Delsie
by Joan Smith

Delsie Sommers may have aristocratic blood in her veins but that does not stop her from being alone in the world, and having to work as a schoolmistress in a village school. But high on the hill, Lord de Vigne and his aunt have a problem of their own, and need a young woman to carry out their plan. It will involve her getting married to a dying man, and, hopefully, living in luxury for the rest of her days - but Delsie is not so keen to give herself away.

This reprint from 1981 makes another novel by "The Canadian Georgette Heyer" available to UK readers for the first time. Ms Smith has the right light touch for this type of thing, and reading about the rags-to-riches career of Delsie is most absorbing. Her practicality makes her an engaging heroine, although her initial horror and subsequent protesting at some of her good fortune gets a little tedious at times - but perhaps this is a matter of opinion. Regency readers are sure to enjoy the battle of wills between the two protagonists as well as the mystery elements - another success for this prolific writer.