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For Duty, Love & Honour: Residents of Ashwick Hall Book 3
When Anne is offered the position of governess to Captain Turner’s two wards, she steps back into a world she had thought herself forever severed from. As she works to establish a better relationship between her charges and their guardian, she finds herself increasingly drawn to him. She hides a secret that could jeopardise her position, however, and when a series of accidents occur, she fears her past is about to rear its ugly head.
Captain Edward Turner has devoted his life to the Royal Navy. Against all odds, he rose through the ranks from ship’s boy to commander, but his hopes and dreams were shattered when a false accusation was brought against him. Returning to the estate his mentor, Admiral Tewk, has left him, he finds himself all at sea. What little he knows about women is not to their credit, and the last thing he expects is to discover himself intrigued by the enigmatic governess.
Captain Edward Turner has devoted his life to the Royal Navy. Against all odds, he rose through the ranks from ship’s boy to commander, but his hopes and dreams were shattered when a false accusation was brought against him. Returning to the estate his mentor, Admiral Tewk, has left him, he finds himself all at sea. What little he knows about women is not to their credit, and the last thing he expects is to discover himself intrigued by the enigmatic governess.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2025
95 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Hambly
34 books90 followersI love history and the Regency period in particular. I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emile Bronte, and Georgette Heyer.
I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Rosalind is the first in my Bachelor Brides series. Sophie and Katherine complete the series. The books are linked by characters introduced in each. They can be read as stand-alone novels, but are best read in order.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet evenings by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Find out more about me, join my mailing list, or just see what I am up to, at www.jennyhambly.com
I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Rosalind is the first in my Bachelor Brides series. Sophie and Katherine complete the series. The books are linked by characters introduced in each. They can be read as stand-alone novels, but are best read in order.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet evenings by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Find out more about me, join my mailing list, or just see what I am up to, at www.jennyhambly.com
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 21, 2025
A new Jenny Hambly book is always a joy to read, with endearing characters, an intricate plot, just the right degree of mystery versus romance, and a beautifully realised Regency world. I’m loving this series with its heroines with a traumatic past hiding away from the world and gradually finding a new way forward.
Here’s the premise: Anne Huxley is in hiding at Ashwick Hall under the auspices of Lady Westcliffe, who provides a home both for orphans and for ladies suffering from the travails of a difficult life. She provides a safe haven until they are ready to face the world again, albeit still in hiding, perhaps. For Anne, her opportunity comes when a naval captain advertises for a governess. Anne travels to London for an interview, competing against many other potential governesses, among them an elderly lady, Miss Burdock.
Captain Edward Turner has braved many dangers at sea, but when his mentor dies and bequeaths him an estate and he takes on the two neglected and wild daughters of a fellow naval man, he’s completely lost. He has no idea how to manage the estate, and a succession of governesses make no headway with the two children. So he decides to let them be part of the selection process for the next governess. But that brings a quandary, for they like the kindly Miss Burdock, while he prefers the coolly ladylike Mrs Huxley. But when Miss Burdock falls victim to a pickpocket and looks to be near destitution, Anne has a novel solution - why not two governesses, splitting the salary between them?
I have to say, I really like this idea, which is one I’ve never encountered before. For Anne, it gives her protection in what is a bachelor household, the children get twice the attention, and Miss Burdock is saved from the workhouse. Needless to say, the wild children respond quickly to Anne’s firm insistence on good manners and Miss Burdock’s kindliness, and Edward responds to some of Anne’s other qualities. I liked that he found her rather too cool at first, despite being an excellent governess, but as he comes to know her better and sees her in more challenging situations, he comes to admire her in a very different way. And she follows a similar process, finding him a dour, reserved man, but soon learning to appreciate his resourcefulness.
Running in the background is the mystery part of the story, both Anne’s history and also some mysterious goings on in Edward’s naval career, too. I confess I’m a little uneasy about the theme of slavery and abolition which drives some elements of the plot. It’s conventional in modern Regencies that heroes and heroines are against the slave trade, and only villains support it. It’s too easy, perhaps, for modern authors to use slavery as a quick signal of a good or bad character without really engaging with the subject meaningfully. In reality, it was a lot more nuanced than that, with strong voices on both sides. Happily, Hambly brings some depth to the subject by describing the naval engagements to take slave trading ships and release their captives.
As always with this series, the heroine’s past blows up in spectacular fashion, with a surprising revelation and a fairly dramatic confrontation, allowing both hero and heroine to display their courage. There are quite a few loose ends to be tied up in the final chapter, followed by a sweet romantic finale. Another excellent entry in this series. Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Anne Huxley is in hiding at Ashwick Hall under the auspices of Lady Westcliffe, who provides a home both for orphans and for ladies suffering from the travails of a difficult life. She provides a safe haven until they are ready to face the world again, albeit still in hiding, perhaps. For Anne, her opportunity comes when a naval captain advertises for a governess. Anne travels to London for an interview, competing against many other potential governesses, among them an elderly lady, Miss Burdock.
Captain Edward Turner has braved many dangers at sea, but when his mentor dies and bequeaths him an estate and he takes on the two neglected and wild daughters of a fellow naval man, he’s completely lost. He has no idea how to manage the estate, and a succession of governesses make no headway with the two children. So he decides to let them be part of the selection process for the next governess. But that brings a quandary, for they like the kindly Miss Burdock, while he prefers the coolly ladylike Mrs Huxley. But when Miss Burdock falls victim to a pickpocket and looks to be near destitution, Anne has a novel solution - why not two governesses, splitting the salary between them?
I have to say, I really like this idea, which is one I’ve never encountered before. For Anne, it gives her protection in what is a bachelor household, the children get twice the attention, and Miss Burdock is saved from the workhouse. Needless to say, the wild children respond quickly to Anne’s firm insistence on good manners and Miss Burdock’s kindliness, and Edward responds to some of Anne’s other qualities. I liked that he found her rather too cool at first, despite being an excellent governess, but as he comes to know her better and sees her in more challenging situations, he comes to admire her in a very different way. And she follows a similar process, finding him a dour, reserved man, but soon learning to appreciate his resourcefulness.
Running in the background is the mystery part of the story, both Anne’s history and also some mysterious goings on in Edward’s naval career, too. I confess I’m a little uneasy about the theme of slavery and abolition which drives some elements of the plot. It’s conventional in modern Regencies that heroes and heroines are against the slave trade, and only villains support it. It’s too easy, perhaps, for modern authors to use slavery as a quick signal of a good or bad character without really engaging with the subject meaningfully. In reality, it was a lot more nuanced than that, with strong voices on both sides. Happily, Hambly brings some depth to the subject by describing the naval engagements to take slave trading ships and release their captives.
As always with this series, the heroine’s past blows up in spectacular fashion, with a surprising revelation and a fairly dramatic confrontation, allowing both hero and heroine to display their courage. There are quite a few loose ends to be tied up in the final chapter, followed by a sweet romantic finale. Another excellent entry in this series. Five stars.
March 24, 2025
This may be the oddest review I've written.
I started this last night and felt it off all the characters knew each other so well, and wondered why the book had started fixing an injury, but letting us know what it was or why it happened. My review at this point would have been very different to now.
Every time I open the book it defaults to chapter fifteen,airbags where I started not realising, and wondering how I got sixty percent through the book so quickly. So I started again at chapter one.
Anne is the last of the three ladies at Ashwick Hall, when she's asked to take up a governess role for a retired possibly disgraced Navy Captain. Her mentors husband in the home office feels he's been dismissed for false allegations but wants to be sure.
So Anne takes up a role as governess to two children, who been left orphaned but Captain Edward has taken them in as he promised his late shipmates he would do.
Not sure if it's the way I ended up reading the book (chapters 15 and 16, then 1 to the end) but it sort of felt disjointed. Having said that a good end to the series.
I started this last night and felt it off all the characters knew each other so well, and wondered why the book had started fixing an injury, but letting us know what it was or why it happened. My review at this point would have been very different to now.
Every time I open the book it defaults to chapter fifteen,airbags where I started not realising, and wondering how I got sixty percent through the book so quickly. So I started again at chapter one.
Anne is the last of the three ladies at Ashwick Hall, when she's asked to take up a governess role for a retired possibly disgraced Navy Captain. Her mentors husband in the home office feels he's been dismissed for false allegations but wants to be sure.
So Anne takes up a role as governess to two children, who been left orphaned but Captain Edward has taken them in as he promised his late shipmates he would do.
Not sure if it's the way I ended up reading the book (chapters 15 and 16, then 1 to the end) but it sort of felt disjointed. Having said that a good end to the series.
March 8, 2025
I am watching this author eagerly…
Her plots are all so different yet lead ingeniously to the desired outcome. And I do so much enjoy her psychological portraits of her people. Ashwick Hall is a great device although there are hints at the end of this book that Lord and Lady Westcliffe might not be continuing with their intriguing mix of rescue and righting wrongs. This is the third in a trilogy and i have enjoyed her other trilogies so whatever comes next will be eagerly awaited.
Her plots are all so different yet lead ingeniously to the desired outcome. And I do so much enjoy her psychological portraits of her people. Ashwick Hall is a great device although there are hints at the end of this book that Lord and Lady Westcliffe might not be continuing with their intriguing mix of rescue and righting wrongs. This is the third in a trilogy and i have enjoyed her other trilogies so whatever comes next will be eagerly awaited.
March 26, 2025
It was tepid and boring. Romance? Nonexistant, unless you consider “I like how she looked at me, I must be in love” romance. She’s free and resurceful one vibe? Yes, that she is until the male appears. Spies and mystery? Just, out of nowhere, add a character with solutions whenever you get caught in the net of the plot you tousled yourself. Hard kid trope? Yeah, everything solves the minute new governess appears. So yeah. Too many words, too little meaning or emotion.
March 8, 2025
All's well that ends well
Excellent story good quality characters gentle romance and amazing insight into children with emotional problems Thoroughly enjoyed this book shame it's the last in the series
Excellent story good quality characters gentle romance and amazing insight into children with emotional problems Thoroughly enjoyed this book shame it's the last in the series
May 31, 2025
A complicated story of a pair of orphans who are adopted by a sea captain and educated by 2 governesses, both of whom are fleeing the past. There is a romance, and a villain, and a lot of vicars and aristocrats flouncing about.
March 26, 2025
Got a bit out there...
April 1, 2025
Another lovely tale by this author
Want to read
April 18, 2025This book has been nominated for a 2025 Swoony Award, to vote for it click here: Swoony Awards.
April 18, 2025
Another lovely novel in this series.
April 24, 2025
Delightful story bringing this series to a satisfying end
June 17, 2025
2.5 stars
June 21, 2025
Wonderful!
Loved this 3rd installment of this series! Enjoyed the characters interactions from the books before this one! Have enjoyed reading Jenny Hambly’s novels so very much!!!
Loved this 3rd installment of this series! Enjoyed the characters interactions from the books before this one! Have enjoyed reading Jenny Hambly’s novels so very much!!!
July 20, 2025
This is a good story
It took me a while to understand the pace and rhythm of this story- but once I understood-
the story unfolded. I think it is a good story.
It took me a while to understand the pace and rhythm of this story- but once I understood-
the story unfolded. I think it is a good story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews