Her people own the place over the way. She has loved Geoffrey ever since they played together as children.
Lady Atherton hopes that, if Geoffrey is given the opportunity to compare Julia Trueheart to Mimsy Moppet, he will see reason and break off his engagement to “That Moppet Creature.” She has therefore included Ms. Trueheart in her house-party.
She does not like Ms. Trueheart. She does not view Ms. Trueheart as a suitable match for Geoffrey.
But she does see Ms. Trueheart as a suitable lure, to get Geoffrey out of the clutches of The Creature and back into the family circle.
Of course, Ms. Trueheart thinks that Lady Atherton is on her side. Poor fool.
Ms. Trueheart would be positively murderous if she were to find out the truth.
Positively.