An Unexpected Love
BARBARA CARTLAND
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Copyright © 2007 by Cartland Promotions
First published on the internet in June
2007 by Barbaracartland.com
The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.
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Ravina walked across to the barred nursery window and stared out across the gardens and orchards to where she could just see the edge of the cliff that protected the house from the sea.
“Indeed, Sir Richard, I think the Manor would make a lovely home, but even with servants, you might find it a little large living here on your own.”
He placed his hand on the rocking horse and gave it a gentle push, watching the curved runners making little marks on the dusty floor.
“I am hoping that I will not be alone. There is a lady whom I would like to ask to be my wife and then â ”
“Ouch!” Ravina winced. She had clutched the iron bars at the window so hard that a little sliver of metal had sliced into her finger.
Sir Richard intended to marry! This house was being prepared for his wife.
She felt a surge of anger and despair. He had no right to bring her here, to ask her opinion of its suitability. That was the prerogative of the lady to whom he would be offering his hand and his heart.
She had no idea why she should feel so upset. After all, this man was a stranger, he meant nothing to her!
Nothing at all.
Barbara Cartland was the most prolific bestselling author in the history of the world. She was frequently in the Guinness Book of Records for writing more books in a year than any other living author. In fact her most amazing literary feat was when her publishers asked for more Barbara Cartland romances, she doubled her output from 10 books a year to over 20 books a year, when she was 77.
She went on writing continuously at this rate for 20 years and wrote her last book at the age of 97, thus completing 400 books between the ages of 77 and 97.
Her publishers finally could not keep up with this phenomenal output, so at her death she left 160 unpublished manuscripts, something again that no other author has ever achieved.
Now the exciting news is that these 160 original unpublished Barbara Cartland books are ready for publication and they will be published by Barbaracartland.com exclusively on the internet, as the web is the best possible way to reach so many Barbara Cartland readers around the world.
The 160 books will be published monthly and will be numbered in sequence.
The series is called the Pink Collection as a tribute to Barbara Cartland whose favourite colour was pink and it became very much her trademark over the years.
The Barbara Cartland Pink Collection is published only on the internet. Log on to
www.barbaracartland.com
to find out how you can purchase the books monthly as they are published, and take out a subscription that will ensure that all subsequent editions are delivered to you by mail order to your home.
If you do not have access to a computer you can write for information about the Pink Collection to the following address :
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Barbara Cartland.com Ltd.
240 High Road,
Harrow Weald,
Harrow
HA3 7BB
United Kingdom.
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Telephone & fax: +44 (0)20 8863 2520
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1. The Cross of Love
2. Love in the Highlands
3. Love Finds the Way
4. The Castle of Love
5. Love is Triumphant
6. Stars in the Sky
7. The Ship of Love
8. A Dangerous Disguise
9. Love Became Theirs
10. Love Drives In
11. Sailing to Love
12. The Star of Love
13. Music is the Soul of Love
14. Love in the East
15. Theirs to Eternity
16. A Paradise on Earth
17. Love Wins in Berlin
18. In Search of Love
19. Love Rescues Rosanna
20. A Heart in Heaven
21. The House of Happiness
22. Royalty Defeated by Love
23. The White Witch
24. They Sought Love
25. Love is the Reason for Living
26. They Found Their Way to Heaven
27. Learning to Love
28. Journey to Happiness
29. A Kiss in the Desert
30. The Heart of Love
31. The Richness of Love
32. For Ever and Ever
33. An Unexpected Love
Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world's most famous romantic novelists. With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.
Writing her first book âJigsaw' at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller.  Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years.  In addition to Barbara Cartland's legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA. In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.
Although she is often referred to as the âQueen of Romance', Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery. Â Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.
In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.
Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime.  Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values. But above all, it was Barbara Cartland's overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.
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“Love is like a rock â it endures for ever”
Barbara Cartland
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1896
The glittering crystal chandeliers sparkled and gleamed casting their golden light on the waltzing couples below.
High up in the gallery above the ballroom, resplendent in yellow with gold braid across their chests, the musicians, faces red and shining with heat, were playing the latest dance tunes with verve and gusto.
To an onlooker, the highly polished floor of the ballroom of Lyall House in the most fashionable part of London was a kaleidoscope of colour, the white tie and tails of the gentlemen a perfect foil for the glorious dresses of their partners.
And no one looked more glorious than Lady Ravina Ashley as she whirled round the floor in the arms of the millionaire industrialist, Mr. Robert Dunster.
Her honeyâcoloured hair was styled in the latest fashion, held fast in its elaborate twist by a diamond and sapphire clip.
And although her cream lace dress was not cut as daringly low as those of some of the ladies present, it still showed off her beautiful figure to its full advantage.
The pearl necklet and matching earbobs might not glitter as much as the diamonds some of the older ladies wore, but they shone with a warm glow against her translucent skin.
Her partner was a good dancer for such a heavily built man, but the energetic exercise was obviously not to his liking.
His shirt collar looked wet where it dug into a red fleshy neck and Ravina was only too aware that the hands holding her were damp and sticky.
She wished he had thought to wear white gloves as so many other gentlemen did.
She cast a look from under her thick dark lashes at Robert Dunster's red face, listening to his rasping breathing as they circled the room once more and made a swift decision.
She stumbled a little on the next spin and put a hand to her forehead.
“Goodness, the heat is making me feel faint, Mr. Dunster. I am so sorry, but do you think we could sit down for a while?”
The industrialist looked concerned and promptly guided her through the circling couples to the side of the room and off the dance floor.
“It is indeed extremely close in here, Lady Ravina. Far too many couples, I am afraid. I did tell Lord Lyall that he had invited an excess of people, but I am afraid, as usual, my comments fell on deaf ears.”
Ravina smiled, hardly listening to his words. She did not mind dancing with him, but his self-importance was extremely irritating.
She had met him twice before and did not have a good opinion of the man.
Admittedly he was extremely polite and correct, but he always seemed to know better than everyone else, always had an opinion that could not be shaken, even if he was proved wrong.
“Perhaps I might fetch you an ice or a cooling glass of lemonade?” he was saying as she flicked open the ivory fan that hung from her wrist.
“What? Oh, no thank you, Mr. Dunster. It is getting quite late, I see. I must be thinking of going home soon. I came with the Ross family and I am sure they will not be staying much longer. Lady Ross does not like to be out too late.”
He pushed wide the French windows that opened out onto the paved terrace that ran the length of the ballroom.
Coloured lanterns had been hung in the trees and bushes in the garden and the moon sailed serenely through the midnight sky.
Several couples were sitting on little metal chairs, talking, laughing and enjoying the soft evening breeze that was rustling the trees in Berkley Square.
“I saw Lord Ross going into the billiard room only ten minutes ago. I believe he is very involved in a competition between some of the older gentlemen. I think you will have plenty of time to sit in the garden and cool down before your journey home, Lady Ravina.”
Ravina hesitated and then walked out into the night air. She had to admit it was refreshing to feel the coolness on her hot cheeks.
“This tradition of always being accompanied to a ball can be very tiresome,' she said as they walked slowly along a mossy path that meandered towards steps into the rose garden.
“But a young lady such as yourself cannot travel around London on her own.”
Ravina tossed her head, her sapphire blue eyesflashing. This was exactly the sort of remark that made her irritable.
“Indeed, Mr. Dunster, I am quite capable of attending a ball on my own. I could have organised my transport this evening very easily, and then I would not be dependent on Lord Ross's billiard game deciding the time of my departure.”
They reached the rose garden where huge swathes of sweet smelling flowers hung from columns and arches.
The moon was hiding behind a cloud now, but even in the dim light, the reds and pinks and yellows of the velvety petals gleamed in glorious abundance.
Ravina took a deep breath, glorying in the marvellous scents that filled the air.
She wandered across to a raised lily pond, admiring the splashing of the fountain and peering into the water to catch a glimpse of one of Lord Lyall's famous koi carp.
Robert Dunster plucked a crimson bud from a bush and twirled it between his fingers.