Regency romance series, smutless; dowager character with an acerbic tongue that is often referred to as "that old dragon."

[Katherine]

I am looking for a series of books (quite a decent number). They are regency (or similar) romance and feature members of the ton. I don't believe that there are too many of the 'unprivileged non-peer marries a lord' as often happens. One specific detail I recall is that there is a dowager character with an acerbic tongue that is often referred to as "that old dragon."

There is no smut.

All the books are in the same world, just different views. I don't recall most of them being directly related in that we have any significant view of other characters.

One book that I THINK is part of the series involves a genteel lady who steals jewels at night and is caught by a gentleman (whom she, of course, marries in the end).

It is NOT the Alphabet Regency Romance series.

I read these in appx 2009 but there were 10+ books out. I think more. They were in paperback.

Please help! Thanks in advance.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Are they all by the same author?

Details added to header.

[Katherine]

Yes, they are all by the same author.

[Ann]

Many of the books by Julia Quinn feature Lady Danbury who intimidates a lot of the ton with her acerbic tongue. I don't recall if anyone actually referred to her as "that old dragon" -- but if they did, they wouldn't have done it where she could hear! Lady Danbury is in both the Bridgerton series and the Smythe-Smith series.
In It's in His Kiss, the main characters are searching for jewels.

[Sue]

Stephanie Laurens books have a recurring character called Lady Osbaldestone.