“Mine,” he growled, flinging her to his bed. He’d not slept in it last night, and he wasn’t sleeping in it now.
“Mine,” she retorted, reaching for him.
And that was precisely the way he wanted it. Simon covered her face in kisses and proceeded to acknowledge his gratitude for being claimed by a woman who wasn’t afraid to demand what she wanted.
Characters
Simon Blair—came from slums, now owns mines
Enoch—Simon’s six-year-old son
Catherine (Cat) and Clare—Simon’s four-year-old twins
Letitia Montgomery Blair—Simon’s deceased wife
Lady Olivia Malcolm McDowell Hargreaves—governess; viscount’s widow
Owen, Lord Hargreaves—late viscount, Olivia’s husband
Lawrence, Lord Hargreaves—current viscount, Owen’s younger brother
Robert Hargreaves, Earl of Basingstoke—father to Owen and Lawrence
Emma Malcolm Montgomery —Letitia’s sister; Simon’s sister-in-law
Hortense Malcolm Montgomery—Emma’s mother; Simon’s mother-in-law
Margaret (Maggie) Dunwoody—Simon’s aunt, a widow from Glasgow
Andrew Blair—Simon’s cousin, an inventor
Lady Phoebe Malcolm Blair—daughter of earl; Andrew’s wife; Olivia’s cousin
Jeremy Hill—Owen’s former estate manager; Simon’s current steward;
Aloysius Cargill—Owen’s illegitimate son
Gareth Glengarry—Hargreaves’ estate agent
Ramsay—Hargreaves’ steward
Sir Harvey Hamilton—knighted for efforts in Crimean war; Simon’s neighbor
Miss Charlotte Hamilton—Sir Harvey’s granddaughter
Reverend Willingham—minister on Hargreaves’ estate
Mary Willingham—minister’s daughter
Mr. Wilson—Greybridge banker
Mr. Napier—Greybridge minister
Dr. Napier—physician; part of large Napier family in Greybridge
Ponder Hamilton—new schoolteacher; nephew of Sir Harvey
Wallace—mine manager
Mr. and Mrs. Jameson—Hargreaves butler and housekeeper
Susannah Susan—a widowed seamstress
Joe—Susannah’s son
Betsy—new nursemaid
Sally Cargill—new kitchen maid; Aloysius’ aunt
Bertram—new footman
Abigail—new parlor maid
Lily Brown—former upstairs maid; harlot with infant
Daisy—nursemaid
Rothberg—Simon’s solicitor in Glasgow
Alexander Dare—doctor, professor; friend of Andrew Blair’s
Azmin Dougall—photographer friend of Phoebe
Thomas Mackle—deputy
Bart—tavern owner of ill repute
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as well as my Crystal Magic series
https://patriciarice.com/series/crystal-magic/
A Bewitching Governess
Patricia Rice
Copyright © 2019 Patricia Rice
First Publication: Book View Cafe, May 26, 2020
This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Published by Rice Enterprises, Dana Point, CA, an affiliate of Book View Café Publishing Cooperative
Cover design by Kim Killion
Book View Café Publishing Cooperative
P.O. Box 1624, Cedar Crest, NM 87008-1624
http://bookviewcafe.com
978161138 873-2 e-book
978161138 874-9 print
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior permission of the copyright owner.
The author has provided this e-book to you without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied so that you can enjoy reading it on your personal devices. You may not print or post this e-book, or make it publicly available in any way. You may not copy, reproduce, or upload this e-book, other than to read it on one of your personal devices. If you would like to share, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this e-fiction and it was not purchased for your use, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for helping the e-reading community to grow!
School of Magic Series
Lessons in Enchantment
Book 1 of School of Magic
Can a straitlaced engineer, three psychic children, and a lonely witch find love?
* * *
The daughter of an earl, Lady Phoebe Malcolm Duncan has the ability to talk to animals. She longs to be a veterinarian, but education requires more coin than she possesses. When the walls of her home come tumbling down, she has to take two steps back—to servitude.
Inventor Andrew Blair keeps his nose to the grindstone, knowing his friends and family depend on his talent for turning machines into money. He is about to embark on his biggest investment yet—rebuilding crumbling tenements in Old Town Edinburgh— until his beleaguered cousin begs him to hide his precocious children from a killer.
When the School of Malcolms sends Lady Phoebe as governess for his wards, Drew’s well-ordered beliefs are upended. Ladies don’t live in slum housing like the one he’s about to tear down, nor do they command ravens or encourage children to talk to dead mothers. It might take a vengeful ghost to show the disparate pair how to join forces, fight their fears and their enemies, and reveal a path to love.
Buy Lessons in Enchantment
Unexpected Magic Series
Magic in the Stars
Unexpected Magic, Book 1
He’s a scientist who studies the stars. She’s an astrologer who predicts the future. Can a lonely witch save a handsome unbeliever from his own doom?
* * *
As an astrologer, Lady Azenor Dougall sadly realizes her stars are a danger to her beloved siblings and has banished herself from her Scots home. As the Malcolm family librarian, she dutifully creates zodiac charts for her often eccentric and mysterious relations—until the day she realizes a dire conjunction of planets spells a fatal threat in a distant branch of the family.
Buy Magic in the Stars
Whisper of Magic
Unexpected Magic, Book 2
The death of Celeste Rochester’s father on the voyage from Jamaica to London leaves her and her young siblings nearly penniless in a foreign country. Forced to battle lawyers for her inheritance and the roof over their heads, Celeste’s only weapon is her mysteriously compelling voice.
“With unconventional recurring characters, passion and a bit of danger, this is a compelling read from a master of whimsy, mayhem and laughter. The
second Unexpected Magic book is a magical tale of love.” –Joan Hammond, RT Book Reviews
Buy Whisper of Magic
Theory of Magic
Unexpected Magic, Book 3
A blind marquess who detects lies...
A spinster who hides behind deceit...
Can even magic bring them together?
* * *
Scorned by suitors for her statuesque size, Harriet Stansbury bolts when her abusive stepfather begins negotiating with impecunious aristocrats to sell her for her dowry. When opportunity offers, she daringly takes a position in an eccentric household until she can claim her fortune.
Romantic Times Review 4 1/2 star Top Pick: "Known for her masterful talent for writing whimsy, humor and mayhem, Rice gives the reader a delightful romantic adventure in the third book of her Unexpected Magic series. Along with her recurring characters, she pairs a statuesque Malcolm female who is the perfect foil for the blind, arrogant, frustrated Ives male. She includes sensuality, an abduction, political skullduggery along with lively verbal bantering in this mystical, magical tale of love"-- Joan Hammond
Buy Theory of Magic
Aura of Magic
Unexpected Magic, Book 4
Bridey and Pascoe face ghosts, assassins, and riots—but nothing as perilous as the irresistible attraction between them. With hard-fought goals at risk, they must make the ultimate choice between achieving dreams—or losing each other.
“Known for her masterful talent for writing whimsy, humor and mayhem, Rice gives the reader a delightful romantic adventure in . . . her Unexpected Magic series”—Joan Hammond, RT Reviews 4 ½ stars
Buy Aura of Magic
Chemistry of Magic
Unexpected Magic, Book 5
Diagnosed with consumption, Viscount "Devil" Dare is dying. To secure the future of his sisters, industrialist Dare agrees to a marriage of convenience with botanist Emilia McDowell in order for her to inherit her grandfather's estate. Except Dare's desire for an heir is terribly inconvenient for Emilia--her healing gift could kill her if she touches her new husband.
Buy Chemistry of Magic
No Perfect Magic
Unexpected Magic, Book 6
Will Ives, the bastard of the late marquess, is as strong, handsome, and smart as his titled brothers, but he has no interest in society or book learning. His unique gift for training highly-prized rescue dogs is all he needs. His peace is shattered the day the beautiful but eccentric Lady Aurelia demands his help in finding a child no one knows is missing.
Buy No Perfect Magic
About the Author
With several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice is one of romance's hottest authors. Her emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards. Her books have been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
For further information, visit Patricia’s network:
http://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_wenches/
http://patricia-rice.tumblr.com/
https://www.patriciarice.com
Also by Patricia Rice
The World of Magic:
The Unexpected Magic Series
Magic in the Stars
Whisper of Magic
Theory of Magic
Aura of Magic
Chemistry of Magic
No Perfect Magic
The Magical Malcolms Series
Merely Magic
Must Be Magic
The Trouble With Magic
This Magic Moment
Much Ado About Magic
Magic Man
The California Malcolms Series
The Lure of Song and Magic
Trouble with Air and Magic
The Risk of Love and Magic
Crystal Magic
Sapphire Nights
Topaz Dreams
Crystal Vision
Wedding Gems
Azure Secrets
Amber Affairs
Moonstone Shadows
The Wedding Gift
The Wedding Question
The Wedding Surprise
School of Magic
Lessons in Enchantment
A Bewitching Governess
Historical Romance:
American Dream Series
Moon Dreams
Rebel Dreams
The Rebellious Sons
Wicked Wyckerly
Devilish Montague
Notorious Atherton
Formidable Lord Quentin
The Regency Nobles Series
The Genuine Article
The Marquess
English Heiress
Irish Duchess
Regency Love and Laughter Series
Crossed in Love
Mad Maria’s Daughter
Artful Deceptions
All a Woman Wants
Rogues & Desperadoes Series
Lord Rogue
Moonlight and Memories
Shelter from the Storm
Wayward Angel
Denim and Lace
Cheyennes Lady
Dark Lords and Dangerous Ladies Series
Love Forever After
Silver Enchantress
Devil’s Lady
Dash of Enchantment
Indigo Moon
Too Hard to Handle
Texas Lily
Texas Rose
Texas Tiger
Texas Moon
Mystic Isle Series
Mystic Isle
Mystic Guardian
Mystic Rider
Mystic Warrior
Mysteries:
Family Genius Series
Evil Genius
Undercover Genius
Cyber Genius
Twin Genius
Twisted Genius
Tales of Love and Mystery
Blue Clouds
Garden of Dreams
Nobody’s Angel
Volcano
California Girl
About Book View Café
Book View Café Publishing Cooperative (BVC) is an author-owned cooperative of over fifty professional writers, publishing in a variety of genres including fantasy, romance, mystery, and science fiction. Since its debut in 2008, BVC has gained a reputation for producing high-quality ebooks. BVC’s ebooks are DRM-free and are distributed around the world. The cooperative is now bringing that same quality to its print editions.
BVC authors include New York Times and USA Today bestsellers as well as winners and nominees of many prestigious awards, including:
Agatha Award
Campbell Award
Hugo Award
Lambda Award
Locus Award
Nebula Award
Nicholl Fellowship
PEN/Malamud Award
Philip K. Dick Award
RITA Award
World Fantasy Award
Writers of the Future Award