He's desperate for a governess. She needs to escape her matchmaking sister. Bath 1815: John Derringer doesn't need a wife, and he certainly doesn't need children. Devoted to studying ancient Rome, all he wants after the death of his brother is to disappear into his research. But now he must take on the family estate-and care for his orphaned nephew. Unable to see past his grief, John cannot face the boy, leaving him to a succession of governesses who fail to tame the unruly youngster. Evelina Shaw is resigned to staying unmarried. With no dowry and little beauty, the only men she has attracted are widowers wanting a capable woman to look after their children-and she refuses to settle for that. When she hears of Mr Derringer's desperate need for a governess, Evelina seizes the opportunity to escape from her sister's futile matchmaking. But on arriving at Duriel Hall, Evelina can see hurt and misunderstanding everywhere she looks. As she helps bring healing to the Derringer family, her life becomes entwined with theirs, and neither John nor Evelina can predict the consequences... A story of hope and forgiveness set in the time of Jane Austen.