An Unexpected Love by Barbara Cartland Page A

returned to England.”
    Ravina nodded and sipped her coffee.
    â€œAnd with that in mind, Lady Ravina, I have managed to cross the infamous Stanton Grange from my list today. As you rightly said, the place is far too damp and dark for my liking.
    â€œSo would you care to accompany me tomorrow on a little trip. I plan to visit Charlford to inspect a house I have high hopes will prove suitable to purchase.”
    Ravina looked up, startled.
    â€œOh, well, I should spend some time here, checking on the horses and the tenants.”
    â€œSurely you can spare one more day from your busy schedule?”
    Sir Richard’s dark eyes gleamed in the firelight and Ravina had the odd feeling that he was laughing at her.
    â€œI would appreciate your opinion, especially as I plan to breed horses there and I am sure you have a great knowledge of what suits animals in these Southern counties.”
    Ravina hesitated.
    â€œOf course, if Sir Michael has a prior claim on your presence and if you are already promised to visit the Priory once more, then – ”
    â€œNo, certainly not!” Ravina interrupted crossly. “My time is my own. I would be delighted to accompany you. Do you intend to ride?”
    â€œIf we go over the hills, it will prove a fairly short journey and will be a useful workout for my horse. Then, the day after, if you would not mind my staying an extra day, I will take my leave of you and Miss Allen. I know your cousin will be pleased to bring the house back to its normal routine.”
    Ravina muttered some polite platitudes, her feelings a whirl of confusion.
    Within a few minutes, she made her excuses and retired.
    She spent a restless night, trying to work out why Sir Richard intrigued and annoyed her so much.
    She finally decided it was because he had a knack of getting under her skin, of making her feel like a naughty child one moment and then his equal the next.
    She knew, for example, that because he had constantly lectured her about riding alone, she would not tell him about Bobby Watson’s warning.
    Sir Richard did not know the Watson family and so might well think there was some substance in the boy’s words, not realising that it was just a story to frighten a member of the Ashley family.
    *
    By the time the sun had risen above the trees in the orchard, Ravina had washed and dressed in her favourite blue riding habit.
    She brushed aside Gibbs’s anxious offer of breakfast and stopping only to take an apple from a bowl, she headed for the stables.
    Sweetie was being groomed and whickered in delight at the sight of Ravina, knowing she would have sugar lumps in her pocket.
    She had inherited her love of horses from her father and knew that for all her enjoyment of the hectic life in London, the parties and fetes, fun and gaiety, she was never happier than in the country among her ponies and horses.
    As she turned to go back to the yard, she realised a buckle was loose on her boot and bent to fix it.
    Suddenly she realised that there were two grooms in the stall next to her, dealing with Sir Richard’s horse.
    â€œEee, Jacob, this is a fine animal.”
    â€œYou’re right there, Tom. Best stallion I’ve seen for many a year.”
    â€œHow’s his old leg, then?”
    There came the distinct noise of Jacob’s wheezing laugh.
    â€œNaught wrong with his leg. Never was. Little scratch on the hock, that’s all it was. I did be telling Sir Richard that, but he just said, “yes, yes, let’s keep him quiet for a couple of days.” None so odd as the aristocracy!”
    â€œAh, you’re right there, Jacob. But we’d better get this beast saddled up. Sir Richard’ll be here soon.”
    Ravina moved silently down the central passageway out into the cobbled courtyard where all was bustle and noise.
    Sweetie was ready for her and she mounted, hardly capable of thanking her groom, her mind was in such a spin.
    Sir Richard strode