SOLVED. Romantic Historical Fiction containing two novellas. In one, a young woman who became a Highwayman to find her father's killer. Searching her victims for her father's Signet ring that the killer took with him as a trophy. Read late 1990s. [s]

[Kelly]

Set in Regency England.
I don't remember the details with the love story But I do remember that he was Charming And helped her Figure out "who done it"
he knew that she could be hanged Not just literally for being a Highwaymen But also figuratively... his love could be ostracized by their peers hated by all of society.

=====SPOILERS=====

So the story culminated at a ball Where her champion told the crowd In dramatic fashion A harrowing story of a young woman Seeking Justice for her murdered father.
Not only to reveal the killer to all So that he will be well and truly held accountable for his crimes.
but to clear his loves name in the court of public opinion... and it worked beautifuly.

=====SPOILERS=====
The ring was hidden inside the killers Bejeweled cane.


I'm going to give the outline for both storys
because I am looking for the book containing both.
if this creates a format problem please let me know.


The second story was much simpler in plot but Rich in detail.
A young woman stranded on the roadside
When her carriage got trapped in a snowbank.
Her Coachman decided to go back to the last village they passed through hoping
to find help.
As she waited for him to return the storm cleared briefly enough for her to see the light in the distance.
And so for survival she walked through the snow taking refuge in the estate of a reclusive man who was trying to solve a puzzle/riddle/code hidden in a song.
They were snowed in together (I can't remember how long) with nothing for entertainment but the two of them and the riddle. (And a treacherous servant out to steal the fortune for themselves.)

There at that house it felt like a time outside of time.
Where time slowed down and the world with it's expectations and rules and regulations didn't exist.
there was only the two of them... and it was wonderful.

When the roads were cleared her Coachman arrived and she went back to the real world with no one the wiser of where she had spent her time and with whom.
But even though he was a recluse he could not let her walk out of his life forever, Though she thought he would do just that.

She was very surprised when he appeared at midnight at a masquerade (the ball of the season) Surrounded by hundreds of People.
He made his bow before her and ask her to dance she thought he made a mistake... this was to be the midnight Waltz, the dance reserved for those who were married and those who were engaged.
those who we're boldly declaring to one and all that:
"this is the one I wish to dance with the rest of my life."
he assured her that he knew exactly what he was asking.
she was overjoyed but worried and said:
(something along the lines of:)
"what will everyone think! as far as they all know we have never met before tonight!"
he had led her into the dance floor to the shock and surprise of all and smiled and said:
(something along the lines of:)
"They'll think it was love at first sight, That it's romantic... like something from a fairly tail."
And it was.

The copy I had, had no dust jacket when I found it in the late 90s at a second hand store and was a hardback book (possibly red) Containing those two novellas.
like I said it was years ago... and I can't remember where it is or find the book anywhere.
so there you have it, my long shot hope is in your hands.
thanks to all for any help you can give me!
Your friend at the end of her rope,
Kelly

[Kelly]

I think I need to just look for each book separately...

[Brenna]

Reviews of Lady Thief seems to match.
As the blurb says, this edition includes the novella "Masquerade." For a description of "Masquerade," check out Hearts Of Gold

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Kelly, if the two novellas are bound together into one book, it's fine to look only for that one bound book that contains both.

[Kelly]

Brenna!!! you are amazing! Lady Thief is the book I was looking for and you even found the copy with the second story in it!!! this is so wonderful I can't thank you enough!!