Nanny had known Lord Ashley since he was born and knew exactly how clever a man he was.
Had he chosen Sir Richard to be his daughter’s secret guardian, hoping for this outcome?
Well, he would never say, but the old lady had her suspicions.
*
In the vast Cathedral, in front of a congregation of their friends, neighbours and notables from all aspects of Society, Sir Richard turned round at the altar as the organ played and watched, stunned, as a vision floated up the aisle towards him.
Escorted by her father, Ravina in white silk and lace with a long train and floating veil was a picture of loveliness.
She was holding a bouquet of pink roses and gleaming white lilies and only she and her husband-to-be knew that buried amongst the flowers were tiny blue and yellow blossoms from the slopes above their future home on the Dorset coast.
Sir Michael and Lady Moore were there to watch, linking hands and smiling at each other.
And in pride of place in the family pew sat Nanny Johnson, resplendent in a new outfit and wearing a magnificent hat decorated with two huge curled feathers that completely hid the view from the gentleman sitting behind her!
The familiar words rang out, rings were exchanged and Ravina pushed back the veil from her face to accept his tender kiss.
“I love you, my darling wife,” Sir Richard murmured and Ravina trembled at the passion in his voice.
“With all my heart and soul for now, forever and till the end of time.”
They were married!
This love she had found had been so very unexpected and delightful and her happiness knew no bounds.
But Ravina knew, as his grip tightened on her fingers and his lips touched hers in love and joy, that the future they would make together lay before them, as bright and shining as the sea they would lie and watch from their bedroom for so many years to come.
An Unexpected Love Page 13