Book picks similar to
Aunt Sophie's Diamonds by Joan Smith


regency
romance
historical-romance
historical

Duel of Hearts


Diane Farr - 2002
    Hoping to counter his decision, she rushes to London.Adam Harleston, the ninth Earl of Drakesley, is a man possessed. His young cousin has been seduced by an older gentleman, and he's determined to save her honor before it's too late.But wedding bells are about to ring for Lilah's father and Drake's cousin. Joining forces, Lilah and Drake vow to stop their loved ones from making a drastic mistake—only to discover that falling in love is never a mistake...

The Unknown Ajax


Georgette Heyer - 1959
    Irascible Lord Darracott rules his barony with a firm hand. The tragic accident that killed his eldest son by drowning has done nothing to improve his temper. For now, he must send for the next heir apparent--the unknown offspring of the uncle whom the family is never permitted to mention. He also summons his bickering descendants to the rundown family estate. Yet none of that beleaguered family are prepared for the arrival of the weaver's brat and heir apparent...

A Lady's Point of View


Jacqueline Diamond - 1989
    When she accidentally cuts the prince’s friend Beau Brummell at a ball, the scandal sends her packing to the countryside. Her faulty eyesight causes her to enter the wrong coach, which delivers her to the estate of handsome Lord Bryn. He mistakes her for the governess who was due to arrive from London.Preferring work over a life of isolation, she goes along with the erroneous impression, and can’t help adoring his mischievous orphaned niece and nephew. When Meg begins falling in love with the handsome lord just as he’s about to become engaged to another woman, however, she can’t see a way out of her dilemma.This is a lighthearted tale in the traditional Regency style—no sex, but plenty of romantic complications and a happy ending. It has been lightly revised since its original print publication.

Reforming Lord Ragsdale


Carla Kelly - 1995
    The infamous Lord Ragsdale was as rich as sin, as sinful as he was rich, and as heartless as he was handsome. But he had saved Emma from a fate worse than death when he stopped a lecherous brute from buying her as an indentured servant. It was Emma's turn now to save Lord Ragsdale from his wicked ways. She had to find a way to stop his drinking, his gaming, his wild revelry. She had to make him break with his mistress, the superbly sensual Fae Moulle. She had to make him a suitable suitor for the ideal wife that the prim and proper Lady Clarissa Partridge would be. And above all, she had to keep his lustful eye from lingering too long on herself--even as she struggled to keep her own growing desire from undoing all her hard work in the unmaking of this irresistible rake...

The Five-Minute Marriage


Joan Aiken - 1977
    It was just a make-believe ceremony, and, in exchange, Delphie's ailing mother would receive an annuity for life. Delphie was in no position to refuse. She was already losing the struggle to support herself and her mother. But Delphie soon discovered that she was bound by law to the marriage and bound by love to more lies...

Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind


Heidi Ashworth - 2008
    Ginny, who thinks little of the fashionable Sir Anthony, is as eager to be done with the chore as he, but before they arrive at their destination they are stranded by highwaymen and launched into adventure. Forced into each other's company, Ginny begins to sense the passionate nature beneath Sir Anthony's mask of ennui, while his exasperation with the forthright Ginny turns into admiration of her wit and charm. Then beautiful Lucinda Barrington and Lord Avery, a poet, come onto the scene, sparking Ginny's imagination and revealing a way to unmask the true man behind Sir Anthony's frivolous facade. Meanwhile, the dowager duchess has plans of her own for this pair, and her special task turns into a battle of words, wills, and wit.

Lord Sidley's Last Season


Sherry Lynn Ferguson - 2009
    For two years she's been engaged to a naval lieutenant, now due home within weeks. But before she weds, Marian accepts her cousins' invitation to join them in town for the social season. Lady Formsby has generously arranged for Marian to study with the masters at the Royal Academy. As a dedicated painter, Marian can be relied upon to provide steady, sensible company to her impulsive younger cousin Katie, who has been relishing her debut. All of London is thrilled with Napoleon's abdication and the celebratory visits of foreign princes. Yet Lord Sidley's return from the war has created an equal sensation. The earl's looks, charm, and dashing reputation intrigue both cousins. Katie vows to marry Sidley, and indeed, as the last of his family, he must choose a bride. But there is another reason for the widespread fascination with Lord Sidley's Season. And Marian soon discovers how easily plans, and hearts, can be overturned.

A Poor Relation


Carola Dunn - 1990
    One day, Rowena Caxton was the proud owner and mistress of a large estate. The next, she had lost everything and was forced to take up residence with her only remaining family. Her days became an endless round of fetch and carry, though she would not complain. She was relieved, however, when the arrival of the new Earl of Farleigh interrupted the routine and caused a flurry of excitement in the neighbourhood. She could well understand the excitement generated by the handsome and erudite earl. But she constantly cautioned herself against her runaway heart. After all, what interest could such a man have in a poor relation?

A Worthy Wife


Barbara Metzger - 2000
    Aurora soon learns, however, that the match is too good to be true when the nuptials are interrupted--by the brother of the groom's wife!Kenyon Warriner, Earl of Windham, is determined to foil that bigamous bounder Podell, before he disgraces another innocent female as he did Kenyon's own sister. The earl will save Miss McPhee's honor.Even if he must wed her himself...

Penelope


Anya Wylde - 2013
    The dowager, no less, has invited her for a season in London, where she will attempt to catch a husband.Thus begins our heroine’s tale as she attempts to tackle the London season with all her rustic finesse. Unfortunately, her rustic finesse turns out to be as delicate as a fat bear trying to rip apart a honeycomb infested with buzzing bees.What follows is a series of misadventures, love affairs, moonlit balls, fancy clothes, fake moustaches, highwaymen, sneering beauties, pickpockets, and the wrath of a devilishly handsome duke.

Incognito


Suzanne Allain - 2001
    From the back cover: Can a young lady allow her beloved sister to be sacrificed on the marriage altar? Emily Smithfield cannot. So when her mother announces that a marriage has been arranged between Emily’s older sister Lydia and Lord Wesleigh, a man the sisters have never met, Emily offers to marry the gentleman in her sister’s stead. Emily’s act of selflessness leaves Lydia free to marry the man she loves and Emily the bride of a handsome young marquess. Not a bad bargain at all! Lord Wesleigh, who knows nothing of Emily’s matchmaking scheme, arrives in the small village where the Smithfields reside disguised as a curate, in an attempt to observe his betrothed anonymously. When Lord Wesleigh finds himself more attracted to Emily than her sister, the rules of the game change. Can he make Emily fall in love with him when she believes him to be a penniless curate? (Originally published by Warner Books/Hachette in 2001.)

Refining Felicity


Marion Chesney - 1988
    Lady Felicity Vane 19, unwilling client, lures unwitting Lord James Bremmer. Lord Ravenswood 30s quietly donates his town furnishings and servants despite his fiancée Betty.

Love Is Blind


Lynsay Sands - 2006
    Stomping on toes and burning piffles, the chestnut haired beauty was clearly a force with which to be reckoned. But for Adrian Montfort, Earl of Mowbray, veteran of the Napoleonic wars, this was just the challenge he needed. He could handle one woman and her “unfortunate past”. Could any woman handle him?‘TWIXT THE CHIT & HIS LIPSLady Clarissa Crambray wanted a husband, but maybe not as much as her mother wanted one for her. Really! Doffing her spectacles might make a girl prettier, but how would she see? She’d already caused enough mayhem to earn a rather horrible nickname. Yet, as all other suitors seemed to shy away in terror, there came a man to lead her to the dance floor. A dark, handsome blur of a man.Clumsy Clarissa was about to stumble onto true love.

How to Build the Perfect Rake


Kate Harper - 2012
    he is far too nice a man to attract the attentions of the girl that he loves, the Season's Beauty Carisse. So when his best friend Olympia suggests he transforms himself into some thing a little more interesting, he decides to follow her advice. Suddenly, he's the most popular man in London, a devilish rake setting the girl's pulses racing, Olympia's included...Can she convince her best friend that sometimes one must look for more than beauty in a woman if one is to be truly happy? Or will she lose her best friend and her heart forever?

The Jewelled Snuff Box


Alice Chetwynd Ley - 1959
    Their stage coach is unable to continue its journey through the storm and its passengers are forced to get out and walk to a nearby inn. Jane comes across a unconscious man, the victim of a beating, lying half dead in the snow. The events that follow will change Jane's life.What is the significance of the ornate jewelled snuff box?