The Secretive Governess

False Rumors #3

by Laura A. Barnes

Once you overcome your sorrows and regrets the endless possibilities before you can be an unexpected surprise.

A lady with secrets. A gentleman seeking redemption. Can forgiveness be sought for past betrayals?

Flora Grant’s return to Scotland went unnoticed. Or so she thought. However, a gentleman from her past arrived, making it impossible for Flora to keep her secrets. She agreed to a truce with the infuriating Scottish barbarian who rattled her emotions more deeply than she cared to admit to. With each kiss he stole from her lips, Flora’s heartache melted away. Could she trust him again with her heart?

Lennox Fraser inherited his grandfather’s title of Lord Hepburn. A title he had no intention of claiming. Until it proved worthwhile in keeping Flora protected from a madman. He had allowed the woman he loved to stay away for years because of his betrayal. When she offered him a second chance, Lennox sets out to show Flora his love and devotion. Can Lennox prove to Flora that he’s her hero?

Secrets are revealed, forcing a couple together under duress. While forgiveness is within their grasp, obstacles still keep them apart. Can they overcome their difficulties to find their happily ever after? Or would their secrets keep them apart for an eternity.

The Secretive Governess is the third book in Laura A. Barnes’s False Rumors series. If you love Scottish romances, then you’ll love the dynamics of the passion shared between Flora and Lennox.

Spoil yourself with The Secretive Governess

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2024

About the author

International bestselling author Laura A. Barnes fell in love with writing in the second grade. After her first creative writing assignment, she dreamt of becoming an author. Many years went by with Laura filling her head full of story ideas and some funny fish songs she wrote while fishing with her family. In 2017, she made her dreams a reality. With her debut novel Rescued By the Captain, she has set out on the path of a published author.​

When not writing, Laura can be found devouring her favorite romance books. Laura is married to her own Prince Charming (who for some reason or another thinks the heroes in her books are about him) who she enjoys traveling with and binging shows on streaming services. You can usually find her spending time with her children and grandchildren. Besides her love of reading and writing, Laura loves to travel. With her passport stamped in England, Scotland, and Ireland; she hopes to add more countries to her list soon.​

While Laura isn’t very good on the social media front, she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her on the following platforms:​

Website: http://www.lauraabarnes.com

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/lauraabarnes ​

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...​

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraA...​

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labarnesaut...​

TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@labarnesauthor​

Twitter: https://twitter.com/labarnesauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/laura...

Reviews

[CATHERINE BURHANS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second Chance romances are my favorite, and this story has so much more, including mystery and suspense . Flora Grant is the lady with secrets who returns to Scotland, and there sees the man from her past who knows them. But Lennox Frazer, Lord Hepburn, only wants to protect her. Those secrets could keep them apart.

[Jayne Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

oooooh this is good! Flora was one of the four governesses who tried to teach a lecherous lord a lesson and ended up getting ousted from London by means of a vicious rumor. With no chance of getting hired in England, the four of them took jobs in Scotland. Vivan and Grace ended up marrying the lords for whom they worked, and the duke for whom Sarah worked was clearly enamored of her, but the class difference between them was quite wide. Flora had a secret, and that secret, which was about to be revealed, was causing her great distress. Lennox, who inherited his grandfather’s title of the Earl of Hepburn, his properties and wealth, knew Flora before her flight from Scotland two years ago. She was none too pleased to find out he was the lord who hired her as his governess. Meanwhile, the four women had been receiving threatening letters. Vivian’s and Grace’s stopped once they married, and it appeared that whoever was sending them had now targeted Flora. Lennox was determined to protect Flora at all costs. Things between Flora and Lennox were intense, both emotionally and physically. He was a constant reminder of her family’s bertayal and the reasons she left Scotland, and when Flora’s three brothers and sister-in-law, who just happened to be Lennox’s sister, arrived unexpectedly the sistuation got more volatile. This is a story full of passion, secrets, misunderstandings, mystery and heartache. Although its resolution is happy and heartwarming, the journey getting there is a testament to the damage pride can cause. A simple conversation or confrontation could have resulted in a completely different life for both Flora and Lennox. However, the lessons they learned and the friends she met over the past two years were instumental in making her the woman she was today. You will find humor, hot kisses and steamy scenes, distressing correspondence, female commeraderie and loyalty, familial interference and the frustration of an unsolved mystery as you jump into the pages depicting Flora and Lennox’s lives. He is a hunk with a heart and she is quite the determined hoyden lady, who finally find what they seek. Loved it!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this whole series is wonderful. Flora Grant and her friends have had to leave London after one of their friends is attacked by her employer. They all decide that the Lord needs to pay for his actions and embarrassed him at a ball. As they are all governess this is was not allowed. All of them are shunned and find jobs in Scotland with new families. Except Flora, whose employer hasn’t showed up yet and there are no children. When he finally shows up, she is shocked by who he is. Flora and Lord Hepburn, Lennox have a history no one knows about. Flora is all set to run again, till Lennox ask for a truce till they can solve the mystery around all the governess. As they work together both are shy and uncertain how to act with the other. Flora was badly hurt by both her family and Lennox and doesn’t know if she can trust him. She still finds him so handsome and strong. It doesn’t help that she still has feelings for him. Lennox know what he wants which is Flora but knows he has to earn her trust and prove his love. As our couple work together a lot of secrets come out. There is mystery of who is sending threatening letters. Lennox and Flora put off talking to each other almost too long. With help from their friends and family can they finally find out who it is? Will Lennox and Flora learn to trust and love or has it been too long apart? Lots of twist and turns and the ending will more than surprise you. Other great book to this very interesting series. This is a steamy story for those who like to know. I can’t wait for the next book and hopefully we will find out answers to all our questions. I received and ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice second chance story, with a thread of frustration weaving throughout. Lennox and Florals past was filled with betrayal and lack of communication. Their present was filled with pride and lack of communication. While I totally understand the need for the journey, it was still frustrating.

You know right away that there is love under all their posturing. Lennox just wants to keep Flora safe from the threat hanging over her head. A threat that is never truly uncovered or defined clearly, another frustration. Flora desperately wants Lennox, but she isn't willing to give up her tight grip on what she sees as betrayal from him and her family...again, communication.

There have been other books prior to this one, but I didn't find I really needed to have read them first. You get the gist of the series as you read this story. While the men involved with Flora and her friends takes matters into their own hands to protect their love interests, they, in my opinion negate the women. I know it is the norm of the times, but that is an advantage to writing, again, in my opinion, they could have communicated with the women, included their thoughts and maybe habe gotten somewhere with the mystery.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the journey for Lennox and Flora, I just had to stop shouting....TALK TO EACH OTHER! This was a 3.75 Star story only because of my frustration level.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Laura A. Barnes books since 2019 and this is my 20th book by her. I can truthfully say, I have really enjoyed every book of hers that I've read. Always great characters and always great stories and some of my favorites.

I loved book 1 in this series and Book 2 even better and I added it to my favorite reads list in Dec, 2023. I do have to say I had no idea what this story was about before I started reading it as I do not read author’s book synopsis anymore. 😊 I was given this book as an ARC read in return for an honest review.

I have to truthfully say I was a bit confused at the beginning on what was going on but that wasn’t the authors fault. It picked up where book 2 left off BUT I read probably 280 since book 2 came out and over 300 since book 1 came out so needless to say, I had not remembered all the details of the story. The more I read and the more explanations were made it all came back to me.

I really enjoyed reading Flora and Lennox. I loved that push/pull/love/hate back and forth they did. You know they say you can't help who you fall in love with and this story was proof of that. I love that no matter what, those couples always come back together. I liked all the friends and there interactions with each other. Another good read from Laura.

[Deborah Durand · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mystery Continues

It is mandatory to read the previous novels to appreciate what is happening; otherwise, readers will be confused. Remember that there were four women with positions in London households as governesses: Vivian, Grace, Flora and Sara. After Sara was approached by Lord Baldridge in a lascivious manner, and then fled, a now married Vivian secures the ladies invitations to a ball where they humiliate Lord Baldridge. Despite the ladies’ deserved retribution, someone in the ton is sending threatening letters which upends their positions in London. Vivian manages to secure them new positions as governesses in Scotland. This is Flora’s story.
Her position is with a Lord Hepburn, Lennox Fraser, with whom she is well acquainted and who has no children. Read about this mystery and the continued mystery about who is sending those letters. I was annoyed with the two year period of mistrust and misunderstandings between the MC’s and their estranged relationship. The threat persists and is invisible to Lennox and the husbands of Vivian and Grace plus the Duke of Somerville, who holds great affection for his governess, Sara.
Since Sara’s story is last, it is apparent that the threat has been against her all along. Can’t wait for her story.
I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.

[Rose Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, another great story in this continued series. Full of action, adventure, betrayal, love, revenge, secrets, society, passion, intrigue, suspense, twists and turns. This story picks up where book 2 leaves off. Always happy to read about the return of characters from earlier books. This series keeps you reading and on the edge of your seat. We have read of Lord Hepburn in the other books but never really knew who he was. He hires Flora but isn't in Scotland so she stays with her friends till the time he shows up. She was hired to be a governess for him unknown to her who is really is. When he shows up , Flora can't figure out why he calls himself Lord Hepburn but only as Lennox. She left when his mistress told her that he didn't want to marry her but that he was pushed to by both of their parents. Now he is trying to solve why someone and who they are, and why are they trying to ruin them. Lots of secrets and action in this who dunit. Absolutely fantastic series to curl up with and enjoy. Would recommend to everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second-Chance, Scottish Historical Romance

She was waiting for Lord Hepburn, and she got Lennox instead. What a deceitful cad. He was no lord. What Flora did not know was that Lennox and Lord Hepburn were one and the same. Sure, he lured her under false pretenses, but he had his reasons. There were no children to whom she could be governess, so why the pretense?

Flora and Lennox had a past. There was betrayal, and there were misunderstandings. Could they get past their differences? There was a villain in the story, but Lennox was not him.

This is an entertaining story. I recommend it to those who like Scottish historical romance with mystery and suspense. It is also a story about love, redemption, and second chances.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been awhile since I have read a book by this talented author. I must say it is good to read one of her books again. Flora and Lennox’s story is the third book of a series. A testament to it being well written is I was easily able to follow the overarching storyline without reading the others (yet). I thoroughly enjoyed reading how Lennox bumbled his way to wooing Flora back. Flora’s strength and resilience was wonderful. Story had suspense, mystery, meddling family, sisterhood support, humor, society judgement, vulnerability, twists, perseverance and love. Very enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in a series called False Rumors, I enjoyed it immensely. I always enjoy the books Laura Barnes writes. I will say in the beginning this book had me confused, I believe I felt lost because it has been a while since I read the first two books, maybe the author should have included a prologue. But once I caught on, or things started to come to me, I could not put it down. The story of Flora and Lennox had love between them and between friendship. I do not want to say much about the story, but I will say, I must read the next story to find out who is behind everything.
I received an ARC of this book from Book Sprout and I am leaving my honest review.

[Marichus Real · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flora and Lennox get an arranged marriage from their families, but she doesn’t know that until the day after the wedding. Filled with shame, she ran away and found a job as a governess. Trying to help a friend, she and her friends got into trouble and a madman is trying to harm them.
At the beginning of the book, I had problems understanding but, after a while¸ I got into the story all right. They had a lot of trouble getting together, but in the end, love won.
This is a nice reading about a couple in love in spite of the circumstances against them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this had everything that I was looking for in this third entry in the False Rumors series. The plot was everything that I was looking for and thought the feel worked well overall. The characters had that feel that I wanted and was realistic for the setting. Laura A. Barnes has a strong style in the genre and can't wait for more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flora and Lennox’s engaging story is well written with a very good storyline that held my interest until the end. There is drama, suspense, mystery, secrets, twists, turns and romance. I have enjoyed reading this series. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific story with all the right ingredients, mystery, sister support, humor, romance, interfering and so much more. As Flora and Lennox interact with each other they find opportunities to find common ground. Well thoughtout story with lots of interaction and scope. Don't miss this one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flora and Lennox have a rocky start to their marriage with Flora running away for 2 years. Lennox tricks her into returning and slowly tries to win her back. There were several misunderstandings to work through and a threat against Flora. Their love was meant to be and Lennox certainly proved it.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining second chance romance book that grabs your attention from the beginning and holds it to the end. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with depth to their personalities. I enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good historical romance with mystery, betrayal, lies and second chances. The story develops nicely with wonderful and strong characters. The story is about Flora and Lennox. This is a good story with a little drama, as two people trying to uncover the truth. This is my favorite in the "False Rumors" series. I enjoyed every bit of it from beginning to end.

[Sven · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent second chance romance with a bit of a mystery attached to it. The H and h face a lot of difficulties getting to their hea, but it all resolves well in the end.

Decent writing helps to read the first 2 books before this one for context and back plots.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed reading Lennox and Flora's story of romance in the highlands of Scotland. An enjoyable story.