Cherry Ripe

Shauna Elton is a charming heroine who truly does know her own mind and actually holds the upper hand throughout most of the courtship. Shauna runs away from her stepmother's home when that worthy individual, in a misguided attempt to do the right thing, contracts a betrothal for Shauna. Determined not to become the trophy wife of a peer, Shauna runs to her old governess. Thus far, a fairly typical plot. In fact, the entire plot is quite predictable, but the fun along the way is completely worth it. For, while running away, Shauna happens to enlist the help of a slightly drunken (and very handsome) Lord Damien Drummond. She does not know that he has just been celebrating his recent betrothal to an unseen debutante by getting completely smashed. The two hit it off quite well, exchanging a kiss, before he leaves her with her old governess.Shauna, naturally, becomes a governess to Damien's wards. Both are stunned to discover the other's connection to the children. Shauna plays Damien beautifully, forcing him to accept her as a governess, accept that she will not become his mistress, and ultimately drive him to the point of dissolving his betrothal in order to marry her. Of course, the reader knows all along that the two are betrothed to eachother. It just remains for them to figure it out.Williams' sense of humor makes this book a true pleasure to read.