A True Friend: A Novel

In a polished finishing‑school where the daughters of the elite mingle with the children of modest means, Janetta Colwyn serves as the music governess, a small, determined figure whose talent outshines even the most pampered pupils. Margaret Adair, the beautiful heir of a distinguished family, dazzles with grace and intelligence, yet finds herself drawn to Janetta’s quick wit and relentless curiosity. Their friendship, forged amid whispered lessons and secret smiles, unnerves the headmistress, who worries that such an alliance threatens the school’s tidy hierarchy.

As the two girls navigate the expectations of Lady Caroline, their mothers, and a cadre of jealous classmates, they discover how loyalty can bridge stark differences in class and circumstance. Janetta’s brilliance, hidden beneath shabbily sewn jackets, and Margaret’s refined sensibility combine to challenge the rules that keep them apart, hinting at the trials and triumphs that will test the strength of their bond.