An Unexpected Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

kindly face was shining with pleasure.
    â€œWelcome, Lady Ravina. Welcome to my home. I trust I find you in good health? I was so afraid you might forget that you had promised to come and see what I have achieved here and what still needs to be done.”
    â€œHow could I forget, Sir Michael? I have been looking forward to it so much,’ Ravina replied quickly, touching her fingers to his and pushing aside the fact that it had been Dulcie who had reminded her of today’s engagement.
    â€œAnd I must tell you, Sir Michael, that I am most impressed by what I have already seen. It seems to me that you have worked quite a few miracles.”
    â€œI was saddened when I first arrived and found the house had fallen into such disrepair. And I must admit to feeling proud that it is now halfway back to what a building of its age and prestige should look like.”
    He clapped his hands together enthusiastically and Ravina tried not to jump at the sudden noise.
    â€œBut do allow me to show you around before luncheon is served. There are many aspects on which I need a woman’s advice and I am sure your artistic eye will help me see matters in a different light.”
    Ravina smiled and followed him out of the study. It was always pleasing to have your abilities admired.
    Sir Michael led the way across the hall to a charming sunny room with French windows that opened out onto a paved terrace at the back of the house.
    The proportions of the room were lovely, the furniture good and highly polished. Only the curtains and coverings of the sofas and chairs seemed dull and old–fashioned.
    Ravina enthused about the size and outlook of the room, admired the furniture and made what she hoped were informed comments about the ornaments and pictures.
    Then she ran her fingers down the material of the drapes at the window and turned to Sir Michael.
    â€œWell, here is one thing I can help you with straight away – these curtains are – ”
    â€œYes, they are extremely fine, are they not? You will probably not be surprised to learn that your cousin chose the material and found a local seamstress to make them. They change the whole aspect of the room, I think. I am so indebted to Miss Allen. As you yourself will be aware, she has extremely good taste and has been most helpful.”
    Ravina bit back the words ‘dull and old – fashioned’ before they could leave her lips.
    Of course these were curtains of Dulcie’s choosing. They were exactly what she would have expected her cousin to suggest. Safe and boring.
    â€œIndeed, they do give a very – interesting depth to the room,” she responded, choosing her words with great care. “Dulcie obviously shares your taste in decoration, Sir Michael.”
    To Ravina’s surprise, a strong brick colour flooded across Sir Michael’s round face.
    â€œMiss Allen has kindly given up her valuable time to offer me some assistance in the early stages of the Priory’s restoration, especially in the rooms I use the most,” he murmured. “But, of course, it is the vital finishing touches in the more public rooms that are so important, are they not?
    â€œAlthough, as you know, I have a small house in London, I am not au fait with all the latest fashions, as I am sure you are. And I am determined that when the members of our County circle come to call, they will find nothing to upset their sensibilities.
    â€œNow, let me show you some of the rooms that still need to be reformed. The dining room, in particular, is not right. Our luncheon will soon be served there.”
    Ravina cast a longing glance out onto the sunny terrace. It would have been far more than pleasant to have eaten out of doors on a day such as today, but instead she obediently followed her host into the long dark dining room.
    An oxtail soup that was far too hot and too thick for a summer’s day was followed by a heavy steak and kidney pie, its glistening