Lady of Her Own Making

When Euphemia Vale is sent to London after a change in her family's circumstances, she expects little more than a quiet position in her aunt and uncle's household. Her aunt and uncle have three young children in need of a governess, and Euphemia believes perhaps this is where her life will remain.

But London has a way of surprising people.

Among new friendships, unfamiliar society, troublesome children, and the many young ladies who cross her path, Euphemia slowly discovers that she is capable of far more than she ever imagined. She becomes a devoted governess and begins helping young women find confidence, education, and a sense of independence in a world that insists marriage should be their greatest ambition.

Then there is Dr. Peregrine Bell-or rather, **Mr. Bell**, for he is not yet a doctor.

Peregrine is training to become an oculist, studying diligently while assisting established physicians and learning the difficult art of treating the eyes. He is intelligent, gentle, endlessly kind-and unfortunately rather clumsy. He trips over his own feet, misplaces his spectacles, says the wrong thing at precisely the wrong moment, and becomes completely tongue-tied whenever Euphemia is near.

Their friendship grows slowly, almost without either of them noticing.

Peregrine never rescues Euphemia, and Euphemia never needs rescuing. She is building a life of her own, discovering her purpose and becoming someone the young ladies in her care can look up to.

And if, somewhere along the way, two rather unexpected people happen to fall in love?

Well, perhaps love need not be the thing that completes a person's life.

Perhaps it can simply be the beautiful thing that joins **two already-complete lives together.**