A Dream Come True Read Free

began for the lavish meal that was to be held in the ballroom.
    There was a marquee erected in the garden, so that guests might wander outside and look at the daffodils and primroses. Lucia thought bitterly of how in the previous spring she had been enjoying them just before her world fell apart.
    After Lord Mountford’s funeral, her mother had become bedridden with an illness that any number of doctors seamed unable to cure.
    Specialists from Harley Street made the journey to Bingham Hall, one after the other, leaving expensive bills in their wake.
    Lucia had been forced to take charge of the accounts, but it was all new to her and she did not understand how the books worked.
    It did not feel right dealing with her father’s bank and so when the letter came informing them that no more cheques would be honoured until more funds were placed in the account, she did not know where to turn.
    Thankfully Henry Urwin had proved to be a rock and soon afterwards her mother began to show signs of improvement. During those long days, Sir Arthur McAllister became a frequent visitor to the Hall.
    At first, Lucia could not believe that her mother received him, but when Sir Arthur said that he wished to discuss her father’s business affairs with her, Lucia could not object.
    She was very mindful of the letters arriving from the bank that she now forwarded to Mr. Urwin.
    Something told her that perhaps things were not right, but until the day that Mr. Urwin told her as much, she ignored her suspicions.
    *
    â€œLucia, how lovely you look.”
    Lucia was jolted from her thoughts by the voice of Geoffrey Charlton, the brother of one of her dearest friends, Emmeline. Geoffrey took her hand and kissed it.
    â€œYou look as if you are rather cold,” he observed.
    â€œThe landau was probably not the best idea in the middle of March!”
    Lucia laughed.
    She was enormously fond of Geoffrey although she would never think of him as anything other than Emmeline’s naughty little brother.
    â€œYes, I am rather chilly,” replied Lucia. “I will ask Moston to bring me a warmer wrap.”
    â€œIt was a lovely service, wasn’t it? Your Mama looked beautiful.”
    â€œGeoffrey, you are not usually so tactful.”
    â€œIt is not for me to pass comment on such hasty nuptials,” added Geoffrey mischievously.
    â€œYou just have,” answered Lucia. “Now, come, take me into the ballroom, please. Otherwise I shall be waylaid by one of Sir Arthur’s cronies.”
    â€œHe is from the North, is he not?”
    â€œYes, Manchester,” replied Lucia, as they made their way to the ballroom. “He owns a factory there, but also has investments in America and South Africa.”
    â€œWith such a name, he must have Scottish ancestry?”
    â€œI believe so, although it is a long way back. Mama was rather vague about it when I asked her.”
    â€œI do believe I can see a tinge of red in that beard,” commented Geoffrey with a wry smile, “so I would say that he is definitely part-Scotch!”
    Lucia was happy that Geoffrey had come to the wedding as Emmeline had been forced to stay at home with a bad cold that had already lasted a week.
    â€œWalk with me to my table, Geoffrey, do be a dear,” urged Lucia, as they were ushered into the magnificent ballroom, which had been decorated lavishly and the tables were groaning with silver candelabra and bowls of flowers.
    â€œMama was up half the night arranging them,” pointed out Lucia. “She insisted on doing as many of the floral arrangements as possible even though she knows her health might suffer. It’s one of her hobbies.”
    Lucia arrived at the top table where her mother and stepfather were already seated. Her mother smiled brilliantly at her and patted the chair next to hers.
    â€œYou are here, darling, and Geoffrey, you are on the table with my sister.
    Geoffrey smiled politely and bade Lucia a