A Virgin Bride by Barbara Cartland

write to the family. No one but you could explain that I was on my way to Scotland to tell you before anyone else, but it took longer than expected. That is why they were not informed as they will undoubtedly think that they should have been.”
    â€œYou can be sure of that! Dearest boy, in one way I am thrilled and delighted you are to be married. In another way I am deeply concerned about your future happiness – ”
    Rock kissed her on both cheeks.
    â€œI love you, Mama, and no one but you could have taken it all so calmly without telling me I was a fool, which I surely was.”
    â€œMen will be men whatever women may say. And, as I expect you know or have guessed, your father got into all sorts of troubles before he met me and we fell in love.”
    â€œI never thought of that,” Rock murmured.
    â€œYour Papa was even more handsome than you are. Everyone told me when I married him that he would be bored with me in a few weeks and I would be left weeping, as had happened to so many other women.”
    â€œI had no idea of this! Because you were so happy together I could never think of Papa in any other way.”
    â€œOf course not, that is how I wanted you to think, but because he was in love with me and I was in love with him no one else existed – except you.”
    â€œI am glad I was not forgotten. You were so lucky, Mama, just as Papa was lucky too. But I cannot expect a miracle to happen to every member of the family, even though we pray it will.”
    â€œAll I want, my dearest Rock, is your happiness, and I do have a feeling a miracle will happen and you will be as blissful as your father and I were.”
    â€œI only hope it will come true, Mama.”
    But he did not sound all that confident and there was a look of anxiety in her eyes as she watched her son walk across to the window.
    He was looking out to sea and she thought as she gazed at his strong profile that no man had ever been quite so fascinatingly good-looking except for his father.
    â€˜We produced not just a handsome son,’ she mused, ‘but one who is intelligent and bright, but unfortunately, irresistible to women. What can I say? How can I help him at this moment?’
    She had not spoken aloud, but almost as if her son felt her calling out to him, Rock turned round.
    â€œWhatever happens in the future, Mama,” he said, “I have had a good run for my money so far, and must not expect too much. All the same I hope it will not be quite as difficult and boring as I anticipate.”
    His mother drew in her breath.
    â€œYou must remember, Rock, your father used to say, ‘ to receive love, you have to give love ,’ and that is what I have found in my life to be the undeniable truth.”
    She was speaking seriously, but her son laughed.
    â€œEveryone has always loved you, Mama, including me. But having such a marvellous example of happiness in front of me, I cannot be greedy and expect too much.”
    The door then opened and the butler announced,
    â€œThere is a crowd outside, Your Grace, that’s come from the village and the Clan. They’ve heard you’re to be wed. It’s in the newspapers that arrived this morn. They want to offer congratulations if Your Grace’ll see them.”
    Rock smiled.
    â€œHere we go, Mama. I knew it must happen sooner or later.”
    He turned to the butler,
    â€œTell them I will come to meet them and bring my mother. Have the wheelchair ready so she can be pushed into the Chieftain’s room and we will receive them there.”
    The butler was obviously delighted.
    â€œI’ll tell them that at once, Your Grace, and shall I give them a wee dram to drink your health?”
    â€œOf course, Douglas. How could we do anything else? Although I doubt if it will be just one wee dram!”

CHAPTER FIVE
    It was rather rough when The Thistle started off on the return voyage South.
    Rock then realised that he was cutting