The Eternal Collection: Books 51 - 60 (The Eternal Collection Compilations) by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland [Cartland, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Barbara Cartland Ebooks ltd
Published: 2019-02-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Valora looked with delight at her reflection in the mirror.

She could hardly believe it could have happened that at a moment’s notice she would find a wedding gown that was the embodiment of all her romantic dreams.

Mrs. Field produced the two gowns she had promised her, but the moment Valora saw the one in which her grandmother had been married in 1772 she knew that was the gown which would give her an appearance that she hoped the Duke would think enchanting.

Made of white satin trimmed with exquisite Brussels lace, the skirts were full, but not so exaggerated as they had been later in the century.

The square neckline was cut low, revealing her white skin and the sleeves were frilled over the elbows in a cascade of lace.

What made it so lovely, Valora thought, was that from the shoulders there was lace falling to the ground and ending in a train several feet long.

Although it was old, it had not yellowed with age and, when Mrs. Field brought a lace veil to arrange over her hair, Valora found it hard to find words to thank her.

There was a wreath of orange blossom that Mrs. Field said was particularly lucky because not only her grandmother had worn it but also her mother.

“I wish she was here today,” Valora murmured, speaking really to herself, but Mrs. Field heard her.

“I’m sure she is, Your Grace,” she said. “We who believe in the afterlife – and who could believe in anything else with your grandfather as near a Saint as anyone on earth – know that those we love are always near us.”

“Thank you – for reminding – me,” Valora said softly and blinked away the tears that filled her eyes.

Then she glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece and realised that there was still ten minutes before her grandfather would be waiting for them.

She had a sudden thought that had not occurred to her previously and she turned to Mrs. Field,

“I would like to speak to my – my – my husband. Do you think – he has gone downstairs?”

“In that case I’ll send someone to fetch him, Your Grace,” Mrs. Field replied.

“No! I would not – wish – ” Valora started to say, but it was too late.

Mrs. Field had already left the room and she stood indecisive, wondering if she should say what was in her mind or let the arrangements the Duke had made with her grandfather go ahead.

That he had married her was the most marvellous thing that had ever happened and she had felt as they knelt in front of the altar in the village Church that there were angels’ voices in the air above them and they were receiving the Blessing of God.

All the same she knew now they had not only been married with a Special Licence which had not belonged to them, but the Duke had given his full name and, as he had said himself, though under-age, she had not the permission of her Guardian.

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