At the Mercy of the Marquis (Preview)

By Fanny Finch

She thought her life had turned into a tragedy...until he came to her rescue

 

Leah, Agnes, Talia, and Julie are four ladies sharing a unique privileged life of titles and luxuries. When disaster strikes, they find themselves in an unfortunate situation and they need to abandon their rich and pampered lives to become governesses in The Duchess of Dorset's austere School for Noble Young Women.

 

James, The Marquis of Salisbury, son of The Duchess of Dorset, and the school's owner, immediately becomes intrigued and smitten by Leah after meeting her in the school's gardens. He keeps trying to find ways to spend time with her every day and he wishes they could be inseparable.

 

As time and feelings progress, Leah's education is nearing completion, and she feels it's best to distance herself from James, as there could never be a future for them due to her low class and situation. But little does she know, James has other ideas…

  

Can he convince Leah to stay with him despite what their odds and society have to say about it?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Starfall Publications
• Release date: Sep 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393100072

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Duchess of Dorset's School for Noble Women was a terrifying building, a face of solid grey brick looming over the dull fields like a giant surveying his domain. It was clear that some sort of an effort had been made to make it appear more inviting, with the addition of beautiful flowers in the gardens and a stunningly bright paint applied to the window frames, doors, and

outer gate.

But despite all this it still maintained an austere air about it, as though warning any who approached that it was, above all, a place for study and self-improvement.

For the four young women facing the building, this would be a wholly new experience. All came from

privileged backgrounds. All had known nothing but wealth and comfort their whole lives. All had been plunged into desperation suddenly, with only the School for Noble Women extending them anything resembling a helping hand.

Leah Drew did not feel comfortable, but she put on a brave face. This was her fate now, after all. Her mousy brown hair tied back sharply, her heavy travelling cloak concealing her small frame, and her hand weakly gripping a heavy item of luggage, it was hard for her not to notice how different her life had become.

But there was nothing she could do to change it. And besides, one of the four girls had to be the responsible one. Agnes was stern, but out of touch with reality. Talia was far too optimistic. And Julie had not much life experience to speak of. It was up to Leah to remain calm and make sure that all of them pulled through this horrible change in their circumstances.

Agnes Hubbard looked furious. She had looked furious ever since the bad news had reached the four girls.

Unlike the others, Agnes still had living relatives with power and wealth. They simply wanted nothing to do with her. She still wore her sleek black hair as she did when she was wealthy, and refused to part with any of

her gowns or jewels, insisting that she would soon return to her former wealth. For Agnes, having to go to a school to become a governess was an insult.

Talia Smith and Julie Lilley, the youngest of the four, were gripping one another's hands firmly as they looked up in awe at the imposing building. Talia was determined to do well, but she was also clearly terrified. She was one of the few who had very