Dangerous Enchantment. Anne Mather
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Mills & Boon is proud to present a fabulous collection of fantastic novels by bestselling, much loved author
ANNE MATHER
Anne has a stellar record of achievement within the
publishing industry, having written over one hundred and sixty books, with worldwide sales of more than forty-eight MILLION copies in multiple languages.
This amazing collection of classic stories offers a chance
for readers to recapture the pleasure Anne’s powerful, passionate writing has given.
We are sure you will love them all!
I’ve always wanted to write—which is not to say I’ve always wanted to be a professional writer. On the contrary, for years I only wrote for my own pleasure and it wasn’t until my husband suggested sending one of my stories to a publisher that we put several publishers’ names into a hat and pulled one out. The rest, as they say, is history. And now, one hundred and sixty-two books later, I’m literally—excuse the pun—staggered by what’s happened.
I had written all through my infant and junior years and on into my teens, the stories changing from children’s adventures to torrid gypsy passions. My mother used to gather these manuscripts up from time to time, when my bedroom became too untidy, and dispose of them! In those days, I used not to finish any of the stories and Caroline, my first published novel, was the first I’d ever completed. I was newly married then and my daughter was just a baby, and it was quite a job juggling my household chores and scribbling away in exercise books every chance I got. Not very professional, as you can imagine, but that’s the way it was.
These days, I have a bit more time to devote to my work, but that first love of writing has never changed. I can’t imagine not having a current book on the typewriter—yes, it’s my husband who transcribes everything on to the computer. He’s my partner in both life and work and I depend on his good sense more than I care to admit.
We have two grown-up children, a son and a daughter, and two almost grown-up grandchildren, Abi and Ben. My e-mail address is [email protected] and I’d be happy to hear from any of my wonderful readers.
Dangerous Enchantment
Anne Mather
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
JULIE studied her reflection critically in the mirror of her dressing table and gave a half-rueful smile. She was ready, and she hoped she would not let Paul down. Tonight was important to him, and she wanted to please him. Her dress, a simple cream cheesecloth, complemented her complexion. Her eyes, brown with tiny green lights in them, sparkled at the prospect of the evening ahead of her, and she cupped her chin on one hand as she wondered why tonight seemed so full of promise.
Her bedroom door opened after a light tap, and her mother came into the room. She smiled, appreciatively, and said:
“Are you nearly ready? Paul is waiting downstairs impatiently.”
Julie rose to her feet and turned round. “How do I look?”
Her mother studied her for a moment. “Very nice. But don’t you think you ought to have had a proper evening dress? Paul is wearing a dinner jacket, you know.”
Julie shrugged her slim shoulders, and the swathe of straight chestnut hair swung softly against her flushed cheeks.
“I’m sure this will be all right,” she said, shaking her head. “In any case, Mum, I haven’t a proper evening dress.”
“I know, darling, but maybe we ought to have tried to get you one.” Her mother looked anxious.
“Don’t be silly,” Julie smiled warmly at her mother. “Darling, it’s only a staff dance, and nowadays nobody wears formal clothes.”
Her mother sighed, sure that Julie was only saying that to spare her feelings. “Very well,” she said, sighing. “But I’m sure a smarter dress would be more suitable.” She sighed. “One thing is certain, though, Paul would think you looked nice in anything.”
Julie laughed, and hugged her mother, and then picked up the red velvet evening coat which was lying on the bed and preceded her mother down the stairs.
Paul Bannister was standing in the lounge, drinking a glass of sherry which Julie’s father had provided him with. In an evening suit he looked handsome, his fair good looks and tall slender build accentuated by the darkness of his clothes. Dr. Kennedy, Julie’s father, was sitting relaxed and comfortable in a deep armchair, smoking a cigar and discussing a recent case with Paul. Dr. Kennedy was a doctor with a general practice here in Kensington. Paul was attempting to look interested, but his eyes lit up as Julie entered the room, her coat about her shoulders.
Dr. Kennedy smiled, and rose to his feet. “Well, Julie,” he said warmly, “you’re a sight for sore eyes and no mistake. What do you think, Paul?”
Paul shook his head. “I think she looks marvellous,” he said, with all the fervency of youth, and Julie’s parents exchanged a knowing glance.
Julie, sensing the parental interest, seized Paul’s arm determinedly. “Come on,” she said, “let’s go.”
Paul drove a small Austin and he helped Julie inside before walking round the bonnet and sliding in beside her. Giving her a swift kiss, he said: “I know I’m going to be the most envied man there tonight.”
Julie chuckled. “Really! That’s not very modest.”
Paul stared at her uncomprehendingly for a moment, and then sighed.
“Oh, you’re mocking me again. You know what I mean!”
She laughed. “Oh, Paul, I must stop teasing you.”
She lay back in her seat as Paul threaded his way through the London traffic towards Earl’s Court. It was a little after seven-thirty and the roads teemed with cars. But Julie felt singularly content, and very lucky. Here she was, twenty-one years of age, and on her way to spend the evening with a handsome young man who was obviously in love with her. She had a secure and happy background, and what more could any girl ask for? If her own feelings for Paul were a little bit nebulous at the