81. A Virgin Bride - The Pink Collection

Barbara Cartland

Description

Scandal, adultery and an angry husband has to be avoided if the Duke of Rockinston, one of the most handsome and charming bachelors in London, is to keep his family honour and his preserve his place at the centre of Society.With the furious Earl of Darran hot on his heels, the Duke narrowly escapes complete social ruin after being discovered leaving the home of the lovely Countess at three o’clock in the morning. Unable to convince the Earl that their liaison was nothing more than innocent friendship, the only way the Duke can save his family from scandal, and the Countess from an unpleasant divorce, is by announcing his engagement to someone else as quickly as possible.Aware that any number of London’s debutants would jump at the opportunity, but already bored by their vacuous company, the Duke decides to approach his great friend the Duke of Lynbrook to ask for the hand of his beautiful daughter, Venetia. She has everything he is looking for in a wife – renowned beauty, a good family and most importantly having spent the last three years in a Convent school in Paris she will be completely ignorant of his reputation as a rake.There is just one flaw to his magnificent plan. Venetia and he have never met, and are most certainly not in love with each other. Undeterred by this minor detail, Venetia is summoned home by her father, the newspapers are informed and the wedding date set for two weeks time. But neither man has considered how Venetia might feel about their master plan. The Duke of Rockinston may be a charming, wealthy adventurer, but Venetia has always assumed that the man she marries will be her perfect match and is astounded to discover that she is expected to marry a complete stranger. With the Earl still seeking revenge and the elusive Duke away in Scotland until the day of his wedding, will Venetia comply? And if she does, can this marriage of convenience possibly make either the husband or wife happy? With only a fortnight to the big day, Venetia must use all of her exceptional intelligence to work out a way to make a marriage, conceived in desperation, become a love story with a happy ending for everyone. "Barbara Cartland was the world’s most prolific novelist who wrote an amazing 723 books in her lifetime, of which no less than 644 were romantic novels with worldwide sales of over 1 billion copies and her books were translated into 36 different languages.As well as romantic novels, she wrote historical biographies, 6 autobiographies, theatrical plays and books of advice on life, love, vitamins and cookery.She wrote her first book at the age of 21 and it was called Jigsaw. It became an immediate bestseller and sold 100,000 copies in hardback in England and all over Europe in translation.Between the ages of 77 and 97 she increased her output and wrote an incredible 400 romances as the demand for her romances was so strong all over the world.She wrote her last book at the age of 97 and it was entitled perhaps prophetically The Way to Heaven. Her books have always been immensely popular in the United States where in 1976 her current books were at numbers 1 & 2 in the B. Dalton bestsellers list, a feat never achieved before or since by any author.Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime and will be best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels so loved by her millions of readers throughout the world, who have always collected her books to read again and again, especially when they feel miserable or depressed.Her books will always be treasured for their moral message, her pure and innocent heroines, her handsome and dashing heroes, her blissful happy endings and above all for her belief that the power of love is more important than anything else in everyone’s life."

Sujets

• Downton Abbey
• Mills & Boon
• Thomas Hardy
• Jane Austen
• Harlequin

Informations

• Publié par: M-Y Books
• Date de parution: 14 août 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781908411884
• Langue: English

Extrait

A VIRGIN BRIDE
BARBARA CARTLAND

www.barbaracartland.com
Copyright © 2011 by Cartland Promotions
First published on the internet in June 2011 by Barbaracartland.com
ISBNs 978-1-908411-88-4 Epub 978-1-908411-89-1 Prc
The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.
eBook conversion by M-Y Books
A VIRGIN BRIDE
As her father still did not speak, Venetia piped up,
“I am waiting, Papa, to hear why you sent for me in such a hurry. I didn’t even have time to say ‘goodbye’ to my friends.
“My packing was done in such a rush that I warn you I shall need quite a number of the things I was forced to leave behind!”
She was talking impulsively simply to relieve the tension mounting between her and her father.
Yet instinctively she knew that he was finding it difficult to say what was on his mind.
He was looking at her in a strange way that was disconcerting. What she could not know was that he was thinking that she was even more beautiful than her mother had been at the same age.
Finally he began rather slowly,
“I have asked you, Venetia, to come here for a very important and special reason.”
“I am excited to hear it, Papa, I am sure it must be important as you made me leave the Convent so quickly.”
“It is essential you should be in London tomorrow morning, because your engagement is being announced in The London Gazette to the Duke of Rockinston.”
THE BARBARA CARTLAND PINK COLLECTION
Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77.
She went on writing continuously at this rate for 20 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97.
Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.
Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world.
The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence.
The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribute to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years.
The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published only on the internet. Log on to www.barbaracartland.com to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will ensure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home.

If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address :

BarbaraCartland.com
Camfield Place
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 6JE
United Kingdom

Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Titles in this series
These titles are currently available for download. For more information please see the Where to buy page at the end of this book.
The Cross Of Love Love In The Highlands Love Finds The Way The Castle Of Love Love Is Triumphant Stars In The Sky The Ship Of Love A Dangerous Disguise Love Became Theirs Love Drives In Sailing To Love The Star Of Love Music Is The Soul Of Love Love In The East Theirs To Eternity A Paradise On Earth Love Wins In Berlin In Search Of Love Love Rescues Rosanna A Heart In Heaven The House Of Happiness Royalty Defeated By Love The White Witch They Sought Love Love Is The Reason For Living They Found Their Way To Heaven Learning To Love Journey To Happiness A Kiss In The Desert The Heart Of Love The Richness Of Love For Ever And Ever An Unexpected Love Saved By An Angel Touching The Stars Seeking Love Journey To Love The Importance Of Love Love By The Lake A Dream Come True The King Without A Heart The Waters Of Love Danger To The Duke A Perfect Way To Heaven Follow Your Heart In Hiding Rivals For Love A Kiss From The Heart Lovers In London This Way To Heaven A Princess Prays Mine For Ever The Earl’s Revenge Love At The Tower Ruled By Love Love Came From Heaven Love And Apollo The Keys Of Love A Castle Of Dreams A Battle Of Brains A Change Of Hearts It Is Love The Triumph Of Love Wanted – A Royal Wife A Kiss Of Love To Heaven With Love Pray For Love The Marquis Is Trapped Hide And Seek For Love Hiding from Love A Teacher Of Love Money Or Love The Revelation Is Love The Tree Of Love The Magnificent Marquis The Castle The Gates of Paradise A Lucky Star A Heaven on Earth The Healing Hand A Virgin Bride
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world’s most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw’ at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller. Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years. In addition to Barbara Cartland’s legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance’, Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime. Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland’s overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
“Love is like a tempest – majestic, magnificent and sweeps all before it.”
Barbara Cartland
CHAPTER ONE 1867
“The Mother Superior wants you, Venetia!”
Lady Venetia Brook looked up from her studies.
“What can she want me about, Eugenie? I have so much to do. I will never finish by tomorrow.”
“She did not say. She just said, ‘ go and fetch Lady Venetia as quickly as possible ’.”
Venetia rose from her desk and put aside the work she was completing for a special lesson.
She was determined to make her teacher, who was an experienced man of letters, impressed by her research.
However the Mother Superior took precedence over everyone else and so Venetia hurried along the corridor to the Mother Superior’s room at the far end of the building.
The Convent School for Young Ladies in Paris was the most outstanding in the whole of Europe and Venetia, who was the Duke of Lynbrook’s daughter, had gone there when she was sixteen.
She was enjoying herself enormously, finding it so different from being taught at home by a not particularly well-educated Governess.
The Mother Superior’s room was bathed in sunlight and it was reflected on the huge crucifix that dominated what was otherwise a comfortable sitting room.
The Mother Superior rose from behind her desk as Venetia entered.
“I have rather surprising news for you, my child!”
Venetia bobbed a curtsy to the Mother Superior, as was expected of her.
“What is it, ma’am?” she enquired expectantly. “I cannot believe it is news from home, because I had a letter from Papa only two days ago.”
“But it is news from home,” the Mother Superior smiled. “In fact I have just received an urgent letter from your father, saying you are to return immediately.”
Venetia stared at her incredulous.
“Return to England! But why? Whatever for?”
The Mother Superior looked down at the letter she held in her hand.
“Your father does not give any reason. He merely says you are to return at once and he will be waiting for you at your London house in Berkele