# Lucy Steele — Sense and Sensibility character guide > Lucy Steele in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Lucy, Miss Steele, Lucy Steele, Miss Lucy Steele **First appearance:** 0021-xxii ## Who they are A cunning young woman with no fortune and a talent for smiling confidences, she claims a prior engagement that quietly rearranges Elinor's world. ## Relationships ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _rivalry_ Lucy is Elinor's cunning rival for Edward's affections, revealing her secret engagement to torment Elinor. ### [Edward Ferrars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/edward_ferrars) _romantic_ Edward is bound by a youthful, imprudent secret engagement to the manipulative Lucy Steele. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Lucy is a flattering, scheming guest of Mrs. Jennings, who is unaware of her true nature. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _rivalry_ Lucy is Elinor's cunning rival for Edward's affections, revealing her secret engagement to torment Elinor. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _rivalry_ Lucy is Elinor's cunning rival for Edward's affections, revealing her secret engagement to torment Elinor. ### [Edward Ferrars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/edward_ferrars) _romantic_ Edward is bound by a youthful, imprudent secret engagement to the manipulative Lucy Steele. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Lucy is a flattering, scheming guest of Mrs. Jennings, who is unaware of her true nature. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Lucy is a flattering, scheming guest of Mrs. Jennings, who is unaware of her true nature. ## In the story ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxi) Lucy is the younger Miss Steele, pretty and shrewd, who flatters Lady Middleton and her children with constant attention. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxii) Lucy deliberately engages Elinor in conversation and reveals her four-year secret engagement to Edward Ferrars, showing her cleverness and manipulative nature. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxiii) Reveals her engagement to Edward, shows jealousy of Elinor, and engages in filigree work for Lady Middleton's child. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxiv) Manipulatively seeks Elinor's advice on her engagement to Edward, feigning insecurity while subtly probing Elinor's feelings and asserting her claim. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxv) Lucy Steele is among those who are extremely happy upon hearing the news of the Dashwoods' impending visit to London. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxii) Lucy Steele arrives in London with her sister and greets Elinor with pointed remarks about her extended stay, hinting at her secret engagement. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiv) Revels in being distinguished by Mrs. Ferrars; exultant at the attention, unaware of the irony. ### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxv) Lucy visits Elinor to boast about Mrs. Ferrars's civility, interpreting it as a sign of favor and a good omen for her engagement. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvi) Flatters Lady Middleton and Mrs. John Dashwood, gaining their favor; scrutinizes Marianne's attire. ### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxvii) Revealed as Edward's secret fiancée; Marianne finds her unamiable, but Elinor acknowledges her sense. ### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxviii) Writes a letter to Elinor detailing her continued engagement to Edward and seeking assistance. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xli) Overjoyed by Edward's news, she expresses gratitude to Elinor and eagerly plans for life at Delaford Parsonage. ### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlvii) Now Mrs. Ferrars, she sends a message through Thomas to the Dashwoods, expressing compliments and promising to visit when they return. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/l) Lucy Steele cunningly marries Robert Ferrars, securing Mrs. Ferrars's favor through flattery and self-interest, and becomes a favorite child in the family. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/lucy_steele - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters