Even a schoolteacher is entitled to romantic fantasies, but Delsie Sommers was eminently practical. She never dared to dream of a wealthy, handsome, and titled husband. Then one day fate turned her world upside down and flung her into a marriage with a man she scarcely knew. Fortunately for Delsie, he died within hours of the wedding; leaving her his house, much of his fortune, and his young daughter. Then fate stepped in again. This time in the guise of the wealthy and handsome Lord deVigneand her hopes.

When Zoie Barron’s painting studio is being readied, a stolen necklace is discovered. She decides to return it on the sly, but Lord Weylin is suspicious, especially when the necklace is found to be fake. Seldom trusting each other, Zoie and Lord Weylin set out to solve this mystery that involves her uncle, his aunt, and secrets from the past.

Prudence Mallow, country miss, finds herself in London as the poor relation of her Uncle Clarence, a true British eccentric (and erstwhile painter). When she discovers her calling as a novelist, she is delighted to develop a friendship with another writer. But Prudence produces modest, sincere novels, and Lord Dammler, handsome rake that he is, has won acclaim for his scandalous Cantos from Abroad. Drawn by the rakish marquis into the hotbed of London society, Prudence finds herself in way over her head-and heart.

Moira Trevithick and her brother have been bilked of their family fortune by Lionel March, so they masquerade at a country inn as the vulgar Lady Crieff and her stepson, with a plan to take the scoundrel for everything he owes them. But they’re not the only ones interested in March, and they look very suspicious to one well-born gentleman.

Laura Harwood reluctantly agreed to accompany her cousin Olivia, Baroness Pilmore, to London for the season. What did she know about nabbing a husband? But Olivia caught the attention of the famous artist Lord Hyatt, who decided to paint her barefoot. And Laura came along as chaperone. When his lordship’s attention shifted to Laura, she feared he would soon discover what a provincial miss she really was.