The Dawn Steals Softly Read online

  The Dawn Steals Softly

  By

  Anne Hampson

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  "Leave m-me alone," Paula whimpered, too weak and despairing to speak in anything but a low and husky tone.

  Still feebly trying to resist, she thrust her hands against his chest, but they were caught and, without the slightest effort on his part, Ramon held them behind her back and looked down into her face with an expression of triumph that brought fury to her eyes. "What are you going to do now?" he asked with some amusement.

  ANNE HAMPSON has the same impetuous streak as her heroines. It often lands her in the middle of a new country, a new adventure—and a new book. Her firsthand knowledge of her settings and her lively characters have combined to delight her readers throughout the world.

  Dear Reader,

  Silhouette Romances is an exciting new publishing series, dedicated to bringing you the very best in contemporary romantic fiction from the very finest writers. Our stories and our heroines will give you all you want from romantic fiction.

  Also, you play an important part in our future plans for Silhouette Romances. We welcome any suggestions or comments on our books, which should be sent to the address below.

  So enjoy this book and all the wonderful romances from Silhouette. They're for you!

  Silhouette Books

  Editorial Office

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  LONDON

  WC1B 3DP

  Copyright © 1980 by Anne Hampson and Silhouette Books,

  a Simon & Schuster division of Gulf & Western Corporation

  First printing 1980

  ISBN 0-340-26404-7

  Chapter One

  It was with a mixture of excitement and apprehension that Paula Blake looked down from the airplane to the coastline of the West Indian island of Puerto Rico. The excitement was due to the fact that she had never before been anywhere near the Caribbean, while the feeling of apprehension resulted from the fact that she had not yet met her employer, the Latin American gentleman whose name was Ramon Calzada Gonzalez, an eminent lawyer whose home was the Hacienda Calzada a few miles from the colonial town of Mayaguez, which was on the west coast of the island. The interview for the post of secretary had taken place at the Savoy Hotel in London, where Paula had been closely questioned by a Mrs. Glynn, a distant relation of the man whom Paula must address as Senor Calzada.

  'We've had some excellent applicants,' said Mrs. Glynn, 'but you have been chosen, quite naturally, owing to your speaking Spanish.'

  Paula had seen the advertisement in a London newspaper and had answered it merely for interest, never for one moment expecting to get the post. And now, as she came nearer to her destination, her entire mind was occupied with her employer. Mrs. Glynn had said that she would be living in his house until she found her own accommodations, so naturally Paula was curious to know what he was like. A few ventured questions had brought forth the information that the man was very tall and dark. And he was handsome in a severe kind of way. Mrs. Glynn had added after a moment of considering, 'He's had several secretaries in the last two years but there were—er—problems and he decided to try an English girl.' Mrs. Glynn stopped and a small sigh escaped her. She looked speculatively at Paula and said bluntly, 'Don't make the mistake of falling in love with him, will you?'

  Paula's chin went up.

  'I have a boyfriend,' she returned shortly.

  'Oh, well—that's good.' Another pause and then, 'He doesn't mind you leaving him? He is in England, I presume?'

  'He's got a job on a cruise ship: it'll last two years, and then he's intending to settle down and manage his father's restaurant in Surrey.'

  'I see… And you, too, are wanting to see something of the world before you settle down?'

  'Yes, that's the idea. I answered several advertisements before seeing this one. I had hoped to obtain a secretarial post in an hotel abroad.'

  'Well, this post is better than any you'd have found in any hotel.'

  Paula had hesitated before asking, 'Is Senor Calzada a bachelor?'

  'Yes. At thirty-two he's still on his own.' The woman had paused then, a strange expression crossing her face which made Paula curious as to the woman's thoughts. She felt there was something concerning Mr Calzada which Mrs. Glynn was reluctant to reveal.

  'These other secretaries… they fell in love with him?' It seemed an impertinence to ask a question like that but it had come unconsciously, and to Paula's relief Mrs. Glynn seemed not to consider it strange.

  'I suppose I gave you that impression. It's true that they made nuisances of themselves, Miss Blake. Ramon was angry and rightly so. What man in his position wants an employee throwing herself at him all the time?'

  Paula coloured. She resolved never to do or say anything that might be misconstrued. She was -not interested in foreigners anyway—and especially Spaniards. They were too hot-blooded for her liking. She preferred simple, quiet men like Denis, with whom she had been keeping company for almost six months before he went off on the cruise ship. One day they might marry, but as yet marriage had never been mentioned. They had both wanted to do something interesting first, and were in perfect agreement about their respective plans.

  Mrs. Glynn asked if she would be leaving Senor Calzada's employ when her young man returned to England for good.

  'I'm not sure,' was Paula's frank reply.

  'How did you come to learn Spanish?' queried Mrs. Glynn, changing the subject.

  'I did it merely for a hobby—at night school.'

  'It's served you in good stead.'

  'Yes, indeed it has.'

  Paula had asked again for information about her future employment, but had learned nothing more of the man himself, Mrs. Glynn having decided to describe the house in which Paula would be living. But first she had explained the Spanish custom regarding family names which was observed on the island.

  'Ramon's father's name was Calzada,' she said. 'And his mother's Gonzalez, so he took both. You address him as Senor Calzada because it was his father's name.' Mrs. Glynn paused a moment then added, 'It was from his father that Ramon—Senor Calzada—inherited the vast estate, which is one of several in the district. The house dates back to the Spanish explorers but has undergone many important improvements since then. It's a noble mansion which captures the Golden Age of Spain in every single room,' continued the woman, carried away by enthusiasm. 'There are priceless tapestries on the walls, and paintings, of course. There is lovely antique furniture—I particularly love the ancient chests and poster beds. It's regal,' she went on, faintly amused by the awed expression that was creeping into her listener's eyes. 'Centuries slip by in seconds as you walk along the broad gallery of the inner court, or look out to graceful patios from beneath Renaissance arches. It's never difficult to imagine the proud and arrogant Spanish Grandees strutting along, viewing their exotic gardens—' She stopped a moment before adding, 'Ramon can almost be described as a throwback and you might find him exceedingly arrogant at times. I'm used to him, but to anyone who isn't, he can be rather overpowering. It depends on how he takes to you; he's an unpredictable man who finds fault easily. However,' she added with haste on noticing Paula's changed expression, 'I'm sure that you will get along fine with him.'

  'I sincerely hope so,' had been Paula's heartfelt rejoinder. She had given up an excellent secretarial post, one that she could never hope to get again.

  'I've given you all the ins
tructions, haven't I?' asked Mrs. Glynn finally and Paula said yes, everything was clear to her. 'You do have to catch the other flight, since Ramon's place is some ninety miles or so from the International Airport of San Juan. You will fly to Mayaguez Airport where someone will meet you—probably Jose, Ramon's chauffeur.'

  Paula's reverie was interrupted by the person sitting next to her saying, 'Do you mind if I lean over you and look down at the view?'

  'No, of course not.'

  'Tropical scenes fascinate me!'

  'You've travelled widely?'

  'A fair amount, but never to this island before.'

  The woman sat down again and Paula brought out a compact from her handbag, surveying herself in the tiny mirror for a long moment as she thought again of her employer and found herself wondering if her appearance would satisfy him.

  In the tiny mirror she saw a face of rare beauty set in a halo of tawny-gold hair, short and fringed and waving slightly. Her hazel eyes were large, framed by dark curling lashes which at times seemed to cast the kind of shadows that made them appear to be flecked with blue. Her mouth was wide and generous, her nose small, her chin pointed. At the age of twenty she had won a beauty competition; now, at twenty-four, there was about her features something stronger, a sort of classical quality that lent maturity to that earlier attractiveness. Denis had called her pretty, and had been chided by another young admirer of Paula's who was standing close by.

  'Don't you know the difference between prettiness and beauty, Denis?' he had said, and Paula had coloured up and walked away without waiting to hear her boy-friend's response.

  It was early evening when Paula arrived at Mayaguez Airport where she was met by the chauffeur, Jose, a swarthy-skinned man of Spanish-Indian descent. He was middle-aged and pleasant, speaking to her in Spanish as he asked if she had had a good journey. She answered him in Spanish and he beamed.

  'You speak very good Spanish,' he said, in English.

  The journey was not long; soon the huge car was entering through high wrought-iron gates with huge stone supports on each side and a coat-of-arms blazoned on top of them. Everything spoke of grandeur, of opulence, almost. It came as a shock to remember that Senor Calzada was a lawyer, working for his living.

  She was taken by a maid in starched clothes to a saloon where she looked with admiration on some of the tapestries mentioned by her interviewer in London. The hacienda was high, being built on a knoll, and its views were breathtaking, with the sea not far away, its waters molten in the fiery rays of a lowering sun. Lush hills rose on the other side, darkened by shadows here and there where giant banyan trees formed barriers against the sunlight. There were tropical trees in the gardens, with orange groves in the distance. A few farm buildings could also be discerned, and farm workers' houses surrounding a rustic plaza. A small school shone pink in the sun's filtering light but Paula guessed that the walls were gleaming white in the light of dawn. Children were playing; they appeared like dolls in the distance and the swiftly-fading light. All was magic, unreal to a girl who had never seen anything remotely like it before.

  Paula sighed contentedly, then turned from the window to confront her employer, Senor Calzada, who had entered silently. She stared, gasping inwardly. Mrs. Glynn had described him as handsome; she had never prepared Paula for this man who now stood in the room!

  She continued to stare, not realising that he was staring too. She noticed the stern angular features, foreign, saturnine. The mouth was full, sensuous, the chin thrust forward, the eyes almost black, and piercingly intent. Paula's awed gaze took in the immaculately-clad figure—he wore a white linen suit and lilac shirt, frilled down the front, which carried not one ounce of surplus weight. And tall… ! He must be six-foot-three or four—Paula had never seen anyone quite so tall.

  Suddenly she realised that he was staring as intently at her as she was at him, and a deep flush rose to her cheeks, making her angry because she was remembering that she had resolved not to do or say anything that could be misconstrued by her employer.

  'Buenas tardes, senorita.' The voice was clipped and foreign-sounding. Paula managed to pull herself together and return his greeting, but she spoke in English.

  'Good evening, senor.'

  He came forward from the open doorway and extended a hand to her. There seemed to be fire in the depths of those dark eyes as he said, speaking flawless, accentless English which stamped him instantly as a complete bilingual.

  'You had a good journey?'

  'Very good, thank you, senor.'

  'You must be tired, though. Your rooms are prepared; I'll have Magdalena show you upstairs. Dinner is served at eight o'clock. I shall expect you to join me and then we can talk together.' The dark eyes still seemed to be on fire as they roved over her body from the delicate curve of her throat to her breasts and then to her waist and slender thighs. Her colour increased, for she felt like some desirable piece of merchandise which was being examined for possible flaws before purchase. The humour of that brought an involuntary smile to her lips and she saw him lift his brows in a gesture that could only be described as arrogance. The eyes glinted and the full mouth went tight. 'You're amused, senorita?' he said tautly, and she immediately shook her head.

  'It was nothing,' she said.

  'I abhor people who snigger for nothing, especially women!'

  Her eyes opened wide at this outspokenness, this utter rudeness which was totally unnecessary. But she could not retaliate, she dared not. The man overawed her, made her feel inferior, a mere nothing in his august presence. She glanced around and in imagination saw what Mrs. Glynn had described: the proud and arrogant Spanish Grandees strutting about, lords of all they surveyed, masters of the slaves over whom they ruled supreme.

  'I was not sniggering, senor,' was all she said, but with a chill in her tone. Already she was concerned about the success of the venture. She was not used to being treated in this way, her previous employer being one of those men who considered his staff to be his equals.

  Senor Calzada made no comment, but went over to an ornate bell-rope and pulled it. A dark-skinned girl came almost at once.

  'Magdalena, show Senorita Blake to her suite.' The curtness of his voice was matched by the quality of indifference in his eyes as he turned them upon his new secretary. 'Make sure you are not late for dinner,' he added, and the next moment he was striding to the door.

  'If you will come with me, senorita… ?' The girl was leading the way, having spoken in very broken English. Paula spoke to her in Spanish and she brightened. Obviously she had not expected the new guest to be able to speak her language.

  The first room into which Paula was shown caused her to gasp. It was splendid to say the least, and surprisingly subdued both in its decor and its furnishings. On the walls were some paintings, mainly by contemporary artists, and on a side table of highly polished oak stood a beautiful Chelsea-Derby group. In the bedroom she found the same good taste and atmosphere of sheer wealth and luxury. The bathroom carried the same reflection, with its sunken bath surrounded by thick-pile carpet in a delicate shade of rose; the curtains matched and so did the towels. The lighting was concealed, one rose-coloured lamp being hidden within the foliage of a potted fern.

  'You like these rooms, senorita?' Magdalena smiled expectantly. Paula nodded. They returned to the sitting-room and she went to the window, gazing out at the view. It was stupendous! The dark sea to one side and the hills to the other, in between were the gardens, immaculately kept, and where statuary gleamed in the saffron glow of the setting sun. Already lights were appearing in some of the tall trees, especially the lovely feathery sierra palms; and several fountains were stealing delightful colours from the dying rays of the sun. Paula turned, taking in the girl's appearance in one swift glance. Magdalena's figure was slender, almost immature. Paula guessed her age to be around eighteen.

  'Yes, indeed,' she answered when the girl again asked if she liked the rooms. 'I'm very happy with my apartment.'

&n
bsp; 'Shall I unpack for you?' she asked as Paula went over to the door leading to the bedroom. 'Jose has brought up your suitcases, as you can see.'

  'Yes, I'd like you to unpack for me,' answered Paula, glancing at the massive wardrobe on one high, satin-lined wall. 'I'll be having a bath.'

  'Oh, then I will run the water for you first.'

  Paula was puzzled. Surely she was not to be provided with a personal maid.

  'What are your normal duties?' she inquired, turning at the bathroom door.

  'I am new here, senorita, and my duties have not yet been told to me by the senor's housekeeper. I think I am a general helper with many things to do in the house.'

  'I see.' Paula took her bath, her feelings mixed. She was troubled, now that she had met the man who was to be her employer. But within minutes she was to be more troubled than ever.

  Magdalena seemed to be eager to open up a conversation and Paula, not wishing to snub the girl, and at the same time remembering that she herself was just as much an employee here as Magdalena, smiled with faint encouragement, expecting the girl to tell her about the island, or the people, or perhaps the recreations which Paula knew were by no means wanting in Puerto Rico. There was just about everything, she had been told. Magdalena mentioned none of these things. She said with interest, watching Paula's expression closely.

  'What do you think of Senor Calzada? He is handsome, yes?' The girl spoke in Spanish, her whole manner expectant.

  'Very.' Paula was alert, ready to put an end to the conversation if the girl became too familiar in her remarks about her employer.

  'He has many affairs, but hates women, because of what his mother, sister and fiancée did to him. It is known that he hates women and yet they fall in love with him. Every one believes she will—what do you say, break down his—'