Helen Gailey

Betsy and Catherine Helen Gailey

Set in eighteenth-century London, England, this fictional novel touches on the life of the upper crust and those who served them. As they both come together, foolish choices and harrowing consequences take two women-one an aristocrat and the other her servant-into a storm of trial, scorn, and tribulation. Stripped of title, recognition, and value, one wonders who the heroine really is, Catherine or Betsy? Catherine repeatedly asks, How will Lord Edward find us? A twisted and perverse judge condemns these two women to the Australian colonies. What is his motivation? Why would he want to hurt two women he'd never seen before? When everything about her life and station no longer has meaning, tears flow for Catherine. What has she done? Her foolishness has bought shame both on herself and her dearest friend, Betsy. How can she go on if they are parted? As Betsy looks back in time, her memories share love, concern, and deep anxiety. As she looks forward, she questions, Am I worthy of kindness above my station?