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An Infamous Proposal
SHE DESIRED NOTHING MORE THAN A BIDDABLE HUSBAND. . . .
Emma, having gone at seventeen directly from her papa's home to her husband's arms, is now widowed at age twenty-two--and quite naive in the ways of the world: in particular, how to find herself another match!
Thus, she proposes to Lord Hansard, eyeing him as a husband who would let her enjoy her freedom and discourage the presence of interfering relatives. His blunt refusal is both surprising . . . and oddly disappointing.
Nick, however, has taken it upon himself to procure a suitable man for this outrageous miss, though none of the candidates are nearly as qualified as . . . well, himself. Thus Emma begins to suspect that when it comes to a decent proposal, even a gentleman has the right to change his mind. . . .
Emma, having gone at seventeen directly from her papa's home to her husband's arms, is now widowed at age twenty-two--and quite naive in the ways of the world: in particular, how to find herself another match!
Thus, she proposes to Lord Hansard, eyeing him as a husband who would let her enjoy her freedom and discourage the presence of interfering relatives. His blunt refusal is both surprising . . . and oddly disappointing.
Nick, however, has taken it upon himself to procure a suitable man for this outrageous miss, though none of the candidates are nearly as qualified as . . . well, himself. Thus Emma begins to suspect that when it comes to a decent proposal, even a gentleman has the right to change his mind. . . .
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 27, 1996
18 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Joan Smith
359 books154 followersJoan Smith is a graduate of Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and the Ontario College of Education. She has taught French and English in high school and English in college. When she began writing, her interest in Jane Austen and Lord Byron led to her first choice of genre, the Regency, which she especially liked for its wit and humor.
Her favorite travel destination is England, where she researches her books. Her hobbies are gardening, painting, sculpture and reading. She is married and has three children. A prolific writer, she is currently working on Regencies and various mysteries at her home in Georgetown, Ontario.
She is also known as Jennie Gallant
Her favorite travel destination is England, where she researches her books. Her hobbies are gardening, painting, sculpture and reading. She is married and has three children. A prolific writer, she is currently working on Regencies and various mysteries at her home in Georgetown, Ontario.
She is also known as Jennie Gallant
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 26, 2025
Regency romance, which didn't make me cringe because of historical inadequacy. Yet, there was no wow, and it wasn't original. I would say it was ok.
[2.5 stars]
[2.5 stars]
November 20, 2021
Cute and amusing.
The heroine, a very youthful widow, is lovely and smart, she is in danger of being managed by her father, just as she had been by her late husband since she married at the very young age 17. She is only 22 now. She would like to experience being free and having some fun in London before her father fulfills his threats of finding her another husband.
She comes up with a scheme to propose to her neighbor, who has been a good friend both herself and her husband. However the shock of her proposal, moves him to reject her out of hand. He feels bad for her though, so he promises to help her find a worthy husband.
He comes up with a couple of candidates. As the Hero and heroine weigh the pros and cons of each gentleman, the Hero finds himself bothered and annoyed.
This topsy turvy romance was cute and amusing. Joan Smith writes comedic characters well.
I had a good time with this story. 😄❤️
The heroine, a very youthful widow, is lovely and smart, she is in danger of being managed by her father, just as she had been by her late husband since she married at the very young age 17. She is only 22 now. She would like to experience being free and having some fun in London before her father fulfills his threats of finding her another husband.
She comes up with a scheme to propose to her neighbor, who has been a good friend both herself and her husband. However the shock of her proposal, moves him to reject her out of hand. He feels bad for her though, so he promises to help her find a worthy husband.
He comes up with a couple of candidates. As the Hero and heroine weigh the pros and cons of each gentleman, the Hero finds himself bothered and annoyed.
This topsy turvy romance was cute and amusing. Joan Smith writes comedic characters well.
I had a good time with this story. 😄❤️
September 26, 2021
This was an absolute riot. Not a perfect read, on account of a bunch of wildly anachronistic word choices, but the characters were hugely entertaining, the plot was delightfully wacky and the slow adjustment of ideas by the protagonists was well done.
Here’s the premise: Emma is just twenty-two, but having married at seventeen and being now widowed and emerging from mourning, she feels she’s not really of an age to be thoroughly independent. Her papa thinks so too, and is threatening to impose dragonish Aunt Hildegarde on her as a much stricter chaperon than laid-back, novel-reading Miss Foxworth. This is an emergency - what she needs, and at once, is another husband, or at least a quick betrothal to a compliant man, to deter the dreaded aunt. And who could be more perfect than her husband’s old friend and neighbour, Nick, Lord Hansard, who has always flirted with her and has been so attentive while she was in mourning? He’s perfectly biddable, so he can be brought up to scratch, can’t he? But when he doesn’t take the hint and propose, Emma rushes into a proposal herself, only to be shocked and mortified when he refuses her.
Nick is a kindly soul, however, and although he rather disapproves of Emma, thinking she’s far too flighty, he does agree with her that she needs a husband. Therefore he decides to help her on her way to a second marriage by introducing her to suitable gentlemen. Just how suitable (or otherwise!) they turn out to be forms the bulk of the plot, and all the while, Nick is gradually realising that Emma is not as air-headed as she appears, and Emma is realising that Nick is even more perfect for her than she’d thought.
This is one of those books where the romance builds gradually. There’s no great revelation, just two people growing increasingly convinced that the possible suitors aren’t suitable at all, when compared with the more obvious match right under their noses. Since we get the point of view of both Nick and Emma, we see in fascinating details how they each begin with a rather disparaging opinion of the other, and slowly come to appreciate each other. And all the while, the suitors are providing the comedy. Cousin James, in particular, is a hoot, swearing that he’ll be a reliable and faithful husband… but not quite yet, please.
The whole book is a delight, beautifully written and neither too implausible nor too silly (although it wouldn’t be so funny if it wasn’t a little bit silly). I loved every minute of it (yes, even the outrageously anachronistic words - sicced, anyone? In a Regency?). Five stars.
Here’s the premise: Emma is just twenty-two, but having married at seventeen and being now widowed and emerging from mourning, she feels she’s not really of an age to be thoroughly independent. Her papa thinks so too, and is threatening to impose dragonish Aunt Hildegarde on her as a much stricter chaperon than laid-back, novel-reading Miss Foxworth. This is an emergency - what she needs, and at once, is another husband, or at least a quick betrothal to a compliant man, to deter the dreaded aunt. And who could be more perfect than her husband’s old friend and neighbour, Nick, Lord Hansard, who has always flirted with her and has been so attentive while she was in mourning? He’s perfectly biddable, so he can be brought up to scratch, can’t he? But when he doesn’t take the hint and propose, Emma rushes into a proposal herself, only to be shocked and mortified when he refuses her.
Nick is a kindly soul, however, and although he rather disapproves of Emma, thinking she’s far too flighty, he does agree with her that she needs a husband. Therefore he decides to help her on her way to a second marriage by introducing her to suitable gentlemen. Just how suitable (or otherwise!) they turn out to be forms the bulk of the plot, and all the while, Nick is gradually realising that Emma is not as air-headed as she appears, and Emma is realising that Nick is even more perfect for her than she’d thought.
This is one of those books where the romance builds gradually. There’s no great revelation, just two people growing increasingly convinced that the possible suitors aren’t suitable at all, when compared with the more obvious match right under their noses. Since we get the point of view of both Nick and Emma, we see in fascinating details how they each begin with a rather disparaging opinion of the other, and slowly come to appreciate each other. And all the while, the suitors are providing the comedy. Cousin James, in particular, is a hoot, swearing that he’ll be a reliable and faithful husband… but not quite yet, please.
The whole book is a delight, beautifully written and neither too implausible nor too silly (although it wouldn’t be so funny if it wasn’t a little bit silly). I loved every minute of it (yes, even the outrageously anachronistic words - sicced, anyone? In a Regency?). Five stars.
July 6, 2023
Frothy and often silly, this friends to lovers romance takes a new spin on the marriage of convenience trope. It was fun to see how the hero and heroine fell in love over trying to find her a husband and how so many things went wrong, even with the best intentions. There were some stilted scenes and details tossed in that seemed spur of the moment, but such is Joan Smith. But the love that develops between the hero and heroine through coming to better understand one another is delightful and fully satisfying.
November 2, 2017
A delightful romp through misadventures! At first I didn't like the main hero and so it was very enjoyable to witness the hurly burly characters marching through the pages of this delightfully silly story.
A delightful romp through misadventures! At first I didn't like the main hero and so it was very enjoyable to witness the hurly burly characters marching through the pages of this delightfully silly story.
A delightful romp through misadventures! At first I didn't like the main hero and so it was very enjoyable to witness the hurly burly characters marching through the pages of this delightfully silly story.
December 4, 2019
Cute story, lots of humour, attractive main characters. But not very emotionally involving. The two estates named in the story, Waterdown and Whitehern, are also the names of places very close to my home - I got the feeling that Joan Smith has lived in my area (Hamilton ON).
August 13, 2017
I had a bit of trouble getting into the story as I saw Emma through Hansard's lens, but as his love grew, so did my affection for the story!
April 10, 2019
3 1/2 stars.
August 17, 2020
A lively Regency romance
October 8, 2020
Really fun proper romance.
November 27, 2021
Joan Smith is a master at creating terrific characters. Nick and Emma romance is full of witty dialogue and Nick's cousin Jamie is a hilarious suitor for Emma's hand. A great read.
June 23, 2022
2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
April 10, 2024
3.75 stars
Loved the first 75%. For some reason the ending seemed less engaging. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Love Joan smith
Loved the first 75%. For some reason the ending seemed less engaging. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Love Joan smith
May 1, 2025
quick, cute and funny
October 21, 2018
Nice story with interesting characters. Emma rules.
May 9, 2025
I like a country setting for a historical romance and Joan Smith does a nice, comfortable one, even if it's nothing particularly memorable.
March 16, 2023
I read this 2 years ago and I liked it even better this third time. It is everything a regency should be: funny, witty, with a handsome love interest, and with wonderful banter. Joan Smith could write them when she wanted. I would give it 10 stars if I could. Now here is last years review:
A very good regency. Quite funny as regencies should be. I liked it even better this 2nd time.
I have promised myself I would read all of Joan Smith's Regency romances this year that I have missed. How surprised I am to find that some of them are among her best. An Infamous Proposal is a mad, funny, witty, romantic novel which made me laugh many times.
Provincial 22 year old Emma has lost her much older husband. She now wants to take off her mourning gowns, visit London which she has longed for, but puts before her next door neighbor, Lord Nicolas Hansard, an old friend of her dead husband her idea that they should marry, thus ensuring her life does not change much, way before he realizes he loves her. The story is told from his point of view, from the moment he refuses her until the end. He puts men in her way to choose from, but extremely happy she doesn't. A very fine bit of guilty pleasure. Wonderful.
A very good regency. Quite funny as regencies should be. I liked it even better this 2nd time.
I have promised myself I would read all of Joan Smith's Regency romances this year that I have missed. How surprised I am to find that some of them are among her best. An Infamous Proposal is a mad, funny, witty, romantic novel which made me laugh many times.
Provincial 22 year old Emma has lost her much older husband. She now wants to take off her mourning gowns, visit London which she has longed for, but puts before her next door neighbor, Lord Nicolas Hansard, an old friend of her dead husband her idea that they should marry, thus ensuring her life does not change much, way before he realizes he loves her. The story is told from his point of view, from the moment he refuses her until the end. He puts men in her way to choose from, but extremely happy she doesn't. A very fine bit of guilty pleasure. Wonderful.
August 17, 2011
Highly recommended author by a friend. This is my first outing and enjoying it immensely. Very funny stuff.
January 11, 2011
Why is it that Regency heroes can't recognize love when they see it?
November 17, 2012
I thought this book was really cute. Clean and with a good story. Worth the $3 I spent on it on amazon's used book sale :)
abandoned
November 28, 2016Just can't do this one. Silly beyond words and completely historically inaccurate. Joan Smith writes so fabulous books. This isn't one of them.
November 17, 2025
4.25 stars
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews