A Virgin Bride by Barbara Cartland

mistake.
    Just how could he sensibly marry someone he had never seen and of whom he knew nothing?
    Then he told himself that it was a sacrifice he had to make on behalf of his family and it was too late now to do anything but make the best of a bad job.
    As the organ became louder and the choir took their place in the Chancel, there were sounds of cheering from outside the Church.
    Then the organ played ‘ Here comes the bride .’
    He became aware that the woman he was to marry was proceeding up the aisle on her father’s arm.
    It was impossible for him not to try and visualise what she would look like, but he knew she would have a veil over her face and he would just see someone dressed in white clinging to her father’s arm.
    He had been to a number of weddings and he had always thought at each one of them that the bride looked just the same as every other bride.
    There was no reason to suspect anything different on this occasion.
    Yet, as they drew nearer, he sensed that Venetia Brook was different.
    Lady Manvill had made it very clear in her letter to Frederick Worth that it would be one of the most important weddings of the Season and she wanted the bride, who was very beautiful, to look spectacular.
    Frederick Worth had undoubtedly done his best.
    The gown was completely different from anything any other designer would have dreamt up – let alone been able to produce at such short notice.
    In fact Venetia had received it only the day before and she could hardly believe that anything so fantastic and beautiful could have been made in such a short time.
    Worth had embroidered a soft crepe in silver and had starred it with diamonds and garlanded it with sprays of lily-of-the-valley.
    There were puffs of tulle and flowers, all glittering in the sunlight streaming through the Church windows and there was a bustle with a short train.
    Instead of a traditional veil of Brussels lace, Venetia wore a veil of white tulle and sparkling with diamante it fell over her hair and shoulders.
    It was such a fantastic ensemble that it would have astounded Paris and it made everyone in the Church gasp as the bride came into view.
    Rock had no doubt when he saw her face that his bride would be extremely beautiful, but in a different way from the beauty he had seen in so many other women.
    As Venetia reached him, the Service started.
    Only when he put the ring – which his mother had given him – on her finger, did Rock notice that she was very nervous and her fingers trembled beneath his.
    He then looked into what he thought were the most stunning eyes he had seen on any woman.
    They knelt for the Blessing.
    Venetia prayed that her marriage would not be so frightening or as horrible as she anticipated.
    â€˜I am married,’ she thought, ‘and no one can end it. Somehow I must be clever enough to ensure that this man beside me makes me happy.’
    She felt as if her whole being sent out a protracted cry to the Heavens for God to help her.
    They signed the Register in the Vestry.
    Rock offered his arm to Venetia and they walked down the aisle.
    The whole congregation appeared to be moved by Venetia’s appearance and, as they reached the West door, women were crowding out of the pews chorusing,
    â€œGood luck! God Bless you! You look wonderful!”
    A carriage was waiting outside the Church to take them the short distance to Lynbrook Hall.
    Now the drive was lined with villagers and small boys and girls ran along throwing flowers into the carriage.
    It was impossible for the bride and bridegroom to look at each other, as they had to keep turning to the people waving and cheering on either side to accept their good wishes.
    When they arrived at the house, the domestic staff were all waiting on the steps.
    They were led into the huge ballroom where the Duke of Lynbrook had optimistically felt he would be able to receive everyone who attended the wedding.
    It was then, as the guests were drinking