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Elizabeth "Bennet" Wakefield

Elizabeth Wakefield has left Sweet Valley, and her entire family, behind! After being betrayed by Jessica and Sam in a way she thought was unimaginable, Elizabeth can no longer stand to be in the same country as her former best friends. Heading to London, with thoughts of enrolling at the University of London on a creative writing scholarship, Elizabeth almost faces disaster when she realises she never accepted the offer, therefore doesn't have a place at the University...

Whilst wondering the streets of London, penniless and desperate for a place to stay, Elizabeth happens upon Pennington House - a huge, intimidating home of the Earl of Pennington and his two children, Max and Sarah. After over-hearing the staff's need for a new maid, Elizabeth seizes the opportunity and offers her services to the house, in return for a place to stay.

So now Elizabeth is a scullery maid, by the name of Elizabeth Bennet. And a whole new life awaits her.

Max Pennington

Max Penningont is the only son of the pompous Earl, but doesn't share his father's old-fashioned ideas and values. Despite being engaged to Lavinia, an impeccably dressed, high society Lady whom his father is very proud of, Max dreams of being free - free to be his own person. He shares Elizabeth's love of writing, and longs to drop all his political and economic duties and lose himself in writing a novel. From the moment he lays eyes on the new American scullery maid, Elizabeth Bennet, Max realises he's in trouble...

Because as ludicrous as it may sound to Max, he is absoultely smitten with the new servant at Pennington House.

Sarah Pennington

Sarah Pennington is the 16-year-old daughter of the Earl of Pennington, and her teenage years are starting to get the better of her father! Especially when he receives a call from her headmistress regarding Nick - Sarah's boyfriend.

Sarah is head-over-heels in love with Nick, and nothing or no-one can keep the two of them apart. But without a mother or an older sister to confide in about herself and Nick's relationship, is Sarah getting herself in too deep?

Vanessa Shaw

Vanessa Shaw is a scullery maid at Pennington House, who's attitude upon Elizabeth's arrival, almost scared her away. But Vanessa has a reason for keeping her distance, keeping herself to herself. She is working at Pennington House to undercover a great secret about the Earl...

...A secret that could blow apart his entire life.

James Leer

James Leer is Max's life-long best friend, who grew up on the neighbouring estate and who is also working hard to University to finish his thesis. Unlike Max, James isn't the son of an Earl, therefore is free to date anyone he choses...if only the scullery maid that he is interested in would give him the time of day!

James is completely besotten with Vanessa, but can not get her to even look at him! Can he win over Max's maid, before Vanessa writes him off for good?

Lavinia Thurston

Lavinia "Ice Queen" Thurston is Max's Fiancee, soon to be married into the Pennington family. Lavinia lost her parents a short while ago, leading Max to see a whole new, vulnerable side to her, which lead to a proposal. But now Lavinia is obsessed - obsessed with having the perfect wedding, the perfect china patterns and the perfect life - as Lady Pennington...

But that is the last thing her fiance, Max, wants.

Alice

Alice is the fellow scullery maid of Elizabeth and Vanessa, and is a quiet, timid (and sometimes pretty useless) young worker. Constantly working in fear of upsetting Mary, her boss, Alice tries hard to get throw all her chores with as little fuss as possible, earning her keep as a employee.

Mary

Mary is the head housekeeper at Pennington House, and Elizabeth's new boss. In the opinion of the scullery maids, she lives to serve Earl Pennington and his family, catering and cleaning to their every whim.