Who does Lucy Steele marry?

Lucy marries Robert Ferrars, Edward’s younger brother, after Edward is cut off by his mother.

Why does Lucy tell Elinor about her engagement?

She suspects that Elinor cares for Edward and wants to make sure Elinor knows he already belongs to someone else.

How long has Lucy been engaged to Edward?

She tells Elinor they have been engaged for four years.

From Sense and Sensibility

Lucy Steele

Clever and secret-keeping rival

A clever young woman who arrives with a secret that will surprise Elinor.

Who is Lucy Steele?

Lucy Steele is a young relation of Mrs. Jennings who arrives at Barton Park with sweet words and pretty smiles. Elinor notices her sharp, watchful eyes and doesn’t quite trust her. Lucy has a big secret, and she shares it with Elinor in a way that seems friendly but isn’t really kind.

Lucy Steele is a character in Sense and Sensibility, the 1811 novel by Jane Austen, retold for ages 6–9 by Sean Lee.

What is Lucy Steele like?

clever
sly
flattering

Lucy Steele’s story

Lucy Steele and her sister Anne are poor relations of Mrs. Jennings who arrive at Barton Park, where Lucy charms Sir John and his family with her pretty looks and sweet words. The book says she is naturally clever, though she never had a proper education. Her little sharp eyes watch everyone carefully.

Lucy has a big secret. Four years earlier, when Edward was studying with her uncle, she secretly became engaged to him. She tells Elinor this on purpose, showing off a tiny portrait and a lock of his hair, and Elinor realizes Lucy is trying to keep her away from Edward. Lucy follows Elinor to London and becomes friendly with Fanny, hoping to be accepted by the Ferrars family.

When the engagement is discovered, Edward loses his inheritance, but Lucy then drops him for his brother Robert, who now has the money. She marries Robert and cleverly wins back the favor of Mrs. Ferrars by flattering her. In the end Lucy gets what she wanted: money, a rich husband and a place in the family.

“Lucy was naturally clever; her remarks were often just and amusing”

Jane Austen, the narrator, describing Lucy’s good side. From the original 1811 novel by Jane Austen.

A moment to remember

Walking arm in arm in the cottage garden, Lucy whispers her secret to Elinor and proudly shows her a tiny portrait of Edward.

Edward Ferrars: her secret fiancé
Robert Ferrars: the man she marries
Elinor Dashwood: the rival she confides in
Mrs. Jennings: her cousin
Fanny Dashwood: her future sister-in-law

Talk about it

Lucy acted friendly but wasn’t always kind. How can you tell the difference between a true friend and someone who only seems friendly?

Questions about Lucy Steele

Who does Lucy Steele marry?: Lucy marries Robert Ferrars, Edward’s younger brother, after Edward is cut off by his mother.
Why does Lucy tell Elinor about her engagement?: She suspects that Elinor cares for Edward and wants to make sure Elinor knows he already belongs to someone else.
How long has Lucy been engaged to Edward?: She tells Elinor they have been engaged for four years.