Read Online Love is Triumphant by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online Page B

eldest son whom
    you have already met – "
    Rosina gave up, convinced that her mother was beyond reason.
    "Now Miss Kennington will be here this afternoon to discuss your dress, and then – yes, Amesbury?"
    "Mr. Woodward has called, Your Ladyship," the butler informed her.
    "Indeed?" Lady Clarendon did not look pleased at this visit by a penniless man. "Very well, show him in please, Amesbury."
    "Surely you cannot have encouraged him?" she asked when the butler had gone.
    "No, Mama. He doesn't please me at all. But he's so obviously seeking to ingratiate himself in society that I suspect he's calling on everybody."
    "Let us hope that it is no more than that."
    He entered, apparently at ease, smiling, full of practised charm, uttering words of thanks to those who had been 'so kind' to him the previous evening.
    But Rosina was not deceived. She saw his pallor, his dismayed glance at her mother. He was on edge, longing to find out more from herself, but unable to speak unless he could see her alone.
    Lady Clarendon spoke to him politely but without warmth, and she did not offer him refreshments. Rosina replied to his questions as briefly as possible.
    He grew paler still as he realised that he would not be able to talk to her alone.
    Then, just when it seemed that he had no choice but to leave, Sir Elroy walked in and greeted the young man cordially.
    "Woodward!," he exclaimed, shaking his hand. "I
    hear fine things about you from Lord Blakemore. Well, I expect we'll be seeing you at my daughter's ball, eh? That's right. Everyone will be there."
    "Thank you, sir. I shall greatly look forward to it."
    Defeated, Lady Clarendon had no choice but to murmur,
    "I shall send you an invitation, Mr. Woodward."
    "I shall look forward to it eagerly, Lady Clarendon."
    "Come and talk to me, my boy," Sir Elroy said jovially, sweeping the visitor off to his study.
    Lady Clarendon waited until they were out of earshot before saying carefully,
    "I have only admiration and respect for your Papa, who is clearly going to be a great statesman. But sometimes I wish he would mind his own business!"
    *
    Rosina's debut dress was glorious white silk, adorned with tiny white rosebuds. The skirt swept back to a bustle that swished elegantly as she walked, and the bosom was cut lower than any dress she had ever worn before.
    With it she would wear her mother's dazzling pearl jewellery, taken out of the bank where it was normally stored, and now cleaned and reset. As well as a necklace there was a tiara, ear-rings and bracelets.
    The guest list swelled every day. The Blakemores were coming, so were several other titled families, including several of the opposite political persuasion to the Clarendons. Sir Elroy was a popular man in both Houses of Parliament, and, as he said,
    "This is a party, not a political convention. I shall invite all my friends, no matter what they believe."
    "There's a rumour that Mr. Disraeli himself will be
    coming," Sir John told Rosina.
    "I can hardly believe it."
    "Mr Disraeli likes a good party, and this is rapidly becoming the party to attend. Anybody who was excluded could never hold up their head again. You're going to be the belle of London."
    "But of course," she said carelessly. "Look at who my father is."
    "No," Sir John said quietly. "Not because of him. Because of yourself. I know that some men will chase you for gain. That's the way of the world. But most of them will admire you for your honesty and sweet nature."
    There was a note in his voice that she had never heard before. It disturbed her obscurely and she quickly riposted,
    "You're very uncomplimentary, sir. You don't say they'll admire my beauty."
    He smiled.
    "I thought we could take that for granted."
    "Then you are mistaken," she said in a teasing voice. "Women do not like having their beauty taken for granted. They prefer it to be mentioned."
    "Some women like to have their looks praised constantly," he agreed. "But I don't think you are one of them. You