Satin & A Scandalous Affair

149 Pages·2008·0.66 MB·English

by  Colley Jan

SYDNEY’S SCENE
In the decades-old feud between the world’s richest gem dealers, the Blackstones
and the Hammonds, no one and nowhere is off-limits. Not even Danielle
Hammond, the up-and-coming jewelry designer who thought she’d escaped
family hi-jinks up north in the Port Douglas tropics.

The flamboyant Dani has been hired by broker Quinn Everard to design for him
—the same man who some time ago nearly destroyed her fledgling career with
his caustic critique of her work. What would make the colorful Ms. Hammond
agree to that unique assignment? And just who is Quinn’s mysterious client?
The Blackstones and Hammonds, no strangers to rumors, are once again the
topic of water-cooler conversation as rumors abound that the missing son of
recently deceased founder Howard Blackstone may indeed have been located.

Before his death, Howard—dubbed “the man people love to hate”—left his
billion-dollar diamond firm to the missing son, James, who was kidnapped over
thirty years ago. Tempers are high at Blackstone’s Pitt Street offices—where the
diamonds are rare, but the drama is rampant!
Dear Reader,
I love this job.
For this project, I revisited Port Douglas in northern Queensland, Australia. I
again experienced the most beautiful stretch of beach, friendly people, a
gorgeous winter climate and the superb restaurants in this small town that bats
way above itself. Until we meet again, Port….
I have never been particularly enamored with the “girl’s best friend.” I am now!
Via books and the Internet, I read about diamonds, from the mines to the
perplexing world of the sightholders, and to the cutter’s desk. I learned about the
world’s most famous diamonds—centuries old, desired by all, cursed for all
time. I discovered big money, blood money and seductive marketing. I
especially loved the beauty, diversity and astonishing prices of natural colored
diamonds. My heroine is a jewelry designer, so I checked out hundreds of
incredibly talented designers’ sites and drooled over the most beautiful jewelry.
And I was lucky enough to see firsthand how a vision is created.
I am a convert. To me there is no gemstone more steeped in power, greed,
beauty, love—and yes, curses—than the immodest diamond.
Best regards,
Jan Colley
JAN COLLEY
SATIN A SCANDALOUS AFFAIR
Thanks to Richard Baird of Rohan Jewellery in Christchurch, New Zealand, who
spent hours sharing his knowledge and passion for diamonds and let me peek
over his craftsmen’s shoulders, and to Max Rooney of Argosy Jewellery for the
introduction.
To our intrepid editor, Melissa Jeglinski, who must have experienced a few
conniptions with this project. And special thanks to a great bunch of girls:
Bronwyn Jameson, Tessa Radley, Maxine Sullivan, Paula Roe and Yvonne
Lindsay. Long live Desire Downunder!
Books by Jan Colley
Silhouette Desire
Trophy Wives #1698
Melting the Icy Tycoon #1770
Expecting a Fortune #1795
Satin a Scandalous Affair #1861
JAN COLLEY

Jan Colley lives in Christchurch, New Zealand, with Les and a couple of cats. She has traveled extensively,
is jack of all trades and master of none and still doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up—as
long as it’s a writer. She loves rugby, family and friends, writing, sunshine, talking about writing, and cats,
although not necessarily in that order. E-mail her at [email protected] or check out her Web site at
www.jancolley.com.

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
Chapter Thirteen