Read Online A Dream Come True by Barbara Cartland - Free Book Online

been made in Paris and fell in a straight line from her slender hips. She presented very much the ideal figure with her rounded bosom and tiny waist.
    â€˜I feel as if I will be parading myself around as if I was for sale,’ she thought. ‘But then again, is that not precisely the case?’
    Later that morning, the doctor arrived and spent half an hour with her mother.
    Lucia was called away before he left, as her stepfather wished to discuss some domestic matters with her.
    By the time that the gong sounded for luncheon, Lucia’s head was spinning with all the changes he wished to bring about at Bingham Hall. There were to be no more grand dinners, no May ball and, now that the motor car was used more than the carriages, Sir Arthur had mooted selling off some of the horses and the old phaeton.
    â€œWe shall also have to either let some of the stable boys go and an ostler or they will cease to live in,” he had explained.
    Lucia wondered how everyone would receive the news. Theirs was one of the largest houses in that part of the County and the staff might find it difficult to find alternative employment.
    He had also suggested laying off one or two other servants, until Lucia had explained that they were operating with the bare minimum for the size of the house.
    As Moston served the soup, she felt pleased that she had been able to save their jobs. Moston had been with the family for many years and she did not know how the house would run without him.
    â€œHow is her Ladyship?” he asked as he spooned out the Mulligatawny soup.
    â€œSleeping,” Lucia informed him. “Doctor Maybury gave her something to help her rest. I shall visit her once she is awake.”
    Lucia ate in silence.
    Her stepfather came and joined her, but they did not converse. He was as economical with his words as he was with his money. For once, she was completely at ease with that fact.
    â€œI am glad you have decided to make yourself presentable,” he commented as they left the dining room. “I am sure you will please Lord Winterton.”
    Lucia’s stomach turned as he spoke and it was then she realised that she could not clearly recall Lord Winterton’s face.
    His lascivious expression – yes, but what colour eyes did he have? How old was he? She had assumed that he was her stepfather’s age, but had not seen his face clearly.
    â€˜Well, I shall just have to wait and see,’ she told herself, as she tried to pass the time.
    On the dot of half-past two the front door bell rang. Lucia heard Moston go to answer it and then voices in the hall.
    â€œThe Master is waiting for you in his study,” she heard him say.
    After about fifteen minutes, Moston came to find her.
    â€œThe Master has sent for you, miss.”
    Lucia took a deep breath and felt as if she were walking to her doom. She smoothed back her hair and knocked on the study door.
    The first person she saw as she entered was Lord Winterton and she was quite taken aback as he nodded in acknowledgment.
    Far from being the older man she had thought she had seen, he was much younger, probably no more than thirty. He was also devastatingly handsome.
    His striking blue eyes crinkled at the edges as he walked towards her.
    â€œYou did not meet my stepdaughter, Lucia, at the ball,” intoned Sir Arthur.
    Lord Winterton took her hand and kissed it. The shock of his moustache on her tender flesh sent shivers through her body.
    â€œCharming,” he said, releasing her hand. “Utterly charming.”
    His sensual mouth curved into a smile and, in spite of herself, Lucia felt her heart beating faster in response.
    â€œI have spoken with her about becoming your secretary,” began Sir Arthur. “And she is agreeable to the suggestion.”
    â€œYou have a way with words or so I am told,”interrupted Lord Winterton, his eyes raking up and down her frame. “I have need of a secretary with those kind of