Julia Spencer leaves Swanley Court School to take up a position as governess to five motherless little girls. Her employer, Sir Henry, their father, has been recommended by his neighbour, Lucius Belvoir, a trustee of Swanley Court; but it seems that his understanding of Sir Henry has failed somewhat. When Sir Henry inherits a title and property on the other side of the country, he goes ahead, expecting Julia to move his children and all their nursery staff in one coach... moreJulia Spencer leaves Swanley Court School to take up a position as governess to five motherless little girls. Her employer, Sir Henry, their father, has been recommended by his neighbour, Lucius Belvoir, a trustee of Swanley Court; but it seems that his understanding of Sir Henry has failed somewhat. When Sir Henry inherits a title and property on the other side of the country, he goes ahead, expecting Julia to move his children and all their nursery staff in one coach. Julia does her best, arranging stops with people associated with the School, rather than stay in inns with five children under the age of six. When the carelessness of another road user tips the coach into a ditch, seriously injuring Julia, one of the maids and one of the children, she is forced to accept the hospitality of local landowner, Rupert Thorington. Sir Henry’s manifold inadequacies become more apparent in a crisis, and Julia finds herself drawing close to Rupert, who enters into the dark secrets of her past more closely than she might have expected. Returning to the School, with her charges, and seeking out her half-siblings, Julia discovers love, and finds herself with a ready-made family. less
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