An Unexpected Love
AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
BARBARA CARTLAND
Barbaracartland.com Ltd
Copyright © 2007 by Cartland Promotions
First published on the internet in June
2007 by Barbaracartland.com
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.
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AN UNEXPECTED LOVE
Ravina walked across to the barred nursery window and stared out across the gardens and orchards to where she could just see the edge of the cliff that protected the house from the sea.
“Indeed, Sir Richard, I think the Manor would make a lovely home, but even with servants, you might find it a little large living here on your own.”
He placed his hand on the rocking horse and gave it a gentle push, watching the curved runners making little marks on the dusty floor.
“I am hoping that I will not be alone. There is a lady whom I would like to ask to be my wife and then – ”
“Ouch!” Ravina winced. She had clutched the iron bars at the window so hard that a little sliver of metal had sliced into her finger.
Sir Richard intended to marry! This house was being prepared for his wife.
She felt a surge of anger and despair. He had no right to bring her here, to ask her opinion of its suitability. That was the prerogative of the lady to whom he would be offering his hand and his heart.
She had no idea why she should feel so upset. After all, this man was a stranger, he meant nothing to her!
Nothing at all.
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 :
Barbara Cartland.com Ltd.
240 High Road,
Harrow Weald,
Harrow
HA3 7BB
United Kingdom.
Telephone & fax: +44 (0)20 8863 2520
Titles in this series
1. The Cross of Love
2. Love in the Highlands
3. Love Finds the Way
4. The Castle of Love
5. Love is Triumphant
6. Stars in the Sky
7. The Ship of Love
8. A Dangerous Disguise
9. Love Became Theirs
10. Love Drives In
11. Sailing to Love
12. The Star of Love
13. Music is the Soul of Love
14. Love in the East
15. Theirs to Eternity
16. A Paradise on Earth
17. Love Wins in Berlin
18. In Search of Love
19. Love Rescues Rosanna
20. A Heart in Heaven
21. The House of Happiness
22. Royalty Defeated by Love
23. The White Witch
24. They Sought Love
25. Love is the Reason for Living
26. They Found Their Way to Heaven
27. Learning to Love
28. Journey to Happiness
29. A Kiss in the Desert
30. The Heart of Love
31. The Richness of Love
32. For Ever and Ever
33. An Unexpected Love
* * *
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 rock – it endures for ever”
Barbara Cartland
CHAPTER ONE
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1896
The glittering crystal chandeliers sparkled and gleamed casting their golden light on the waltzing couples below.
High up in the gallery above the ballroom, resplendent in yellow with gold braid across their chests, the musicians, faces red and shining with heat, were playing the latest dance tunes with verve and gusto.
To an onlooker, the highly polished floor of the ballroom of Lyall House in the most fashionable part of London was a kaleidoscope of colour, the white tie and tails of the gentlemen a perfect foil for the glorious dresses of their partners.
And no one looked more glorious than Lady Ravina Ashley as she whirled round the floor in the arms of the millionaire industrialist, Mr. Robert Dunster.
Her honey–coloured hair was styled in the latest fashion, held fast in its elaborate twist by a diamond and sapphire clip.
And although her cream lace dress was not cut as daringly low as those of some of the ladies present, it still showed off her beautiful figure to its full advantage.
The pearl necklet and matching earbobs might not glitter as much as the diamonds some of the older ladies wore, but they shone with a warm glow against her translucent skin.
Her partner was a good dancer for such a heavily built man, but the energetic exercise was obviously not to his liking.
His shirt collar looked wet where it dug into a red fleshy neck and Ravina was only too aware that the hands holding her were damp and sticky.
She wished he had thought to wear white gloves as so many other gentlemen did.
She cast a look from under her thick dark lashes at Robert Dunster’s red face, listening to his rasping breathing as they circled the room once more and made a swift decision.
She stumbled a little on the next spin and put a hand to her forehead.
“Goodness, the heat is making me feel faint, Mr. Dunster. I am so sorry, but do you think we could sit down for a while?”
The industrialist looked concerned and promptly guided her through the circling couples to the side of the room and off the dance floor.
“It is indeed extremely close in here, Lady Ravina. Far too many couples, I am afraid. I did tell Lord Lyall that he had invited an excess of people, but I am afraid, as usual, my comments fell on deaf ears.”
Ravina smiled, hardly listening to his words. She did not mind dancing with him, but his self-importance was extremely irritating.
She had met him twice before and did not have a good opinion of the man.
Admittedly he was extremely polite and correct, but he always seemed to know better than everyone else, always had an opinion that could not be shaken, even if he was proved wrong.
“Perhaps I might fetch you an ice or a cooling glass of lemonade?” he was saying as she flicked open the ivory fan that hung from her wrist.
“What? Oh, no thank you, Mr. Dunster. It is getting quite late, I see. I must be thinking of going home soon. I came with the Ross family and I am sure they will not be staying much longer. Lady Ross does not like to be out too late.”
He pushed wide the French windows that opened out onto the paved terrace that ran the length of the ballroom.
Coloured lanterns had been hung in the trees and bushes in the garden and the moon sailed serenely through the midnight sky.
Several couples were sitting on little metal chairs, talking, laughing and enjoying the soft evening breeze that was rustling the trees in Berkley Square.
“I saw Lord Ross going into the billiard room only ten minutes ago. I believe he is very involved in a competition between some of the older gentlemen. I think you will have plenty of time to sit in the garden and cool down before your journey home, Lady Ravina.”
Ravina hesitated and then walked out into the night air. She had to admit it was refreshing to feel the coolness on her hot cheeks.
“This tradition of always being accompanied to a ball can be very tiresome,’ she said as they walked slowly along a mossy path that meandered towards steps into the rose garden.
“But a young lady such as yourself cannot travel around London on her own.”
Ravina tossed her head, her sapphire blue eyesflashing. This was exactly the sort of remark that made her irritable.
“Indeed, Mr. Dunster, I am quite capable of attending a ball on my own. I could have organised my transport this evening very easily, and then I would not be dependent on Lord Ross’s billiard game deciding the time of my departure.”
They reached the rose garden where huge swathes of sweet smelling flowers hung from columns and arches.
The moon was hiding behind a cloud now, but even in the dim light, the reds and pinks and yellows of the velvety petals gleamed in glorious abundance.
Ravina took a deep breath, glorying in the marvellous scents that filled the air.
She wandered across to a raised lily pond, admiring the splashing of the fountain and peering into the water to catch a glimpse of one of Lord Lyall’s famous koi carp.
Robert Dunster plucked a crimson bud from a bush and twirled it between his fingers.
“You have very modern views on life, Lady Ravina,”he commented tersely.
“We will soon be nearing a new century,” Ravina replied, returning to his side. “Who knows what lies ahead of us in our amazing world. I do not wish to be held back from experiencing life just because I am a woman.”
The heavily built businessman frowned and then gave a muffled curse as he caught his finger on a thorn.
“Your parents, Lord and Lady Ashley, are away a great deal, I believe.”
Ravina sighed, gazing up at the stars in the sky.
“Yes, Papa is in the Foreign Office, as you know, and he and Mama have to travel abroad regularly.”
“Are they absent now?”
Ravina glanced at him curiously. There had been a strangely tense note in his voice.
“No, they are at home, sir.”
She was pleased to be able to say that. She adored her parents and it was a great sadness to her that she was alone such a great deal.
When they were all together, either in London or at their Dorset estate, they were such a happy and contented family. Her parents’ frequent absences abroad always made her unhappy.
But she had too resilient a nature to be miserable for long. Her high spirits bubbled up now and she swung round to Robert Dunster.
Then she gasped!
For a second, she thought he was trying to put his arms round her!
He was standing extremely close and she could see the little red veins on his cheeks and a pulse beating frantically in his temple.
Even as she tried to step backwards, she realised there was a stone bench directly behind her stopping her from moving.
His hands reached out and grasped her shoulders.
“Careful, Lady Ravina, you might fall and hurt yourself.”
Ravina eased herself away and sat down on the bench. For some reason she was shaking. How silly. The heat must have made her dizzy. She was not the sort of girl who fainted at every awkward moment.
“I think I could drink that lemonade now, if you would be so kind.”
He gave a little bow, his jacket straining across his broad shoulders.
“Of course. My pleasure. I will be back as soon as Ican.”
He strode away and Ravina struggled to regain her composure, but she was still feeling strangely unnerved when a footfall on the path made her spin around.
But it was not Mr. Dunster returning, rather a young man she had known since she was a child. It was Viscount Giles de Lacey, heir to the Marquis of Harmon.
Tall and thin with prominent blue eyes and a thatch of brown hair that refused to lie flat, the young man seemed all arms and legs.
His evening clothes always looked as if they belonged to someone else. The sleeves appeared too short for his arms and he was showing far too much cuff to be fashionable.
Ravina sighed. She was quite sure that she knew what was going to happen next and she really was not in the mood for Giles tonight.
He was her exact age, born on the same day, and their parents were great friends. The two babies had lain next to each other in their cradles and Giles had been her faithful admirer since they were children, playing musical chairs at their joint birthday parties.
Once they had both celebrated their eighteenth birthdays, never a party, ball, race meeting or pheasant shoot had passed without him proposing marriage to her.
“Ravina, how lovely you look tonight. Like a youngGoddess.”
“Oh, Giles, don’t be silly. Do go away.”
The young man sat down on the bench next to her, smiling happily like a large puppy dog.
“I saw you dancing with Robert Dunster. I say, Rav, you know you should be damned careful of that gentleman. He hasn’t got a particularly good reputation, you know.”
Ravina snapped open her little ivory fan again and tried to wave some cooler air across her face. Giles was so annoying.
“Anyway, that’s not what I came to say. Let’s forget Dunster. There! I have already. Ravina, listen to me.”
He reached over and took her hands in his, stilling the fan in mid beat, crushing her rings against her fingers.
“You know how I feel about you. I adore and worship you, Ravina. And obviously the old money’s no object and when Pater goes, I will have the title and the castle and the land. We could have such a good life together and, oh, Ravina, I do love you so much. Please, please marry me.”
Ravina raised her eyebrows in exasperation. Usually she could laugh at Giles and tease him about his devotion.
She was well versed in all the platitudes she had learnt from her mother when confronted by a proposal of marriage you did not solicit or welcome.
Ravina could usually make Giles admit that proposing to her had become a habit with him, that one day he would meet a girl who would make a perfect Marchioness, but it would not be Ravina.
She would agree to be Godmother to his first child and he would agree to be Godfather to hers. They always parted the best of friends.
But tonight was different. In some odd way, Mr. Dunster had left her feeling unsettled and irritable and the young man’s words annoyed her.
“Giles,” she snapped crossly. “Don’t be so silly. You know perfectly well I am never going to marry you. Why do you persist in asking me? I do wish you would stop. It is so very wearying.”
“But Ravina, sweetheart – ”
“Please do not call me that stupid name. It makes you sound ridiculous. You know I don’t like you in that way. I will never like you in that way. Who would?”
She bit her lip as her childhood friend flinched as if she had pinched him. The colour drained from his face and he scowled.