SOLVED. Fiction set in late 1800s to early 1900s. Orphan grows up with family that treats her badly, marries, later inherits money. [s]

[Holly]

I read the book between 1999-2001. It is fiction and set in the late 1800sto early 1900s. It involves a young woman who I believe is orphaned and grew up with an aunt/other family who did not treat her well. She is in her early 20's I think, helps a neighbor family father and daughter, and then (spoiler) marries a man who is a recluse in the town to get away from her unkind family. I think she later finds out she inherited money that her family was keeping from her or something along those lines. The climax is around her finding out whether the man she married actually loves he or did it because he felt bad for her. He lives in a rustic cabin on the outskirts of town. There is a scene where her boot gets stuck in the railroad ties and she almost gets hit by a train but he saves her. I think the author's name starts with an "A" and I think was female. Thank you for your help as I have been trying to find this book on and off for years.

[SBC]

I'm pretty sure this is L. M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle. I just read it this year (loved it!) and the bit about the boot getting stuck in the railroad ties is an exact match.

Warning: lots of spoilers here!

She wasn't orphaned - she lived with her parents - but she wasn't able to be herself with her immediate family, who were quite controlling, or her extended family. She goes to live with the neighbour father and his daughter (who are the town pariahs) to help them out as the daughter is unwell, then she marries the man who lives as a recluse on a nearby island. He turns out to have a very rich father. She had asked him to marry her as she thought she was dying, then she wasn't sure if he really loved her or not.

[Holly]

Thank you so much! I believe you are right. Sending good karma your way.

[Gillian]

Actually, she doesn't live with her parents - she lives with her widowed mother and spinster aunt, and everyone believes she will always be a spinster, too, because she is "plain". She is told by a doctor that she is dying, but I don't think she ever truly believes it. However, that is the impetus for her to begin to make changes in her life, including taking care of the sick girl, and propose marriage to the reclusive man.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Holly, are you ready to call this Solved then?

[Holly]

Yes. Do I need to do something for it to be solved? I am new to this. Also, I may have read the book last night...

Edit: I just figured out how to switch it to solved.