His Unusual Governess. Anne Herries

       ‘Come, Miss Goodrum, you did not find the experience so very unpleasant, I think?’

      ‘You insulted me and then tried to take advantage of me. I should like to make it plain that I will not stand for such behaviour. If you feel me unsuited to the position you may dismiss me.’

      ‘Dismiss you?’

      His gaze burned her to the core and her stomach clenched.

      ‘Oh, no, I have no intention of sending you away until I discover the truth. I thought I might find an extended visit to the country a trifle boring but it is no such thing. I shall enjoy crossing swords with you, Miss Goodrum.’

      ‘I would prefer that you keep your distance. We must remain on good terms for the sake of the children, my lord—but I see no reason for our paths to cross other than in their company.’

      ‘Do you not?’ He smiled oddly. ‘You rest on your dignity, but it was a different matter when I kissed you. Yet I would not harm you if you are truly what you claim to be. We shall endeavour to be polite to one another for the sake of John and Francesca—but you are the most unusual governess I have ever met.’

      AUTHOR NOTE

      I hope my readers will enjoy this new Regency. I love writing, and always hope my books will give as much pleasure to my readers as they do to me. I have well over sixty books published with Mills & Boon^® and am still going! Although many of my books are Regency, I’m also enjoying The Melford Dynasty, which began in the Medieval era and is coming down the generations through different time periods. The most recent in this family saga is A STRANGER’S TOUCH, and I’m about to write number eight.

      Sarah’s story in HIS UNUSUAL GOVERNESS is a fun one, so sit back and enjoy the romp with a heroine escaping from undesirable suitors only to find herself falling into an impossible romance.

      Love to all.

      About the Author

      ANNE HERRIES lives in Cambridgeshire, where she is fond of watching wildlife, and spoils the birds and squirrels that are frequent visitors to her garden. Anne loves to write about the beauty of nature, and sometimes puts a little into her books, although they are mostly about love and romance. She writes for her own enjoyment, and to give pleasure to her readers. Anne is a winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romance Prize. She invites readers to contact her on her website: www.lindasole.co.uk

       Previous novels by the same author:

      THE RAKE’S REBELLIOUS LADY

A COUNTRY MISS IN HANOVER SQUARE* AN INNOCENT DEBUTANTE IN HANOVER SQUARE* THE MISTRESS OF HANOVER SQUARE* FORBIDDEN LADY† THE LORD’S FORCED BRIDE† THE PIRATE’S WILLING CAPTIVE† HER DARK AND DANGEROUS LORD† FUGITIVE COUNTESS† BOUGHT FOR THE HAREM HOSTAGE BRIDE THE DISAPPEARING DUCHESS** THE MYSTERIOUS LORD MARLOWE** THE SCANDALOUS LORD LANCHESTER** SECRET HEIRESS BARTERED BRIDE CAPTAIN MOORCROFT’S CHRISTMAS BRIDE (part of Candlelit Christmas Kisses) A STRANGER’S TOUCH† *A Season in Town †The Melford Dynasty **Secrets and Scandals

       And in the Regency series

       The Steepwood Scandal:

      LORD RAVENSDEN’S MARRIAGE

      COUNTERFEIT EARL

       Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

      His Unusual Governess

      Anne Herries

      

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      I would like to dedicate this book

       to the memory of my great friend Paula Marshall, whom I loved dearly, as did so many of you.

       Prologue

      ‘What was so important that you summoned me here?’ Lord Rupert Myers arched a languid eyebrow at the Marquess of Merrivale. ‘‘Tis an unseasonable hour and I was up late last night.’ He smothered a yawn and levelled an elegant gold-rimmed eyeglass at the older man. Seeing that the marquess looked strained, he dropped the air of boredom and said in a very different tone, ‘What may I do for you, sir?’

      ‘Good grief, sir,’ his uncle said, looking at a coat that had so many capes it made Rupert’s broad shoulders look positively menacing. ‘Where did you get that monstrosity?’

      ‘Uncle!’ Devilish eyes mocked him. ‘My feelings are deeply lacerated. Don’t you know I’m a very tulip of fashion? I dare say at least six young idiots have copied this cape only this week, for I saw Harrad’s boy wearing one with nine capes and this has only seven.’

      ‘More fool him,’ the marquess grunted. ‘Sit down, m’boy. You make me feel awkward, towering over me like an avenging dervish. What happened to the eager young fellow I saw off to war six years ago?’

      ‘I dare say he grew up, sir,’ Rupert replied carelessly, but there were shadows in his eyes as he sat in the chair opposite and his mouth lost its smile. He did not care to be reminded of that time for the memories were too painful. ‘Is something bothering you?’

      ‘I fear it is,’ the marquess said. ‘I’m in somewhat of a pickle, m’boy—and I’m hoping you’ll sort me out.’

      ‘Anything to oblige. I do not forget that you stood as a father to me when my own …’ Blue fire flashed in bitter regret, for the late Lord Myers had been a rogue and a cheat and had brought his family almost to the edge of ruin. That Rupert had been able to save himself and his sister from disgrace was in large part due to this man. ‘No, I will not go down that road. Tell me what you wish, sir, and if it is in within my power I shall do it.’

      ‘It’s Lily’s children,’ the marquess said with a heavy sigh. ‘You know my daughter’s story, Rupert. She would marry that wastrel. I warned her that he would run through her fortune and break her heart. She wouldn’t listen and he did all that and more—he killed her.’

      ‘You can’t be sure of that, sir.’

      ‘He drove her out into the rain that night. Her maid told me of the quarrel between them. Scunthorpe broke her heart and she stayed out all night in the rain. You know what happened next …’

      Rupert nodded for he did know only too well. Lily Scunthorpe had died of a fever, leaving a daughter of six years and a son of three, but that had been more than ten years previously and he could not see what the