Love is Triumphant by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

she protested with a chuckle, "there's no need to say that as though I were some plain Jane, past her last hope."
    "I don't believe anyone could think that," Sir John said wryly.
    "Take no notice of her, John," Lady Clarendon said, smiling. "She's only fishing for compliments."
    "Well you won't have any trouble finding me a husband if Papa is made a Government Minister," Rosina said wryly. "The men will flock around me."
    "My love, you're so cynical."
    "But it's true. There's no better dowry for a girl than a powerful father. Isn't that so, Sir John?"
    She gave him a challenging look, reminding him that he alone knew what she was really talking about.
    "I'm the wrong person to ask," he said lightly. "I've never been on the catch for a husband."
    Lady Clarendon gave a little scream at this witticism.
    "What a wicked thing to say! I just hope you'll tell Rosina that she really must not speak so frankly in company."
    "Oh, but we're not in company now, Mama. I say what I like in front of Sir John."
    "But perhaps you should not," her mother said, wide eyed.
    "Why not? We're old friends, and I'm not on the catch for him, so it doesn't matter if I shock him."
    "Ignore her ma'am," Sir John said, grinning. "She's trying to terrify us, but don't give her the satisfaction of succeeding."
    "She terrifies me all the time," Lady Clarendon said with an alarmed glance at her daughter.
    The dinner party was only three days away, so clearly they had been invited as an afterthought. Rosina supposed that her mother was right, and her meeting with Lady Doreen was in some way connected.
    This suspicion was reinforced by the discovery that Sir John had also received a last minute invitation. Doubtless Miss Holden would also be present.
    It was Rosina's first really important dinner party. Since she was not yet officially 'out' she was not, strictly speaking, supposed to be invited to join such exalted company. But it was normal for a debutante to attend a few events prior to her ball, so that she could become used to society.
    Her dress was a vision of tulle and satin, in a delicate shade of pink. How different she already looked from the schoolgirl she had been recently, she thought. Now she could show off her tiny waist and elegant bosom.
    But there was more than her grown-up figure to mark the change in her. Her eyes held a sad, angry knowledge, which should not have been there.
    'Here we all go, waltzing off to the marriage market,' she thought. 'Mama has set her sights high for me, because she doesn't think Sir John is good enough for me – not that I'd want him anyway. And he is pursuing an heiress. I thought better of him, but et tu Brute!'
    'And the Blakemores, of course, want Lady Doreen to marry a man of higher rank than herself. But she, at least, gives love its proper place, and will hold out against them. I must do my best to support her.'
    Then she sighed and murmured, "Poor Miss Draycott! What chance did you have in this grasping world?"
    She and her parents travelled to Blakemore House together. Sir John was delayed by a meeting and would be following later.
    As the carriage rumbled through the London streets
    Lady Clarendon said,
    "I'm so glad that you struck up a friendship with Lord Blakemore's daughter."
    "Nobody could help being her friend," Rosina said. "She is delightful."
    "How fortunate! And even if she were not, it would still be advisable for you to seek her friendship."
    "Mama!" Rosina said, half laughing, half protesting. "I do wish you would stop scheming for five minutes."
    "When you're a mother, scheming is necessary," Lady Clarendon insisted, unperturbed. "You'll find that out one day."
    The carriage had stopped. Looking out, Rosina saw that Blakemore House was magnificent. She knew its reputation as one of the finest residences in all of London.
    The Earl was a great man, and his patronage could be very useful. This was the first time Sir Elroy and his family had been invited. Although wealthy, they were not of