being working into exhaustion and beyond while completely invisible. Up at dawn for the fireplaces, running all day and no time to tend to your own needs till all your work is done, then up for the fireplaces again! Eat the rich indeed because you surely don’t even have time for breakfast. Enter the extremely enthusiastic Lord Blackthorn. He wants to learn to be virtuous by being kind to the powerless and cruel to the powerful. I approve wholeheartedly! Regency hijinks ensue and it is all quite delightful. I’ve really been enjoying Atwater’s work and look forward to the next novel.