Joan Aiken

The Smile of the Stranger. Doubleday, 1978.
17-year old Juliana Paget has lived quietly with her historian father for ten years in Florence until the rumblings of the French Revolution, the threat of invasion, and a suspiciously inquisitive stranger force the pair to leave the country and take their chances crossing France to England.

Helen Argers

Noblesse Oblige. St. Martin's, 1994.
Raised by a father whose only passion is horses, spirited Caroline Richmond plots with her invalid mother to have one social season in London and hopefully win the heart of an eligible bachelor.

Helen Ashfield

Regency Rogue. St. Martin's, 1982.
When Lady Davina Temple and the Earl of Dunmorrow meet at a house-party given by Sir Christmas Dee, each is engaged to be married, but neither is enthusiastic about the impending nuptials. When Dee disappears, Davina begins to suspect the earl, even though she is falling in love with him.

Mary Balogh

Indiscreet. Jove, 1997.
After Lady Catherine Winsmore refuses to enter into a forced marriage followiing a rape that lft her pregnant, she changes her name and passes herself off as a young widow. Another marriage proposal comes her way, but will her past come back to haunt her? By the same author: The Ideal Wife (2008, 1991).

Jo Beverley

Emily and the Dark Angel. Walker, 1991.
Piers Verderan is known by many as the Dark Angel for his goods looks and dangerous temperament. Emily Grantwich develops a great dislike for him, but events conspire to bring them together.

Laurie Bishop

When Horses Fly. Signet, 2005.
Left penniless following her father's death, Cora MacLaren has no recourse but to offer her nursing services to various wealthy relatives in exchange for lodging. She ends up at the home of disagreeable Lord Wintercroft whose is estranged from son, Alex. who distrust Cora's motives for being there.

Juliet Blyth

The Parfit Knight. St. Martin's, 1986.
The handsome Marquis of Amberly, a notorious rake, is forced to take shelter at Oakleigh Manor where his hostess is the beautiful Rosalind Vernon, who lost her sight in a tragic childhood accident. In spite of himself, the Marquis finds himself falling in love with the guileless Rosalind and, determined to free her from her sheltered existence, arranges for her to have a Season in London.

Meredith Bond

Love of My Life. Kensington, 2005.
In India, Cassandra Renwick finds herself attracted to Julian Ritchie, the handsome son of an Englishman and an aristocratic Indian woman, a man her snobbish mother finds completely unsuitable.

Dame Fortune. Kensington, 2005.
When tragedy strikes, Rose Grace, an archaeologist's daughter with bluestocking tendencies, is forced to find a wealthy husband to save her family from financial ruin. Enter legendary womanizer St. John Fotheringay-Phipps.

Elizabeth Brodnax

The Marquis of Carabas. Walker, 1991.
Over the years Catherine Brown has played many parts in her adventurer father's many schemes. Now, she is called upon to play her greatest hoax of all--playing the Marquis di Carabas. Catherine takes London by storm and soon has gentlemen falling at her feet. But will the prize she sets out to claim risk her own dreams of love and happiness?

Caroline Campbell

Love Masque. Walker, 1982.
Caitlin Deverell comes to London not to find a husband but to do research on her family history. On her very first night she is horrified to find at dinner her host's close friend, Lord Reighford, who had once rejected her as a match.

Susannah Carleton

Twin Peril. NAL, 2005.
Determined to marry for love, Michael, the Duke of Fairfax, searches for the woman who will love him for who he is, and not for his title. The beautiful and kind Lady Deborah Woodhurst appears to be that woman, but her scheming, greedy twin sister will stop at nothing to ensnare Michael for herself.

Loretta Chase

Miss Wonderful. Berkley Sensation, 2004.
Alistair Carsington's father lays down the law: he has six months to find either a useful occupation or a wealthy heiress to wed. Alistair opts for entering into a business venture with a friend, but he isn;t counting on meeting fiesty Mirabel Oldridge. By the same author: The Sandalwood Princess. (1990).

Marion Chesney

The Daughters of Mannerling Series.
The pampered world of the six Beverley sisters comes crashing down when their father gambles away the family's estate, Mannerling. Their treasured home may be regained if one of the sisters succeeds in catching the new owner's eye.

Elaine Coffman

The Fifth Daughter . Mira, 2001.
Rejected from birth by her father, who blamed her for her mother's death, Maresa Fairweather finds a substitute family in her neighbors. Percy Bronwell becomes her best friend and confidant. Unaware that Percy is in love with her, Maresa becomes engaged to a man she does not love. In order to break the engagement, Maresa turns to Percy, now a decorated officer in the British Navy, for help. They enter into what she consideres a marriage of convenience, but when she learns that his life is in danger and sets out on a perilous journey to declare her undying love for him before it is too late..

Monette Cummings

The Beauty's Daughter. Walker, 1985.
When the Seminary for Young Ladies where Lady Alice had packed off 8-year old Priscilla to closes, she must take back the daughter she has never loved. Fearful of what her male admirers do when they learn that the youthful Lady Alice has a daughter of 22 and of losing her chance with Sean O'Rourke, the handsome young Irishman with whom she is infatuated, she forces Priscilla to take on the guise of her lowly secretary.

Diana Delmore

Anthea. Walker, 1983.
When Lord Lyndock rescues Princess Anthea von Hellenberg from would-be bandits, neither reveals their true identities. The truth comes out when they encounter each other in London, but while Anthea is attracted to him, she is put off by his rakish reputation and convinces herself that she must consider the suit of her dependable cousin, Sir Phillip Montville.

Jacqueline Diamond

Lady in Disguise. Walker, 1983.
Neither Lady Victoria Courtney nor the dashing Richard, Marquis of Lansdon-who have not seen each other for several years--take very seriously the arrangement made by their mothers that they will someday marry. Then, through a series of odd events and misunderstandings, Vicki is mistaken for an actress and sometime mistress of Henry Smythe, Richard's friend. Unaware who she really is, Richard falls in love with her, but the road to happiness is a tangled one.

Carola Dunn

Polly and the Prince. Walker, 1991.
Polly Howard's family is dismayed by her attraction to a mysterious and penniless foreigner, who, it turns out, is not a nobody after all.

Gail Eastwood

The Lady from Spain. Signet, 1997.
When she arrived in England, she claimed to be Doña Sofia Christina Ynez Alamar de Montero, but when she shows up in the office of a London lawyer, she says she is Miss Falcarrah Colburne, come to claim her legacy. Is she a fortune hunter? The handsome and dauntless Lord Jeremy Danbridge is determined to find out.

Marnie Ellingson

Dolly Blachard's Fortune. Walker, 1983.
The beautiful and witty Dolly Blanchard loves her childhood chum, Richard Daventry, who has his eye on Melisande deLacey. But Melisande must make a marriage that will recoup her family's fortune.

Diane Farr

Duel of Hearts. Signet, 2002.
When spoiled, headstrong Delilah Chadwick, the only daughter of Sir Horace Chadwick, learns that her father is about to marry, she immediately assumes that he is being manipulated into marriage by an unscrupulous woman and determines to stop him from making the mistake of his life. Meanwhile Adam Harleston, the ninth Earl of Drakesley, believes that his young cousin has been seduced by an older gentleman, and he's determined to save her honor before it's too late. Much comedic romantic chaos ensues.

Megan Frampton

A Singular Lady. NAL, 2005.
Because her father bequeathed his entire fortune to his mistress, Titania Stanhope is forced to marry money if she plans to survive. Edwin Worthington, Earl of Oakley, wants nothing to do with money-grubbing young ladies until he meets Titania. Can a blue-stocking and a Blue-blood find unexpected love?.

Jo Ann Ferguson

A Primrose Wedding. Kensington, 2005.
Confident in her ultimate spinsterhood, Primrose Dunsworthy nevertheless enjoys her conversations about Egypt with Rupert, Lord Fortenbury. An invitation to attend a party being held in honor of Rupert's brother's upcoming nuptials may be just the thing to change the course of Primrose's future.

Deborah Fruchey

The Unwilling Heiress. Walker, 1986.
When Lord Hersington learns that his foolish cousin has unjustly dismissed Lucy Trahern, the governess of her three young children, he feels bound to find Lucy and set things right. Lucy, meanwhile, finds refuge working for two elderly, eccentric sisters, who are a good deal more than they seem.

Glenda Garland

The Unexpected Sister. Zebra, 2004.
When Lord Thomas Dashley returns from imprisonment during the war he feels feels obligated to offer marriage to Melisande Windham, the sister of a comrade whose death he believes he is responsible for. But he is not prepared for Caroline Norcrest, the half-sister his good friend never mentioned.

Barbara Hazard

Wednesday's Child. Fawcett Crest, 1994.
Though Miss Penelope Shaw lived for adventure, being snatched by a nobleman's cronies in a case of mistaken identity was pushing it a bit too far.

Emily Henrickson

The Rake and the Redhead and Lord Darcy's Delight. Signet, 2005.
In this pair of reissues, Hyacinthe Dancy takes on an English Lord who wants to tear down her cousin's country cottage because it spoils his view. And, After Amelia Longworth has been rescued by Major Geoffrey Darcy on three occasions, she follows the custom of the Orient, where she was raised, and offers ferself to him as his "property."

Georgette Heyer

Cotillion. Sourcebooks, 2005, 1985.
Penniless, young Kitty Charing stands to inherit a vast fortune from her irascible great-uncle Matthew--provided she marries one of her cousins, none of which appeals to her save handsome Capt. Jack Westruther, who wants nothing to do with a forced marriage. She rather unfairly uses the stammering and ineffectual cousin Freddie for her own ends, but she learns that there is more to Freddie than meets the eye. By the same author: Lady of Quality (1972).

Fiona Hill

Sweet's Folly. Putnam, 1977.
Honoria Newcombe decides that the only hope of relieving the burden of her maiden aunts of supporting her is marriage. But marriage to whom? The arrogant Claude Kemp? Or her friend Emily's shy brother?

Victoria Hinshaw

Least Likely Lovers. Kensington. 2005.
When she loses the Duke of Charsley to her younger sister, thinsg go from bad to worse for Kitty Stone when she and her mother are forced by financial considerations to live with both the newlyweds and the groom's overbearing and disapproving mother. The family dynamic becomes even more interesting with the arrival of the Duke's handsome older cousin, Major Jack Whitaker.

Anna Jacobs

A Forbidden Embrace. Severn, 2001.
Convinced she will never fit in "polite" society, Cassandra Trent resents having to join the London Season with her pushy, social-climbing aunt. She soon catches the eye of the charming and wealthy Simeon Giffard--the man her aunt has chosen for her own daughter.

Elisabeth Kidd

The Ladyship. Walker, 1983.
In the absence of her twin brother-off fighting Bonaparte--Elinor Bennett manages the inn left to them by their father. Although she is attracted to scholarly Marcus Allingham, one of the guests who patronizes the inn, he does not see her in a romantic light and engages himself to flighty young Clarissa Dudley.

Elizabeth Law

A Scent of Lilac. Walker, 1988.
Lilac Mary Morton has a secret, one buried so deep she doesn't even know about it-until it rises up from the past to destroy her dreams of future happiness with a handsome lieutenant.

Alice Chetwynd Ley

A Fatal Assignation. St. Martin's, 1987.
During a visit to Madame Yvonne's exclusive dress salon, Anthea catches sight of a secret door and impulsively turns the handle, opening the way to a mystery.

Julie London

The Perils of Pursuing a Prince. Pocket, 2007.
This Regency twist on the story of Beauty has a suddenly destitute aristocratic young woman journeying into the untamed Welsh countryside in search of an inheritance she's not sure even exists and encountering the unpleasant Rhodrick Glendower, reputed to a murderer, who refuses to let her leave his castle until she has proven her identity. By the same author: The Hazards of Hunting a Duke (2006, The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount (2007).

Amanda McCabe

A Tangled Web. Signet, 2006.
During a summer soiree at the Dowager Viscountess Ransome's estate in the countryside, several of the young attendees find themselves caught in tangled web of betrayal, deception, and, in some cases, love.

Teresa McCarthy

The Convenient Bridel. Signet, 2005.
Rakish Lord Clayton must marry within three weeks or lose his inheritance. Brianna would seem to be a good choice, but at the moment she has no interest in becoming a bride of convenience.

Gladys McGorian

The Prince Regent's Silver Bell. Walker, 1987.
Katherine Martin doesn't want her uncle's considerable fortune. She would rather stay in Newmarket and train her father's racing thoroughbreds. But Gut Martin is seriously ill and the confiscation of his horses by the French has left him virtually penniless, so Kate reluctantly accedes to the demands of her uncle's will, which stipulates she spend a year with her Aunt Harriet, after which it will be determined if she has become a "proper lady."

Edna Maye Manley

Agatha. Walker, 1984.
In spite of having resigned herself to a life of quiet country living, Miss Agatha Winslow cannot ignore the breathless letter from her young sister Celia, in London for her coming out, announcing that she is passionately in love with a man Agatha believes to be a rake.

Jo Manning

Seducing Mr. Heywood . Five Star, 2002, 2001.
Wealthy, notorious thrice-widowed Lady Sophia Rowley arrives in Yorkshire after the death of her last husband to claim her two young sons only to find that the local vicar, Charles Heywood, has been named the children's legal guardian. Against all odds, they find themselves drawn to each other, but Sophia's conniving father arrives, plotting to steal her riches.

Elizabeth Mansfield

A Splendid Indiscretion and The Grand Passion. Signet, 2005.
In A Splendid Indisretion (originally published in 1985), Ada Surringham, the orphaned niece of Lord Jasper, is mistaken for the new library assistant and decides to assume that role, but Viscount Mullineaux has net her before and knows she is not who she says she is. In The Grand Passion (1986), Tess Brownlow sets out to avenge herself on the man she believes caused the death of her betrothed.

Amanda McCabe

A Tangled Web. Signet, 2006.
During a summer soiree at the Dowager Viscountess Ransome's estate in the countryside, several of the young attendees find themselves caught in tangled web of betrayal, deception, and, in some cases, love.

Barbara Metzger

Bething's Folly. Walker, 1981.
When she reluctantly attends a ball the purpose of which is to find an eligible bride for Lord Alexander Carleton, whose father has tricked him into a "deathbed" promise to marry, Elizabeth Bethingame intrigues the young lord and she, in turn agrees to marry him to free herself from her uncle's authority. But his stubborn temper and her pride make a volatile combination.

Rake's Ransom and A Loyal Companion. Signet, 2006.
This reissue combining two of Metzger's previous works present similar storylines of seemingly unmarriageble young women who find unexpected romance with less than gentlemanly gentlemen.

Lady Whilton's Wedding and An Enchanted Affair. Signet, 2005.
Two more oldies but goodies. When it looks as if the marriage of Daphne Whilton's widowed mother will be postponed following the unexpected death of husband number one's brother, Daphne decides to hide the body, aided unknowingly by the groom's son Graydon. In the second story orphaned heiress Lisanne Neville routinely escapes her greedy uncle by wandering in some nearby "haunted" woods. But the man who owns them, the impoverished Duke of St. Sevrin decides to sell the timber. Lisanne then proposes a solution to both of their problems: marriage.

Wedded Bliss. Signet, 2004.
Alissa Henning has mixed feelings about marrying Robert Rothmore, Earl of Rockford. She finds him insufferable and feels she'll be little more than a glorified governess for his children. On the other hand, her own children need to eat and her landlord is threatening to evict her. So she reluctantly accepts his offer. Wedded bliss is not what either is expecting...but this is a romance, after all!

Jude Morgan

Indiscretion. St. Martin's, 2006, 2005.
Caroline Fortune is drawn into her father's scheme to solve all their money problems: setting her up as the companion of a wealthy matron and use her beauty and intelligence to attract the attentions of society's most eligible men..

Margaret Evans Porter

Jubilee Year. Walker, 1991.
The beautiful and wealthy Lady Miranda knows her family history will make it difficult to find a suitable husband, but she comes to London hoping to make a match, but reserves the right to choose a husband herself. She comes to believe that Justin, Lord Cavender, will do nicely, but then a beautiful Russian princess arrives, claiming a very intimate relationship with her intended.

Amanda Quick

With this Ring. Bantam, 1998.
A bold widow and an enigmatic scholar are drawn by a bewildering mystery into a perilous brew of passion and danger.

Julia Quinn

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever. Avon, 2007.
As a child Mirand Cheever fell in love with Nigel Bevelstoke, Viscount Turner, because of his kindness to her. Now, years later, she finds him a lonely and bitter man, devastated by loss. Still, Miranda isn't reay to give up on the man she has loved for years, a love she has recorded so faithfully in her diary.

Evelyn Richardson

The Education of Lady Frances and Miss Cresswell's London Triumph. Signet, 2006.
Published in 1989 and 1990 respectively, in the first story chaperone Lady Frances is obliged to protect her friend from Sir Julian, who may be insufferable but has such a disarming smile. In the latter, Bluestocking Cassie Cresswell resolves to stop the handsome and dashing Ned Mainwaring from falling into the clutches of Arabella Taylor.

Cynthia Richey

Love's Masquerade. Walker, 1990.
In order to save her beloved Fair Meadow from being sold in order to pay off her deceased father's debts, Sarah Fairchild decides to turn the house into a school for girls. But when her escort to London--Edward Norris, the Earl of Pemberton and son of her god-mother, is forced to spin a yarn about her being his "countess" in order to save her reputation, Sarah doesn't see the joke and wants none of him.

Jeanne Savery

An Acceptable Arrangement. Walker, 1993.
For years Earl John has been society's most eligible bachelor and now that he is ready to take the plunge, he dispatches his trusted manservant, Tuttles, to draw up a short list of appropriate ladies. Tuttles finds the perfect woman in Miss Morgan, who has entrusted her dresser, Flint, with a similar mission.

Sheila Simonson

Lady Elizabeth's Comet. Walker, 1985.
Lady Elizabeth Conway is content to live on the estate she and her sisters inherited and pursue her hobby, astronomy. But the new Lord Clanross, an unknown distant cousin and heir to her father's title, has just arrived to take up residence in the manor. Direct and stiff-mannered, he both intrigues and unsettles Elizabeth.

Sharon Sobel

Miss Clarkson's Classmate. Signet, 2005.
Lady Emily Clarkson's mother has gone off to America, leaving Emily to keep her obligation to teach at a rural school. She arrives expecting her employer to be a gentleman, she's shocked to outspoken, nasty Daniel Lennox. He was anticpating expecting a somber old maid, not an impertinent girl. And neither expects to fall in love.

Patricia Veryan

Logic of the Heart. St. Martin's, 1990.
After Susan Henley's husband gambles away a fortune and kills himself, she moves with her brother and 5 year old daughter to Highperch Cottage on the grounds of Longhills Manor, where the Baron Montclair is entranced by her beauty, but isn't sure he can entirely trust the notorious widow. Soon a series of accidents and odd incidents has him worried that someone is plotting against him.

Daisy Vivian

Return to Cheyne Spa. Walker, 1988.
Lady Augusta, Duchess of Towans, offers to take Elinor Hardy to Cheyne Spa in highest style if she will only capture some limelight from the duchess's pampered niece, Lady Barbara, and the affections of one of her suitors. But things don't quite go according to plan.

Margaret Westhaven

City Heiress. Walker, 1988.
Wealthy heiress Polly Percy has just one summer to experience the social whirl before her unfashionable lineage as the daughter of a city merchant becomes common knowledge. Little does she imagine that her guardian, Lord Geoffrey Barnstone, has his reasons for ensconcing his ward for the season in his sister's estate.

Created and maintained by: Lynne M. Kennedy.

© Copyright 2008, 1999, Sachem Public Library. All rights reserved.

Sachem Public Library
150 Holbrook Road
Holbrook, New York 11741

631 588-5024
sachemlibrary.org