A Virgin Bride by Barbara Cartland Page A

felt sure that you would be far too busy enjoying yourself and making sure your horse wins the Gold Cup at Ascot.”
    Rock laughed.
    It was so like his mother, even though she was in the depths of Scotland, to know exactly what was happening.
    He glanced round the room to make certain they were alone before bending forward confidentially,
    â€œMy engagement was announced in The Gazette three days ago.”
    His mother gave a little cry.
    â€œ Your engagement ! But, dearest, you never told me! I have been so busy the last few days, I have not read the newspapers.”
    â€œI thought perhaps you might have seen it reported before I arrived, but now I am glad I can tell you myself.”
    â€œOh, tell me, do tell me. Oh, Rock, I have prayed you would find someone you wanted to marry and would be as happy as I was with your father. Who is she and why did you not bring her with you?”
    Drawing in his breath and speaking very slowly and quietly, Rock told his mother the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
    â€œNo one else must know except you, Mama, and of course the Duke of Lynbrook, that I have never met his daughter Venetia. As I have been friends with him for so long, everyone will expect me to have known his daughter from childhood.”
    There was silence for a moment and then she slowly said,
    â€œI can understand you did the only thing possible in such difficult circumstances. And, dearest, I am delighted that you should marry the daughter of a man I have always liked and who was a good friend of your father’s. I can only pray that this girl you have never met will make you happy – and that you will make her happy too.”
    â€œI will do my best, Mama. As you know, I have always wanted to have a happy marriage, but this was the only way that I could save the family from a scandal that would have affected us all. I know too that it would have made you very unhappy, which would have saddened me.”
    â€œVery unhappy indeed. Naturally, my darling son, I am worried about you. I did so hope that you would fall in love as I fell in love with your father and he with me. As you know we were blissfully happy.”
    â€œI remember Papa coming home and shouting your name the moment he passed through the front door. If he was separated from you for only a short while, he always wanted you, and that, Mama, is exactly what I want to feel about my wife.”
    She put out her hand and laid it on his.
    â€œI was very fond of Elizabeth Lynbrook. She was very beautiful and a sweet person. I cannot believe that her daughter will not be like her.”
    â€œI am sure she is pretty,” Rock muttered. “At the same time she is so much younger than me. I cannot help wondering what we will talk about.”
    His mother smiled at him.
    â€œYou can talk about horses and I expect she will enjoy Scotland. When her parents stayed here soon after we were married, I remember Elizabeth saying that it was the most enchanting castle she had seen and she found it most romantic.”
    â€œWell let’s hope, Mama, that her daughter will say the same.”
    After a poignant pause she added,
    â€œI am not pretending I am not glad you are to be married, as I was always afraid you might get into trouble of some sort. You are much too handsome to be let loose amongst all these women without endless restrictions on what you can and cannot do!”
    Rock chuckled.
    â€œI suppose, having sown my wild oats, I now have to pay the price for them!”
    Again there was silence before his mother sighed,
    â€œI do so want you to be happy, Rock.”
    â€œPerhaps I will be, Mama, but I must not expect too much. After all I have had a wonderful time. I have seen parts of the world I never expected to see. I have improved Rockinston Hall in many ways I know you will like.”
    Before she could reply he blurted out,
    â€œI suppose there is no chance of your coming to my wedding?”
    She shook