Love is Triumphant by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

moment, she found acceptable.
    "What a clever creature you are at getting your own way," he said, "and what a devil of a life you will lead some poor fellow. Remind me never to propose marriage to you."
    "Remind me to refuse if you do," she countered.
    He joined in her laughter and they left the house in perfect accord.
    As they cantered towards Hyde Park she said,
    "I hope I didn't drag you away from anything really important."
    "Nothing that can't be done this afternoon. It's most helpful to me to have the use of your father's library."
    "Are you making plans for the future?" she asked.
    "We're all doing that in one way or another," he replied enigmatically.
    As they turned into Hyde Park he asked,
    "How is your plan for revenge going? Have you taken any action yet?"
    "I'm biding my time," she replied austerely. "So far that man's path hasn't crossed mine."
    "And I hope it never does."
    He saw the wry look on her face and hurried to add,
    "And that isn't because I want to protect him, but because I want to protect you."
    "Then you're worried about the wrong person," she told him. "My part in this is the avenging angel."
    "I can see you as an angel, but not flaming with
    vengeance."
    "That's because you do not know me."
    When he did not answer she turned her head and saw him peering into the distance. Following his gaze she saw two young women seated on horseback. One of them was waving.
    "You know those ladies?" Rosina asked.
    "The one waving is Miss Lettice Holden, and the lady sitting next to her is Lady Doreen Blakemore."
    He waved back and they began to canter forward, followed by a groom who remained at a discreet distance as the young people met.
    Rosina studied Miss Holden with interest. So this was the bride her mother had chosen for him.
    There was no doubt of her wealth. It was proclaimed by the thoroughbred horse she rode and the elegant riding habit she wore. On one shoulder she sported a glittering diamond brooch. It was clearly valuable, but at this hour of the day, and on this garment it was out of place, and the effect was slightly vulgar.
    Her companion was far more discreetly and elegantly dressed. She was the daughter of an earl, but it was her air of breeding that announced this to the world.
    Sir John introduced the ladies to each other, and Lady Doreen immediately clasped Rosina's hand.
    "I am so glad to meet you," she said. "I've heard such a lot about you."
    "About me?"
    "Papa is very interested in politics, and he admires Sir Elroy greatly. I know that they have dined together several times at the House."
    By 'the House' she meant the Palace of Westminster
    by the Thames, home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords. She too had breathed in a political atmosphere all her life, and she used the term as casually as Rosina herself would have done. It was an immediate bond between them.
    As the four of them began to ride together, Rosina and Lady Doreen fell naturally into conversation, while Miss Holden joined Sir John just behind them.
    Rosina could hear them laughing, and concluded that Sir John was very well pleased with his company.
    For herself she found Lady Doreen charming. So far her closest friendships had been at school, but now school was behind her, and she must learn to be at ease in the social world.
    Lady Doreen had made her debut earlier that year and was full of eager advice when she learned that Rosina had yet to 'come out'.
    "You will find your life transformed," she said. "Balls, parties, lovely clothes." She added in a low, confiding voice, "And young men. Of course I shouldn't say that. Dear Mama would be shocked. Even after her debut, a girl is supposed to cast down her eyes while the men study her critically."
    "But why shouldn't we study them critically?" Rosina wanted to know.
    "That's what I say. We have our opinions too, and it is not just a matter for Papa to decide – whatever he may think," she added darkly.
    "Is your Papa trying to make you marry someone that you