Books like Annabella's Diamond by Judith A. Lansdowne

Lady Annabella Faire spends her first Season as a shy, wallflower, invisible in the lavish social circles of Regency England. Her quiet life is interrupted when the Duke of Derrinham—known across the ton as "The Diamond"—returns to her country home. The Duke, a celebrated figure in London society, is determined to help Annabella step forward into the world and find a suitable husband. Yet, as he earns her admiration and enters her life, he discovers a deeper affection for her own sweet smile and spirited eye contact. Their unlikely companionship draws the attention of sophisticated guests, but the Duke's own past—filled with haunting memories of London—creates a conflict between his public duties and private longing. Set against the backdrop of Regency social life and English customs, the novel explores themes of love, self‑confidence, and the challenge of balancing personal desire against societal expectations, all while keeping the reader engaged with its classic gothic undertones.

First publish date: 1999