An Unexpected Love by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

him a seamstress to make some curtains, but obviously, I have no idea of modern trends. No idea at all.”
    She walked across to the stairs, before turning back to Ravina.
    â€œI have asked for a light supper to be served for you. You must be hungry, but you would not sleep following a heavy meal.”
    â€œWill you join me?” Ravina asked.
    Although Dulcie was the housekeeper, she was still treated as family by the Ashleys and always ate with them when they were in residence.
    â€œNo, if you will excuse me, I must check with the maids that all is in order upstairs. And I have to try to keep the peace between Mrs. Crandle and our Mrs. Diver. Two cooks in one kitchen is never an easy situation!”
    â€œDo you like Sir Michael?” Ravina asked as her cousin turned away.
    Dulcie stopped, rubbing her hand along the polished banister as if searching for dust.
    â€œI do not know him well, but he seems a well-informed gentleman. Very polite.
    â€œAs I mentioned, I did venture to take some samples over to the Priory and he liked them, so I ordered some curtains made. I expect he was only being polite. I have no doubt he will take them down very soon.
    â€œIndeed, our country tastes will seem extremely out of date to you and him. Well, Ravina, I am so pleased you are here. I will look forward to hearing all your news in the morning when you have rested.”
    Ravina watched as the slim figure in the plain blue dress vanished up the stairs.
    She felt from her tone that Dulcie did not approve of Sir Michael.
    Well, that was unfortunate as she fully intended to take him up on his offer to stay at the Priory for a few days, regardless of what Cousin Dulcie and the wretched Sir Richard Crawford thought.
    She ran upstairs to her room to tidy her windblown hair, but half way there, gave an irritated exclamation.
    She had left her reticule in the carriage tucked under the seat.
    She debated sending one of the footmen to find it, but decided it would be far quicker and easier to go herself.
    Dusk had fallen swiftly while she had been indoors, but Ravina had spent half of every year of her life at Curbishley Hall and she knew all the paths and gates leading to the stable block.
    She retrieved her bag and started back towards the house along a side path through the rose garden.
    She stopped to pull down a large swag of white roses from a climbing bush and broke one off to wear in her hair.
    Then she hesitated, looking around her.
    She had the oddest feeling that someone was standing just behind the big wooden arbour, watching her.
    â€œHello. Who’s there?” she called.
    She felt no fear. Indeed, it had been a long time since she had been afraid of anything, but it was a little odd. If it was a member of the staff, why did they not show themselves?
    Unless, of course, she thought suddenly, it was someone who should have been on duty and not wasting time in the rose garden.
    Someone, perhaps, who knew Dulcie had retired for the evening and was taking advantage of her absence.
    Ravina bit her lip. She did not want to get anyone into trouble. Maybe one of the footmen and one of the maids were courting. There was nowhere indoors where a man and a girl could speak privately.
    Indeed, she knew that Dulcie would have no compunction in dismissing any servant whom she considered less than efficient.
    Ravina turned and quickened her pace to bring her once again to the front of the house. Whoever it was would have a chance of returning to work by slipping indoors through the scullery.
    As she rounded the corner of the house, she stopped abruptly.
    A man leading a grey horse was walking up the drive.
    And even in the half-light of the summer evening, Ravina could see that the man was Sir Richard Crawford!
    â€œSir Richard?” she snorted, crushing the white rose between her fingers, the petals floating to the ground.
    â€œLady Ravina.”
    He bowed and just then someone began turning up the lamps in the house,