The Governess Was Wild

Certainly a favorite series for me for the year

I’ve been excited for Jane’s story since I picked up this series: the quiet one, a bit more reserved than her two best friends Elizabeth and Mary, and far more settled in her life’s journey. With only ever serving the Earl of Rawson and his only daughter, Lady Margaret.

When Jane awakes in a remote country inn, she finds her charge has disappeared. Determined to sort out this mess and find Lady Margaret before she reaches Gretna Green, she observes a gentleman in some distress over a stolen horse. Nicholas Hollings, Baron, is looking to sell breeding rights to the missing horse: a scheme that will help to secure his sisters’ futures and offer them a chance at a reduced season.

Jane is far from the quiet and reserved woman we have met. Her “governess’ face is spot on, the experience she’s gained in her years of reining in the rather intractable Lady Margaret have served her well. Particularly in manipulating and negotiating with Nicholas to accompany her to find the errant young woman and his horse.

Nicholas is a man on a mission: his only desire of the moment is to slowly rebuild his estate and provide some small season and dowry for his younger sisters. For himself, he’s never found a woman who strikes that bell: he’ll marry eventually but things like love and true regard are not in his cards. Until Jane. He admires her determination and bravery: traveling alone with a man is reputation ruining if she is discovered, and yet she appears almost excited for the adventure.

This was a journey of discovery: Jane and Nicholas traded stories and hopes, all while both are trying to ignore the attraction between them. While Nicholas is growing closer to Jane, she is most concerned with the damage her position in society (or lack thereof) would do to his sisters’ chances in society. Reaffirmed by the Lady Margaret when finally found, and her ‘suitor’ dispatched, Jane won’t allow herself to ensnare Nicholas, despite her bone-deep love for him.

Not a hugely angsty read – these are fun jaunts to the happy ending: you want these characters to find the ability to be together: it’s happened with two governesses finding their happiness in a path they once thought unreachable – why not a third? Far more laden with character and heart than one would expect from a novella, this story, indeed this series is the perfect refuge from the stress of the day. You have no option BUT to smile and embrace the hope, the heart and the happy that they bring. Certainly a favorite series for me for the year – these will become an oft-read ‘when I need a smile’ stories- with the right mix of story and emotion.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions and expectations are my own responsibility.