The marquess wanted a governess…
He got a whole lot of trouble!
Governess Rosalind is hired by Michael, the new Marquess
of Caldicot, to guide his ward -- a just-launched debutante. But Rosalind takes
her role a little too seriously when she accidentally knocks one of her
charge's disreputable suitors off a balcony!
Former soldier Michael steps in to help captivating
Rosalind -- though from the sounds of his groaning, the scoundrel is just fine,
unfortunately! Yet she's wary of trusting any man -- least of all her employer.
Anyway, why does he care so much…when she's hardly a suitable match for a
marquess?
This was a fun book to read. When British army officer Michael
became the new Marquess of Caldicot, he wasn't ready to give up soldiering. He
hired a governess for his predecessor's daughter, Susannah, and returned to the
war. Five years later, he returned to England to take up his duties, just in
time for Susannah's debut. Unfortunately, being passed around to various female
relations turned Susannah into a spoiled brat, prone to temper tantrums.
Rosalind has done her best to mitigate Susannah's
willfulness, but it is an uphill battle. As the book opens, Susannah has a
temper tantrum over Michael's refusal to consent to her marriage to Mr. Baxter,
a very unsuitable suitor. It is a good introduction to the challenges Rosalind
faces. Later that night, while Susannah is at an event, Rosalind discovers Mr.
Baxter attempting to enter the house via the balcony in her room. I loved how
she stopped him by throwing a book and knocking him off the balcony. Thinking
she's killed him, Rosalind attempts to flee but is stopped by Michael, who
handles the situation while convincing her to stay. They form a pact to team up
to protect Susannah from fortune hunters like Mr. Baxter.
I enjoyed watching Rosalind and Michael's relationship
develop. It starts as an employer/employee but quickly becomes a friendship
with an unexpected undercurrent of attraction. They spend time together planning
their strategy and watching over Susannah, giving them time to get to know each
other. Their feelings for each other grow, but the class differences are an
obstacle to them being together. It worries Rosalind more than Michael, who
believes her lineage is fine, especially for a man who never expected to be a
marquess. I liked both characters. Rosalind is practical and pragmatic, having
been hurt in the past. Michael is a good man whose kindness brings Rosalind out
of her shell.
The ending is exciting with an attempted kidnapping,
confessions good and bad, and an amusing big moment for Michael and Rosalind. I
feel that their future will be filled with laughter and love. Though she has
some maturing yet to do, Susannah exhibited some character growth by the end.
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