Love Became Theirs by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland [Cartland, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781906950538
Publisher: Barbara Cartland.com
Published: 2011-10-16T16:26:45+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

By common consent the two parties joined up. Count Rostoy immediately fell in beside Rona, seized her hand, kissed it and pressed it theatrically to his bosom. Since his behaviour reminded her more of clowning than of passion, she was not offended.

"I have spent the whole night thinking of your beauty," he said in throbbing accents.

"What a shocking waste of time!" she declared. "You should have been thinking of heiresses."

"True, but what can I do when you are so beautiful and so cruel?"

From behind them came the sound of a giggle. Alice was listening and enjoying herself. Not in the least disconcerted, the Count turned and saluted her, grinning.

The Russian didn't have everything as he pleased. Henri, determined not to be outdone by his brother, Marcel, joined Rona on the other side and made a determined bid for her attention. He and the Count enjoyed a cheerful duel for the next mile, but they were both baulked by the fact that the lady's attention kept wandering. She was trying to keep Alice in view.

Sometimes this was easy as the girl rode almost level with her. Sometimes she fell behind, and sometimes she began to drift off down side paths, with the two younger sons, and Rona had to call her back. Alice would make a face, but she always returned obediently.

It pleased Rona to see that Alice was a very good rider. Her horse was docile, and presented little challenge, but the girl clearly had a natural skill.

Rona's own mount was more spirited and she had to concentrate to keep it under control. But her Papa had insisted on her being taught by the best teachers, and she emerged the winner from their battle of wills.

Henri, who owned the animal, congratulated her.

"Castor is lively, but you have the trick of making him obey you."

"Thank you," she said lightly, "but that shouldn't surprise you. A governess has to know the art of commanding obedience, with horses as in everything."

"Ah yes! In everything! I think, Mademoiselle Governess, that this describes you. You are – now, what is the English word?"

"Bossy," Rona informed him merrily.

"Ah yes! Bossy!"

"But this is an insult," roared the Russian. "A woman doesn't like to be called bossy."

"That depends how bossy she actually is," Rona pointed out. Meeting Henri's eye with a teasing glance, she added, "she might be glad of it, as a way of signalling the slavish obedience that she expects."

"You see?" Henri declared triumphantly.

"Well it seems a strange sort of flirting to me," the Count grumbled.

"But sometimes," Henri took up her theme, "a man is too obstinate to listen to her. Actually, if we are honest, from the day of his marriage he is struggling to be the head of the house, and not just an obedient man of no distinction in it."

Rona laughed.

"I am sure that will never happen to you," she said.

"I wish I were as certain. I'm afraid, in case I fail, and find myself trampled on by pretty feminine feet."

"A woman has to be very strong to fight a man," Rona mused.

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