Joan Smith books

Rose Trelawney (1980)

Sir Ludwig called her "Rose Trelawney" because she had no memory of who she was. Awaking in a ditch in a snowstorm, "Rose" had eventually found safe haven at Sir Ludwig's home as his sister's governess. But she found herself not unfamiliar with ordering servants about--or the physical desire she ...

Imprudent Lady (1978)

I think I've tried reading this before... but left it unfinished...I'm glad I did read it this time. It is rather charming. I like the fact that the h never backs down, and gives fitting replies to the H. The banter between them is rather sweet (inspite of the numerous ows that crop up! Cybele (t...

Love Bade Me Welcome (1983)

SHE WAS A STRANGER IN A STRANGE HOUSE. THERE WAS NO ONE SHE COULD TRUST. Davinia was too young to be a widow. She was also very beautiful, and she had come seeking sanctuary with her husband's people at the ancestral home of Wyngate. She hoped to find comfort and a family. She was surprised at t...

Thick as Thieves (1993)

Eve Denver encountered Richard Dalton when she was fleeing an irate pawnbroker. Unsuspicious of Mr. Dalton's offer to secure a summer house in Brighton, and conscious of his ability to introduce her to the polite world, she took her valuables with her. Only to find that Dalton was using her as ba...

Murder While I Smile (1997)

Mystery and intrigue once again provide adventure for the Berkeley Brigade--the aristocratic foursome with a nose for the ton's most incriminating scandals. . . . Headstrong Corinne deCoventry, dashing Lord Luten, dilettante poet Sir Reginald Prance, and the delightfully bungling Coffen Pattle j...

Little Coquette (Regency Romantic Mysteries) (1998)

MURDER IS AN INAUSPICIOUS BEGINNING FOR ROMANCEYoung bluestocking Lydia Trevelyn and her notable neighbor Lord Beaumont had managed to thwart all matchmaking schemes. However, fate conspires to bring them together through a most unfortunate means: murder. For when Beaumont finds a body in a local...

Perdita (1989)

Governess Moira Greenwood's beautiful young charge, Perdita Brodie, is a high-spirited girl. She rebels against her stepmama's choice of mate and manages to get Moira and herself positions in a not-quite-shabby traveling acting troupe. While Moira cooks, her lovely cousin sings, attracting the ve...

Dangerous Dalliance (1992)

HOW COULD SHE GO SO FAR AS TO FORGET DUTY AND FALL IN LOVE WITH A SPY?!Never did anyone look less like a spy than Heather Hume. But circumstances forced her to act when she discovered that her father's recent death was, in fact, murder--and that he was a spy!Heather's father had been betrayed--an...

Winter Wedding (1990)

Clara Christopher had met Lord Allingcote several years previously at a houseparty, when he had chosen her as his flirt. But he'd disappeared from her life, and now reappeared escorting the outrageously beautiful Nel Muldoon to a wedding for his cousin. Though his lordship still had eyes for Clar...

Drury Lane Darling (1988)

THE THEATER IS NO PLACE FOR A LADYPamela Comstock's semi-engagement to weak-kneed Nigel Raleigh interested neither party, not one whit. Luckily for all, Nigel's gaze wandered to the lovely dramatics of Flawless Fleur, the delightful French actress taking London by storm.But when the star quite su...

Aurora (1981)

The Great Christmas Ball (1993)

While translating what she believes is nothing more than a love letter written in German, Miss Cathy Lyman uncovers top secret information about Napoleon, and, with the help of Lord Costain, she plunges into the world of international intrigue.

Madcap Miss (1989)

WHEN A YOUNG WOMAN DONS A GIRLISH DISGUISE, SHE DISCOVERS THAT LOVE IS NOT CHILD'S PLAY.... Poor Grace, having just lost her post as governess, had no friends, no money, and was indeed in dire straits. Her petite figure and clever disguise fooled the coachman into giving her a child's fare to Wi...

Jennie Kissed Me (1991)

She and Mrs. Irvine escorted Ladies Eldon and Bathurst to see the church and a few examples of municipal architecture. Lady Pogue had no interest in anything that did not wear trousers or add to her personal embellishment. I accompanied her. We poked around the drapery shop but nothing was purcha...

Romantic Rebel (1991)

Radcliffe, sat on my shoulder all the next morning, whispering clever words into my ear. My composition was usually more inspired after a successful social outing. The time flew by and before I knew it, Isabel was tapping at the door. We were on close enough terms by then that I invited her into ...

Delsie (1982)

He had a fair idea why she wanted to see him. After a little while he saw her tall, gaunt figure, wrapped up in a huge cape of gentian violet, trundling along the footpath from the Dower House, her head bent. Poor old girl, she’s getting on, he thought. It was with solicitude that he welcomed her...

Tea and Scandal (1996)

Lady Sykes said the next morning over breakfast. “And not even a written reply, when I made a point of writing ‘RSVP’ on the bottom of the cards. Just what one would expect of a housekeeper, but I own I am surprised a schoolmistress from Miss Prism’s Academy does not know the proper way to reply ...

Francesca (1992)

Her cheeks were rosy and her smile was genuine, not the sardonic smile she so often wore. Mrs. Denver was sorry to be the bearer of unhappy tidings, but trouble had arisen during her charge’s absence, and it had been preying on her mind since Lord Maundley’s call an hour before. Before Francesca ...

Bath Belles (1986)

Mama said as she peered through her spectacles at a residence that very much resembled a doll’s house. Mama was prone to understatement and euphemism. “No wonder we had such trouble finding it,” I replied, squinting into the setting sun, whose rays slanted through the narrow spaces between our li...

A Country Wooing (1987)

She felt strangely disappointed when he had still not arrived by mid-afternoon. It began to look as though he had truly reverted to his old way of neglecting them. She thought she must have read too much into that interlude in the meadow. It was just the beauty of the spring day that lent the inc...

Little Coquette

Lady Trevelyn said, peering at the embroidery pattern recently purchased from Mr. Wilks of Regent Street. She was a devotee of the new fad for Berlin wool-work. The project on which she was presently embarked was a canvas to be framed and hung in Sir John’s study. It depicted a scene from Walter ...

Friends and Lovers

Several neighbors mentioned having got theirs, while we nodded and implied we would see them there, unable to credit we were being cut. It was surely an oversight. Mrs. Tighe actually brought her card with her. I glanced at it, to see it signed by Lady Menrod. I had nothing against the dowager co...

Larcenous Lady (1987)

His proud “I won’t vary my itinerary one iota” was soon revised to “There’s no point dawdling in little villages.” He stopped at Amiens long enough to peep into the cathedral, but of the ramparts, the wall, and the five gates he had only a glimpse in passing. Pronto didn’t even get to see the hea...

The Moonless Night (1980)

“I have to run over and see Mr. Hazy,” Sanford said. “I am anxious to hear what he thinks of public reaction to Capell Lofft’s letter. The Chronicle announces it has had more than a hundred letters supporting it.” “That’s not many out of the whole population,” Sir Henry pointed out. “I had three ...

Murder and Misdeeds (1997)

Coffen had spotted them. Upon learning that a search of any abandoned buildings had already been made, he returned to Appleby with them. Soames was a pleasant young man, with “gentleman farmer” written all over him. Fresh air, plenty of riding, and good country mutton had given him a ruddy comple...

The Polka Dot Nude (1989)

I lifted the picture and jiggled the wire of the big gilt frame till the picture hung straight, then stood back to assess the effect. It really was a beautiful painting. The style, Rosalie told me, was called “pointillism,” a painstaking refinement on impressionism, with every brushstroke forming...

Lady Hathaway's House Party (1980)

It couldn’t be put off any longer, and the longer she waited the harder it became. “We’d better go,” she said to Mr. Henderson, and began patting her hair, smoothing down her gown and making sure she presented the best appearance possible. “Do I look all right?” she asked, turning around in a cir...

Reprise (1982)

Since he had abandoned Leonardo for Rembrandt, his customers had fallen off. Mrs. Hering, for instance, was not at all eager to pose any longer. When her mother was not doing it, the job fell to herself. With Clarence away for the better part of the day, she would get busy and finish up her lates...

Down With the Royals (2015)

I am going to address the arguments in that order, and the first two are easily dealt with. The third element, the royal family’s extensive political interference and influence, needs more space because it has been quite deliberately concealed from us. At a time when most public institutions and ...

Capriccio (1989)

One did not run in Roy Thomson Hall. Roy Thomson Hall is the kind of place where you find yourself calling a person “one.” My head slued around, like everyone else’s, to see what ill-bred specimen had escaped the ushers, and quickly turned to face the stage again, pretending I didn’t know him whe...

A Christmas Gambol (1996)

The cozy fire crackling in the grate was welcome to ward off November’s chilly blast. Although the sisters were surprised to receive a visit from Montaigne, they did not scramble to hide the linen and sewing box behind the sofa. Mr. Caldwell was well to grass, but he had not reared his daughters ...

What Will Survive (2007)

Demands Closure of Al-Khiam Detention Centre in Occupied South Lebanon Khiam Prison in occupied South Lebanon operates outside the framework of international law and should be closed at once, says FWN! Director, Sara Thompson QC, who returned last week from a fact-finding visit to the Middle East...

To Mourn a Murder

Knowing the inefficacy of his own coachman, he arranged for Corinne's to drive his rig for him. With delivery to his desired destination secured, he drew a fur rug around him, settled his wrenched knee comfortably, closed his eyes and conjured with such clues as he had accumulated thus far.He kne...

Murder Is Come Again (2015)

Already the air was so moisture-laden it dampened clothing and left the skin feeling clammy. Swells of waves crashed on the shingle beach and farther out white caps promised rough sailing for the few fishing vessels braving the winds. “At least Coffen won’t have talked Black into letting him take...

The Hermit's Daughter (1989)

Peacock proved amusing. His conversation was more frivolous than intellectual, but his carriage was the finest to be seen and his team of matched grays above reproach. To add a touch of respectability to the outing., Sally arranged to meet her sister and Derwent there and walk around the grounds ...

Babe (1980)

She was still young and considered handsome. She had a doting husband, three children, and an active social life. She enjoyed good health and excellent credit, but still the frown was quite pronounced. “What has got you in the hips?” her brother asked, not greatly interested. “What am I ever plag...

Love's Harbinger (1987)

“Good timing!” Lady Lynne smiled. “That is Guy’s room—the one he is sharing with Fletcher. He pointed it out last night when we came up.” She lingered for a moment till he came out, and Faith waited with her, her heart beating unsteadily. It would be hard to say which was the more surprised when ...

Moon Love (2009)

Its dainty linen-covered tables, its lace-edged doilies and plethora of greenery made the ladies feel quite at home. By eleven it would be crowded with shoppers taking a rest, but at nine-thirty it was deserted save for two aging ladies clad in unrelieved black, as they had been for the past deca...

The Devious Duchess (1985)

When she told Dick she wouldn’t marry him if her aunt wasn’t set free, she certainly hadn’t meant to place the burden of proving the duchess’s innocence on him. But the look he gave her at the funeral said very clearly that he did think it. He thought she was imposing obligations, when her aim ha...

An Infamous Proposal (1997)

His bleary eyes, when he came to the breakfast parlor the next morning, suggested he had been out late and drinking hard. Immediately after breakfast he asked Emma out to ride, mentioning that his Arabian gelding should be here by now. As this imaginary horse had not appeared, he rode the late Si...

[Berkeley Brigade 10] - Shadow of Murder

Between Mr. Pattle’s carriage and the new suit he’d had made up since joining the Brigade, he looked the part. He chose, from a collection of gentlemen’s cards he had accumulated over the years, one for a J. Jerome Greene, The Alders, Kent. He realized his language wasn’t quite up to scratch, but...

Murder at Newstead Abbey

He couldn’t be rushing to open doors for her, to stoke up the fire of whatever room she wished to use, to fetch her a shawl or a glass of wine. He couldn’t even keep an eye on the other members of the Berkeley Brigade for her, as he usually did, since the whole lot of them were gone.The days drag...

The Notorious Lord Havergal (2015)

It was not only that the archbishop was in London, though that was a hard blow for Miss FitzSimmons. For Lettie, the greater disappointment was the abrasive nature of the afternoon’s conversation. She had been anticipating a delightful drive with two handsome and eligible peers, and instead found...

No Place for a Lady (1994)

I wondered what my aunt used to do in the evenings. It seemed strange to think that Mama’s sister was satisfied to live in such a place as this. Miss Thackery found it odd that her friends did not call on us. Did she have any respectable friends? We decided that she must have become eccentric in ...

Damsel in Distress (1995)

There was no question of Dolmain’s love of his daughter; he would certainly do what he should regarding her welfare. “He ought to know, yet I dislike to tattle on her. Yes, I expect I must tell him.” Dolmain and Lady Helen soon arrived. Caro could only assume he was a marvelous actor. The way he ...

An Affair of the Heart (1977)

His tiger, Black Cat, was too wise to make reference to the danger of springing the grays in the middle of town. lucky you didn’t get the crop across your shoulders, saying a word when he was in this mood. Anyway, there was no one to speak of in the park at this unfashionable hour of the morning,...

Regency Masquerade (1994)

We must follow Hartly,” Moira said, tossing her shawl, evening reticule, and fan onto the bed. “I shall change into my riding habit and meet you in ten minutes. Do not wear your good evening clothes. We cannot afford a rent in them.” “We will be seen leaving the inn,” Jonathon pointed out. “It is...

The Royal Scamp (1989)

His dark brows drew together when he saw Esther tripping toward Buck’s office. He went storming in after her. “Esther, for God’s sake, go home. This is no time for you to be in a place like this! Every yahoo in town is here this morning.” He was back to his usual self, all reckless charm abandone...

Old Lover's Ghost (1994)

It was all that a ghost hunter could wish. In the distance a Gothic heap rose against a dull gray sky. Mr. Wainwright gazed contentedly at pointed windows, finials, gargoyles, and a steeply canted roof. “There are the ravens,” he said, pointing to six bumps on the roof line. “At Longleat the depa...

Lady Madeline's Folly (1983)

Eskott’s was the first, the only name that popped into her head. She disliked very much to appeal to him, but knew she could not go herself, a lady alone, to a watch house. She knew too that Eskott could be imperious, arrogant, demanding, when the occasion called for it. He would get Henry out wi...

Cousin Cecilia

Meacham’s hopes for seeing her daughters established had sunk low, but not so low that she intended admitting to a soul that she had sought outside help. Even her own daughters were to be kept in the dark, and she must therefore have a private coze with Miss Cummings as soon as she arrived. Miss ...

The Merry Month of May (1990)

Haldiman explained, in a raised voice to his mother the next morning. “You must take Miss Harvey with you,” Lady Haldiman told him. “I don’t want to be saddled with her all the livelong day. She will want to be trailing through the shops in the village, fingering ribbons and buttons. So very wear...

Clouds of Deceit (1985)

Official statements betray not a scintilla of doubt; if anything, the line has become tougher since the questions first began. Several plausible explanations can be advanced for this state of affairs. One is the traditional reluctance of any current administration to admit faults in its predecess...

Escapade

No lady had received an offer, or anything remotely resembling one. Belle and Sherry were becoming desperate, and even Honor felt an uneasiness which she did not recognize as impatience. Ella too was uneasy, for reasons different from the others. The large ball was to be held that evening, and wi...

The Blue Diamond

She foresaw dreadful consequences of this night’s work—even an appearance in court was not impossible, to convict Eynard. She was unhappy with her own folly in acting as Mademoiselle’s messenger on such an errand, and knew her father would be furious with her. Imbroglios of this sort did a girl’s...

Lace for Milady (1980)

I am flattered, though I do not delude myself for a moment that it is intended as a compliment. It is intended as a slur on my particular bent for self-assertion, but it is surely everyone’s privilege, if not duty, to tend first to his own garden. In any case, they will find some euphemistic phra...

Wiles of a Stranger (1982)

He had completed the purchase of the Italian necklace the day before. Beaudel came to the schoolroom to tell Lucien so, and to show him the cheque for five thousand guineas. “Good. Now I have got my own money,” Lucien said. “You are well off,” Beaudel agreed, smiling. His eyes were red, his hand ...

Letters to a Lady (1987)

Roads were full of potholes that delayed their time abominably. A violent megrim took possession of her head, and just outside of London a buck forced their rig off the road in a game of hunt-the-squirrel. It took John Groom half an hour to haul the team out the ditch and make sure the carriage w...

Gather Ye Rosebuds (1993)

Mama scolded, when I returned and related the tale of my visit to Parham. “It was that or let them believe I had gone to steal Lord Weylin’s vases. In any case, it is over, Mama, and now we may have the exquisite pleasure of turning Steptoe off.” “You say they knew all along he was a thief? Fancy...

Minuet (1980)

Sally would take breakfast with her father in his room, see him off to the House with a question as to the progress made on Mama’s rescue, then, reassured on that point, would arrange her own calendar. She lacked no escort for any outing she cared to undertake, despite Miss Fawthrop’s defection. ...

Murder on Charing Cross Road (2015)

The first movement was not a carriage drawn to the door as she expected, but Luten slipping quietly out of the house and walking away on foot. He was becoming quite sly in his efforts to avoid her help. He was meeting his carriage at the corner lest she hear it arriving, since her bedroom faced t...

Silken Secrets (1988)

What day was it? Saturday—the assembly! She sat in confusion a moment, wondering why she was dressed. Then she remembered the whole dreadful situation and sighed. She’d best get ready for the ordeals of the day. She washed up and put on her second-best sprigged muslin before going to the room whe...

Let's Talk of Murder

Luten would look at him with that frozen gray eye and make him feel like an errant schoolboy. Prance would poke fun at him, very likely with a bit of gratuitous Latin or French thrown in.Thing to do, tell Corrie, and let her tell the others. She’d cut up a bit but he didn’t mind that. With this c...

Prelude to Love (1983)

The weather at least was good—bright and warm, and while the road was not so well surfaced as the main route, neither was there heavy traffic to slow them down, nor such an absolute lack of vehicles as to feel dangerously isolated. Carlisle had spoken of reaching Maldon for luncheon, but with an ...

The Waltzing Widow/Smith (1991)

A smile of triumphant astringency settled on her broad face as she read it. “What have they to say?” Avedon asked. “Just as we supposed,” she answered, her bosom swelling with importance. “There was no Captain Percy killed at Ciudad Rodrigo. There was no Percy there as an officer at all. George W...

Endure My Heart (1980)

An event occurred which led me to believe Crites had no notion of Wicklow’s true identity. It occurred on a Friday as I wended my weary way home from school in my gig. It happened that Dame Aldridge sat with me, her own horse having stretched a tendon. Crites hailed us up along the way, riding hi...

Murder's Sad Tale (2013)

Prance said, smiling in anticipation of the thrill he was giving his friend. “You needn’t bother, thankee all the same,” Coffen said, with no sign of delight. “I’ll work faster alone.” “Two heads are better than one, and two pairs of feet.” “There’s no such thing as one head and two pairs of feet...

What Men Say (1993)

LO-retta announced, dumping a couple of newspapers on the table in front of Bridget. “Wait a minute,” she added as Bridget read a headline and opened her mouth to exclaim. “First things first. Have you ordered?” “He’s bringing some mineral water. I don’t really feel like eating.” “I do.” Loretta,...

Kissing Cousins (1995)

He pelted into the road just as the carriage turned the corner to Castle Street. He ran after it, shouting, and managed to keep it in sight to the next corner, where it turned east on the Western Road. Sykes would take the Dyke Road north, out of town. The bastard was kidnapping Samantha! Salvert...

A Highwayman Came Riding (1998)

He was carrying a tray holding her brandy, along with a bottle of wine and one glass. Marianne assumed the wine was for himself, and was surprised when he passed the glass to her. She felt in need of liquid courage and accepted it with an automatic “Thank you.” “You are welcome, Miss Harkness,” h...

A Tall Dark Stranger (1996)

She has a fine disapproving air of anything that smacks of entertainment. In appearance, she is tall and thin. Her auburn hair, her best feature, is bound in a tight knob and covered with a cap. Yet despite her sour expression and plain dressing, she has a natural air of elegance, which I envy. I...

Country Flirt (1987)

Nor did he soften the blow by any excuse whatsoever. “I hope you’re not planning to put that thing in my saloon,” he said curtly, when Lord Howard descended for dinner that evening. One of his white-clad servants walked behind him, carrying the glass case. “The room is already overcrowded with In...

A Kiss in the Dark (1995)

and “distances.” Nature had been left to run riot here, creating a tangled web of wild bushes and nettles with ivy creeping around their feet. She knew the cottage was built into the cliff midway down a rocky incline. Over treetops she could see its shingled roof, which appeared to be in perfect ...

Aunt Sophie's Diamonds

Claudia was not surprised to see that her mama was not up yet; she knew her to be a late sleeper. Nor was she surprised to see Jonathon awake and dressed in his scarlet regimentals, the buttons gleaming. What did offer her not only a surprise but a severe shock was to observe him bending over bac...

A Brush With Death

he howled, in a whisper loud enough to turn a few neighboring heads.“I thought so too. After the third week without hearing from you, I began to wonder, of course...” That was my sole excuse.“So you've been dating only the last three weeks?"“That depends on what you call dating."“I call going out...

Petticoat Rebellion (1997)

One was still in his teens, to judge by his coltish appearance. He was tall and slender, all arms and legs and awkward movements. When he had outgrown his adolescence, he would be handsome. He had something of the look of Penfel around the eyes, and the same dark hair. The other was an older, alt...

Why Aren't They Screaming? (1988)

Chapter 9 ‘You should eat something, you’ll feel terrible tomorrow.’ ‘I’ll feel terrible anyway. I couldn’t eat, not a thing. I’d be sick.’ John Tracey shrugged and didn’t press the matter. Loretta leaned across to the low table in front of her and picked up the brandy bottle. It clinked against ...

Royal Revels (1985)

An odd season for it, I must say,” the duchess exclaimed when Belami informed them that he had to go there. His black eyes opened wide in horror at the mental vision of this dragon’s company. His work would involve him with rakes, rattles, and roués—every one of whom the duchess would hate on sig...

Full Stop (1995)

From time to time she looked out at the lights on the rippling black water, reflections from the New Jersey shore, saying nothing, revealing nothing. There was no phone, very little furniture, none of the habitual detritus of everyday life — magazines, books, CDs, discarded clothes — but the apar...

Midnight Masquerade (1985)

I ought to put in an appearance, or the old girl will cut up stiff.” “You’ll never make it,” Bess answered, lounging back on the pillow and running her fingers through a cloud of black hair that had recently been likened to a Stygian snare. “It’s eleven already.” “It’s only ten miles. I’ll make i...

Wife Errant (1992)

Marchant thought about it, the more he realized he must return to his wife. He paid little heed to that silly letter from Lou’s solicitor. She was only trying to frighten him. He had taken her running about here and there with Lord James Drake for an attempt to make him jealous—an attempt that ha...

Memoirs of a Hoyden (1988)

Three inert figures sat on chairs, staring dumbly into the distance. Kestrel would have run out and hung himself had he realized what an expression of relief descended on his features. “Ah, here is Miss Mathieson!” he exclaimed joyfully. “How is your secretary, Miss Mathieson? Feeling a little be...

Love's Way (1983)

I had succumbed to complete apathy. Edward would have to borrow more money to rebuild the barn. It would be enough to make mortgage payments impossible. Wingdale and/or Gamble would snap the mortgage up, dispossess us, and knock down Ambledown. In my mind, I saw us—Nora, Edward, and myself—walkin...

Reluctant Bride (1982)

He kept glancing at his watch, frowning, drumming his fingers on his knees and showing other signs of stressful thought. “Do you think we’ll overtake the stage?” Maisie asked him. “We might,” he answered indifferently, then looked at his watch again. “The thing is done by now,” he announced sadly...

Bath Scandal (1991)

They drove through the spring countryside, with gently rolling hills and rich meadows enlivened by many villages. Until they reached Frome, the roads were busy, but as they approached the broad Vale of Blackmore, the rich pasturelands ahead were less traveled and promised fewer congenial inns, so...

Blossom Time (1997)

Sukey and Miss Rafferty had gotten along famously. And Miss Rafferty had agreed to assume the position of governess. Indeed, she was so eager for the post that she would come to begin work the very next day. “Annabelle will be happy to hear it,” Rosalind said. And she was happy, too. Sylvia Raffe...

Talk of the Town (1979)

Letters passed in the mail. Sir James warned his daughter to be good and be careful, with Mama adding a postscript to be sure to see if she could find a French modiste and not to get her hair cut too short as she read La Grecque was to be all the style in the Fall. The Inglesides had each secretl...

Sweet and Twenty (1979)

Christopher’s Abbey, to be sprung on them at the Veterans’ Dinner in full regimentals, complete with wooden leg, cane, and medals. Bathurst hadn’t a chance against him. All he could do was boast of the victory at Waterloo in terms of quite dull statistics, with an emphasis on the cost in terms of...