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Governesses Trilogy #1
Prudence
A rags-to-riches Regency story that will keep you turning the pages! Perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Jane Aiken Hodge and Jane Austen.
Can Prudence find her forever home…?
1795, England
Miss Prudence Hursley, orphaned from a young age, has grown up at the Paddington Charitable Seminary for Indigent Young Ladies. Primed for service, she is now ready to take up a position as a governess.
Full of trepidation as she takes the stagecoach to meet her employer at Rookham Hall, Prudence is sad to be leaving Nell and Kitty – her childhood friends who have replaced the family she lost and become like sisters to her.
Prudence has been given a temporary position by Mr Julius Rookham to teach – or tame – his two young wards, who have so far had an unconventional upbringing.
But when Prudence meets Julius she finds his changeable moods disconcerting. And it will take more than a little patience to turn the two unruly girls into refined young women, ready to enter society.
With her future hanging in the balance, can Prudence make herself invaluable enough to secure a permanent position?
And can Nell and Kitty advise her on how to handle the mysterious Mr Rookham…?
PRUDENCE is the first book in the Governess heart-warming Regency romance novels with strong female lead characters.
Can Prudence find her forever home…?
1795, England
Miss Prudence Hursley, orphaned from a young age, has grown up at the Paddington Charitable Seminary for Indigent Young Ladies. Primed for service, she is now ready to take up a position as a governess.
Full of trepidation as she takes the stagecoach to meet her employer at Rookham Hall, Prudence is sad to be leaving Nell and Kitty – her childhood friends who have replaced the family she lost and become like sisters to her.
Prudence has been given a temporary position by Mr Julius Rookham to teach – or tame – his two young wards, who have so far had an unconventional upbringing.
But when Prudence meets Julius she finds his changeable moods disconcerting. And it will take more than a little patience to turn the two unruly girls into refined young women, ready to enter society.
With her future hanging in the balance, can Prudence make herself invaluable enough to secure a permanent position?
And can Nell and Kitty advise her on how to handle the mysterious Mr Rookham…?
PRUDENCE is the first book in the Governess heart-warming Regency romance novels with strong female lead characters.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
143 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Bailey
95 books304 followersAn avid reader from an early age, Elizabeth Bailey grew up in colonial Africa under unconventional parentage and with theatre in the blood. Back in England, she trod the boards until discovering her true métier as a writer in her thirties, when she fulfilled an early addiction to Georgette Heyer by launching into historical romance. Eight years and eight books later, Elizabeth joined the Harlequin Mills & Boon stable, fuelling her writing with a secondary career teaching and directing drama, and writing plays into the bargain.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
With 18 historicals published, Elizabeth turned to other genres, producing two titles (Fly the Wild Echoes and For One More Tomorrow) in the cross-genre literary/paranormal field as well as a suspense novella (Silence of a Stranger). She has several short stories available too and a guide for writers on editing.
Continuing her foray into other genres, but returning to her favourite historical period, Elizabeth turned to mystery. She placed her female sleuth in the late Georgian world of intrigue, elegance, aristocrats and rogues, where privilege rubbed shoulders with the harsh realities of making ends meet. While Ottilia moves in the upper echelon of Society, she is thoroughly at ease in the lower, which allows Elizabeth to cross boundaries with impunity. These novels are now published with Sapere Books and the list continues to grow.
Sapere also publish her Brides by Chance Regency Adventures, a series dedicated to the countless women who could not ordinarily hope for romance and marriage: poor relations, dowerless females, those who did not "take", orphans. In a word, the classic Cinderella heroine.
Now retired from teaching, Elizabeth concentrates on writing and promotion, with a sideline in running an assessment critique service for writers.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 26, 2025
Ok, I'm a sucker for governess stories, curious where the author will go with the trope. This is well-paced and an easy read. The twins do not steal the show, but have their moments. Prudence initially shows some pluck, which she attempts to temper. Later she is more anxious and wary due to housekeeper's false insinuations; she's not really herself except with the children.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2024
I enjoyed this well written story of an untried governess and an earl. Personalities and character were more important than physical characteristics and status, making the love story more poignant than many Regencies. Well timed flare-ups of temper kept Prudence's lack of confidence from being too cloying and made for a gentle and plausible story.
October 20, 2024
There was a lot to like about this book. It's well written, the characters for once are just normal looking, and the leading man is not an asshole. However the book is just boring. I was forcing myself to finish it but could barely stay focused.
This also isn't a Regency Cinderella. The third Bridgerton book is, with similar story beats, this isn't even close.
This also isn't a Regency Cinderella. The third Bridgerton book is, with similar story beats, this isn't even close.
August 20, 2025
A new governess sent to assist a gentleman with his twin nieces. Classic scenario, gentleman is settled
Into doing as he wishes, upended by having his twin nieces lady with him, they naturally are a handful, and the governess is inexperienced. I found Prudence a bit wishy washy and did not really take to her. Especially
near the end when she just goes off with one twin when she is not well and doesn’t tell anyone. The twins were also a bit too wilful for me. No punishment despite putting a kitten down a well, plate of worms, then locking Prudence in a shed albeit to ensure she remains but knowing she has been very unwell and it’s very cold. I think they would have been disciplined before it came to that. A readable story.
Into doing as he wishes, upended by having his twin nieces lady with him, they naturally are a handful, and the governess is inexperienced. I found Prudence a bit wishy washy and did not really take to her. Especially
near the end when she just goes off with one twin when she is not well and doesn’t tell anyone. The twins were also a bit too wilful for me. No punishment despite putting a kitten down a well, plate of worms, then locking Prudence in a shed albeit to ensure she remains but knowing she has been very unwell and it’s very cold. I think they would have been disciplined before it came to that. A readable story.
March 18, 2025
Average
A very readable book with varying pace. This wouldn’t normally be an issue except the slow passages, of which there were quite a few, moved at a snail’s pace. They were tedious & filled with repetitive reflections of both Prudence & Julius. Mustn’t, shouldn’t, it’s wrong - over & over again. Cut those out & it’s a decent 4 star read.
A very readable book with varying pace. This wouldn’t normally be an issue except the slow passages, of which there were quite a few, moved at a snail’s pace. They were tedious & filled with repetitive reflections of both Prudence & Julius. Mustn’t, shouldn’t, it’s wrong - over & over again. Cut those out & it’s a decent 4 star read.
October 4, 2024
dnf
boring!
too much happy go lucky
boring!
too much happy go lucky
February 3, 2025
Delightful
This was so sweet and very clean but a lovely pace and wonderful characters including the twins gave it an interesting edge and warmth.
Lovely reading!
This was so sweet and very clean but a lovely pace and wonderful characters including the twins gave it an interesting edge and warmth.
Lovely reading!
March 21, 2025
This was a pretty cute story.
July 16, 2019
Nice clean read
I enjoyed this story a lot. It was clean and simple sorry, but kept me involved. Not too many misunderstandings or such. My only disappointment is that at the end it eludes that the h and H we going to have sex prior to marriage, which sorry of ribs their character in my mind. They are prayed as ones having self control and then in the end can't wait until marriage to consummate the relationship. Just a disappointment when I read these regency historical novels.
I enjoyed this story a lot. It was clean and simple sorry, but kept me involved. Not too many misunderstandings or such. My only disappointment is that at the end it eludes that the h and H we going to have sex prior to marriage, which sorry of ribs their character in my mind. They are prayed as ones having self control and then in the end can't wait until marriage to consummate the relationship. Just a disappointment when I read these regency historical novels.
February 21, 2021
Noioso.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews