Book description
The story moves between the 1920s and the 1770s, following two
heroines: 20th century Jan Challard, a London girl, and 18th century
Juliana Clare, the youngest daughter of an aristocratic Berkshire
family. Jan is independent and spirited, but leads a humdrum life,
working in an office, and walks out with a very suitable young man.
Juliana, at 17 years of age, is getting the upbringing of a young lady
in the enormous family mansion, Chidleigh, and her life is devoid of
excitement and event.
The two heroines can see one another from time to time, momentarily,
through some rent in the fabric of time, but never manage to meet and
interact. Their lives converge as Juliana's world is turned upside down;
her father dies and her notoriously wicked and mysterious brother,
Lucian Clare, returns to take his position as head of the family. Lucian
recognizes a supernatural power in Juliana, and uses this to reach out
to Jan through the ages. Margaret Irwin (1889-1969) was educated at
Clifton High School in Bristol, and then at Oxford University. She began
writing books and short stories in the early 1920s. She married children
s author and illustrator John Robert Monsell in 1929.
Irwin was praised for her historical accuracy in her novels, and she
wrote passionately about the English Civil War. In The Proud Servant she
caused generations to fall in love with the ill-fated but charismatic
Earl of Montrose, Charles I s Commander in Scotland.
