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The Lady's Maid: A Novel
From internationally bestselling author Dilly Court comes a breathtaking historical saga about fate, friendship, and family
Born on the same night in the summer of 1854, two infants are ripped away from their young mothers. Kate lives the life of a servant, penniless and shackled to her circumstances, while Josie grows up in the lap of luxury, given privilege and freedom she takes for granted.
Although their lives couldn't be more different, Kate and Josie have been friends since childhood. But their past binds them together in ways they must never know.
Until a chance meeting with a gypsy woman in the street forces Kate and Josie to confront the truth of their pasts—a truth that turns both worlds upside down and threatens their friendship and their very lives.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2012
133 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Dilly Court
84 books417 followersDilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
November 19, 2015
Pleasant fluff
Sometimes you just want to read fluff. Or at least I do. This fit the bill: a princess and the pauper fairytale, as it were, with evil uncles and stepmother, two foundlings, honorable men (and a few dishonorable ones), and a story that rockets between country estates and London's East End, and a happy ending, of course. This was a good "guilty pleasure" historical romance, as tasty and insubstantial as a box of chocolates.
Sometimes you just want to read fluff. Or at least I do. This fit the bill: a princess and the pauper fairytale, as it were, with evil uncles and stepmother, two foundlings, honorable men (and a few dishonorable ones), and a story that rockets between country estates and London's East End, and a happy ending, of course. This was a good "guilty pleasure" historical romance, as tasty and insubstantial as a box of chocolates.
November 28, 2024
This gem from
Dilly Court was a wild ride of fascinating impossibilities ! Two orphaned girls are given by the Gypsies to two very different families.
A barren lady of the Ton buys an infant from a gypsy and pretends to give birth. The other baby is given to a farmer and his wife who had a miscarriage. Their lives intertwine always despite the difference in their stations. The twists and turns in this long story had me up all night.. till both mysteries are solved with great satisfaction. Kudos to Dilly Court for putting this on Kindle Unlimited!!
Dilly Court was a wild ride of fascinating impossibilities ! Two orphaned girls are given by the Gypsies to two very different families.
A barren lady of the Ton buys an infant from a gypsy and pretends to give birth. The other baby is given to a farmer and his wife who had a miscarriage. Their lives intertwine always despite the difference in their stations. The twists and turns in this long story had me up all night.. till both mysteries are solved with great satisfaction. Kudos to Dilly Court for putting this on Kindle Unlimited!!
May 8, 2021
Another great read from Dilly Court. Always go back to this author because she always brings out brilliant, complex and compelling stories.
July 21, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 19th century and the huge difference between the social classes is the main focus. Although the reader can see the way the book will go the reader stays interested and needs to find out how things unwind. I really recommend this book.
November 2, 2014
Liked this story but the story ended to quickly. It left alot of questions unanswered. Does josie win back sams heart? and does kate get her happy ever after?. For me there needs to be a sequel to this story.
February 27, 2014
This book was another great read from dilly court couldnt put this book down loved it.
February 3, 2020
I am left unsure if Sam stayed or went... Maybe there will be a book to carry on with the tale 😍
April 5, 2019
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
This is the second historical novel I have read by Dilly Court, and once again, she sunk me into the period with all the prejudice and classism endemic in the 1800s. The story begins with an awkward friendship between a spoiled, manipulative lady and her lifelong friend who begins the book as a beleaguered housemaid.
Okay, not quite true. It begins in the night on a hill where a Romany woman awaits the birth of her daughter’s illegitimate child for whom she has arranged a home. The child of a noblewoman born out of wedlock is also in her care after she found the mother already in labor by the river. The Romany grandmother finds a safe home for this girl as well, both children growing up believing themselves legitimate.
I never truly liked Josie, raised as a lady, because she is unthinking, hypercritical, and selfish, but I came to appreciate her flawed but contrite nature. She is often repentant after the fact and occasionally shows flashes of maturity even at her worst though they don’t last.
Kate, on the other hand, takes charge of every circumstance with her practical hard working personality, overcoming every obstacle except her sense of place. She’s had to work to help support her father ever since her mother died when she was young. Still, rather than being bitter toward her childhood friend, Kate does her best to help Josie come safely through whatever wild plan she’s dragged Kate into. Her loyalty and capacity for forgiveness rivals that of a saint. She takes far too much abuse from those around her, Josie included.
There are several love stories running throughout though I wouldn’t say they are the primary focus. That honor falls to the tangled relationship between the two young women. While some might protest the love story for Kate and Harry (a man whose wealth comes from trade), including Kate, there are enough historical accounts to show that love did defeat the class and wealth barriers, especially among those who earned their wealth.
Bottom line, the story is nicely resonant of its historical setting, shedding light on the biases and foul behaviors as much as the strength of bonds even when society would frown on them. I especially appreciated the clear presentation of the way different strata of society lived, demonstrated both in description and simple comments about how only the wealthy have the luxury of not knowing how much coin they possess.
The Romany were particularly well done, in my opinion. The first portrayal was enough to make me worry the author shared the views of that period, but then as the story unfolds, a much more nuanced view comes into play.
If you like historical fiction with strong personalities, tangles built out of society’s expectations, a love story, and a touch of mystery, this is one not to miss.
P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This is the second historical novel I have read by Dilly Court, and once again, she sunk me into the period with all the prejudice and classism endemic in the 1800s. The story begins with an awkward friendship between a spoiled, manipulative lady and her lifelong friend who begins the book as a beleaguered housemaid.
Okay, not quite true. It begins in the night on a hill where a Romany woman awaits the birth of her daughter’s illegitimate child for whom she has arranged a home. The child of a noblewoman born out of wedlock is also in her care after she found the mother already in labor by the river. The Romany grandmother finds a safe home for this girl as well, both children growing up believing themselves legitimate.
I never truly liked Josie, raised as a lady, because she is unthinking, hypercritical, and selfish, but I came to appreciate her flawed but contrite nature. She is often repentant after the fact and occasionally shows flashes of maturity even at her worst though they don’t last.
Kate, on the other hand, takes charge of every circumstance with her practical hard working personality, overcoming every obstacle except her sense of place. She’s had to work to help support her father ever since her mother died when she was young. Still, rather than being bitter toward her childhood friend, Kate does her best to help Josie come safely through whatever wild plan she’s dragged Kate into. Her loyalty and capacity for forgiveness rivals that of a saint. She takes far too much abuse from those around her, Josie included.
There are several love stories running throughout though I wouldn’t say they are the primary focus. That honor falls to the tangled relationship between the two young women. While some might protest the love story for Kate and Harry (a man whose wealth comes from trade), including Kate, there are enough historical accounts to show that love did defeat the class and wealth barriers, especially among those who earned their wealth.
Bottom line, the story is nicely resonant of its historical setting, shedding light on the biases and foul behaviors as much as the strength of bonds even when society would frown on them. I especially appreciated the clear presentation of the way different strata of society lived, demonstrated both in description and simple comments about how only the wealthy have the luxury of not knowing how much coin they possess.
The Romany were particularly well done, in my opinion. The first portrayal was enough to make me worry the author shared the views of that period, but then as the story unfolds, a much more nuanced view comes into play.
If you like historical fiction with strong personalities, tangles built out of society’s expectations, a love story, and a touch of mystery, this is one not to miss.
P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
January 22, 2021
Another enjoyable read from Dilly Court set in the mid 19th century, however, I found it full of unbelievable occurrences. From the start, the story regarding two babies born on the same day and delivered by the same woman seemed a bit unlikely. One was of Romany heritage and one from higher social standing but circumstances swapped their upbringing. The two girls are friends throughout their childhood, completely unaware of their beginnings. The book focuses on the difference between social classes. The girl who was brought up in a wealthy family was really annoying how she treated her so-called friend of lower standing and it seemed ridiculous and unlikely how anyone would be so forgiving. Some parts of the book seemed a bit contrived to fit the story and didn't really represent natural occurrences. A very predictable story with some of the dialogue not quite fitting with the characters. After all things said, I still enjoyed the book.
May 2, 2022
I enjoyed this historical novel. Two female babies denied their birth mothers and brought up in very different, yet side by side circumstances. And then the men... one wants and needs to marry money, but doesn't love the man. The other loves the man, but is not in the same social class. A lot of drama and twists of fate before the happy ending coupled with an unexpected turn-around in circumstances.
October 29, 2024
I normally like Dilly court books. This time the book."the lady's maid", has been a bit boring to be honest.
I bought this book in a charity shop because I thought Mum would like it, but after reading it myself, I know she won't .
I found so difficult about this book whilst reading it, was the two main characters Kate and Josie. There just was no connection that I felt between them that made them friends.
I bought this book in a charity shop because I thought Mum would like it, but after reading it myself, I know she won't .
I found so difficult about this book whilst reading it, was the two main characters Kate and Josie. There just was no connection that I felt between them that made them friends.
July 7, 2020
Enjoyable
I'm giving this book 3 stars because I was disappointed at the abrupt ending. I also feel these books should have a glossary to show the meaning of some words as I always have to refer to a dictionary for a number of words. The book itself was an enjoyable read otherwise.
I'm giving this book 3 stars because I was disappointed at the abrupt ending. I also feel these books should have a glossary to show the meaning of some words as I always have to refer to a dictionary for a number of words. The book itself was an enjoyable read otherwise.
June 11, 2022
Dilly Court writes a good story. Another cracker of a story of how the rich live and this not as fortunate suffer. True to form a lord falls in love with the maid and thankfully live happily ever after. Or do they? Of course there is a rival for his affection. So well written. I was enthralled from beginning to end not wanting this book to end. Keep them coming Dilly and thank you
April 9, 2018
Brilliant!
Loved the storyline so much, I was pleasantly surprised with the way it unfolded, especially when the girls parentage was revealed. Wow, absolutely brilliant dilly Court!
Loved the storyline so much, I was pleasantly surprised with the way it unfolded, especially when the girls parentage was revealed. Wow, absolutely brilliant dilly Court!
September 2, 2019
I quite like Dilly Court. As good as all her other books I have read. Always feel like I want to read more when I finish one of her books and this was the same. A little predictable but not so much that you don't see point in reading the book.
September 17, 2019
This was a very different story from Dilly Court. Normally a protagonist of hers falls on hard times, and is destitute in London for most of the novel. However this one is set in Dorset, and Kate has pretty much always lived in poverty.
I also love that this story involved gypsies.
I also love that this story involved gypsies.
October 9, 2020
One of those feel good books that's quite predictable with its twists and turns but a fun read either way. Helped me come out of my reading slump after taking months to finish my last book, this was only a couple of weeks
September 1, 2021
Another very enjoyable read from Dilly Court. The most disappointing thing for me was the ending. It would have been nice to have know what happened to Josie and Sam and Molly. The book was left as though there would be a follow up.
September 13, 2021
An Enjoyable Read
I enjoyed this particular book because it was at least plausible. Unlike some of Dillys other books there wasn't the need to suspend
Your intelligence and accept the book as super stretched fiction.
I enjoyed this particular book because it was at least plausible. Unlike some of Dillys other books there wasn't the need to suspend
Your intelligence and accept the book as super stretched fiction.
May 23, 2025
i hate books 😂🤣😂 they make me cry
the amount of twists and turns in this book had me hooked …
lovely story of friendship love and secret pasts … stubbornness and forbidden love … tear jerker towards the end thats for sure…
the amount of twists and turns in this book had me hooked …
lovely story of friendship love and secret pasts … stubbornness and forbidden love … tear jerker towards the end thats for sure…
February 19, 2018
Brilliant
C b n mkjh g f d s . I o p t r e w q y mm ! ?
C b n mkjh g f d s . I o p t r e w q y mm ! ?
August 10, 2018
I have read many dilly court books ...they are all pretty much the same kind of story but totally enjoyable
A good beach read
A good beach read
August 26, 2018
Brilliant as always! I don’t think there is any book I’ve read of hers that is not fantastic!
October 9, 2019
Great book.. Couldn’t put it down..
November 23, 2019
Another wonderful read by Dilly Court. Couldn't put this one down.
February 13, 2020
It was very slow to start but once I got halfway through I had to read it all in one sitting! As always, I enjoyed all the characters and the adventures the two main girls went on.
July 31, 2020
Great read
Thoroughly loved this book, just could not put it down. Read it in record time. Would recommend it to all Dilly Court readers.
Thoroughly loved this book, just could not put it down. Read it in record time. Would recommend it to all Dilly Court readers.
September 13, 2020
Wonderful
This book held my attention on every page l didn't want to put down and certainly didn't want it to end I would give this book a definate 5 stars
This book held my attention on every page l didn't want to put down and certainly didn't want it to end I would give this book a definate 5 stars
February 4, 2021
Surprised myself and enjoyed this book. Didn't think it would be my thing, but I liked it and the characters (most of them anyway!)
December 29, 2021
Fantastic read
As usual a very good read you can't put it down keeping me from getting bored. Thank you
Thank you
As usual a very good read you can't put it down keeping me from getting bored. Thank you
Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews