Prudence

Governesses Trilogy #1

by Elizabeth Bailey

Governess Prudence Hursley expected to see little of her new employer, Mr Julius Rookham. However, she found herself continually thrown into his path, and the more she got to know him, the more she found herself wishing for the impossible!

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Harlequin, British Literature, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

An 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.

Reviews

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[H L · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Bryony · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ulrike · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf

boring!

too much happy go lucky

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute story.

[Danielle Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[LadyAileen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Noioso.