Simon · Character

Lady Cromarty

The Cromarty matriarch in deep mourning, whose hard dark eyes and tight lips conceal motives sharper than grief alone would explain.

supporting

Also known as Cromarty

First appearance: XV: Two Women

See Lady Cromarty in XV: Two Women Book page

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Lady Cromarty presides over Keldale with a monumental, tragic stillness that Cicely finds almost unnerving, and her decision to keep the girl on rather than let her leave is framed as company but feels like surveillance. She knows more about Cicely's origins than she will say, and her compressed silence on the subject is itself a kind of pressure. As gossip about Sir Malcolm and Cicely spreads, her composure becomes one of the novel's most unsettling fixed points.

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See Lady Cromarty in XV: Two Women

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Family
Friendship
Other

Character groups

Central Mystery Participants
Protagonist

+6 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…

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Relationships

Ned Cromarty
family · positive
Cicely Farmond
friendship · positive
Ned Cromarty
family · positive
Cicely Farmond
friendship · positive
Ned Cromarty
family · positive
Cicely Farmond
friendship · positive

Ned Cromarty
Lady Cromarty is Ned's mother, and they share a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family conflicts.
Cicely Farmond
Cicely and Lady Cromarty are close friends, often sharing confidences and supporting each other emotionally.
Ned Cromarty
Lady Cromarty is Ned's mother, and they share a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family conflicts.
Cicely Farmond
Cicely and Lady Cromarty are close friends, often sharing confidences and supporting each other emotionally.
Ned Cromarty
Lady Cromarty is Ned's mother, and they share a caring but sometimes tense relationship due to family conflicts.
Cicely Farmond
Cicely and Lady Cromarty are close friends, often sharing confidences and supporting each other emotionally.

Relationship notes

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

See Lady Cromarty in XV: Two Women

In the story

Lady Cromarty appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V: The Third Visitor
Mentioned as being kind but reserved about Cicely's background.
VIII: Sir Reginald
Expresses suspicion about Cicely and Malcolm's relationship; warns Sir Reginald about potential impropriety.
X: The Letter
Participates in the conversation about George Rattar, advises caution with Simon Rattar, and observes Cicely and Malcolm.
XIV: The Question of Motive
Life-rented in the mansion and property, but gains no immediate financial benefit from her husband's death.
XV: Two Women
Emerges from seclusion after the funeral; her eyes are hard and she insists Cicely stay, showing a cold, determined demeanor.
XVI: Rumour
Believed to have started suspecting Cicely after hearing of the engagement or after Rattar's visit; she keeps Cicely at Keldale to watch her.
Mr. Bisset's Assistant
Approached by Carrington outside the house; she confirms that Sir Malcolm is engaged to be married.
The Return
Cicely worries about her reaction; Ned advises telling her the truth.
XXXVII: Bisset's Advice
Attempted to detain Cicely and believed Rattar's denial.

Chapter companion notes

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See Lady Cromarty in XV: Two Women