A Dream Come True

A Dream Come True by Barbara Cartland Page B

Book: A Dream Come True by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online
Authors: Barbara Cartland
Tags: Romance
Ads: Link
’appy to be serving you,” chattered Antoinette, while Lucia undressed. “I ’ave trained to be a lady’s maid and I confess I was a little puzzled when ’is Lordship engaged me as he is not married. It is unusual that a secretary has a lady’s maid, non? But Monsieur Jepson, ’e say that you are a lady yourself.”
    Lucia’s heart sank.
    â€˜He must have asked her to look after me so that when we are married, she will continue to be my maid and be familiar with my requirements,’ she deduced.
    â€œI am not strictly speaking a lady,” she replied, as she eased herself into the foaming bath. “Papa was a Lord, but I am just a miss.”
    â€œOh, I see,” said Antoinette. “Boof! I shall never get used to your English Lords and Ladies. Who is Lady, who is Lord – so many!”
    Lucia thought that she would very much enjoy having Antoinette to take care of her needs and she would be able to speak French more often.
    The hot bath was most welcome after working so hard all day. Her shoulders and neck were stiff from pounding the typewriter keyboard and she had not realised how tense she had been.
    She soaped her shoulders and lay back in the hot water. The bathroom was so much more luxurious than hers at Bingham Hall.
    â€˜At least I shall have every comfort while I am here,’ she thought. ‘I wish though that I did not have to be away from Mama. I wonder if Lord Winterton will allow me to telephone home later this evening to see how she is?’
    Later at the dressing table Antoinette brushed out her thick blonde hair and commented on how pretty it was.
    â€œSo much hair!” she said admiringly. “How shall I dress it for you?”
    Lucia allowed her to style it in the French manner and found it very becoming. As she laced her into her dark-red satin dress, she thought how grown up she looked.
    â€˜Sometimes, I still feel as if I am eighteen years old,’ she thought, as she admired her reflection. ‘It is a pity that Papa is not here to see me.’
    Just then the gong sounded for dinner.
    â€œCome, mademoiselle. Do not keep ’is Lordship waiting.”
    Lucia thanked her and walked downstairs to find Jepson waiting for her.
    â€œGood evening, Miss Mountford. His Lordship is waiting for you in the dining room,” he said with a smile.
    Lucia moved silently into the room and found Lord Winterton already seated.
    As soon as he saw her, he leapt to his feet.
    â€œRavishing,” he said in a low voice. “I was not wrong thinking that my first impression of you was that of an angel come down from Heaven.”
    Lucia felt a hot flush spread over her features that she tried hard to control.
    He stared at her in much the same way that he had regarded Lady Shelley earlier that afternoon and it caused her to become heated.
    â€œIt is unseasonably warm, is it not?” she said, trying to explain away her glowing features.
    â€œI had thought it rather chill this evening,” commented Lord Winterton, as he pulled out a chair for her.
    â€œI trust that the room is to your liking? It was my mother’s favourite room in the house and has the best views over the gardens.”
    She sank down in the chair, very aware of him standing behind her. She could feel his warmth as he eased the chair in towards the table.
    â€œThank you, it is very nice.”
    â€œNow I have something that I wish you to have that would look perfect with that gown,” he said producing a jewellery case from his jacket.
    She looked up him questioningly.
    â€œIt would please me greatly if you would wear it. It was Mama’s. Consider it on permanent loan, as I hate to see beautiful jewels gathering dust. They should always be around the neck of a lovely woman.”
    â€œBut I could not – ”
    â€œI want you to wear it to please me,” he insisted, opening the case and taking out the necklace.
    A cluster of garnets

Similar Books

Sweet Charity

M McInerney

The Curve Ball

J. S. Scott

Cataract City

Craig Davidson

Out of the Blue

Sarah Ellis

Ghostwalker

Erik Scott de Bie