Capt. Gavin Briggs has been commissioned by the Duke of Windermere from his deathbed to locate his twin granddaughters, setting in motion mystery and treachery. Upon his daughter's and son-in-law's deaths, their 3-year-old daughters, Lily and Christina, were separated and given away with instructions to never reveal their true heritage. Lily, believing she is Mercy Franklin the daughter of Rev. and Susanna Franklin, is seeking a way of survival for herself upon their deaths. Mercy has accepted a position with the handsome rogue Capt. Nash Farris, also known as Lord Ashby, as governess for his niece, Emmaline.

Being the third and only surviving Ashby son, Nash inherits the title and property along with guardianship of his 8 -year-old niece while striving to make ends meet. Adjoining property owner Horace Carew is pushing Nash to marry his daughter Helene. The more he forces the issue the more Nash believes things are not as they seem and Horace has an ulterior motive. Marrying Helene for the dowry becomes unlikely as Nash loses his heart to his governess and finds love in both body and heart.

I found Margo Maguire's tale of two lost souls refreshing and full of compassion. Finding only one of the girls has left me more than anxious and expectant to read Christina's story. A web of mystery surrounding the adoption of the girls and the lives they were forced to live will keep you riveted to each page. I can't wait to see how Christina fares! The story is well written and in extremely good taste.

Book Summary

A Proper Governess Should Never. . .

Assist a handsome stranger, alone on an unfamiliar road . . . unless the rake happens to be her new employer. Take a position in a crumbling manor . . . especially if the household staff has been replaced by unruly former soldiers.

Allow her young charge entree to her heart . . . for once done, it will be impossible to maintain proper distance. Permit her charge's uncle a breathtaking kiss under a star- lit sky . . . henceforth she will most certainly lose composure whenever he is near.

And above all, she should never, ever fall completely, irreversibly in love with her employer . . . for nothing good can possibly come of it.