Historical
From Waif to Gentleman’s Wife
By Pamela Denise
Mar 1, 2010 - 2:14:15 PM

Having given up on love and tiring of London society, Sir Edward “Ned” Greaves decides its time for a change in his life. Upon having a discussion with his good friend Nicholas Stanhope, Marquess of Englemere, Ned takes an interest in one of the property’s the Marquess owns. After hearing that the man who’s been in charge of managing it has been performing poorly, he thinks this could be the change he’s looking for. Ned purchases the property intent on focusing all of his attentions into restoring it into a successful estate.  His plans are altered when a bedraggled beauty shows up in his home and faints into his arms. She claims to be a governess in search of her brother, who happens to be the former property manager.

Joanna Merrill lost her husband to a fever that he contracted in India. With her father abroad and her in-laws practically disowning her, she is forced to look for gainful employment. Joanna takes a job as a governess only to be groped, and finally attacked by her employer. Since he is a respectable married man, the wife naturally sided with the husband and Joanna was tossed out immediately. Now homeless and penniless Joanna decides to make her way to Blenhem Hill to seek out help from her brother, who is the estate manager there. Weary from her journey, soaked from the rain, and on the brink of starvation, it’s too much for Joanna to take in when she discovers her brother is no longer residing there. She faints into the arms of the handsome new proprietor. 

Out of a sense of honor, and dare he admit, attraction, Ned takes pity on Joanna and provides her with shelter. She gladly accepts the job he offers her as a school teacher at the school he’s planning to build for the local children. The two enjoy each others company and work together to restore the estate and establish the school. Ned and Joanna are drawn to each other and a relationship finally blossoms. However, Ned has concealed his true identity from Joanna, believing it for the best until he catches the outlaws who attacked him upon his arrival. She believes him to merely be a man who took over her brother’s position.  Will Joanna be able to understand Ned’s reasons for withholding who he truly is when she finds out?

FROM WAIF TO GENTLEMAN’S WIFE is another heartwarming addition to the WELLINGFORD novels that Julia Justiss pens. The history rich content and setting of the story are among the things that I found so appealing. Different from a lot of Regency era reads out, London only makes a minuscule appearance with the main location being in the remote country side. While a good deal of the romance is more of wishful thinking on both parts than intimate encounters, I felt Ms. Justiss did a fine job building the connection between her hero and heroine. This is a charming read reminisce of the classics that is sure to please.