# Mrs. Jane Willoughby — The Mystery at Lilac Inn character guide > Mrs. Jane Willoughby in The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mrs. Willoughby, Jane, the elegant Mrs. Willoughby, Poor Mrs. Willoughby **First appearance:** 0000-i-a-chance-meeting ## Snapshot The elegant, anxious woman who arrives at the Drew home in tears, begging for help even as the police begin to blame her for the missing jewels. ## Who they are Mrs. Willoughby occupies an uncomfortable position as the guardian of Emily Crandall and the keeper of Lilac Inn, where the theft occurred under her watch. She weeps convincingly, protests her unjust treatment, and admits she cannot afford a large fee, yet Nancy studies her closely, unsure whether she is an excellent actress or genuinely distraught. Her visit pulls the Drews into the case and keeps the question of her guilt or victimhood humming beneath every early clue. ## Relationships ### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew) _rivalry_ Mrs. Willoughby is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's inquiries at Lilac Inn. ### [Emily Crandall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/emily_crandall) _professional_ Emily works for or is employed by Mrs. Willoughby at Lilac Inn, creating a tense employer-employee dynamic. ### [Mary Mason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mary_mason) _professional_ Mary works as a maid or assistant for Mrs. Willoughby, leading to a strained subordinate relationship. ### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew) _rivalry_ Mrs. Willoughby is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's inquiries at Lilac Inn. ### [Nancy Drew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/nancy_drew) _rivalry_ Mrs. Willoughby is a suspicious and antagonistic figure who opposes Nancy's inquiries at Lilac Inn. ### [Emily Crandall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/emily_crandall) _professional_ Emily works for or is employed by Mrs. Willoughby at Lilac Inn, creating a tense employer-employee dynamic. ### [Emily Crandall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/emily_crandall) _professional_ Emily works for or is employed by Mrs. Willoughby at Lilac Inn, creating a tense employer-employee dynamic. ### [Mary Mason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mary_mason) _professional_ Mary works as a maid or assistant for Mrs. Willoughby, leading to a strained subordinate relationship. ### [Mary Mason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mary_mason) _professional_ Mary works as a maid or assistant for Mrs. Willoughby, leading to a strained subordinate relationship. ## In the story ### [A Chance Meeting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/i-a-chance-meeting) Emily Crandall's guardian, who will turn over the Crandall jewels to Emily on her 18th birthday. ### [About the Crandall Jewels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/iv-about-the-crandall-jewels) Mentioned as retrieving the Crandall jewels from a safety deposit box. ### [At Lilac Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/v-at-lilac-inn) Arrives at Lilac Inn carrying a handbag full of precious jewelry; becomes increasingly anxious and eventually discovers the bag is stolen. ### [VI: Accusations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/vi-accusations) Reports her handbag stolen, becomes hysterical, and faints from the excitement. ### [VII: Damaging Rumors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/vii-damaging-rumors) Mrs. Willoughby is suspected of being involved in the theft; she arrives at the Drew home seeking to speak with Carson. ### [VIII: Mrs. Willoughby’s Call](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/viii-mrs-willoughby-s-call) Visits the Drew home, visibly agitated, seeking legal help after the jewel theft; insists on Mr. Drew's involvement. ### [IX: Nancy Investigates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/ix-nancy-investigates) The victim of the jewel theft; her financial troubles are discussed. ### [XI: A Trip to the Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xi-a-trip-to-the-inn) Mrs. Willoughby is anxious for results and faces the threat of arrest by the police. ### [XII: A New Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xii-a-new-discovery) Referred to as Mrs. Stonewell; provides key information about Mary Mason's dishonest past and possible whereabouts. ### [XV: What Mr. Drew Learned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xv-what-mr-drew-learned) Under police suspicion and taken for further questioning; Emily defends her character but admits she has financial worries. ### [XVII: A Crisis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xvii-a-crisis) Faces arrest the next morning based on circumstantial evidence regarding the Crandall jewels. ### [The Search](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxiv-the-search) Mentioned as being under suspicion for the theft; Nancy aims to clear her name. ### [XXV: Nancy's Reward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/chapters/xxv-nancy-s-reward) Hostess of the party; expresses gratitude to Nancy for clearing her name. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters/mrs_jane_willoughby - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mystery_at_lilac_inn_se/characters