A Virgin Bride Read Free Page A

had.
    The girls at school talked about love incessantly.
    At the back of her mind Venetia had imagined that when she came to London, she would, as she had always been promised, attend many balls and receptions.
    Her father had always said that he would give a ball for her and she would therefore meet countless young men.
    Without being conceited, Venetia realised, because she resembled her mother, who had been an acknowledged beauty, that she was very pretty.
    And she would undoubtedly receive quite a number of proposals.
    Perhaps by some miracle she would meet a man she really loved and they would then marry and live happily ever afterwards.
    It was always at the back of her mind, but because she was so interested in the subjects she was studying, she was not worried about being a little old to be a debutante .
    She had had no personal experience of men, only the brothers of the girls with whom she stayed, but they were either very young or not interested in schoolgirls.
    Her father had become much more difficult since her Mama had died. She alone had been able to coax him into a good temper when he was in one of his moods.
    It had been obvious to anyone who knew the couple that he adored her and whatever she did he accepted it as her right and never argued with her about it.
    That, unfortunately, could not be said of anyone else he came into contact with. He was generally considered to be cantankerous and verging on pompous, though nobody would have been brave enough to ever say so.
    Yet Venetia could never have imagined her father would do anything so extraordinary and unreasonable as to marry her off before she had even set foot on a ballroom floor.
    She admitted that from her father’s point of view, the Duke of Rockinston would make an exceptional son-in-law.
    She had heard of the Duke.
    Indeed she had!
    He was mentioned in every Court Circular and his horses were usually first in every classic race.
    That, Venetia had to admit, was much in his favour, but after all she was to marry a man – not a horse!
    Completely stunned at the proposition that had been put to her by her Papa, she did not move until Bates came in to tell her that her luncheon was ready.
    â€œMrs. Shepherd was hoping you would go upstairs to see her before you went to the dining room,” said Bates, “but as your Ladyship is downstairs, she’s waiting to see you in the hall.”
    â€œThen I must see her, Bates.”
    The old housekeeper had been with the family at the house in Berkeley Square since before Venetia was born.
    Venetia walked out of the study and into the hall to kiss Mrs. Shepherd affectionately.
    â€œIt’s lovely to see you, my Lady,” Mrs. Shepherd was saying. “We’ve been looking forward to your coming home. You’ve been away far too long.”
    â€œIt is just what I was thinking, but now I am back I want to see all the staff I remember so well – I just hope none have left.”
    â€œThere haven’t been many changes, my Lady. You’ll remember cook who used to be in the country, but has come up to town since you’ve been away.”
    â€œI had hoped I should still find the same servants at Lynbrook Hall as before I left.”
    â€œThere have been some changes, but we do have to move with the times!”
    Venetia laughed.
    â€œThat’s one thing I don’t wish you to do. But then I suppose I have grown older, if not any wiser.”
    She was just joking, but Mrs. Shepherd replied,
    â€œYou’ve grown into a very beautiful young lady. Your mother, God bless her soul, if she were alive, would be very proud of you. We was saying in my room only the other night that there be plenty of fine young gentlemen running after you. It’s a real shame you’ve been shut up in that school for so long.”
    â€œWell, now I am back, Mrs. Shepherd.”
    She thought it would not be for very long.
    In fact she was already thinking it was doubtful if she