Praise for Jane Huxley’s work
A novel of remarkable panache. Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE
A compelling read. Simon Cowell
A fascinating read. Ken Russell
A novel affair. Brilliant. Max Clifford, Surrey Life
Huxley has an admirable grasp of structure and character. Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE
Detective of the human psyche, Huxley elevates the novel to literary artwork. Alexandra Shelley
Huxley writes with great insight in this razor-sharp exploration of the dark side of human relationships. Erica Sissons, Daily Express
Huxley combines the thrill of the detective story with a sensual and evocative love story. Andrew Johnson, Camden New Journal
A thoroughly engrossing read. Literally unputdownable. Sally Farmiloe-Neville, Hotgossip UK
Wonderful. Will make a great film, very Brian de Palma, Alfred Hitchcockish! Linda Mindel, Surrey Occasions
A must-buy for all the fans of romantic fiction. West End Extra
From the publisher:
Jane Huxley has been recognised by Dame Beryl Bainbridge as “a clever and ingenious novelist”, by Simon Cowell as a “compelling writer” and her work compared to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s (Daily Express, London).
Her style is concise, impressionistic and theatrical. Her elegant prose flows. A thought provoking voice in romantic fiction.
A Woman Named Coral
ALSO BY JANE HUXLEY
Morgan’s Castle
For the Love of Penny Whistler
Summer Night, Winter Moon
When the Lilac Blooms, My Love
A Woman Named Coral
a novel by JANE HUXLEY
Published by Delancey Press Ltd
23 Berkeley Square
London W1J 6HE
Copyright © Jane Huxley 2014
The right of Jane Huxley to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright Design and Patents Acts of 1988. All rights reserved under International Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior permission in writing from the author. Reviewers may quote brief passages.
A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.
First published 2014
Painting by Peregrine Heathcote
Jacket by Michal William
Typeset by BookType
ISBN 978-1-907205-23-1 (Paperback)
ISBN 978-1-907205-24-8 (ePub)
eBook conversion by Vivlia Limited. www.vivlialtd.co.uk
In memory of
Dame Beryl Bainbridge DBE
In her arms I tasted the delights of Paradise, and they produced these hellish torments by which you see me devoured.
Candide
VOLTAIRE
Torments that proclaim the approach of ecstasy, which none of us would willingly renounce.
J.H.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
CONTENTS
ONE
An Enigmatic Question
She opened her eyes to a slice of sun flickering on the pillow.
“Tom,” she groaned. “Please close the shutters. I’m trying to sleep.”
There