An Unexpected Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

think young Charity should be in the carriage as well. And why are you ruining your hands driving the team when George can do it perfectly well?”
    â€œOh, Nanny, don’t fuss so,” Ravina exclaimed, laughing happily, helping her into the carriage and making sure she had a thick rug tucked round her knees.
    â€œI am handling the horses because I love driving and George will be ready to take over the reins if I need a rest.”
    Just then Sir Michael arrived by Hackney cab and stood watching as the heavily laden staff coach trundled away down the road.
    â€œYou are certainly travelling light, Sir Michael,” Ravina commented as he was only holding a small leather valise.
    â€œUnlike you ladies, I do not need quite so many changes of outfit and I have most of my country clothes at the Priory already. When my car has been repaired, Goodwin, my chauffeur, will drive it down with the rest of my cases.”
    â€œI, on the other hand,” Ravina smiled, “have so many outfits to pack that I almost needed a third coach for the luggage!”
    â€œI trust you have remembered some pretty evening dresses. I intend to give a big party when the Priory is ready for visitors.”
    â€œHow long will that be?”
    â€œOh, not too long. But there is still a great deal to be done before I can accommodate a large number of visitors and their staff.”
    â€œYou will certainly be extremely popular with the local families, Sir Michael. The last time I was in Dorset, my friends were bemoaning the fact that there were too few parties to attend.”
    With a clatter of hooves and grating of wheels on the roadway, a smaller carriage emblazoned with the Ashley crest on its side panel and pulled by two beautiful greys, came round the corner.
    George Jarvis, the elderly coachman, jumped down from the driving seat to hold the horses’heads, while, with a disapproving frown, the footman helped Ravina to take his place, pulling a warm rug over her knees.
    Sir Michael stared in disbelief as he cautiously climbed up to sit beside her.
    Ravina raised her hand in farewell to the servants who were standing in the doorway, then released the brake and shook up the reins, guiding the team into a slow controlled walk as George leapt onto the little seat behind her.
    She realised Sir Michael was looking at her in astonishment.
    â€œI know you did not expect it to be me driving the carriage today,” she said mischievously, “but it is what I enjoy more than anything. It was remiss of me not to mention it yesterday.”
    â€œI am very impressed,” Sir Michael told her. “But it does surprise me that you like driving a carriage and pair in London with all the traffic.”
    â€œOh, I have done it for years,” Ravina replied, exaggerating slightly. “Papa always said that if I had been a boy, I would have learnt to drive. Being a girl should not stop someone doing what they want to do, don’t you agree?”
    Sir Michael muttered something vague and Ravina tried not to giggle as she saw his knuckles were white where he was gripping the edge of his seat.
    She flicked her whip at the ear of the offside horse to keep his head straight and smiled swiftly at her companion.
    â€œSir Michael, I first rode to hounds when I was five and was taught to drive almost as soon as I could hold the reins. Believe me, you are quite safe in my hands.”
    â€œWell, Lady Ravina, you have certainly surprised me this morning.”
    â€œI promise you that we will indeed arrive quite safely in the country. And, to put your mind completely at rest George is ready and eager to leap to my aid if I encounter any problems I cannot deal with.”
    â€œThe way you handle the team tells me that there is unlikely to be anything that you could not overcome. Indeed, you seem like a young Queen Boadicea, riding her chariot into battle!”
    Ravina laughed.
    She was pleased by the compliment, even if she