The Governess and the Duke in Grief: A Historical Regency Romance Book (The Courting Season 2)
A grieving duke. A determined governess. A house filled with secrets.
Miss Gillian Audley accepts a governess position at Clarenwood, knowing her family’s future depends on it. But nothing prepares her for the eerie whispers haunting its halls, or the brooding duke who seems more ghost than man.
Marcus Carmichael, Duke of Clarenwood, has locked his heart away, tormented by his wife’s mysterious death and the scandal that still lingers. He expects little from Miss Audley, until her quiet strength and kindness begin to thaw the ice around his soul.
But Clarenwood hides more than sorrow. As dark secrets stir and unseen threats close in, Gillian and Marcus must confront the past before it destroys their chance at love.
Would you like to emphasize any specific element more, romance, mystery, or intrigue?
*If you enjoy strong-willed characters, simmering romance, and a story packed with intrigue, don’t miss your chance to read this enchanting Historical Romance novel.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after guaranteed to warm your heart.
Also available with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
K*************r
Outstanding
This is a fantastic story within a story. It’s an intriguing and heartfelt romance with a scandalous mystery solved and the culprits captured.April 29, 2025
L*****e
really enjoyed reading this book
From the beginning, you knew something was amiss with the death of Marcus’s first wife. Definitely intriguing! It’s a great read. Hope I didn’t give anything away.April 16, 2025
M***********n
great story
This was a great story. Love, loss, betrayal hmmm, all the things of a great novel. I loved how it moved from darkness to light.April 13, 2025
S******n
Moving from encompassing grief to love and laughter
Predictible, but still an entertaining read. The fact that is was available to me through Kindle Unlimited was another big plus. (Oops, reviewed wrong KU book-still need to read this one. If needed, I’ll edit this review later, since I can’t find a way to remove it.)April 12, 2025
L*****G
Heartfelt
Interesting story with a good plot. Held my attention and I enjoyed it! The characters were a bit broken and it made them seem real and authentic.April 9, 2025
A*************r
The Governess and the Duke of Grief
Beautiful story with all the ingredients, forbidden love between class, envy, crime, fire, discovery of wrongdoing, victory of pure love. Gillian and Marcus, Peter and Lily fleurissent in the end. Very good read. Thank you.April 7, 2025
V*e
True Love in Action
The moment he saw her through the window! Gillian, Cecily, and Marcus had me in such a desire to see them reach Happiness!April 6, 2025
S****n
Interesting
The setting is great. I love the twist. If you are looking for an interesting story check out this or other books Ms. Barnet has published. Each one is worth reading twice.April 4, 2025
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.March 31, 2025
B***Y
Good reading!
Good story, well written, and entertaining. Liked the characters and the story line.March 31, 2025
K***e
Amazing intrigue
I absolutely loved Marcus & Gillian’s story, and so will you. The intrigue kept me guessing. Thanks, Emily, for writing a wonderful story.March 30, 2025
L*********d
Loved it!
Marcus, The Duke of Clarenwood is struggling to get over the death of his first wife, Isabella. Their daughter Cecily has become withdrawn and sullen. After several previous governesses have resigned, Marcus decides to hire Gillian as Cecily’s new governess. A story with several villains and Society’s strict expectations, the path to happiness for Marcus, Cecily and Gillian is very bumpy and dangerous!March 30, 2025
SL
The Governess and the Duke in Grief
Oh my gosh this was a fantastic story. I found it very entertaining. The story line was very well written and I enjoyed the ending.March 30, 2025
E******e
Very good
This is the story of Gillian and Marcus. This is a sweet romance that is reminiscent of the gothic romances. Gillian must take a job to help her family and Marcus is grieving the death of his wife which is shrouded in mysterious circumstances. It has all the elements in a book to keep you hooked till the end. A very good bookMarch 30, 2025
G**.
love and secrets
Gillian and Marcus’s story is full of secrets and hardship. I liked the combination of mystery and love story, doesn’t everybody deserve a chance at happiness?March 28, 2025
Jo
Beautiful
She becomes a governess to help her family. He is a widower, with a young child who needs to heal. A sweet and intriguing story that will keep you going from beginning to end. Well written and evenly paced.March 28, 2025
M**K
Delightful and absorbing!
From the opening scene, Emily Barnet’s novel, The Governess and The Duke in Grief captured and held my interest. There is a quality of dignity, strength and kindness in the leading characters that is a joy to see. Though society during the few years of the Recency were strict in their rules regarding hierarchy, there were those who did not adhere and followed their hearts to marry for love; sweet story.March 27, 2025
R*********e
The best yet from Emily Barnet!
The scenes were described well, giving just the right atmosphere. The characters were well fleshed out and there were hints that some were not so nice under their masks. This felt like a gothic novel; the shadow of grief in the manor after the death of the duchess, the romantic library scene during a violent storm, the disturbing way the butler would sneak around. There was plenty of suspense in this novel and also beautifully written scenes where not one, but two, couples fell in love! In the midst of it all, was Cecily, the sweet child that came to mean so much to the governess. It was very easy to get immersed in this story. Loved it!March 27, 2025
K***********f
Great story
Great storyline. Enjoyed how it pulls you in and making you feel like you are right there.March 27, 2025
E****************y
Wonderful romance and mystery
This is one of the best stories I’ve read this year. It had me on tenterhooks waiting for the culprits to be revealed. And what a surprise it was. You always know the ending about a romance but you don’t always know who’s the villain. Great story!March 27, 2025
C***********g
Mystery and Love bloom as One!
A well crafted story in the vein of classic book Jane Eyre. The characters are very believable and the touch of mystery makes for an interesting read.March 26, 2025
D******h
Mystery and slow burn romance
“The Governess and the Duke in Grief” by Emily Barnet -What begins as a familiar governess-meets-duke tale soon unravels into a gripping story of secrets, deception, and intrigue. Gillian’s warmth and determination help heal not only a grieving duke but also his endearing daughter. The slow-burn romance is beautifully paced, and the mystery elements add unexpected depth. A heartfelt and suspenseful historical romance that keeps you turning the pages!March 26, 2025
T**i
Unique twist of suspense and secrets in a romance of a governess and Duke
A governess and a grieving Duke had me at first thinking I’ve read this before. But the story quickly progressed with Gillian’s charge, Cicely ,9 years old and the staff , family and Duke . The reader experiences the darkness and secrets surrounding the Manor as the author slowly builds the romance and revealed a very suspenseful story allowing the reader to enjoy their budding love. Good use of descriptions of all their emotions , the manor, other characters and an endearing child that is transformed . I definitely recommend this latest regency historical novelMarch 25, 2025
J**********e
Heart-warming
This heart-warming novel is certainly worth a full 5 stars! Strong main characters, each with broken backgrounds, and the adorable but lost Cecily all work so well together. Stir in some truly rotten villains and you’ve got a pulse-racing conclusion. Simply delicious!March 23, 2025
B***y
Wonderful Regency Romance Romance
I am a romantic at heart, and this book gave me all the warm feels a good romance novel is supposed to give the reader. The mystery scenarios of What really happened the night Isabella died and How did the fire start only added to the excitement and enjoyment. The pacing of Marcus and Gillian’s relationship building was perfect, and watching them pine independently for each other was satisfying and endearing. I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary, honest review.March 23, 2025
A**a
ARC Review
I received this book as an ARC. I must say I was quite intrigued to see how the FMC and the MMC would come together in the end due to their different stations in life but much like her previous books, Emily Barnet was able to weave the story quite nicely and it was moderately paced and made you want to keep reading… The villains of the book were quite clear at their introduction into the story but it wasn’t until the end of the book that their motivations were revealed. I also loved the side story of two other minor characters. I was rooting for their HEA too. I can’t wait for the next book!March 21, 2025
J*d
Excellent read!
What I thought was going to be another Governess falls in love with Duke story ended full of surprises which included deception, lies and intrigue. The characters are very engaging and the plot exciting. Definitely worth reading.March 21, 2025
A*C
Sweet story.
Sweet young lady whose family was going through a very tough time and thus sought employment as a governess. A sad Duke, who had tragically lost his wife too early. Sweet little girl dealing with loss. Some intrigue. Whirlwind of an ending. The book was nicely written, keeping my interest. Good plot. Clean.March 21, 2025
