The Maid's Secret

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of gender discrimination, sexual violence, and death.

Molly Gray is the novel’s protagonist and primary narrator. She is the head maid and manager of special events at the Regency Grand Hotel, a job that she loves and takes pride in. Molly frequently characterizes herself as “just a maid” (65), emphasizing both her humility and the intensity with which she identifies herself with her work. This characterization also reflects her tendency to think literally; Molly admits to struggling with social and linguistic nuances and judging things based on their surface appearances.

Because of her mother’s abandonment, Molly was raised by her gran, Flora, and is still guided by the principles Gran taught, even after her death. One of the most important precepts she inherited from Flora is an understanding of The Value of Love. Molly consistently prioritizes relationships above anything else. When she learns the value of the Fabergé egg, for example, she is primarily concerned with how her newfound wealth might impact her relationships, not with fantasies of a lavish lifestyle.

Molly’s narrative