Book Description:
Stranded in India after being dismissed without a reference, governess Beatrice Layton exchanges her freedom for passage home to England, taking a position with the only family that will hire her. But Bea hasn’t reckoned for just how dreadful her new employers will be. Stuck with them at sea in increasingly desperate circumstances, she finds an unlikely champion in the injured ex-soldier traveling aboard their ship.
Colonel Jack Beresford has spent the last fourteen years serving in Her Majesty’s Army. Though time has lent him maturity, it hasn’t dulled the roguish impulses of his youth. When he’s confronted with the tantalizing prospect of a damsel in distress, he naturally steps in to rescue her. His solution? An engagement of convenience, of course. One that will last only as long as their voyage.
But once back on land, Jack and Bea’s simple arrangement is beset by complication after complication. There are former passengers to contend with, and meddling society matrons. Most complicated of all, there’s Jack’s family—his parents, siblings, and precocious nieces and nephews—all of whom seem to think that Bea might be perfect for him. Jack is beginning to think so too. All that remains is to convince bold, beguiling Bea that he’s perfect for her.
This is the sixth book in the Somerset Stories, and I have been waiting to read about Jack. He has been the younger brother who enjoys having fun and never contemplated getting married. But, when he has a very serious injury that ends his military career, he has plenty of time for contemplation. Handsome and wealthy, he has had to dodge enthusiastic mothers and their daughters for years. I think he became hesitant to pursue a relationship for fear of women just wanting his money and not necessarily him. While incognito, he meets the pragmatic Beatrice Layton who seems a mystery and most definitely not chasing after him. He couldn’t help but be intrigued by her and her circumstances. I loved the late night talks and star gazing. Seeing Jack meet his match was a wonderful story.
Things to love:
governess
wounded warrior
fake engagement
the voyage
nasty Dimsdale children
Beresford family
wishing on stars
I am a fan of Mimi Matthews because of her plots and characters. I am sad that this series is ending, but I am looking forward to seeing what Ms. Matthews will be writing next. I highly recommend this book and all of the other stories of the Beresford family. I would love to see a television series, or better still, movies of each book.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher and author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
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