Fated Mates S08.05: Governesses with Louisa Darling (October 15, 2025)
Main Theme / Purpose
This episode of Fated Mates dives deep into the “governess” and “servant” tropes in historical romance, exploring how class, power, and the forbidden nature of these relationships shape the genre. Hosts Sarah MacLean and Jen Prokop welcome special guest Louisa Darling—author of the Dukes in Disguise historical romance series—to discuss classic governess books, subversive takes, and her own inspirations. The conversation ranges from old-school favorites to contemporary interpretations, interspersed with laughter, recommendations, and critical analysis.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Louisa Darling's Origin Story and Authorial Journey
- How Sarah & Louisa Became Friends: “When I decide I like somebody’s writing, I immediately stalk them into being my friend.” — Sarah [05:53]
- Louisa began her career as an editorial assistant working with major romance authors Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz, learning the ropes of the publishing industry and developing a love for editing.
- Transitioned from writing contemporary chef romances (as Louisa Edwards) to small-town stories (as Lily Everett), and now returns to her “very first love,” historical romance, as Louisa Darling.
“Louisa wrote chef books before it was cool. And they were so sexy...I was obsessed with these books.” — Sarah [06:16]
2. The Dukes in Disguise Series: Celebrating Classic Tropes with a Modern Eye
- Each book centers on the “Duke in Disguise” trope, featuring dukes assuming hidden identities:
- Impoverished duke as bartender
- Trauma-ridden duke as a bare-knuckle fighter
- Amnesiac highwayman duke wearing many masks
"I was really interested in just the ideas around identity and the ways that people treat each other differently depending on what they expect to see, and the class differences that you can kind of...make permeable if one of the characters is pretending to be something else." — Louisa [19:37]
- The series is written for readers “of a certain vintage,” with loving nods to classic historicals, but with fresh plotting and pacing.
3. Deep Dive: “Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone?” (Dukes in Disguise #2)
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Focus on the hero, Ash—the tormented duke turned underground bare-knuckle boxer.
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The heroine Bess is a chaperone (a “woman servant” archetype), central to the governess trope's appeal.
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The opening chapter gets high praise: "This is the fucking greatest first chapter I’ve ever read." — Jen [28:38]
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Explores class and the seductive liminality of governesses and chaperones—women between “upstairs and downstairs,” both observing and disrupting power dynamics.
4. Why Are Governess/Servant Romances So Compelling?
- Enduring Appeal:
- Built-in power and class dynamics, age differences, liminal social status.
- Classic inspirations: Jane Eyre, Sound of Music, Mary Poppins.
- Children involved add inherent complications and depth to the narrative.
- Challenges for Authors:
- Balancing adult romance with child characters.
- Navigating the potential pitfalls of class difference, consent, and realistic stakes.
“There’s something...about a character who swoops in, takes care of things, and understands. Kind of magical with the kids who are always in these stories.” — Louisa [40:13]
- Contemporary nanny romances echo these dynamics, but class difference and taboo are heightened in modern settings.
5. Exploring Class, Power, and Identity
- Romance novels often interrogate class, overtly or subtly.
- The governess/chaperone is a powerful lens to examine how the powerful can be “brought low” by love, and the “lowly” raised up by it.
- Tension between what “should” be (socially acceptable) and what is deeply desired.
“All romance is about power. And so, of course, class codes into that in an interesting way.” — Sarah [38:07]
- In disguise/secret identity books (e.g., Kate Noble’s “duke and his secretary” swap, Sophie Jordan’s Sins of a Wicked Duke), class and identity twists layer in emotional and social stakes.
6. Book Recommendations & Classic Examples
Historical Governess/Servant Romances
- Rules for a Proper Governess by Jennifer Ashley
- Beloved for its class dynamics, unruly children, Mary Poppins-esque heroine.
- “Let me show you that I actually have a whole other set of skills...” — Jen [50:00]
- A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby by Vanessa Riley
- Intersection of class and race; Black heroine fights for her child, hired as a “wet nurse” in her former home. [53:08]
- The Duke Who Ravished Me by Diana Quincy
- “Classic” rake confronted with children and their fiercely devoted governess.
- Deception by Amanda Quick
- A bold, subversive 1993 favorite: heroine inherits unruly boys, competent hero takes the “parenting” role. Louisa’s “actual favorite.” [64:52]
- Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
- Victorian servant heroine, “class difference and deep stakes.”
Other Notables
- Snowed in with the Viking by Lucy Morris (Harlequin Historical)
- Explores finding self-worth outside caregiving—“a really fun read.” — Jen [69:51]
- It Takes Two To Tumble by Cat Sebastian
- Sound of Music-inspired M/M romance; vicar-hero acts as a de facto “governess.” [88:56]
- Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels
- Lisa Kleypas’s Married by Morning (companion/servant heroine)
- Numerous contemporary nanny romances (QB Tyler, Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Rafe), noted for their extra challenge in handling power dynamics and taboo.
7. Subversions/Servants-in-Disguise & Class Play
- Books where women masquerade as men or servants (e.g., Sophie Jordan, Elizabeth Hoyt)
- “Secret identities” and role-swapping as a tool for highlighting or disrupting class.
8. Children in Romance: A Trick and a Trope
- Kids can be plot complication, emotional focus, or simply comic relief.
- Balancing “mommy” energy and romance is tricky—most authors admit to “waving kids away” when romance heats up.
“To have a governess, you have to have children, but now you have to get rid of the children to have a good romance. So it’s a real...” — Jen [42:58]
9. Contemporary Twist
- Modern “nannies” reflect similar class/power issues, now with a heavy side of taboo.
- QB Tyler's nanny books are highly recommended for their “deeply sexy” take on the dynamic.
“Nanny romances: They’re always taboo. This is a work violation for sure...but I enjoy every one of them.” — Sarah [92:07]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On writing what you love:
“When somebody starts writing historical for the first time and it’s like their id is just, like, all over the page. These are just things I’ve been thinking about since I was eleven and read my first romance novel.” — Louisa [24:10] -
On governesses as liminal observers:
“She’s in this liminal, in-between space. She’s not really a part of the downstairs life... she doesn’t eat at the table with the master. She’s an interesting character who can move back and forth.” — Louisa [37:07] -
On class and romance:
“The person who is of the lower class feels really grateful and wants to...there’s all this pressure and the stakes are so high. I don’t want to rock this boat or ruin this because...she could be tossed back out into the cold.” — Louisa [85:49] -
On the challenges of writing kids on page:
“Kids are tricky. That’s why I don’t want them on page. I also feel this way about pets and books too. It’s fine if he has a dog, but I don’t need him to be there.” — Sarah [96:29] -
On author collaboration and inspiration:
“This one [book] is dedicated to you, Sarah, who willed this book into existence. All my best stories are the ones you tell me to write.” — Louisa [29:15]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00-04:30 – Quick political call to action for Virginia elections (skip for core content)
- 04:35 – Introduction of Louisa Darling and origins of her writing career
- 17:23 – Louisa’s deep roots as a romance reader; "readers of a certain vintage"
- 18:47 – Introduction and overview of Dukes in Disguise series
- 27:11 – Transition: Why governing & servant archetypes fascinate us
- 33:32 – Discussion of “Where Have All the Scoundrels Gone?” and Ash as a bare-knuckle fighter
- 36:10 – The governess/chaperone archetype: power, class, liminality
- 41:32–51:53 – Discussion of how kids complicate, enrich, or burden romance narratives; best examples; the "class" conversation
- 55:09 – A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby (Vanessa Riley): race, class, and the wet-nurse plot
- 56:39 – The Duke Who Ravished Me (Diana Quincy): upending classic setups
- 64:52 – Louisa’s favorite: Deception by Amanda Quick
- 69:51 – Jen recommends Snowed in with the Viking by Lucy Morris
- 75:11 – Expansion into “servants in disguise” and old-school role-swapping plots
- 79:56 – Louisa’s first romance: The Shadow and the Star (Laura Kinsale)
- 88:04 – Cat Sebastian’s It Takes Two To Tumble—the Sound of Music, but gay
- 91:07 – Contemporary nannies & QB Tyler’s taboo approach
- 93:33 – Deception and the employer/employee power dynamic, inverted
- 94:14 & on – Laughing about pop culture buttons—Mystic Pizza and its impact on romance preference
- 98:00 – Where to find Louisa Darling's books, what’s next for her writing
Final Thoughts
This episode is a lively, nerdy, and loving exploration of why governess and servant heroines endure in the romance genre—offering built-in conflict, rich class commentary, and opportunities for both angst and joy. Sarah, Jen, and Louisa provide a buffet of recommendations (both classic and new), analyze the nuts and bolts of the trope, and muse on personal favorites, all with wit and warmth. Essential listening for fans of historicals, those new to the genre, or anyone curious about what makes these archetypes timeless—and timely.
For full book lists and more recommendations, check Fated Mates episode show notes at fatedmates.net.