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The Garden of Dreams
Sara Craven
www.millsandboon.co.uk
Former journalist SARA CRAVEN published her first novel ‘Garden of Dreams’ for Mills & Boon in 1975. Apart from her writing (naturally!) her passions include reading, bridge, Italian cities, Greek islands, the French language and countryside, and her rescue Jack Russell/cross Button. She has appeared on several TV quiz shows and in 1997 became UK TV Mastermind champion. She lives near her family in Warwickshire – Shakespeare country.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER
TITLE PAGE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
ENDPAGE
COPYRIGHT
CHAPTER ONE
‘ARE you going to marry him?’ said Je
‘I don’t know.’ Lissa Fairfax lifted the brooch from its satin bed in the worn velvet box, with a troubled frown. The late afternoon sun was pouring in through the big window of the living room of their small flat and catching the gleaming stones, as she turned the brooch in her hand, and the sparkling facets gleamed like living fire.
She sighed a little. ‘One thing is certain. This will have to go back.’
‘I don’t see why,’ argued Je
‘But this is different.’ Lissa examined the brooch, her frown deepening. ‘This is valuable—I’m sure it is. Look at the colour of the gold, and the way the clasp is made. It looks very old.’
‘Perhaps he’s showering you with the family heirlooms,’ said Je
‘I hadn’t.’ Lissa put the brooch back in the case. ‘That was too expensive as well. It’s all too much, too soon, Jen. After all, I’ve only known him six weeks.’
‘Some people would say that was long enough.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t.’ Lissa’s tone was definite. ‘I want to know someone far better than that before spending the rest of my life with them. I don’t like being rushed into things.’
Je
‘I’ll think it over.’ Lissa smiled at her flatmate affectionately. They had been together ever since she had come to London, sharing this upstairs flatlet of sitting room, tiny bedroom with enough space for two beds and a Victorian-style wardrobe, with a kitchenette and tiny bathroom. ‘I mean to think it over very seriously. After all, you knew Roger for ages before you even thought of settling down. I can’t just grab Paul and let everything go by the board. After all, what do I really know about him—about his family or his background?’
‘Hasn’t he ever mentioned anyone?’
‘He’s spoken of his mother a few times—and he’s made odd references to a brother. I got the impression there might be a spot of friction there. He didn’t say so, of course.’
‘Your womanly intuition told you so.’ Je
‘Oh, yes, he’s wonderful to go out with—charming, attentive, amusing—everything anyone could wish, but——’ Lissa paused.
Je
‘But I can’t see him married and settling down to a routine just yet. Take that job of his at the Embassy. He doesn’t care about it at all,’
‘Well, if he’s as wealthy as he seems to be, there’s no real need for him to worry.’
‘No, but if you have a job, you should do it, not just play at it.’ Lissa stared down at the brooch. ‘And now this. I wish I knew where he’d got it from.’
‘You surely don’t think he nicked it?’ Je
Lissa laughed. ‘Of course not. But it’s so uncharacteristic of Paul. He’s such a present-day person, and this has definitely an air of days gone by.’
‘Show it to Maggie,’ Je
‘She might know, I suppose,’ Lissa said slowly. ‘I still think the best thing is to give it back to Paul when I see him tonight.’
‘Do you think tonight he’ll want a definite answer?’ Je
‘I doubt it,’ said Lissa. ‘We’re going to a party, one of those formal things at the Embassy, I think. Still, it will give me a chance to wear my new chiffon.’
‘It would also give you a chance to wear the brooch,’ Je
Lissa shook her head decisively. ‘No. I’m just going to give it back to him and explain that I can’t accept expensive presents like this when I’ve only known him such a short time.’
‘Even though he wants to marry you?’ Je
‘Particularly because of that. You know what they say about marrying in haste,’ said Lissa. ‘After all, think how many years you’ve known Roger, and you went out with him for at least a year before he even suggested an engagement.’
Je
‘I don’t think I want to be swept either,’ Lissa said reflectively, ‘and if I do, I’m not sure this is the way I would want it done. The fact is I don’t know what I do want. I’ve never felt so unsure.’
‘I’d say it was spring fever, only spring’s over now really,’ said Je
‘They couldn’t be diamonds could they?’ Lissa gasped, horrified. ‘I wonder if the French have some strange habit of giving brooches instead of engagement rings.’
They both bent, placing the brooch against the glittering three-diamond ring on Je
Je
‘I don’t doubt it,’ Lissa said a little despondently. ‘The problem now is how to return it gracefully.’
‘Your main problem at the moment is getting ready for the big night out,’ said Je
The Garden of Dreams
Sara Craven
www.millsandboon.co.uk
Former journalist SARA CRAVEN published her first novel ‘Garden of Dreams’ for Mills & Boon in 1975. Apart from her writing (naturally!) her passions include reading, bridge, Italian cities, Greek islands, the French language and countryside, and her rescue Jack Russell/cross Button. She has appeared on several TV quiz shows and in 1997 became UK TV Mastermind champion. She lives near her family in Warwickshire – Shakespeare country.
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Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
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Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.
Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».
Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.
Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER
TITLE PAGE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
ENDPAGE
COPYRIGHT