Janet Fraser (nee Ross) is the sister of Lady Stornaway and Mary Crawford's friend, with whom she stays in London. She is twenty-five years old. She and her sister had nothing, and they both married for financial advantage; however, Mrs. Fraser resents her sister because Lady Stornaway married a richer man, with a title, while Mrs. Fraser married Mr. Fraser, a widower with a grown-up daughter.[1] She is mad for a house in London like Maria Rushworth's.[2]
Mrs. Fraser did not rush into the marriage, taking three days to consider his proposal and ask the advice of everyone, including her friend's aunt Mrs. Crawford, but their marriage is still unhappy. Mr. Fraser is ill-tempered and demanding, and he expects his young wife to be as steady as himself. Mrs. Fraser does not know how to manage her husband, and she has grown irritable.
Mrs. Fraser is as eager as Margaret Fraser herself to find her stepdaughter a husband, and both think Henry Crawford should be the man, but their hopes are dashed by his attraction to Fanny Price. She admires Edmund Bertram for his person, height, and air,[2] but Edmund considers her "cold-hearted" and "vain." He believes she would persuade Mary against him out of ambition and greed.[3]
Henry Crawford and Maria Rushworth renew their flirtation (and embark upon an affair) after they meet at a party hosted by Mrs. Fraser.[4]