Theresa Wilkes has only ever known life within the modest walls of Duke Street Orphanage, quietly dreaming of a place where she might truly belong. When Richard Bell, guardian to three spirited young girls with scandalous pasts, arrives seeking a governess, Theresa seizes the chance to build a life beyond anything she's known. Her gentle heart and natural gift with horses awaken hope in Richard, persuading him that perhaps she's exactly what his unconventional family needs.

Arriving at Belle Haven, Richard's peaceful Hampshire estate nestled within idyllic rolling hills, Theresa discovers a household yearning for warmth, compassion, and healing. Yet, as she attempts to nurture bonds with her young charges and find her footing in this unfamiliar world, Theresa faces unexpected trials. Whispered judgments, societal expectations, and her own insecurities threaten the fragile happiness she's begun to build—and stir feelings for Richard that she struggles to suppress.

As Theresa and Richard navigate the delicate balance between duty and desire, their lives grow increasingly intertwined. Together, they'll have to confront society's rigid conventions and their own guarded hearts. But can an orphaned governess truly find lasting acceptance and love in a world determined to remind her of her place?

A Bride for Belle Haven is a tender, emotionally satisfying Regency romance about discovering love, acceptance, and the courage to embrace the family we choose. Join Theresa as she learns that sometimes life's greatest joys emerge from the most unexpected paths.

The charming prequel novella introducing the beloved series, The Brides of Belle Haven!



Catherine Bilson writes historical romances filled with heart, humor, and a dash of adventure.

Raised in North Wales, she spent her childhood exploring the castles and manors her father restored, making up stories about the people who might once have lived there. It's perhaps no surprise that today she brings history to life in her novels, writing Regency romances, tales of American pioneers, and stories inspired by Jane Austen.



Before Catherine started writing full-time, she followed her own adventurous path. She earned an engineering degree and worked as a rocket engineer, proving that smart heroines don't just exist in literature! The biggest turning point came when she met a tall, dark, and handsome Australian in London and decided to follow him to the other side of the globe. More than twenty-seven years later, they are still married and live in sunny Queensland with their two teenage sons and two adopted cats who run the household. Even though Catherine doesn't have a horse of her own, she has friends who do, so she can call herself a true Horse Girl.