Mail-Order Governess

By Susan Horsnell

Charlotte Campbell has not had the best start in life.

She had a mother who didn't care about her and, a father who wished she'd never been born.

When he becomes hell-bent on marrying her off to someone three times her age, she knows it's time to get out.

An ad for a governess could not have come at a better time.

Harrison Tate desperately needs someone to take control of his renegade girls.

Having lost his wife, murdered by her brother, he has spoiled them and allowed them to run riot.

He places an ad for a Governess.

When Charlotte arrives, Harrison is shocked by the stuck-up fiery red head.

It takes every ounce of his control not to put her on the next train back to Tulsa.

Trouble is, he needs her and, so do his girls.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Horsnell
• Release date: Aug 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223295822

Susan Horsnell

I’m an Australian author who lives in Queensland when not travelling and I write in a variety of Romantic sub-genres, including Western,  Historical, Gay, Mafia, and Contemporary Romance.  I have published over 60 books and novellas, many of which feature strong, independent heroines and rugged, alpha male heroes. Some of my popular series include the Outback Australia series and The Carter Brothers series. My books are known for their well-researched historical details, vivid descriptions of the Australian landscape and real life experiences. My work has garnered praise from readers and critics alike, and I have been a Finalist in both the Rone Awards and Laramie Awards as well as being a multiple times International Bestselling Author and USA Today Bestselling Author. If you're interested in learning more about my books:  Linktree https://linktr.ee/SusanHorsnell   

Book preview

MAIL-ORDER

GOVERNESS

SUSAN HORSNELL

USA Today Bestselling Author

Contents:

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Epilogue

About the Author

Author of Amazon No 1 Best Sellers in 2018:

Matt – Book 1 in The Carter Brothers Series

Clay – Book 3 in The Carter Brothers Series

Amazon No 1 Best Seller in February 2019

Andrew’s Outback Love – Book 1 in The Outback Australia Series

Amazon No 1 Best Seller in July 2019

Ruby’s Outback Love – Book 2 in The Outback Australia Series

Amazon No 1 Best Seller in May 2019

Eight Letters

Amazon Best Seller in April 2020

Cora: Bride of South Dakota

GOVERNESS

Copyright © 2016 by Susan Horsnell

The right of Susan Horsnell to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000

All rights reserved. This publication (or any part of it) may not be reproduced or transmitted, copied, stored, distributed or otherwise made available by any person or entity (including Google, Amazon or similar organisations), in any form (electronic, digital, optical or mechanical) or by any means (photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise) without prior written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

Written by Susan Horsnell

Edited by Redline Editing

Proofread by Leanne Rogers

Chapter One

Fort Stockton, Texas

1890

Charlotte Campbell gracefully descended the steps from the train with the assistance of the platform guard. She extracted her gloved hand from his. Thank you, she said as she stepped onto the platform.

Thank goodness, she had finally reached the end of her four-day journey from Tulsa. She was tired of the noise, the ash that blew in every time she opened the window for relief from the heat and was well and truly fed up with the dreadful food.

She walked toward the waiting room where she had arranged to meet her new employer – Mr. Harrison Tate. She attempted to straighten the wrinkles from her traveling suit to make herself a bit more presentable. Unfortunately, she was not watching where she was stepping, tripped and collided with a solid wall. Stepping back, she lifted her head and realized the solid wall she’d run into was the chest of the most handsome man God ever put breath in.

Harrison Tate had been leaning against the door of the waiting room watching passengers disembark from the train when he caught sight of a beautiful girl. He’d been watching her approach and the next thing he knew her soft, curvy body was in his arms.

Charlotte stepped back and attempted to compose herself. I’m very sorry, sir. I wasn’t watching where I was going, and it appears I tripped on a rock. Her face was probably red as a beet by now.

Harrison raked his eyes over her and smiled as she blushed. He’d never seen such a beauty, albeit a disheveled one. The blue traveling suit she wore brought out the blue in her eyes. Her fiery red hair hid under her bonnet, but a few strands had escaped their confinement and now brushed her face. Her skin was milky white, her lips rose colored and perfect for kissing. She was certainly a real beauty.

That’s fine ma’am, as long as you’re not hurt. His deep Texan drawl sent a thrill straight to Charlotte’s toes.

I’m perfectly fine thank you. She attempted to peer around him to the waiting room.

Are you looking for someone ma’am? He glanced back over his shoulder toward the empty waiting room.

My new employer is supposed to have been here to meet me. Maybe you know him? Mr. Harrison Tate.

Harrison laughed, Well, ma’am, it appears you found him. That’d be me so you must be Miss Charlotte Campbell, my Mail Order Governess. He held out his hand and Charlotte shook it. I’m right pleased to meet you, ma’am.

I’m pleased to meet you too, Mr. Tate, and I do again apologize for my clumsiness.

No need to worry.

****

Charlotte Campbell, as agreed by all who know her, is an extraordinarily beautiful young lady with mesmerizing blue eyes. Now twenty-two years old, many have wondered how she could have remained single. Heads turn wherever she went, and her hand has been asked for on more than one occasion. The answer, however, has always been, no.

Her mother, Ethel had passed on just over a year ago from consumption and her father, Richard, decided he no longer wanted her living in the family home. He’d told her she restricted his lifestyle with the ladies. Richard Campbell had always had a roving eye, and his affairs were common knowledge. Charlotte had never understood why her mother tolerated his selfish behavior and remained by his side.

Richard had tried several times to marry Charlotte off, but each time she had steadfastly refused. After another of their arguments over her single status, he had given her one month to leave her home by whichever means she saw fit. You can be a prostitute for all I care as long as you get out. Those had been his words to her two weeks ago.

It was sheer luck Charlotte had seen the ad in the paper for a Mail Order Governess the very next day. She had gone to the mercantile in town for supplies, but as the store was quite crowded, she had decided to go to the diner for coffee and return later.

She’d sat sipping her coffee, turning the pages of a newspaper while she pondered her future. She’d continued to flick through the paper only half seeing the pages when an ad caught her eye:

WANTED:

Governess


2 Little Girls aged 7 and 6

Ranch – 3 miles from Fort Stockton

Contact:

Harrison Tate via Fort Stockton Telegraph Office

Charlotte made her decision, finished her coffee and headed straight to the telegraph office to send a wire in response to the ad. She had explained her qualifications as a teacher. Following further wires agreeing on living arrangements and payment, she’d been offered the position and had gratefully accepted.

The position was far enough away from her father so there would be no need for either to visit.

Charlotte packed her belongings, including her mother’s precious trinkets and keepsakes, into five large trunks. She booked her train ticket for the following night and was ready to start her new life.

She missed her mother terribly despite the fact she’d spent very little time with her. She’d been a lady in every sense of the word and Charlotte aspired to be exactly like her. This irritated her father no end. He preferred women to be more familiar and common, but Charlotte had no intention of behaving that way.

Richard constantly told her she was stuck-up with her nose in the air and her ladylike ways and he had warned her that one day she’d meet her match and he’d not be the gentleman she expected. Charlotte’s mother told her it was dignity and to stand tall.

Charlotte told her father she would never be interested in any man for fear he’d turn out to be like him. She’d resolved to stay single, and it was for this reason her father wanted her gone.

Their parting had been cool and unemotional, neither shed a tear. It was what she had expected from a man who cared for no- one but himself.

****

Harrison Tate is a single father who has been caring for his two daughters, with the help of his cook and his housekeeper, for the past two years.

His wife, Maryann had been murdered by her brother. Linus was the town drunk and Maryann had continually attempted to help him. When she’d met him in town two years ago, she’d told him she would no longer give him money or help him in any other way until he decided to help himself. Linus snapped, an argument erupted, and he’d pulled out his gun and shot her at point-blank range through the heart and she had died instantly. Shortly afterward, her brother was tried and hung.

Harrison missed his wife, and he tried hard to care for their two beautiful daughters. Madeleine, his eldest is seven years old, she’s Maddie to all those who know her. She’s the image of her mother with waist length, blonde hair, blue eyes and dimples. Catherine, known as Katy, is six years old and the image of her father. She has waist length, dark curly hair, gray eyes and a small dimple in her chin.

Harrison adores his two girls and he works his ranch hard to provide them with everything they want and need. To say the girls are spoiled would be an understatement and they drive everyone on the ranch to distraction with their mischievous ways.

When Betty-Sue, his cook, who is also his foreman’s wife, and Mavis, his housekeeper insisted they were too old to care for the two recalcitrant girls and take care of the chores. Harrison had finally conceded it was time for a Governess and had advertised for one.

Do you know where your luggage is? Harrison asked Charlotte.

I have five large trunks the guard said would be placed in the luggage room to await collection.

Five? Lucky I brought the buckboard then ma’am. Let’s go see if we can find them.

Being raised to be a gentleman, Harrison automatically took Charlotte’s elbow to lead her to where her trunks should be, but she shook his hand free.

I am quite capable of walking without your help thank you.

****

He was usually a gentle, easy going man, but her attitude riled him. As you wish ma’am. He strode on ahead. If he hadn’t been so desperate, he would have dismissed her on the spot.

Charlotte had to run to keep up and she arrived at the luggage room breathless. Her trunks were haphazardly stacked against the wall. Those are mine, she gasped, pointing to the mountain of luggage.

Harrison nodded and, leaving her standing in the middle of the room, he walked over to talk with the porter. Could you please ask your men if they could help me get those five trunks onto my buckboard out front?

Certainly sir. The porter called over three of his men.

The trunks were loaded, and Harrison gave the porter and his men a few coins for their help before going in search of his governess. He found her sitting on a chair in the far corner of the room and strode toward her.

Ma’am, your luggage is loaded and the buckboard’s out front.

Charlotte stood up. Harrison extended his arm to escort her outside, but obviously thought better of it, dropped his arm, and stalked out of the building. She was beginning to regret being so rude.

Charlotte hurried behind Harrison, but by the time she emerged out of the building, he was sitting on the seat of the buckboard with the reins in his hands. She rushed over and, lifting her skirts, attempted to climb in. She lifted one leg and bounced on the other, but couldn’t seem to get her skirts out of the way to get up onto the seat. She lost her balance, and with a loud thud, landed on her backside in the dust.

Harrison watched as his governess attempted to climb into the buckboard. He knew any offer to help would be rejected so, he stayed where he was. When she landed on her backside in the dust, it took all his control not to burst into laughter. He watched as she sat with a stunned look on her face and then burst into tears.

Would you like some help, Miss Campbell?

Yes please. She sobbed as she sat in the dust.

He jumped down from his seat and moved to her side. Scooping her up from the ground like she weighed no more than a feather, he held her to him as she sobbed.

I’m sorry Mr. Tate. I’m tired, I’m dirty, I’m hungry and I’m scared. I didn’t mean to be so rude.

Harrison eased her away from him and looked down into her face. Let’s get you to the ranch and you can have a bath, something to eat and then, sleep. He placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her face up to look at him. You have nothing to be scared of here I promise you. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped away her tears. Ready to go?

Charlotte nodded, and he lifted her onto the seat of the waiting buckboard. He climbed in beside her, lifted the reins and set off toward the ranch. Her new home.

Fifteen minutes later, they reached the ranch. Charlotte thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.

The ranch nestled against the backdrop of the Guadalupe Mountains along the border of Texas and New Mexico. She could see the last of the winter snow glistening on the very top of the highest mountains.

The two-story house, constructed from logs, was surrounded by a large veranda. What a lovely place to sit with the children and read stories.

The gardens were well cared for and flowers bloomed in every color of the rainbow. Beside the house stood a huge barn and several other buildings, she wasn’t sure what they were used for.

****

As Harrison pulled the buckboard to a stop near the front of the house, two barefooted girls dressed in denims and faded shirts, their hair all in tangles, dashed out. Daddy, daddy.

Harrison jumped down from the buckboard, swooped them both up into his arms and gave them a kiss. The girls giggled and hugged their father tight. He walked around the buckboard to where Charlotte sat waiting patiently.

Miss Campbell, these are my beautiful daughters. Charlotte noticed his eyes sparkled with love. He lifted his arm so the little girl with the blonde hair and blue eyes was raised into the air. This is my eldest Maddie, she’s seven. He raised the little girl with dark hair and gray eyes like her father. This is Katy and she’s six. The girls narrowed their eyes and scowled as Charlotte greeted them.

I’m pleased to meet you Maddie, Katy. She smiled but the girls didn’t respond. They clung tightly to their father.

Harrison kissed his little girls again before gently placing them back on the ground. Stand there, please. The girls took off running, back to the house.

Harrison laughed as he lifted Charlotte to the