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

talents. Do you type?”
    â€œI learned at Finishing School and achieved a distinction in the examination.”
    â€œVery impressive,” he purred in a manner that hinted that he was not only referring to her secretarial abilities.
    Lucia shrank beneath his penetrating gaze.
    â€˜That audacious stare,’ she said to herself, trying not to appear too self-conscious. ‘But he is so very handsome! Next to him, Edward is a mere boy.’
    Lord Winterton moved with the grace of a panther. He walked across the room towards the windows exuding self-confidence and sensuality.
    â€œI have an Underwood Number One – a truly marvellous piece of machinery. Do you think that you could master it?”
    â€œI have already done so,” replied Lucia with confidence. “That was the very machine that I used at school.”
    â€œExcellent,” responded Lord Winterton, turning round to fix her with his gaze once more.
    â€œI find that I need someone to reply to the many letters I receive,” he continued. “I have several businesses both here and abroad and I need someone who is intelligent and can type. Sir Arthur, I would be glad to give your stepdaughter a trial as we discussed earlier. When would she be available?”
    â€œAs soon as you desire, Winterton,” he replied with a satisfied smile. “Now, would you care for some refreshment?”
    Lucia walked over to the bell and rang it. She noticed that Lord Winterton’s eyes followed her as she moved across the room.
    Moston came in with the tea ready made. He was excellent at anticipating his Master’s needs.
    Lord Winterton, who spoke amusingly about his time in India, largely dominated the conversation. By the time they had finished their tea, Lucia was in two minds what to think of him.
    â€˜He seems decent enough – but his manner,’ she thought as she poured for their guest. ‘He does not seem to care for the dictates of what is polite behaviour and what is not.’
    After a while Sir Arthur spoke up,
    â€œLucia, would you leave Lord Winterton and me alone now? We have matters to discuss.”
    â€˜The marriage!’ she thought with a sick feeling.
    Without protesting she rose and went to shake Lord Winterton’s hand.
    â€œI shall look forward to you coming to work at Longfield Manor,” he said in his deep rich voice that seemed to strike a chord with something inside her.
    Lucia felt herself blushing and hurried out of the room.
    â€˜What a perfect fool you are!’ she said to herself crossly.
    â€œMiss Lucia, this has just arrived for you.”
    Moston was coming towards her with a massive bouquet of exotic flowers in his arms. She knew who it was from before she even pulled out the card from between the heavy fragrant blooms.
    â€œThank you, Moston,” she mumbled moving into the drawing room.
    â€œWishing your mother a speedy recovery and that we see each other again soon, regards, Edward,’ she read. ‘Perhaps I should telephone him to thank him for them? expect he meant them for Mama really.’
    She rang for Moston and asked for the flowers to be taken up to her mother’s room as soon as they had been arranged.
    â€˜Mama will be sorry that she has missed the opportunity to arrange them herself,’ she thought, as she reclined on the sofa.
    Lucia did not wish to appear too keen, so she waited until it late afternoon before she telephoned Edward.
    â€œThank you so much for the flowers. They will brighten Mama’s room no end.”
    â€œI hope we can meet again soon,” Edward insisted.
    â€œAs Mama is more stable, why don’t you come over for a hack tomorrow?”
    â€œI would love to and I shall bring Lightning so that you can ride him.”
    Lucia was thrilled.
    â€œI should like that very much,” she enthused with undisguised joy. “I have longed to ride him since the first day you brought him to Bingham