A Virgin Bride Read Free

Scotland, where his castle is historic.
    â€œComing from a Convent, as you are, you should go down on your knees and thank God for giving you such a magnificent and unique opportunity to become the wife of such an outstanding Nobleman.”
    Venetia was still silent and as her father found her silence more irritating than if she spoke, he added,
    â€œRockinston is most anxious to be married as soon as possible. Your marriage will thus take place at home in the country and not in London in two weeks time.”
    If Venetia wished to remain silent, she now found it impossible.
    â€œ In two weeks , Papa? That is impossible!”
    â€œWhy?” the Duke demanded.
    The question sounded like a pistol shot.
    â€œFor one reason, I have only my school clothes and you can hardly expect me to go up the aisle in the dress I wore at school, or to accompany the Duke, about whom you have spoken in such colourful terms, when he goes out to dinner? Will we be expected to have a honeymoon?”
    â€œOf course you will have a honeymoon,” her father angrily snapped. “You will just have to stir yourself and buy what clothes you can, if you really need a trousseau.”
    â€œI shall need a very large trousseau, but first of all I would like, if it is at all convenient , to meet this man I am to marry.”
    Even as she spoke, she knew from the expression on his face that there was something he had not told her.
    There was a perceptible pause, before he replied,
    â€œThat is impossible. Rockinston, after he had seen me yesterday, told me that he was obliged to go North to inform his mother, who lives in Scotland, that he intends to be married. That is why he has left everything in my hands and I have promised to make all the necessary arrangements for your wedding.”
    He took a deep breath.
    â€œI am to invite the guests for the 20 th of May.”
    â€œAre you really telling me, Papa, that he does not intend to meet me until we are actually married?”
    Again there was an ominous silence.
    â€œI think it is possible he may return in time. But if not, he has told me he will come directly to Lynbrook Hall, and if he arrives in London only the night before, he can easily drive down for the ceremony which will take place at two o’clock.”
    â€œ If I am there ,” Venetia added very softly.
    â€œI need not ask you what you mean by that! Let me make it perfectly clear that my only daughter should make a brilliant marriage.
    â€œIf you are so stupid as to make trouble and reject not just me but the greatest opportunity you will ever have, then I will wash my hands of you and hope never to see you again!”
    Venetia did not answer.
    He drew his watch from his pocket and looked at it.
    â€œBecause you were late in arriving, I have no time for any more talk about this matter.
    â€œI am lunching with the Prime Minister, and unlike most people I have the reputation of always being on time. If you have any more to say on this subject, you can keep it until this evening, when, as I thought you might be tired, we are dining alone.”
    He walked right out of the room, closing the door sharply behind him.
    Venetia did not move.
    She was wondering if all she had heard could in any way be true and not a figment of her imagination.
    How could her Papa, or anyone else for that matter, expect her to marry a man she had never seen?
    Even though he was of such Social significance.
    She knew her father was delighted at the idea and absolutely determined that the marriage should take place.
    It was impossible!
    â€˜How can I make him realise’ she thought, ‘that if I could meet the Duke, I might like him enough, once I knew him, to be his wife?’
    But how could a woman of any intelligence marry a man just because he had a grand title?
    For a moment Venetia felt she must be dreaming and that this was all happening while she was asleep.
    She had thought about marriage.
    Of course she