Authors: Barbara Cartland
A Virgin Bride
A VIRGIN BRIDEBARBARA CARTLAND
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.
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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 âgoodbye' 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.”
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 :
Â
BarbaraCartland.com
Camfield Place
Hatfield
Hertfordshire
AL9 6JE
United Kingdom
Â
Telephone: Â +44 1707 642629
Fax: Â +44 1707 663041
These titles are currently available for download. For more information please see the
Where to buy page
at the end of this book.
Â
- 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 â 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
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 âJigsaw' 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 âQueen 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. Â 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 â majestic, magnificent
and sweeps all before it.”
Barbara Cartland
Â
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, â
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 Berkeley Square.”
Venetia drew in her breath.
“I cannot imagine what has happened or why Papa should suddenly wish me to leave before the end of term.”
“I expect he has a good reason and naturally, my child, you must obey his command.”
“I think it is so tiresome to be taken away just now, when I have so much I want to do here.”
She was speaking almost to herself rather than the Mother Superior.
“You know as well as I do, my child, that you have stayed on longer than is usual. Although we have enjoyed having you and you have been a tremendous help to me in many ways, I really cannot question your father's decision in wanting you home.”
“If that was the only reason, I would understand it,” said Venetia. “But you know how busy Papa is. He has a great many obligations in the country and seldom, if he can help it, goes to London.”
“Well, His Grace is obviously in London now and we must do exactly as he says. I will make arrangements for you to leave early tomorrow morning by train.”
“That will hardly give me time to say âgoodbye' to everybody,” Venetia sighed. “I suppose there will be no chance of coming back to stay until the end of the term?”
The Mother Superior smiled.
“I hardly think that your father, if he needs you so urgently, will want you to return. Although, my child, we shall miss you very much, you know as well as I do that you should have left at the end of last summer.”