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.
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the household staff has been replaced by unruly former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.