# Ida Culvers — A Bride of a Summer’s Day character guide > Ida Culvers in A Bride of a Summer’s Day by Catherine Louisa Pirkis. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ida, Miss Ida, Culvers, XX Ida **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A high-spirited heiress worth over a hundred thousand pounds, Ida vanishes on her wedding day, leaving her family to fear she has fallen into her husband's ruthless hands. ## Who they are Ida is the bride whose disappearance on her wedding day detonates the novel's central mystery, turning a society marriage into a desperate search across England and France. Her fortune and the clause in her marriage settlement that would pass it to Sefton if she died childless make her vulnerable to a husband rumored to be deep in debt and surrounded by shady creditors. Whether she is a victim, a fugitive, or something more complicated, Ida's silence drives every theory the family constructs, and the found brooch in Paris only deepens the dread that she is being kept from those who love her. ## Relationships ### [Juliet Culvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/juliet_culvers) _family_ Sisters with a deep, complex bond, marked by both closeness and rivalry over Arthur Glynde. ### [Clive Redway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/clive_redway) _romantic_ Clive is intensely infatuated with Ida, pursuing her despite her emotional distance and his own inner conflicts. ### [Father Baldwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/father_baldwin) _professional_ Father Baldwin attempts to counsel Ida, but she resists his moral authority, leading to friction. ### [Francesca Xardez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/francesca_xardez) _friendship_ Francesca is a close companion to Ida, sharing secrets and supporting each other in social matters. ### [Peggy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/peggy) _friendship_ Ida and Peggy share a casual friendship, though Peggy is more loyal to Juliet. ### [John Skinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/john_skinner) _professional_ Ida interacts with John Skinner in a household or estate context, with a formal employer-servant dynamic. ### [Arthur Glynde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/arthur_glynde) _romantic_ Arthur is drawn to Ida as well, creating a love triangle with Juliet, though his primary commitment is to Juliet. ### [Juliet Culvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/juliet_culvers) _family_ Sisters with a deep, complex bond, marked by both closeness and rivalry over Arthur Glynde. ### [Clive Redway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/clive_redway) _romantic_ Clive is intensely infatuated with Ida, pursuing her despite her emotional distance and his own inner conflicts. ### [Juliet Culvers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/juliet_culvers) _family_ Sisters with a deep, complex bond, marked by both closeness and rivalry over Arthur Glynde. ### [Clive Redway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/clive_redway) _romantic_ Clive is intensely infatuated with Ida, pursuing her despite her emotional distance and his own inner conflicts. ### [Peggy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/peggy) _friendship_ Ida and Peggy share a casual friendship, though Peggy is more loyal to Juliet. ## In the story ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/i) The bride, who insists on visiting her mother's grave before leaving, showing a solemn and commanding side. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/ii) Insists on visiting her mother's grave alone after the wedding, showing a commanding tone. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/iii) Disappears from the churchyard after visiting her mother's grave, leaving a note saying she is with friends and will write shortly. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/iv) The missing bride, whose actions are interpreted as self-sacrificial for her sister's happiness. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/v) Her disappearance and the advertisement for her brooch are the central topics. Juliet reveals she paid Sefton's debts and had quarrels with him. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/vi) Though absent, her disappearance is the central mystery driving the plot; her potential to write is mentioned. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/viii) Still missing; no tidings of her from Florence or elsewhere. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/ix) Rumored to have quarreled with Sefton and returned to Dering; Juliet sarcastically claims she is in a padded room. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/x) Though absent, Ida is the central focus of the chapter; her brooch is found in a Paris church, raising questions about her fate. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xi) Her brooch is found in Paris; Clive recalls her as a vibrant girl, now feared dead at her husband's hands. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xii) Her disappearance and the note delivered by an Italian organ-boy are central to Clive's thoughts. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xiii) Her brooch is found and identified, though it has been tampered with, suggesting her possible presence in Paris or foul play. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xiv) Her disappearance and the recovery of her brooch are central to the police interview. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xvii) Her letter from Alta Lauria summons Sefton, mentioning a ring and dying hands, deepening the mystery. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as being possibly in Alta Lauria, the focus of the search. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xix) Overwhelmed by regret after her marriage, she learns of Sefton's betrayal and resolves to seek freedom. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xx) Travels to Alta Lauria despite illness and doubts, determined to see her plan through. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xxi) At Alta Lauria, she witnesses Violante's death and is moved to reflect on her own life, feeling the vanity of pride and the importance of duty. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xxii) Her letter is explained by Violante's death, though she is not present. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xxiii) Mentioned as the reason for Sefton's sacrifice and Clive's mission. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/chapters/xxiv) Returns home after two years of mourning and caring for her mother-in-law, burdened by remorse over her husband's death. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters/ida_culvers - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_bride_of_a_summer_s_day_se/characters