Margaret Montfort

"Margaret Montfort" by Laura E. Howe Richards is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the titular character, Margaret, who navigates her life after the loss of her beloved Aunt Faith, learning to take charge of the family home, Fernley, while dealing with the arrival of her cousin Sophronia Montfort, whose meddling threatens to upend Margaret's tranquil existence. At the start of the novel, Margaret is introduced in a heartfelt exchange with her uncle, Mr. Montfort, as they reminisce about Aunt Faith and their memories in the house. Margaret grapples with grief yet tries to maintain a cheerful atmosphere for her uncle. The narrative illustrates her day-to-day activities, including caring for the household and tending to their garden roses. However, things begin to change when Cousin Sophronia arrives, bringing her own expectations and commands, prompting Margaret to confront her new responsibilities and challenges in preserving her family's legacy and managing her relationships with the house staff while trying to keep her own sense of identity intact.