The Plot Thickens

I've reached the end of the first section of my book, and let me just say there was some drama. Ivy and Mr. Rafferdy ended up forming a relationship that could have progressed into marriage, but because of their different social statuses, Rafferdy took the Edward route, letting go of his true love for a woman more befitting of his family.  I hope that, like the characters in Sense and Sensibility, he changes his mind and marries his Elinor, but, as of where I currently in the book, Ivy has reason to give up hope.  Right after receiving the depressing news that Rafferdy was engaged to someone other than herself, Ivy walked in on an even more depressing scene.  Her mother had suddenly died in her absence.  Now, in order to provide for her sisters, Ivy decides to leave to work for an old family friend she never met, Mr. Quent.  At his home, she will be paid to care for his young cousins.  Finally, after over 200 pages, the name "Quent" has been introduced.  Even though the Mrs. has yet to be mentioned, one thought that has crossed my mind is that Ivy may become Mrs. Quent.  Just a theory, but that'd be interesting.  So that's the basic plot right now, but this book has many subplots as well.  Mr. Garrit has disappeared from the last fifty pages - I can only assume hes running around causing a revolution still.  Other plot lines include the character of Mr. Bennick, a mysterious man who many associate with magic.  He is seemingly helping Ivy solve the riddle to rescue her sick father, but at the same time, he sends Mr. Rafferdy an ugly ring which represents an ancient magical family, alluding to the idea that Mr. Rafferdy may process some magical ability.  Overall, its a very strange book.  A very long soap opera.  I'm enjoying it, but it is no work of literary genius, just an interesting read.  I think its an entertaining book, so I'm looking forward to reading more.