Lydia, declare I do not

The only thing on his mind was finding a nanny for his kids. A second shot at love was the last thing on his mind.

The loss of his last governess has hit Archibald Fernside, Earl of Crawford, even harder. She used nothing except her career to get the marriage she sought. Lord Crawford is looking for a new teacher for his two orphaned children but refuses to hire a lawyer. His experience has taught him that he must take charge if he expects quality work to be completed.

Lydia Perry really wants to work here. After enduring a year of unwanted approaches from Baron Thorne and being fired without reason for standing up to him, Lydia is blacklisted from working as a governess in London. Lydia needs money badly, not just to support herself but also to help support her poor parents and her dependent siblings.

When Lydia Perry enters the picture, Lord Crawford is relieved to have someone other than the solicitor's endless supply of young, attractive social prospects. She needs more sophistication and complexity. She wears bulky glasses and a hat that hides much of her face in a matronly fashion. Lord Crawford employs the shy girl on the spot since he is sure she won't attract any attention.

For the sake of her family, Lydia knows this is her last opportunity to earn a living and leave with a glowing recommendation to make up for her previous work. However, can she adhere to the Earl's strange and authoritarian rules?

And what happens when Lord Crawford's footman starts following her around?

Is Lord Crawford going to be able to see through his new nanny and figure out what's bothering her? And how will he react when, despite having a respectable mother for his children and a great desire to protect her, his heart is always pulled toward Miss Perry?