A Virgin Bride by Barbara Cartland Page A

champagne and raising their glasses to the bride and bridegroom, that Venetia’s father suggested,
    â€œThere is such a crowd outside that I think you will both have to go and show yourselves. They are shouting for you and I am afraid they might try to rush the doors!”
    Venetia laughed.
    â€œOf course, Papa. I can quite understand they feel out of it when they cannot see what is happening inside.”
    â€œI did not expect to have so many people wishing me luck,” Rock said with a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
    The Duke of Lynbrook laughed.
    â€œI did not realise I was so popular either – or rather that Venetia is. And as you will see, a number of people who have cheered us frequently at the races have turned up from London.”
    â€œHave they really?” Rock replied in astonishment.
    â€œThis is such a romantic marriage, which, I am told, has caught the attention not only of the Press but of those who have made money by following our horses.”
    Both men were laughing as they reached the steps outside the front door.
    There was an enormous crowd and they cheered wildly when Venetia and Rock appeared.
    Rock saw that the Duke had not exaggerated when he had said there so were many from the racing world. Jostling to the front of the crowd, they shook his hand and wished him luck at Ascot.
    At least several of them shouted out,
    â€œIt’s just like you, Your Grace, to be as lucky at choosing a bride as you’ve been at choosing a winner!”
    Rock thanked them, but there were so many well-wishers that he was relieved when the Duke suggested,
    â€œI think you should now both go and change and be ready to go away. Otherwise this lot will drink the cellar dry! I am told the barrels of beer I provided for them are already beginning to run out!”
    â€œThat would be a real tragedy – we will go at once, Papa,” laughed Venetia.
    She ran upstairs and she realised as she did so that it had been impossible for her to have even a word with her husband since they had left the Church.
    Mrs. Johnson and four maids were waiting to help her out of her wedding gown.
    Her ‘going away’ dress had also just arrived from Paris and it was just as spectacular as her wedding gown.
    â€œYou look so lovely, my Lady,” Mrs. Johnson kept saying. “I just thinks when I looks at you how proud your mother’d be.”
    Knowing her father was not exaggerating when he said it was hard to restrain the crowd, she changed quickly.
    Her ‘going away’ dress was blue with touches of pink on it and the flowers in her dainty but smart hat were of the same colours.
    When she walked downstairs, the women waiting in the hall gave exclamations of surprise and appreciation.
    Rock was already at the front door and he thought she might have stepped straight off the stage of a brilliant designer show. She literally dazzled the other women.
    Rock’s four chestnuts had been replaced in his open chaise by the Duke of Lynbrook’s special white team that were famous locally and were most suitable for a wedding.
    As they drove away, there were cries and shrieks of good wishes that seemed to rise up into the sky.
    â€œYou have been so wonderful, my dearest Venetia,” her father sighed as he kissed her.
    â€œThink of me, Papa, and I hope I will not be away for too long.”
    She only had time to kiss one more person before she climbed into the chaise – and that was Lady Manvill.
    â€œThank you for everything, Aunt Alice. You have given me courage. Perhaps I will now be able to do what you have told me to do.”
    â€œI am betting on it, Venetia, and with your beauty and brains I feel I am on to a certainty!”
    They both laughed as Rock picked up the reins and they drove off.
    They were leaving later than they had intended and Rock knew he had to make the horses perform miracles if they were to arrive in London in good time for dinner.
    Actually it was