Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray

Acclaimed historical novelist Dorothy Love brings to life an extraordinary true story of friendship, courage, and loyalty in Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray. Inspired by real historical figures and set against the sweeping backdrop of the American Civil War, this richly detailed novel explores a remarkable bond that crosses lines of race, class, and culture--illuminating the complex human relationships behind one of the most turbulent eras in American history. Mary Anna Custis Lee is a great-granddaughter of Martha Washington, wife of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, and heiress to Virginia's storied Arlington house and General Washington's personal belongings. Born in bondage at Arlington, Selina Norris Gray learns to read and write in the schoolroom Mary and her mother keep for the enslaved children and eventually becomes Mary's housekeeper and confidante. As Mary's health declines, Selina becomes her personal maid, strengthening a bond that lasts until death parts them. Forced to flee Arlington at the start of the Civil War, Mary entrusts the keys to her beloved home to no one but Selina. When Union troops begin looting the house, it is Selina who confronts their commander and saves many of its historic treasures. Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Gray tells a powerful, well-researched, deeply human story about loyalty, courage, and the unexpected relationships that shape history. Perfect for fans of historical reads or anyone who enjoys reading about unexpected, but powerful, friendships.