Jennifer Ashley – Rules for a Proper Governess

The seventh book in the Mackenzies / Highland Pleasures series, published October 7, 2014.
Genre: historical romance
Cover: nice



Scottish barrister Sinclair McBride can face the most sinister criminals in London - but the widower's two unruly children are a different matter. Little Caitlin and Andrew go through a governess a week, sending the ladies fleeing in tears. There is, however, one woman in town who can hold her own.
Roberta "Bertie" Frasier enters Sinclair's life by stealing his watch - and then stealing a kiss. Intrigued by the handsome highlander, Bertie winds up saving his children from a dangerous situation and returning them to their father. Impressed with how they listen to her, Sinclair asks the lively beauty to be their governess, never guessing that the unconventional lady will teach him a lesson or two in love.


It has been a while since I read a historical romance this good. Of course, it has been a while since I read one by Jennifer Ashley.
The book starts with a courtroom scene, where the barrister Sinclair McBride clears the name of a young girl, and nails the real murderer instead. Earning the gratitude of the girls friend, and the hatred from the killer’s friends. And so Bertie admires him for his skills, and the fact that he actually cared enough to find the guilty person, and her father and fiancée make her steal something from him in a strange kind of revenge. He put away their buddy! Yes, Bertie lives in the poorest part of London, and her father has used her all his life to help with his criminal exploits, but there is nowhere else Bertie can go to. At least he protects her from all other men, even her own bully of a fiancé.
But when Bertie reluctantly steals Sinclair’s watch, he notices and as the watch in question is a treasured gift by his late wife, he sets out in hot pursuit. Not caring that Bertie leads him from the more classy parts of London to the worst places, trying to loose him. But when her cronies set upon him, intent to do him major harm, she comes to his rescue and leads him to safety. Where she steals a kiss from him …
The next day, curious about this fascinating man with the bleak look in his eyes, she searches out his house, and sees his children going to the park with their nanny. When the nanny looses the children (as they don’t listen to her at all!), Bertie manages to keep them safe, and to gain their trust and admiration and so, suddenly, she finds herself in the position of nanny. A live in job, with a good honest wage, freedom from her father and fiancé. For now. Especially her fiancé is not happy with her living with the “rich bloke”.

Bertie enjoys her new life very much, and the little glimpses she sees of the hardworking Sinclair. His sister-in-law quickly takes her under her wing as well, not caring about the difference in their status in life at all.


I loved this book so much. I liked Bertie, she is smart and resilient and practical. She knows a man like Sinclair is not for the likes of her, but she likes him a lot, and doesn’t care if it can only be for a short while. But Sinclair is a honorable man, and he won’t take advantage of a woman living under his roof. Slowly they get to know each other more, and get closer. Bertie brings a new life and light into the lives of Sinclair and especially his children, and it was so good to read. Yes, I cried at times, but it is fun as well, and great seeing all the MacKenzie’s again. My favourite, Lord Ian MacKenzie, makes a few appearances in this book, fabulous.

My last 11 star rating was Written in Red, but this book certainly deserves it as well. Bring on the next one Jennifer Ashley!

11 stars.

© 2015 Reviews by Aurian