The Enchanting Island

~~~ first publication in 1952 by Mills & Boon

At the age of twenty, Claire Wyndham went out to the lovely island of Santa Catarina. She was prepared to be enchanted by the beautiful island - but she was very far from prepared for the overwhelming attraction of the forceful Portuguese aristocrat, the Conde Manuel de Castro. Claire could not avoid being thrown constantly into his company, but from the beginning there was antagonism between the charming and imperious Conde and the young and sensitive English girl. Manuel was polite, devastating - but clearly uninterested in Claire as a woman. How, after all, could he be otherwise when the beautiful singer Francesca Alvares was so obviously suited to him in every way?

~~~~~

Claire escaped to an island paradise...

The island of Santa Catarina was so picturesque. Claire knew that the sorrow of her mother's death would soon be soothed by the isle's loveliness. She was delighted that she had come.

Until Manuel de Castro, conde of the island, came into her life. He was loved by his people -- a man of strength, generosity, gentleness.

But he had closed his heart to women -- including Claire, who was falling in love with him. "All who are in love are foolish," he said, and maybe he was right!


Hero: Manuel de Castro
Heroine: Claire Wyndham