Aunt Jane's Nieces

Elizabeth De Graf, a bright but modest girl, lives in a bustling household where her father teaches music and her mother stitches a living from embroidery. When a sharply penned invitation arrives from her enigmatic Aunt Jane Merrick, it promises a summer at the grand Elmhurst estate and a generous allowance. The news ignites a fierce debate between her parents, revealing long‑held resentments and financial anxieties that shadow the family’s everyday life. As Elizabeth prepares to leave Cloverton, the promise of a mysterious relative and a new setting stirs both excitement and unease.

At Elmhurst, the young niece will encounter a house full of secrets, from a brooding old cat to the whispered histories of the Merrick line. Alongside new acquaintances—cousins, gardeners, and a curious diplomat—she must navigate unfamiliar expectations while uncovering the true nature of her aunt’s invitation. The first weeks hint at hidden motives and lingering family tensions, setting the stage for a summer that could change Elizabeth’s world forever.