Publisher's Synopsis
Squire Stephen Norman, who was the Lord of the manor who presided over the feudal society of Normanstand. Squire Norman marries Margaret Rowly, the younger sister of his dear friend Squire Rowly, who was the squire of the neighboring town. Wanting to produce an heir to recede him as the Squire of Normanstand, Squire Norman and Margaret decide to have a baby. While Margaret is expecting, Squire Norman eagerly anticipates the birth of his son. However, the baby ends up being a girl. Margaret has complications during childbirth and the Doctor tells Squire Norman that his wife is going to pass away at any moment. At Margaret's deathbed, Squire Norman tells her that he will love his daughter as much as he would have loved a son. In her final words, Margaret insists to Squire Norman that they name their daughter Stephen after her father, as she will be their only child. Squire Norman raises his daughter Stephen to be somewhat androgynous. His late wife's aunt, a spinster named Miss Laetitia Rowly, moves in to help take care of Stephen. From an early age, Stephen becomes dominant, assertive, and free-thinking.
