Orchids for a Rose — Ellen Jane MacLeod

Serena Forbes, on her way to Hawaii to act as social secretary to Mrs. Lydia Wainwright, felt as if adventure were just around the corner. The island spelled romance; and even before her arrival Serena was told by an shipboard acquaintance who was a friend of her employer-to-be that the latter was noted for her lavishness of her parties and the importance of her guests. Also, Serena hoped, that her trip to Aloha land would give her a chance to forget the sweetheart that had apparently forgotten her and married someone else.

Both a nephew of her employer, whose attentions she did not seek but receive nevertheless, and an attractive recluse who saved her from a watery death in the ocean helped Serena find oblivion -- until the former sweetheart, still unmarried flew to join her and to reopen old wounds.