The Governess Game

You are the worst example of false advertising. I was led to believe I was hiring a prim scold. Then I learn you’re remarkable and bold and interesting.”

When it came to relationships, sensual or otherwise, Chase had one rule. No attachments.

I’ll have you know,” Chase said indignantly, “I have been hard at work during your absence. Witness the renovation in progress around you. I built that bar myself, thank you very much. It only needs a few coats of lacquer. And if that’s not sufficient for you—in the past week alone I’ve gone through a decade of bank ledgers, given seven orgasms, and interviewed five governesses. And no, none of the governesses were recipients of the orgasms, although a few of them looked as though they could use one.”

What position?”
“Any position that requires insertion of my . . .” He waved vaguely toward his loins. “. . . male member.”
“Male member. Are we discussing a Masonic society, or are you referring to the penis?” He stared at her. “We are adults. If you’re going to discuss such matters, you may as well use the proper words. I would never have supposed you to be prudish.”
“I’m not prudish. I’m protecting your delicate feminine sensibilities.”
“I never acquired many of those. And considering that it was pressed up against me the other day, I should think we’ve moved beyond euphemisms. So go on, then. We were discussing your penis.”

Has he touched you?”
Oh, had he ever. But what happened between them wasn’t any of Ash’s concern. “Not in any uninvited manner.”
“Are you certain?”
“Absolutely certain.”
“Now, now.” Chase shifted forward in his chair. “Be honest, Miss Mountbatten.”
“I am being honest. Mr. Reynaud has not subjected me to any unwanted attentions, nor taken advantage of me in any way.” Ash looked suspicious, but he didn’t belabor the question.
“Regardless. His sexual escapades are merely the tip of the iceberg.”
“Oh, I haven’t even acquainted her with the tip,” Chase said merrily. “Not properly.”

Find me on:

"First he was merely the Bookshop Rake, but as the weeks wore on, he made a rapid ascent up the rungs of the peerage. Sir Read. Lord Literature. The Duke of Hatchard's."

"You are the worst example of false advertising. I was led to believe I was hiring a prim scold. Then I learn you're remarkable and bold and interesting."

"We should go after the girls"
"Yes, we should"
Neither of them moved.
Alex bit her lip. "We're going to kiss instead, aren't we."
"You're goddamned right, we are."

"I couldn't forget you, Alex. And I won't allow anyone else to forget you, either. Not the Royal Observatory, not the world. Not the universe, for that matter."

duke's heir in the streets and devil in the sheets-

He decided to give her an education-in pleasure.

“You are the worst example of false advertising. I was led to believe I was hiring a prim scold. Then I learn you’re remarkable and bold and interesting.” 

“We should go after the girls.”
“Yes, we should.” Neither of them moved. Alex bit her lip.
“We’re going to kiss instead, aren’t we.”
He caught her in his arms. “You’re goddamned right, we are.”

“Almighty Father,” he began in a dispirited tone,  “we commit to your keeping the soul of Millicent. Ashes to ashes. Sawdust to sawdust. She was a doll of few words and yet fewer autonomous movements, yet she will be remembered for the ever-present—some might say permanently painted—smile on her face. By the grace of our Redeemer, we know she will be resurrected, perhaps as soon as luncheon.” He added under his breath,  “Unfortunately.”

“Oh, and by the way.” She stopped at the door. “While you were ill, you pissed yourself. Twice. Just so you know.”

"You said..."

"I know what I said." Swaggering strides brought him close. "I said the thought of seducing you would never cross my mind." He swept aside her plaited hair and bent to whisper darkly in her ear. "I lied."

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➥ Alexandra Mountbatten (h)...gosh I love the full name 'Alexandra'. It's so beautiful. Everyone calls her Alex though. Regardless, I was quite content with her character. I think I'm still partial to Emma Gladstone from The Duchess Deal because of her wit. Though, I found the heroine to be very likable, good natured, fun and also decently witty. We are often reminded of her itsy bitsy stature, mostly while in the male perspective too, which becomes quickly unendearing. Still, she had her moments where I nodded in approval.

“Does our guardian know you’re proposing this?”
“Not at all.”
“He’s not going to like it.”
Alex lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Pirates don’t ask permission.”


➥ Chase Reynaud (H) is the greatest letdown of this book. Because of Dare's great skill in writing dreamy dialogue and romantic tension, there are moments where you enjoy what comes out of his mouth, or what he uses it for, but we are so often reminded of his misogynistic outlook that he becomes unlikable instantly. Another problem I had with him was his intended "rake" character. If you aren't aware, that's the classy term for a fuckboy. Although I think Dare is great at many things, I don't think writing a rakish character is one of them. He's always complaining about women falling in love with him but also never demonstrating his supposed charm. He treats his past partners with little respect and victimises himself over everything. For example, if we compare him to what I think is an excellent rake character, like Raphael from Dancing With Danger, his character is even paler in comparison. Raphael is a charming, sensual, kind man, who has treated all his women with respect and admiration, simply not having found the one. That's what Chase should have been like. He also pities himself a lot over not being a "good person" yet never does anything in attempt to better himself, yawn. I also hated how he refused to try to be a good father to the girls. I understand he hired a governess (motherly figure that teaches the girls) to be fair, but he could at least try. I'm just tired of women romanticising men's incompetence.

“Because if a woman looked too close and thought too long, she would see the truth: He was a despicable, shameless cad.”


➥ Daisy Fairfax (youngest daughter), the sweet girl that's true passion is finding ever possible way to "kill" her doll every morning and therefore having a funeral too. The way she trusts and adheres to what her older sister says just makes me so emo.

➥ Rosamund Fairfax (eldest daughter) the misunderstood eldest sister <3 I'll love her forever. I admire Dare's ability to write such a unique child character.

“Are you hurting terribly?”
“Tomorrow I will be. At the moment, I’m fine.”
“You’re certain? Perhaps I should—”
“Alexandra.” He cupped her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. “Enough.”

He broke the kiss and rose up on one elbow, needing to see her. She stared up at him with dark, glassy eyes. Her lips were plump and reddened from his kisses.
“By God, you’re lovely.”
Her skin warmed with a bashful glow. If she’d been lovely a moment ago, she was radiant now.

“You,” she sighed, “are terrible.”
“You”—he pressed his lips to her forehead—“are delicious.” He kissed her cheek. “Beautiful.” Then the corner of her lips. “Irresistible.”

"No one is a lost cause."