Description
Things below the stairs are sent upside down when the Hartnell family suddenly introduces a brand new house maid to Thistlewaite Manor, whom at 23 years old, has absolutely no experience in her field, and seems to be a fish out of water. In the misty countryside of Yorkshire, England, amidst the quiet whispers of a bygone era, Hazel Turner leads a life of quiet servitude as a maid in the esteemed Hartnell Manor. But behind her demure facade lies a secret that could unravel the very fabric of her existence. Raised as a boy by her father to fend for their struggling family, Hazel's world is forever changed when she finds sanctuary within the walls of Hartnell Manor, escaping the clutches of a past marred by deception and abuse. Within the manor's hallowed halls, Hazel's path crosses with that of Theo Bennett, a rugged footman with a demeanor as stern as the Yorkshire moors. Despite Theo's gruff exterior, a tender ember of affection flickers to life between them, defying the rigid social boundaries of their time. But Hazel's newfound happiness teeters on the edge of a precipice, threatened by the shadows of her past that refuse to be silenced. As whispers among the manor's other servants cast doubt upon her true identity, Hazel must confront her deepest fears and the specters of her past that threaten to consume her. For Theo, Hazel becomes more than a mere love interest; she becomes his reason to fight, his beacon of hope in a world marked by darkness. Determined to shield her from harm, Theo embarks on a journey of self-discovery and sacrifice, discovering in Hazel a love worth protecting at all costs. Amidst the verdant hills and rolling dales of Yorkshire, "The Exception" is a tale of love, resilience, and the transformative power of redemption, where two souls find solace and salvation in the embrace of each other's arms amidst the echoes of a forgotten era.
ACT I
