Daphne Collingham was determined to get to the bottom of her beloved cousin's death. Clarissa Colton had died in a tragic accident in her home. Only, Daphne knew Clarissa's death was no accident; she was murdered by her husband, Lord Timothy Colton. After creating a false identity, Daphne embarks on a journey to Wales as prospective governess, Miss Daphne Collins, in order to avenge her cousin's death.

Hired by a neighbor after presenting herself with raving but false references, Daphne Collingham is able to obtain a position as a governess in her cousin's household. Daphne's first impression of Lord Colton is that he is a heartless brute who could very well be capable of murder. Daphne's suspicions are further heightened when Colton's youngest daughter draws a portrait of her mother dead at the bottom of the main staircase. Daphne is more convinced than ever that Lord Colton murdered his own wife in cold blood in the presence of his children.

But as Daphne spends time with Lord Colton and his children, a very different picture of her cousin and Timothy Colton emerges. While Daphne originally believed Lord Colton insensitive to his children's needs, she soon begins to see the subtle but tender affection he shows to all his children. Not only does Daphne see Lord Colton's real feelings for his children, but she soon realizes that she is in danger of losing her heart to her cousin's husband. Yet, Daphne questions how she can succumb to the growing attraction to the man who may have murdered her cousin. However, Daphne's time with the Colton children also bring to light a completely different portrait of the cousin Daphne loved so deeply. The children describe her as cruel and indifferent, and the Colton neighbors remark that the children are better off without a mother like Clarissa Colton. Daphne soon realizes that she never really knew her cousin at all.

Very few authors can properly pull off a love/hate relationship in a historical romance novel without seeming just a little contrived, but Christine Merrill spun a mesmerizing tale that will take your breath away. Lord Colton's initial dark character came across loud and clear, and I wondered how Daphne could ever fall in love with her cousin's murderer. However, "don't judge a book by its cover" is an apt phrase for Timothy Colton. Once Daphne begins to question her original theory about her cousin's murder, the shocking truth is revealed. Readers who love a good angsty historical romance novel will want to read DANGEROUS LORD, INNOCENT GOVERNESS over and over!