A Countess Below Stairs I

On Sunday, I started a fantastic book.  It is called A Countess Below Stairs, by Eva Ibbotson.  Right now I am on page 207. (It is Tuesday evening.)  I am loving this book, because I love stories about royalty and high-class families of the past, and the main character in this book is a young Russian countess.  Also, I enjoy love stories, and this is a love story.  

The main character in this book is named Anna Grazinsky.  During the Russian Revolution, her extremely wealthy family looses all of their riches-which they entrusted to Anna and her brother Petya's nursemaid-are gone, because when they were escaping Russia, the nursemaid never showed up at their meeting point.  Now Anna; her devoted governess, Miss Pinfold (whom Anna and Petya call Pinny); Anna's mother, Countess Grazinsky; and Petya are poor and in England.  Petya got a scholarship to a good boarding school, and Anna decided to take a job as a temporary housemaid at Mersham, an earl's estate in the country.  Pinny doesn't want to let her go, but they reach a compromise to let Anna go, but not to tell anyone that she is a countess.  

The staff at Mersham are preparing for the new earl, Rupert, Seventh Earl of Westerholme, who is coming home from fighting in the war.  He is bringing home a fiancee; when he was injured and in the hospital, a nurse named Muriel took care of him and they became engaged.  

We learn that Muriel is a great believer in eugenics, which is the belief that people should be "bred" like horses; only "good" people should have children, to get rid of the physical and mental hereditary illnesses, and everyone should strive to have the "Ideal Body".  From the beginning, we are led to believe that Muriel is only marrying Rupert for his title and lands, and she hates anyone who is not "perfect".  This is solidified into fact when Muriel is cold to the Rabinovitch's at a welcome dinner for herself, just because they are Jewish (Muriel thinks anyone who is not Christian is not "good".)  Also, Muriel asks for a junior bridesmaid to be selected by Rupert, and the obvious choice is Ollie Byrne, daughter of the Viscount of a neighboring estate.  She is very sweet and pretty, and loved by all, but she was born early and got sick.  She survived, but has a limp.  When Muriel sees her for the first time at the fitting of the dresses, Ollie is in her bridesmaid dress and is simply overjoyed at the dress and at being asked to be a bridesmaid.  Muriel is silent while Ollie walks to her, but when Ollie stops in front of her, and gazes adoringly up at Muriel, Muriel hisses, "Why did no one tell me she is crippled?" just as Ollie's protective older brother walks into the room.  Ollie is devastated at the comment, but the rest of the day turns out good.  

Also, Anna is attracted to Rupert the moment she is introduced to him, and I think he is falling in love with her as well.  I can't wait to see what happens to them as we get closer to the wedding!