I Should Have Known — Denise Robins

Shy Shelley Bray was a young teacher from London, who was appointed governess of the two young children by Esmond Torrington in Monte Carlo. She thought that she would be in complete charge of the children during their father's absence, until she met her employer's sister, a wheel-chair invalid. She had received no warning of her existence. Shelley quickly realized that she would be challenged and frustrated in her efforts to win her new pupils' love and trust, as she was forbidden to mention their beautiful mother. Worst of all, she was constantly made to feel small in front of her new employer, a world-famous symphony director - and for some strange reason that mattered terribly to Shelley. Soon she had fallen desperately in love with Esmond and she found herself tossed suddenly into a maelstrom of passion and jealousy, and only her commonsense and humour could saved the family from ruin.

“Esmond, Esmond -- will you ever know what it all meant to me? I love you -- and shall love you until I die -- and long after that.”

Young Shelly Bray had fallen desperately in love with Esmond Torrington, the world-famous symphony conductor. She had tried to keep her passion a private thing -- to remain merely the governess of Esmond's children. But someone else had learned her secret -- someone who hated her. Someone jealous enough to destroy her.

Shelley did not fear for herself. But now Esmond's destiny had become entwined with hers. She knew she must search alone through the dark shadows of his past. She did not know what she would find. She only knew that she had to save him -- no matter what the cost to her.