Simon · Character

Cicely Farmond

A charming, quick-eyed young woman living on the Cromartys' charity, whose unknown parentage bars her from marrying the heir and who decides to find out the truth herself.

major

Also known as Miss Farmond, Miss Cicely Farmond, Cicely, Farmond

First appearance: V: The Third Visitor

As a major figure in Simon, Cicely Farmond is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Emerges from a room in Rattar's office and meets Ned Cromarty.

In the storyIV: The Man from the WestOpen this moment free

See Cicely Farmond in IV: The Man from the West Book page

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Lady Cromarty warns that no girl who uses her eyes so effectively is quite as simple as Sir Reginald believes, and Cicely proves it by walking into Simon Rattar's office and demanding to know who she is. She has guessed part of the secret already and knows exactly how to deploy a coaxing note and a look beneath her lashes to win a lost battle. Her uncertain birth sits at the center of the family's arrangements, and her refusal to accept the mystery makes her the engine of the story's middle act.

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

See Cicely Farmond in V: The Third Visitor

Character Web

13 connections

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

Relationship types

Romantic
Friendship
Rivalry

Character groups

Central Mystery Participants
Protagonist

+8 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because Ned Cromarty experiences an emotional and psychological peak of re…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Ned Cromarty
romantic · positive
Cicely and Ned share a deep romantic attachment, though their relationship is complicated… How this plays out →
F. T. Carrington
friendship · positive
Simon Rattar
rivalry · negative
Lady Cromarty
friendship · positive
James Bisset
friendship · positive
Malcolm Cromarty
family · positive
Ned Cromarty
romantic · positive
Cicely and Ned share a deep romantic attachment, though their relationship is complicated… How this plays out →
F. T. Carrington
friendship · positive
Ned Cromarty
romantic · positive
Cicely and Ned share a deep romantic attachment, though their relationship is complicated… How this plays out →
James Bisset
friendship · positive
Lady Cromarty
friendship · positive
James Bisset
friendship · positive

Ned Cromarty
Cicely and Ned share a deep romantic attachment, though their relationship is complicated by family loyalties and external pressures.
F. T. Carrington
Cicely and Carrington are trusted friends, often supporting each other in navigating the town's intrigues.
Simon Rattar
Cicely and Rattar are adversaries, with Cicely actively opposing Rattar's schemes and protecting those he targets.
Lady Cromarty
Cicely and Lady Cromarty are close friends, often sharing confidences and supporting each other emotionally.
James Bisset
Cicely and James are friendly allies, sharing a mutual respect and often cooperating in their efforts.
Malcolm Cromarty
Cicely and Malcolm are siblings, with a bond that is affectionate but occasionally strained by differing loyalties.
Ned Cromarty
Cicely and Ned share a deep romantic attachment, though their relationship is complicated by family loyalties and external pressures.
F. T. Carrington
Cicely and Carrington are trusted friends, often supporting each other in navigating the town's intrigues.
Ned Cromarty
Cicely and Ned share a deep romantic attachment, though their relationship is complicated by family loyalties and external pressures.
James Bisset
Cicely and James are friendly allies, sharing a mutual respect and often cooperating in their efforts.
Lady Cromarty
Cicely and Lady Cromarty are close friends, often sharing confidences and supporting each other emotionally.
James Bisset
Cicely and James are friendly allies, sharing a mutual respect and often cooperating in their efforts.

Relationship notes

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

See Cicely Farmond in V: The Third Visitor

In the story

Cicely Farmond appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV: The Man from the West
Emerges from a room in Rattar's office and meets Ned Cromarty. She is dressed in mourning, appears under twenty, and admits she is not supposed to be there. She accepts Ned's offer of a ride home.
V: The Third Visitor
Visits Rattar to demand knowledge of her true identity, having guessed she is Sir Reginald's illegitimate niece.
VII: The Drive Home
Accepts Ned's coat and company, shares her financial dependence, and responds shyly to his attention.
VIII: Sir Reginald
Returns from a walk with Malcolm; deflects questions about her whereabouts and rebuffs Malcolm's pleas for sympathy.
A Philosopher
Engages with Bisset about Ned Cromarty, showing curiosity about his past and defending his appearance.
X: The Letter
Reads about George Rattar's death and asks questions; later plays billiards and is approached by Malcolm.
XII: Cicely
In deep mourning, she receives Ned's sympathy and admits she cannot believe the murder has happened, nor can she suspect anyone.
XIV: The Question of Motive
Mentioned as a beneficiary of a £2,000 legacy and as secretly engaged to Sir Malcolm.
XV: Two Women
Begins packing to leave but agrees to stay at Lady Cromarty's request, feeling uneasy about the baronet's strange behavior.
XVI: Rumour
Mentioned as the other party in the rumored secret engagement, now kept at Keldale under Lady Cromarty's watch.
XVIII: £1,200
Cicely is discussed by Lilian and Ned; Lilian suggests she might be involved in the murder due to her background, while Ned defends her and is distressed by the slander.
XX: The Sporting Visitor
Mentioned as the young girl suspected alongside Ned Cromarty in the murder.
Mr. Carrington's Walk
Meets Carrington on the path, corrects his assumption about her surname, and defends Sir Malcolm's innocence against the rumor of his arrest.
XXIII: Simon's Views
Described by Rattar as the 'insinuating type' and implicated by motive due to her secret engagement to Sir Malcolm.
Mr. Bisset's Assistant
Startled when Carrington draws back the library curtains, revealing him; she quickly hurries away.
XXV: A Telegram
Her name is used without her knowledge as the signature on Carrington's telegram.
At Stanesland
Mentioned as the subject of Carrington's certainty of innocence; later seen cycling near Keldale House as Carrington drives home.
XXVII: Flight
Seen fleeing Keldale House by night train with minimal luggage; appears frightened and forlorn, and reluctantly accepts Ned's help when stranded.
The Return
Flees after being misled by Rattar; learns the truth from Ned; discovers she is not engaged to Malcolm; promises to go to Stanesland if needed.
Brother and Sister
Discussed as the victim of the slander; Ned reveals she was driven to run away but he fetched her back and offered her refuge.
XXX: A Marked Man
Mentioned as the recipient of Sir Malcolm's confession about being desperate and sitting up late; Carrington forged a telegram in her name to lure Sir Malcolm.
The Letter Again
Cicely has run away on her bicycle with only a small suitcase, leaving no message; she was seen riding toward Keldale House after dark the day before yesterday.
XXXIV: A Confidential Conversation
Ran away on Rattar's advice; was rescued and brought back by Ned.
XXXVII: Bisset's Advice
Brought to Stanesland by Bisset after Rattar's denial; accepts Ned's proposal.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Cicely Farmond unlock in the free preview.

See Cicely Farmond in V: The Third Visitor

See Cicely Farmond in IV: The Man from the West