Pact Without Desire (Harlequin Romance No. 2299)

I have owned this book since it was published in 1979, and, although it is dated, it is still a good read! From the BACK COVER: "I will marry the first man who asks!" Sara made her reckless statement in a moment of hurt and pique after being jilted by Cliff. And for better or worse, the man listening asked her. Rede Forrest had said her desire to "show" her ex-fiance suited his own plans. He needed a wife. And, for reasons she couldn't quite explain to herself, Sara rashly accepted his offer. But once married to Rede--and savoring her new life in Singapore--all thoughts of Cliff were wiped out of her mind! MY REVIEW: Cliff Iben was engaged to Sara before he had gone out to Singapore for a three month trial for his new job with his firm. He and Sara were to have married soon after his return, but when he got back to England, he had come to Sara with his craven confession. At first he had been lonely in Singapore, then there had been this lovely girl, Isabel, out from England on a visit to relatives. They wanted to be married, so would Sara release him from their engagement? Our story starts with Sara Duncan, who has come to the wedding to rub salt in her wounds by indulging in her near-hatred of Cliff. As she stands crying in the back of the church, she is addressed by one of the guests, and later learns that he is Rede Forrest, who has just flown in from the Far East in time to attend the wedding. Sara learns that Rede is the Overseas Director of Cliff's company, and had actually encouraged Cliff's match with Isabel, without knowing fully that he was engaged. After she makes her declaration to marry the first man who asks, Rede takes her up on it, and it is not until the end of the book that Sara learns that he fell in love with her immediately. After returning to Singapore with Rede, Sara and her new husband meet up with Cliff and Isabel, who is jealous of Sara. Isabel hints that native dancer Mai, who is Rede's protogee, may have a closer relationship with Rede than Sara thinks. The local is exotic, the tension high, and the love between Sara and Rede grows, despite the efforts of many to ensure that it doesn't. When I originally read this book, Jane Arbor kept me guessing until the end! Now I enjoy re-reading Rede and Sara's story, knowing there is definitely a happy ending, and I highly recommend this book! Happy reading!