It's 1876 and Esperanza Gorst, a 19-year-old orphan, arrives at the great country house of Evenwood to be interviewed for the position of maid to the 26th Baroness Tansor. We follow her progress from lady's maid to becoming her lady's companion and friend, each stage of which brings about a corresponding change in her character and temperament, from docile ingénue to sharp-witted manipulator. Gradually, Esperanz becomes enmeshed in a complicated web of intrigue, deceit, and murder, culminating in betrayal by those she trusted most.

Sequel to: The meaning of night.