Miranda Jarrett - Dukes Governess Bride (Historical Romance)

Prim Governess

Former governess Jane Wood is on borrowed timeand she doesnt want the fiary tale of her Grand Tour to end. She awaits the arrival of her employer, Richard Farren, Duke of Aston, with trepidation....

Passionate Mistress

To widower Richard, meek and mousy Miss Wood is unrecognizable as the carefree and passionate Jane. Seeing Venice through her eyes open his mind and heart to romance!

Proper Wife

Yet a sinister threat hangs over their newfound happiness: to protect Jane, Richard will have to overcome the demons of his past and persuade her to become his proper wife....

Praise for Miranda Jarrett

THE ADVENTUROUS BRIDE

Jarrett provides readers with a delightful, charming art mystery set in a colorful palette of the French countryside, ancient churches and regal Paris. The interesting backdrop and art history add that little something different that many readers are searching for.
RT Book Reviews

RAKES WAGER

[A] romp brimming with Regency style, Jarretts latest cleverly adds a dollop of poignancy by throwing Richards long-lost son into the mix. The just-right pace and likable characters deliver a quick, enjoyable read.
RT Book Reviews

Miranda Jarrett

The Dukes Governess Bride

Other titles by MIRANDA JARRETT available in ebook format:

Steal the Stars #115
*Columbine #144
*Spindrift #174
Providence #201
*Mariahs Prize #227
*Desire My Love #247
*The Sparhawk Bride #292
*Sparhawks Angel #315
*Gift of the Heart #341
*The Secrets of Catie Hazard #363
Gifts of the Season #631: A Gift Most Rare
The Silver Lord #648
The Golden Lord #672
Princess of Fortune #721
** Rakes Wager #740
The Betrothal #749
A Marriage in Three Acts
** The Ladys Hazard #779
** The Dukes Gamble #795
The Adventurous Bride #828
Seduction of an English Beauty #855
Christmas Wedding Belles #871: The Sailors Bride
The Dukes Governess Bride #324

*Sparhawk Family Saga
The Lordly Claremonts
**A Penny House Novel
Grand Adventuresses

and also from Harlequin

Christmas Rogues: Bayberry and Mistletoe
April Moon: The Devils Own Moon

MIRANDA JARRETT

considers herself sublimely fortunate to have a career that combines history and happy endingseven if its one thats also made her family far-too-regular patrons of the local pizzeria. Miranda is the author of more than thirty historical romances, and her books are enjoyed by readers the world over. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including two Golden Leaf Awards and two RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice Awards, and has three times been a Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalist for best short historical romance.

Miranda is a graduate of Brown University, with a degree in art history. She loves to hear from readers at PO Box 1102, Paoli, PA 19301-0792, USA, or at susan@susanhollowayscott.com.

Contents

Chapter One

If a Woman has any Mind to be wicked, Venice seems to be the last Place in the World to give her better Sentiments.

Miss N, to the actor Thomas Hull, 1756

VeniceJanuary 1785

M ost English gentlemen came to Venice to be amused, whether to view the antique paintings, or to wear a long-nosed mask and dance at the carnival, or to dally with a courtesan in a closed gondola. But Richard Farren, the fifth Duke of Aston, wasnt here for idle amusement. He had come to Venice for one reason, and one reason only. Hed come for the sake of love.

Turning the collar of his heavy Melton travelling cloak higher against the wind, Richard smiled as he imagined again what his friends in London must be saying of him now. That he was a sentimental fool, surely. That hed lost his wits, most likely. That the love he was travelling so far to offer would never be returned in equal measureah, there were doubtless a good many wagers being made about that, too. So be it. Hed only been able to tolerate a couple of months of loneliness at Aston Hall before hed given in, and taken off on this journey. But then, caution and care had never been his style, and he wasnt about to change now. Nothing ventured, nothing gainedthat seemed to him not so much a time-worn adage as a good, sound philosophy.

He leaned his arms on the rail of the little sloop, staring out at the wavering dark outline of the shore. This passage from Trieste to Venice was the last step of his long journey, and hed stood there much of the day, preferring the damp and chill on the deck to the close, fishy stench of the cabin below. Besides, hed doubted hed have been able to sleep even if hed tried. After so many weeks travelling by land and sea, and hard travelling at that, his destination was now only hours away. By nightfall, all his doubts, all his worries, would at last be put to restor, if Fate went against him, theyd only have begun.

His Grace is eager to reach Venice. The sloops captain joined him unbidden at the rail. His Grace is happy we make such good speed, yes?

Yes, Richard said, hoping that brevity would make the man leave him in peace.

But the captain only squinted up at Richard, pushing his greasy cocked hat more firmly on his head against the wind. His Grace is brave to sail in winter, yes? Ice, snow, wind, brr.

The captain hugged his arms over his chest to mimic a man warming himself. In return Richard only nodded. He knew perfectly well the perils of travelling at this time of year. He had embarked from England so late in the season, almost in winter itself, that crossing the Continent to Italy through France and the Alps was out of the question. Hed had no choice but to travel by sea, around Spain and Portugal and into the Mediterranean, until hed become heartily sick of the company of sailing men like this one.

Once youre at Venice, your Grace, you stay, the captain continued. No more journey until spring. No Roma, no Napoli, no Firenze, no

Quite, Richard said, his impatience with the mans company growing by the second. He didnt need a list of every landmark city in Italy to know that hed be winterbound in Venice. He was rather counting on it, in fact, given the pleasing female company that was waiting for him there.

But his Grace will find willing friends in Venice to warm him, eh? The captain winked slyly, studying Richard from his thick dark gold hair to the toes of his well-polished boots with obvious approval. A great English lion like his Grace will have many ladies, eh?

Richard said nothing, choosing instead to stare out at the water and let the rascal draw whatever unsavoury conclusions he pleased. His dear wife Anne had been not only his duchess, but his best friend and his dearest love, and when she had died, hed sworn no other woman could possibly replace her in his life. That had been fifteen long years ago, and the pain lingered still.