In order to preserve her honor when her father dies and leaves her penniless, Claire Bannister elects to become a governess to four children in a country home. Through her employment, she meets three other young ladies who also were born into comfortable existences and ultimately cast out to make their own way. Together, Claire and the other governesses make a pact to save their collective wages in order to purchase Claire's former home and start a tutoring business, but they are several years from their goal. Seemingly unspoiled by her changed circumstances, Claire is prepared to while away quietly the time in her role as governess, but things quickly go awry with the arrival of the new tutor, Jacob Knightly. With his lack of deference to others above his station and his air of expectancy that is more in line with his true identity as the Earl of Rimmel, Jacob is no ordinary tutor, and Claire is immediately intrigued. Through a whirlwind courtship, the pair fall blissfully into love, but that may change when Claire discovers Jacob's secret and learns why he is hiding out in the country.
VERDICT Although Claire's story is typical of the historical romance genre—the romance between the protagonists develops quickly, secrets threaten their happiness, and the ensuing conflict is fraught with misunderstandings but resolved in short order—it is also sweet and heartwarming. More important, it introduces us to the other ladies in the "Governess Club" series. This reviewer is eager to see how their individual stories unfold. Recommended.
Comment Policy:
Comment should not be empty !!!