A Girl to Love

A Girl to Love by Betty Neels, 1982 Harlequin Romance

     For several years Sadie Gillard had cared for her invalid grandmother, and when her grandmother dies Saide is left with nothing to her name. Her grandmother has mortgaged the house to pay for their lives and the cottage must be sold to pay the debts. Sadie makes plans to find a job as a mother's help or household help to make a living.
     The cottage is sold to a television writer who uses the cottage as a writing retreat. Sadie's solicitor secures the position of housekeeper for her allowing the young woman to live and work in her own home. The man is a widower with two small daughters. Mr. Oliver Trentham brings his daughters to the cottage Sadie is concerned the girls are too quiet and fearful of their father. The girls' governess, Miss Murch, does not approve of Sadie or how she interacts with Anna and Julie, and Miss Murch strives to paint Sadie in the worst possible light.
     Mr. Trentham notices that his daughters are not as he imagines children should be and catches Miss Murch as she plots to Sadie's face. Mr. Trenham releases Miss Murch from her position and Sadie takes on the role of governess in addition to her housekeeping.
     Sadie falls for the two children and joins them when the little family goes back to London. In London, Mr. Trentham takes the advice of his daughters and dates "pretty ladies" to find a new wife. Sadie discovers feelings she wasn't expecting and the dates begin to rankle.
     In true Betty fashion, the story is a sweet old-fashioned romance suitable for readers of all ages. Trentham is a television writer and somewhat neglectful father and Sadie is the answer to their unasked question.