A Virgin Bride by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

I think any girl, including you, would be shy at encountering Rock for the first time – not as a stranger but as his fiancée.
    â€œI think you should make it quite clear to him that you realise you are a port in a storm for him, but that you are accepting him only at your father’s insistence.”
    Venetia did not reply.
    â€œAt the same time it would be a great mistake to antagonise him from the very beginning. So don’t tell him
that you think he is behaving abominably in using someone
as young and as innocent as yourself as a way of escape!”
    Unexpectedly Venetia laughed.
    â€œIt’s becoming absolutely ridiculous and so like the
cheap novelettes all the girls read at school, although they
were not supposed to. I expect that instead of crying I will
laugh at my own efforts to behave as you wish me to do.”
    â€œIf that’s what you will do, it will be intelligent of
you. As I have already said, you will eventually make the
Duke fall in love for the first time in his life.”
    â€œHow can you be sure he’s not been in love before,
Aunt Alice?”
    â€œThere have been many women who cried bitterly
when they lost him. There have also been those who have
been furious when he left them.”
    Venetia laughed again.
    â€œI am sure you are making him up and he does not
really exist. No man could be quite so different from what
one could have expected – and certainly nothing like I would
think of as my dream hero.”
    â€œNo one ever turns out exactly as one wants them to
be and I am sure, Venetia, when you do fall in love, you will find, as everyone does, that it is not only different from your expectations but very much more wonderful.”
    â€œIf it ever happens to me now, I will be astonished. I had it all planned out in my mind that, after two or three years of enjoying the Season, I would meet someone who liked the same things I like.”
    She paused before she continued,
    â€œWe would write a book together and gradually be aware that life could not go on unless we were together.”
    Lady Manvill’s eyes were soft and understanding.
    She was thinking that despite her intelligence and her beauty, Venetia was really only a little girl lost in a bewildering world she had strayed into without realising it.
    â€˜She will have to find her own way out of it,’ she thought, ‘and undoubtedly she will. But it could be a very painful process.’
    She put out her hand and touched Venetia’s cheek.
    â€œNever forget one thing, Venetia, God has blessed you with a beautiful face and, I am certain, a heart as warm and understanding as your dear mother’s. You will, as a Duchess, be of great influence and it is up to you whether you make the best or the worst of it.”
    â€œNow you are frightening me!” protested Venetia.
    â€œI would not do so, but you must never underrate yourself. I personally am totally convinced that one day you will find exactly what you are seeking.”
    â€œI only hope that’s true,” mumbled Venetia.
    The carriage then came to a standstill outside Lady Manvill’s house in Belgrave Square.
    â€œGoodbye, my dearest,” said Lady Manvill, “and if you stay in London come and see me every day to tell me what is happening.
    â€œBut I think you should go to the country with your father. It would be much more effective to appear for the first time at your wedding dressed in a fabulous gown Mrs. Herbert will obtain from Frederick Worth.”
    â€œIt will certainly add to the drama,” Venetia replied rather sarcastically. “Everyone will be looking at my gown and not at me .”
    Lady Manvill’s eyes twinkled.
    â€œYou will be lucky if the women are not all looking at the bridegroom!”
    She then walked up the steps to her house and, as she turned to wave Venetia goodbye, she heard her laugh.
    Lady Manvill went into the house.
    She was reflecting that perhaps for