A Victory for Love by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788670753
Publisher: Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
Published: 2018-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

The Earl drove on and Farica realised that it was very important that he should not suspect that she had overheard what was said or that she was in any way concerned with his private affairs.

As they drove away, she therefore remarked,

“I thought that people called ‘Bradshaw’ worked on the Home Farm?”

“They did,” the Earl replied briefly, “but I did not think them satisfactory and have given it to a man I can trust.”

“It’s such a pretty farm,” Farica said in ordinary conversational tones and then continued, “but so is your whole estate.”

“That is what I want you to think.”

They drove a little way towards the woods while the Earl, concerned with his horses, at the same time cast many a sidelong glance at Farica, as if he was considering what he should say.

She was determined to be interested in the view and did not look at him directly until he said,

“You know what I am longing to say to you, Farica, and I think it is foolish that we should beat about the bush!”

Farica’s eyes opened wide in surprise as she replied,

“I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“I think you do,” he answered. “You know I want to marry you, and as quickly as possible, and I see no point in our waiting.”

Farica looked ahead for a moment before she responded,

“Why should we be in such a hurry? I think it is essential that we should get to know each other well before we are actually married.”

“I know you already,” the Earl said, “and I know you are everything I desire in a wife.”

Then, as she did not speak, he went on,

“I know, like all women, you are longing to make changes and improvements in the house where you will live and there is plenty of scope for it in The Castle and in my house in Berkeley Square. I am sure too you would like to make the estate a model of its kind and I am certainly prepared to leave that in your capable hands.”

It flashed through Farica’s mind that he was thinking that if she ran the estate he would be free to enjoy himself in London with his friends, like the lady with the rubies and the other noisy guests he had entertained at the weekend.

But she merely said quietly,

“It all sounds very fascinating. Equally, as Papa has told you, I have no wish to be rushed into marriage and I have not yet made my curtsey at Buckingham Palace.”

“Good God! Is that really necessary?” the Earl asked.

“I know it is something my mother would have wanted,” Farica replied firmly, “and I would like to do some of the things she wanted for me before I settle down and undertake the responsibilities that you have just suggested.”

The Earl frowned as if he thought that he had made a mistake.

After they had driven on for some way in silence, he said coaxingly,

“Let’s get married and as soon as possible, Farica. Then I will give you all the things in London you want, parties, balls, Court Ceremonies and a hundred others as well.

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