“I was at Tattersalls,” he explained, “and I could not resist them. I was going to buy them for myself, but then I thought how beautiful Charisa would look sitting behind them and so, my boy, they are yours!”
“I cannot begin to thank you,” Vincent had said, “although all that really matters is that you are giving me Charisa!”
The Colonel had laughed.
“I think, if the truth was known, my permission was never asked for one way or the other! But suffice to say that I would rather have you as my son-in-law than any other man in the world.”
Inside the carriage Charisa slipped her hand into her father’s.
“I am so excited that you and Vincent are going to build a Racecourse together,” she said. “It means that I will be able to see you every day and you know that I could not lose you, Papa.”
“And I have no intention of losing you,” the Colonel replied. “I have a great many plans for both our estates, which I think now must eventually be joined together.”
“Oh, Papa, what a wonderful idea!” Charisa exclaimed. “And I know it will please and thrill Vincent.”
“You can leave me to look after things while you are on your honeymoon,” the Colonel said. “I know Vincent will be thinking of nothing but you and you will be thinking of him.”
“You are quite right,” Charisa said, “but if you buy us any more horses, we shall be forced to enlarge the stables.”
“I have thought of that already,” the Colonel remarked.
They both laughed.
As they came in sight of The Priory, Charisa felt her heart beating excitedly.
Dawkins was waiting at the top of the steps to welcome her and the footmen in the hall had never looked smarter.
The Chapel was filled to capacity with the households from both houses and the people on the estate were there as well, including all the farmers and their wives.
As Charisa walked up the aisle, she felt that they were all part of one great family, a family that had started when the monks built The Priory.
The first Abbot had brought it the Blessing of the Saint after whom he had been named and his own blessing had remained all down the centimes.
Charisa and Vincent knelt for the final Blessing from the Vicar on their marriage.
As they did so, she thought that no one could be more blessed than they were and no one could be happier.
*
Then it was all over and Charisa was waiting in the Master Bedroom.
Because Gervais had slept there, this room also had been exorcised.
Now it was fragrant with the scent of lilies and many other flowers that had been arranged by the gardeners.
The fireplace was filled with them and there were huge vases on either side of the bed.
Vincent came into the room and stood for a moment just gazing at his wife.
He was thinking that nothing could be lovelier and she looked just like a flower herself.
Charisa held out her arms, but for a moment he did not move.
“Can I really own anyone so precious?” he asked.
“I am yours – all yours, my darling husband,” she whispered.
Slowly he went towards her.
Then he sat down on the bed, just as he had when he had come through the secret panel.
“I feel as if I am in a dream,” he said, “and I am only afraid that I may wake up.”
“You are – awake,” Charisa answered softly, “and I am here with – you.”
“My star, who has guided and saved me,” Vincent sighed. “There is so much I want to say to you, but I cannot put it into words.”
“There is – no need – for words,” Charisa murmured. “My heart is – calling to your – heart and I love you – Vincent.”
He moved in beside her and took her into his arms.
“I love, adore and worship you!” he said. “But that does not adequately express what I am feeling at this moment.”
Then he was kissing her, kissing her passionately, demandingly and fiercely, as if he were afraid that after all he might lose her.
To Charisa it was as if the world itself swung dizzily around them.
She too was moving in the dream.
It was a dream of love, so perfect that it was impossible to describe it.
They were no longer human, no longer on earth.
She was the star that Vincent thought her to be and he was glittering with her.
A light emanated from them both, joining them and making them a part of the Divine.
“I love you – I love you – !”
The words were being spoken with their hearts and their souls.
It was love that swept through them, making it impossible to think, only to feel.
She belonged to Vincent.
They had faced fear and darkness and had fought Satan to find each other.
The evil had been swept away.
They knew that the Holiness of The Priory would in the future sweep away anything that tried to hurt them.
“I love you – I love you – !”
It was the song of angels and the chanting of the monks.
She could hear it vibrating on the air, hear it in the beating of their hearts and in the ecstasy that Vincent’s kisses evoked in them both.
They were no longer two people but one for all time.
The Blessing of God Himself was theirs.
It would pass to their children, their children’s children, and all those who came after them.
It was the Blessing of Love, which is Divine.
OTHER BOOKS IN THIS SERIES
The Barbara Cartland Eternal Collection is the unique opportunity to collect as ebooks all five hundred of the timeless beautiful romantic novels written by the world’s most celebrated and enduring romantic author.
Named the Eternal Collection because Barbara’s inspiring stories of pure love, just the same as love itself, the books will be published on the internet at the rate of four titles per month until all five hundred are available.
The Eternal Collection, classic pure romance available worldwide for all time .
Elizabethan Lover
The Little Pretender
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
A Duel of Hearts
The Saint and the Sinner
The Penniless Peer
The Proud Princess
The Dare-Devil Duke
A Shaft of Sunlight
Lies for Love
Love and Lucia
Love and the Loathsome Leopard
Beauty or Brains
The Temptation of Torilla
The Goddess and the Gaiety Girl
Fragrant Flower
Look Listen and Love
The Duke and the Preacher’s Daughter
A Kiss for the King
The Mysterious Maid-servant
Lucky Logan Finds Love
The Wings of Ecstacy
Mission to Monte Carlo
Revenge of the Heart
The Unbreakable Spell
Never Laugh at Love
Bride to a Brigand
Lucifer and the Angel
Journey to a Star
Solita and the Spies
The Chieftain Without a Heart
No Escape from Love
Dollars for the duke
Pure and Untouched
Secrets
Fire in the Blood
Love, Lies and Marriage
The Ghost who Fell in Love
Hungry for Love
The Wild Cry of Love
The Blue-eyed Witch
The Punishment of a Vixen
The Secret of the Glen
Bride to the King
For All Eternity
King in Love
A Marriage made in Heaven
Who can deny Love?
Riding to the Moon
Wish for Love
Dancing on a Rainbow
Gypsy Magic
&nb
sp; Love in the Clouds
Count the Stars
White Lilac
Too Precious to Lose
The Devil Defeated
An Angel Runs Away
The Duchess Disappeared
The Pretty Horse-breakers
The Prisoner of Love
Ola and the Sea Wolf
The Castle made for Love
A Heart is Stolen
The Love Pirate
As Eagles Fly
The Magic of Love
Love Leaves at Midnight
A Witch’s Spell
Love Comes West
The Impetuous Duchess
A Tangled Web
Love lifts the Curse
Saved By A Saint
Love is Dangerous
The Poor Governess
A Very Unusual Wife
Say Yes Samantha
Punished with love
A Royal Rebuke
The Husband Hunters
Signpost To Love
Love Forbidden
Gift Of the Gods
The Outrageous Lady
The Slaves Of Love
The Disgraceful Duke
The Unwanted Wedding
Lord Ravenscar’s Revenge
From Hate to Love
A Very Naughty Angel
The Innocent Imposter
A Rebel Princess
A Wish Comes True
Haunted
Passions In The Sand
Little White Doves of Love
A Portrait of Love
The Enchanted Waltz
Alone and Afraid
The Call of the Highlands
The Glittering Lights
An Angel in Hell
Only a Dream
A Nightingale Sang
Pride and the Poor Princess
Stars in my Heart
The Fire of Love
A Dream from the Night
Sweet Enchantress
The Kiss of the Devil
Fascination in France
Love Runs In
Lost Enchantment
Love is Innocent
The Love Trap
No Darkness for Love
Kiss from a Stranger
The Flame Is Love
A Touch of Love
The Dangerous Dandy
In Love In Lucca
The Karma Of Love
Magic For The Heart
Paradise Found
Only Love
A Duel with Destiny
The Heart of the Clan
The Ruthless Rake
Revenge is Sweet
Fire on the Snow
A Revolution of Love
Love at the Helm
Listen to Love
Love Casts out Fear
The Devilish Deception
Riding in the Sky
The Wonderful Dream
This Time it’s Love
The River of Love
A Gentleman in Love
The Island of Love
Miracle for a Madonna
The Storms of Love
The Prince and the Pekingese
The Golden Cage
Theresa and a Tiger
The Goddess of Love
Alone in Paris
The Earl Rings a Belle
The Runaway Heart
From Hell to Heaven
Love in the Ruins
Crowned with Love
Love is a Maze
Hidden by Love
Love is the Key
A Miracle in Music
The Race for Love
Call of the Heart
The Curse of the Clan
Saved by Love
The Tears of Love
Winged Magic
Born of Love
Love Holds the Cards
A Chieftain Finds Love
The Horizons of Love
The Marquis Wins
A Duke in Danger
Warned by a Ghost
Forced to Marry
Sweet Adventure
Love is a Gamble
Love on the Wind
Looking for Love
Love is the Enemy
The Passion and the Flower
The Reluctant Bride
Safe in Paradise
The Temple of Love
Love at First Sight
The Scots Never Forget
The Golden Gondola
No Time for Love
Love in the Moon
A Hazard of Hearts
Just Fate
The Kiss of Paris
Little Tongues of Fire
Love Under Fire
The Magnificent Marriage
Moon over Eden
The Dream and the Glory
A Victory for Love
A Princess in Distress
A Gamble with Hearts
Love Strikes a Devil
THE LATE DAME BARBARA CARTLAND
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 ‘Jigsaw’ 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 ‘Queen 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. 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.
Love Strikes a Devil
Barbara Cartland
Barbara Cartland Ebooks Ltd
This edition © 2018
Copyright Cartland Promotions 1992
eBook conversion by M-Y Books