Sophia “Sophie” Maria Beckett

Sophia “Sophie” Maria Beckett is the heroine of the novel. She is the daughter of the Earl of Penwood and his mistress, a housemaid. For that reason, Sophie is illegitimate, a disgrace during the time that she lived. Sophie’s father took responsibility for her and treated her like he would if she were a legitimate child. He did not claim that she was his child, even though she looked like him, but said she was the orphaned daughter of an old friend.

Sophie’s life changed drastically when her father married Araminta, a woman who had two daughters from a former marriage. Even though Sophia’s father insisted that she be treated like his daughter, Araminta told Sophia that she was inferior to Araminta and her daughters. Sophia’s life changed again when her father died. Araminta was forced to care for Sophia if...