*ARC REVIEW – A Governess Should Never … Deny a Duke, The Governess Chronicles #2, by Emily Windsor

#Regency #RegencyRomance

Release Date: Thursday, 7^th July 2022

Tagline: With forbidden kisses on stormy nights, a house full of prospective brides, a scandalous rake of an heir, dragon folklore and cinnamon biscuits, the vocation of governess has never been so thrilling…

Tone: Romantic. Humorous. Poignant. But malice lurks…

Heat Level: Sensual. Moderate.

Blurb

“So tell me, Miss Beaujeu, why should I employ you as governess?”

A question to rouse fear within the breast of any prospective governess but for Isabelle, a lady with impeccable references and tightly pinned hair, it barely raises a brow.

But this rugged Welsh duke of an employer is unlike any other: dubbed Mean, Moody & Mysterious in gossip columns, he’s known to scowl a path through London society. And why have three governesses fled his employ within the last twelvemonths?

“I appoint you as governess. When can you start?”

Rhys Cadogan, the Duke of Aberdare, never procrastinates. And besides, with a house party to be hosted at his coastal estate, the sole purpose of which is to find him a wife, he’s in somewhat of a rush.

But this drab-gowned paragon of a governess is unlike any other: lauded in her references, she exudes composure and intelligence, a perfect fit for his troubled niece. So why do Miss Beaujeu’s eyes also flash with a wild silvered gleam?

This tale contains sensual scenes.

My Review

Warm, Witty and Romantic – 5 stars

This is such a delightful warm, witty and romantic read which from the outset transported me to another time and place. I became engrossed in the tale of Rhys, the brooding and mysterious duke, and Isabelle, the composed and independent governess who is hiding her own secrets.

In this standalone novel, the second in Emily Windsor’s Governess Chronicles, the Duke of Aberdare finds himself the unwilling participant in a house party at his ancestral home, a party where he is expected to select his duchess. Yet it is his niece’s new governess to whom he is drawn, respecting her for her wisdom and insight, and finding her a balm to his own troubles and those of Mari, his niece. He is also intrigued as to what lies beneath her self-controlled outer exterior.

For Isabelle’s part, the attraction is mutual yet she endeavours to guard her heart as it is not the role of a lowly governess to hanker after a duke and she has no wish to marry… Yet not everyone is enamoured with the new governess and Rhys increasingly finds himself defending her. The scene is set for what I found to be a compulsive, entertaining and love affirming read.

The story is peppered with humorous banter, drama and suspense and I enjoyed the references throughout to mythology, folklore and poetry. I found the setting of the story, in the Duke’s ancestral home on the rugged North Wales coast to be the perfect backdrop to the tale, heightening the intensity of the emotions at play.

The read has plenty of sexual tension and has a number of sensual scenes which are beautifully done. As with the author’s other novels, the supporting cast of characters is extremely well drawn – I particularly liked Mrs Pugh, the housekeeper, Mari, Isabelle’s charge and the colourful Mr Hugh Cadwalader, the duke’s distant cousin.

Fans of Regency Romance will not want to miss this read.

Please note, a copy of this book was given to me by the author and I am posting a fair and honest review.