Rivals for Love Read Online Free

taste of London again you may want to stay on.”
    â€œI rather thought that was at the back of your mind, Aunt Violet. And the answer is no ! No ! No ! I will not go back to Cousin Muriel and when you and Uncle Edward leave I shall leave too.”
    Lady Violet decided that it was hopeless to argue anymore. At least it would pacify the Earl for the moment that Elva was at least back in London.
    She tried to think of which engagements she had organised for the next few days. Whatever they were she was certain they would be with some of her husband’s friends who were senior diplomats or politicians.
    Elva would obviously find them interesting and she could not help ruminating that the Social world made so little sense whilst it continued to disapprove of women being too clever.
    Girls were brought up primarily to be married and therefore it was a big mistake for them to be intellectuals as well. It only made them restless.
    Of course, it was different for men.
    At an early age they were sent to a Public School and on to University. Then they could decide what would interest them for the rest of their lives.
    Lady Violet realised how fortunate she had been in falling in love with a diplomat. He not only enjoyed his work, but was treated with respect and deference in every country where they had been posted.
    Lady Violet realised that reports on Edward sent back to London were outstanding and glowing.
    The Prime Minister, William Pitt, had found them difficult to believe, but that was until he came to know Edward well. Then, like everyone else, he appreciated the quickness of his mind and treasured his sense of humour and all the original ideas he expounded on every political issue.
    â€˜I have been lucky, so very, very lucky,’ she told herself.
    But her marriage was undoubtedly a miracle which might happen only once in a thousand years. Men like her husband were hard to find!
    They drove on with Elva beside her looking very lovely and Lady Violet could not but help wondering what would happen to the girl.
    â€˜She is far too intelligent to be happy with anyone second rate,’ she thought. ‘And she is too beautiful not to have a great number of men pursuing her.’
    It was a tragedy that her mother was no long alive. The Countess would never have made the silly mistake that Cousin Muriel had made of telling Elva she must get married quickly.
    â€˜I will do everything I can,’ decided Lady Violet, ‘but there is very little time to do it in and Edward will be so busy before we depart for Madrid.’
    She sighed deeply and Elva turned towards her.
    â€œI can see you are worrying about me,” she said. “You are not to do so. I promise you I can look after myself.”
    â€œI wish that were true, my dearest. You know it is impossible at your age. I was just wishing your mother was still with us.”
    â€œI often wish so too,” answered Elva. “I know she would agree with me that I am right in not wasting my time with Cousin Muriel.”
    â€œYou cannot be so sure.”
    â€œI am quite sure,” replied Elva quietly. “I often feel that Mama is looking after me and guiding me from Heaven.”
    She was silent for a moment.
    â€œYou may think it very strange, but I was so absolutely certain when I ran away from London and came home that Mama knew what I was doing and approved.”
    â€œDo you really think that she would approve of your leaving without any explanation to the people who were trying to help you? Even if you felt the way they were doing it was wrong?”
    Elva put her pretty head on one side.
    â€œYou have a point there, Aunt Violet. I suppose it was rather rude and of course I shall apologise. In fact I will buy some very expensive flowers for Cousin Muriel tomorrow morning and send them round with a note in which I will be very humble and contrite.”
    The way she said it made Lady Violet chuckle.
    â€œDo that, Elva. And I