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A Governess of Discretion (The Governess Bureau Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Emily E K Murdoch (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 883 ratings
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When a governess of great talents is required, there is only one place the nobility of England go: The Governess Bureau.

And one of the most trusted? Miss Anne Gilbert. She’s known for keeping her employer’s secrets, and when she is selected by the Earl of Clarcton, that is precisely why.

Because the Earl, Timothy Lexington, has secrets. Secrets he has worked hard to keep from the world for the last two years. While scandal waits in the wings, Clarcton Castle has entire wings that are shut off and the Countess is nowhere to be found.
Anne may be discrete, but that doesn’t mean she’s not curious. When Timothy makes a scandalous request of her – pretend to be his countess at the Christmas Ball to prevent rumors of her disappearance from spreading – he doesn’t tell her why. He doesn’t tell her she has a strange and unexplainable resemblance to his wife.

Anne is faced not only with half-lies and stony-faced servants…but a growing passion for the man she knows is lying to her. When an Earl won’t tell the truth about his own wife, a governess has only one course of action: accept the lies demurely. What a shame Anne isn’t going to stop seeking the truth.

As the Christmas Ball grows closer, will Anne learn to trust a man she knows is trying to deceive her? Is it possible that the truth, once found, will bring them closer together – or break the connection forever?

This full length novel is a steamy Regency romance with a happily ever after, no cliffhangers, and is part of a series that can be read in any order.

The Governess Bureau
A Governess of Great Talents
A Governess of Discretion
A Governess of Many Languages
A Governess of Prodigious Skill
A Governess of Unusual Experience
A Governess of Wise Years
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  1. Book 2 of 6
    The Governess Bureau
  2. Print length
    349 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    July 8, 2021
  6. File size
    3480 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

Is it possible that the truth, once found, will bring them together?
Or break the connection forever?
A Governess of Discretion

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emily EK Murdoch loves to read and write sweet and steamy historical romance, and if you love falling in love then you've come to the right place. Enjoy her sweet romances written as Emily Murdoch, and her steamy romances as Emily EK Murdoch. She is a historian and writer, and has a varied career to date: from examining medieval manuscripts to designing museum exhibitions, to working as a researcher for the BBC to working for the National Trust. Her books range from England 1050 to Texas 1848.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094MRCS9X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.; 2nd edition (July 8, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 8, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3480 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 349 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 883 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Emily E K Murdoch

Emily E K Murdoch

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USA Today Bestselling author, Emily E K Murdoch, is read in multiple languages all over the world. You can enjoy my sweet romances written as Emily Murdoch, and my steamy romances as Emily E K Murdoch.

I am a historian and writer, and have a varied career to date: from examining medieval manuscripts to designing museum exhibitions, to working as a researcher for the BBC to working for the National Trust.

My books range from England 1050 to Texas 1848, and I can't wait for you to fall in love with my heroes and heroines!

Follow me on social media @emilyekmurdoch and read my blog at www.emilyekmurdoch.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
883 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Nanna
5.0 out of 5 stars Secrets, Mystery, Intrigue and a Love for all Time
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
I read all the time and do a number of ARC for authors. Which are advance reading copies. Reviews please be careful what you say in your review, don't give away things that will ruin the story for the people looking to buy this book.
Let them discover the twist and turns just as you did.

Ok back to the story, I love this series, I unfortunately read them out of order. I have gone back and am now reading the ones I missed.
There is mystery, intrigue, tons of secrets and a very strange household in a Castle ! What's not to like, Oh there is also an extremely handsome Earl and darling little girl too.
The Earl of Clarcton, Timothy has been keeping a number of secrets from the everyone. He has told all that his wife that has been gone for two years is away due to her health. The tons have many rumors being told of what may have happen to her and what he could have done. He is trying to keep the family reputation in tack for his young daughter.
Francis is just four years old and acts much older. She is a quiet child most of the time but has a temper too. Just like her father who can go from cold to boiling in just minutes. He speaks before thinking which always get him in trouble. He has been hurt badly in past. Some was his doing and most was by women who were not what they seemed.
Miss Anna Gilbert is one of the Governess who works for the Governess Bureau. Her last employer as labeled her a governess of discretion, which is just what Timothy needs. He hires her and whisks her off to his castle the next day.
Anna is amazed at his home it is really an old Castle. Anna has just only met Francis her charge when the Earl ask her
something that take her totally of guard ! He wants her to impersonate his wife at the Christmas Ball ! Let the games began.
Oh, what a fast read with lots going on, missing people, close mouth household and a lonely little girl.
A governess who feels more than she should and an Earl who wants what he can't have.
This is a fast-paced book and once you get started you will not be able to put it down. The interaction between Timothy and Anna is off the pages with want, but only a 2 on the steamy side.
I hope you get a copy. You will not be disappointed. You do not have to read the books in order but I feel knowing the history makes the story even better.
2 people found this helpful
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NavyWave62
4.0 out of 5 stars UPDATED REVIEW
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
My first review was a lower review because it was a placeholder copy that was sent out to all who pre-ordered. It was full of errors and highlighted all over - which wasn't the author's fault but Amazon. I re-read the whole story and I'm updating my review because new copy is cleaned up.

The h is hired to be a Governess for the H's 4 year old daughter. The little girl is sweet most of the time, and has had little interaction with her father. The h in the home has brought them together.

The H has a secret which he confesses to the h and asks for her help. She must portray his absent wife who has been missing for 2 years at their Christmas Ball. Part of the reason I understood, to help his daughter when she is older from the Ton's gossips. But, the other reason, so he wouldn't be forced into the marriage mart was lame.

The Lord's name is used in vain so many times. Lovemaking described once outside of marriage, heat level 2 out of 5.

The author had some twists/surprises that were shocking - didn't see it coming.

No mention why the housekeeper was so rude to the h. I wanted to experience the servant who was let go and see the town's reaction - but nothing mentioned. This is a long story and could be shorten. No cheating, no cliffhanger, HEA, some romance and a tad of spice. (ljb)
7 people found this helpful
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Sally K. Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars mystery love, and plot…
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2024
Verified Purchase
Ms Murdoch weaves a tale of intrigue, romance, devotion and honor …coming to a finale we can applaud. Who knows what and when add to the mystery which is kept suspended for much of the book. Who can be trusted? What is the truth? How will they ever get to the happily ever after? This governess of discretion is challenge from the start and her story is far from anything she could anticipate.
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Lorene
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story.
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
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I loved how I couldn’t quite figure out things until the end. It made for an interesting and exciting read. I’m looking forward to the next book the 3rd in the series. So far the first two have been great.
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Justafan
3.0 out of 5 stars Preposterous Plot
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2023
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The plot is unlikely and more than a bit ridiculous. Author has developed the character of the heroine quite nicely, but the hero…not so much. At times he appears spineless. Yes, his first wife was a witch. Get over it, man! Add to this that the page count is heavy, it took all I could do to finish. This is a clean novel (how refreshing!)
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PeggyC51
4.0 out of 5 stars Discretion
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
Timothy Lexington, Earl of Clarcton, needs a governess for his daughter. His life and home are full of secrets, and he wants to keep them there. Miss Anne Gilbert is just what he needs, a governess of discretion.

This is a story with secrets, a missing person mystery, a ruse, and a few twists and surprises. It has a bit of a Gothic feel to it. It takes place in an impressive (according to Anne) castle with a brooding Earl and secretive staff. Anne is intelligent and caring. She is immediately taken with Timothy’s daughter. Four-year-old Frances is delightful. The villain is a surprise, but he gives himself away. I enjoyed the story, and I loved the ending. Engaging story, interesting characters. A good read.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
2 people found this helpful
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Diane Kitevski
5.0 out of 5 stars From Misery To Happiness
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
This love story is spurred on by mystery, intrigue, awakening of passion and desire for a true family.
Timothy is fascinated by the similarity between Anne, the new governess, and his first wife, Louise, giving him ideas to avoid rumours of his missing wife. Anne immediately bonds with his daughter, Frances, and over time all three become closer.
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police6369
5.0 out of 5 stars A second chance for the Earl
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2023
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I loved Anne and Timothy’s story. She needed her next assignment and he needed someone to impersonate his wife at his Christmas Ball. She was a governess of great discretion and he needed that. He wanted her to impersonate his dead wife to keep the matching mamas away from him.
This is a beautiful story with a wonderful ending.
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Top reviews from other countries

Celia - Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly perfect governess...
Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
What a satisfying story. And what a rigmarole the Earl asked of this chosen Governess for his young daughter. But there are questions - where IS his wife? Why are there so many secrets the servants all know, but refuse to reveal. Oh my. All's well in the end, but such a close shave. Highly recommended.
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nicola 14332
5.0 out of 5 stars Ann and Timothy‘s Love Story.
Reviewed in Germany on February 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
Another good story in this Children’s Nanny series.
It was enjoyable as there are quite a few surprises waiting to happen…
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D Henderson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
An enjoyable read. It was well written. Earl Timothy and Governess Anne find their way to happiness in an unusual way.
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Sandy Wood
4.0 out of 5 stars Draft copy?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
I would have enjoyed the book much more if it had not had the proof readers comments. The story is good but when you are paying for a book you expect to get a finished article. I would expect Amazon to buy the rights to a finished article! That being said the plot and the twists and turns keep the reader involved and interested throughout.
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Kindle Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars 1 star for effort
Reviewed in Australia on April 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
The author has absolutely no idea how a large Regency manor house was run or about the English class system.
The plot is asinine, you will come to this realisation quite quickly.
It's not that the characters are unlikeable, they are poorly written. You never have a true sense or understanding of the 2 main protagonists. There is no real chemistry just the inevitable stuff that happens.
I ran out of patients with the book and flipped through pages, skim reading. The only character that was endearing was a child and that is the only positive! Truly!
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