A Virgin Bride by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

the winning post first.”
    â€œAt least try to beat him, Papa,” Venetia urged. “I would be so thrilled if you could pass him at the post.”
    She could see as she spoke how pleased her father was that she had accepted the situation.
    He had obviously come back to the house expecting their argument to start all over again and him to lose his temper as he always did if he was opposed.
    Venetia continued to chatter away.
    â€œAunt Alice is really fantastic. She always has the answer to any problem and when I told her that I wanted my trousseau to be ready in under a fortnight, she did not even say it was impossible.”
    â€œShe has always been a remarkable woman, but to tell the truth, I had really forgotten about your trousseau. I have never understood women saying they have ‘not got a thing to wear’ and then having hysterics at having to buy everything so quickly!”
    â€œMy gowns are all coming to me from Paris from Frederick Worth – ”
    â€œThen you will be outstanding. I remember when I was last in Paris being astounded that the crinoline should have disappeared so quickly. Apparently the new fashion is to have a bustle at the back.”
    â€œYou are quite right, Papa, and that is actually what my evening gowns have. Not a very large one, but I am so thankful that I don’t have to wear a crinoline.”
    â€œYour mother always said they were a nuisance and I know she would be delighted at the way you look now.”
    â€œThen I am not concerned with what anyone else may think of me one way or another.”
    She tried to keep the conversation off her marriage during dinner.
    Rising as soon as dinner was over in case her father started to talk about her future husband, she said she must retire to bed.
    â€œI really am tired after travelling from Paris and I want to feel ready to jump and gallop for hours tomorrow.”
    â€œI will pick out my best mount for you.”
    She kissed her father goodnight and walked upstairs thinking that Aunt Alice would praise her for having been so diplomatic.
    â€˜She is right,’ thought Venetia. ‘I have to use my brains – after all a great deal of money has been spent on developing them. If they don’t work, I shall feel inclined to ask for Papa’s money back!’
    Then she laughed at herself, undressed quickly and climbed into bed.
    She had expected to lie awake and go over in her mind all that had happened in the day, but she was more tired than she thought and fell asleep almost immediately.
    *
    When she was called at eight o’clock sharp the next morning, she was still fast asleep.
    The maid pulled back the curtains and said,
    â€œHis Grace’s told me to tell you, my Lady, that he wants to leave at nine-thirty.”
    â€œI will be ready,” answered Venetia. “Please pack all my clothes including those I brought back from school.”
    â€œI’ll do that, my Lady.”
    Venetia had told her not to undo the boxes that had come from Mrs. Herbert as the alterations could be done in the country.
    She thought it would be a mistake for the servants to talk too much about her new dresses and her Mama had always said that half the gossip and mischief in Mayfair started in the servants’ hall.
    She felt it would be a titbit of information for those who were speculating over her engagement if they learnt that she had already bought gowns from Frederick Worth.
    When she went down to breakfast. she was sure that her father must have read The Gazette first and then put it under a pile of newspapers on a chair behind him.
    He always had a silver book rest in front of him on which he placed one newspaper at a time.
    He usually read The Morning Post first, but it was not in evidence and there was no sign of The Gazette .
    Actually she had no wish to see it herself as she knew how it would read and she could all too clearly hear the exclamations of astonishment and curiosity being