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.

All Else Confusion

All Else Confusion by Betty Neels, 1982 Harlequin

     Annis is from a large family full of love. When her childhood friend introduces her to Jake Royle she cannot stand the man. Jake likes the pretty girl and maneuvers to get her a position as companion to his godmother. Annis adores the old woman and in the few weeks she cares for the woman she develops a strong rapport.
     Jake Royle and his godmother do not reveal to Annis that she is dying. An over-excited and over-filled schedule reveal it to Annis as the lovely old woman dies. Jake asks Annis to stay on and help him settle the last things and after a couple weeks of companionship Jake asks her to marry him.
     Annis realizes she loves the financial mogul desptie his wealth and the arrogance it gives him. Knowing he may never return her feelings to teh same degree, the young woman agrees. Their marriage starts on a good foot - Annis gets along with Jake's family and housekeeper, she fits into his life easily.
     But some time through their honeymoon Jake's business interrupts a peaceful vacation and Annis begins to doubt how well she can love a man who shows no inclination to love her back. When Jake suggests she stay with her family in the country rather than their flat in London his new wife despairs of their marriage becoming anything more.
     Annis and Jake Royle must decide if tehir marriage is to continue when one loves the other withotu any hope of reciprication. The pair travel to more exotic locations than many of Betty Neels's characters: Spain and Italy rather than her usual Dutch excursions, but like most of her stories, Betty's characters hold with her old-fashioned values.