Blue Hand · Character

Mrs. Groat

A yellow-faced miser in shabby black who counts every penny spent on Grosvenor Square grandeur while her son Digby counts the fortune her brother's will withheld.

supporting

Also known as Old Mrs. Groat, old Mrs. Groat

First appearance: I

As a supporting figure in Blue Hand, Mrs. Groat is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Jonathan Danton's sister, who is entitled to the income from the estate and will take control of the millions on May 30th.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

See Mrs. Groat in I Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Mrs. Groat holds the purse strings of the Danton estate only until the missing heiress's twenty-year shadow expires, and she resents every shilling spent on the luxury surrounding her. Shuffled into a poorly furnished back room while her new secretary is installed in a brocade-and-gold suite, she greets Eunice with grudging compliments and dark, disapproving eyes. Her fear of Digby keeps her signing whatever he places before her, making her both obstacle and instrument in the scheme closing around the Danton inheritance.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mrs. Groat sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mrs. Groat in I

Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Mrs. Groat sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Family
Other

Character groups

Central Mystery Characters
Protagonist

+9 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This excerpt is the narrative climax because it reveals the full scope of Digby Groat’s meticulously planned e…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Jim Steele
friendship · positive
Jim is a supportive ally to Mrs. How this plays out →
Eunice Weldon
friendship · positive
Digby Groat
family · negative
Jim Steele
friendship · positive
Jim is a supportive ally to Mrs. How this plays out →
Eunice Weldon
friendship · positive
Digby Groat
family · negative
Eunice Weldon
friendship · positive
Digby Groat
family · negative
Jim Steele
friendship · positive
Jim is a supportive ally to Mrs. How this plays out →

Jim Steele
Jim is a supportive ally to Mrs. Groat, often helping her navigate her troubled marriage.
Eunice Weldon
Eunice and Mrs. Groat are close friends, confiding in each other about personal matters.
Digby Groat
Digby and Mrs. Groat are married, but their relationship is toxic and abusive.
Jim Steele
Jim is a supportive ally to Mrs. Groat, often helping her navigate her troubled marriage.
Eunice Weldon
Eunice and Mrs. Groat are close friends, confiding in each other about personal matters.
Digby Groat
Digby and Mrs. Groat are married, but their relationship is toxic and abusive.
Eunice Weldon
Eunice and Mrs. Groat are close friends, confiding in each other about personal matters.
Digby Groat
Digby and Mrs. Groat are married, but their relationship is toxic and abusive.
Jim Steele
Jim is a supportive ally to Mrs. Groat, often helping her navigate her troubled marriage.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Mrs. Groat in I

In the story

Mrs. Groat appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Jonathan Danton's sister, who is entitled to the income from the estate and will take control of the millions on May 30th.
III
Has hired Eunice as her secretary; previously resisted the idea of a secretary when suggested by Mr. Salter.
IV
Briefly meets Eunice, appears weak and dismissive, and later claims a headache.
VII
Reluctantly gives Eunice work, steals her watch, and collapses in shock upon seeing the scar on Eunice's wrist.
VIII
Her reaction to the scar puzzles Jim and Eunice; she is ill and her affairs need clearing.
Chapter IX
Referred to as Jonathan Danton's sister, disinherited by her father and living on her brother's charity; her marriage to Groat is suggested as a cause of the old man's anger.
The Secret Will
Her secret will is discovered; she is recovering from a stroke; her past beauty is revealed through a miniature.
Chapter XI
Recovering from her illness; Eunice learns from the nurse she will be normal soon.
XIII
Mentioned as recovering; revealed to be a drug addict controlled by Digby.
XIV
Mentioned as the person Eunice hopes will find her real work to do.
XVII
Mentioned as possibly being behind the Selengers, along with her son Digby.
Chapter XX
Reveals her past affair with the Marquis of Estremeda and that Digby is his son; later talks with Eunice about her scar and birthplace.
XXI
Rambles about her youth, warns Eunice about Digby, and reacts with terror to the mention of Madge Benson and the blue hand.
XXIV
Asked Eunice to write to Mrs. Weatherwale, is afraid of Digby.
XXVII
Mentioned as knowing Eunice's identity; her stroke was triggered by seeing the scar.
XXXI
Forced by Digby to sign a document; revealed to be a kleptomaniac.
XXXII
Under the influence of morphine, she confronts Digby about his theft of her property and reveals the secret of Dorothy Danton's survival and the scar he inflicted.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mrs. Groat unlock in the free preview.

See Mrs. Groat in I