A Dream Come True Read Free Page B

Papa’s death,” she replied, giving him a cold stare. “If it were not for him and his stupid investment schemes, Papa would still be here.”
    Geoffrey sighed and took Lucia’s hand.
    â€œAnd who is to say that your father would not have died in that blasted car of his he insisted on driving himself? My dear, I believe that when the Almighty decrees that it is time for us to join him, then join him we must!”
    â€œThat is a very fatalistic view of life, Geoffrey.”
    â€œNevertheless, you should try and comfort yourself with that thought, dark though it might seem. But I do understand why you might not welcome him into the bosom of your family – he is not one of us, is he?”
    â€œNo, Geoffrey, he is not. But we should not hold it against him that his grandfather was a dyer. He worked very hard to own the textiles factory where he was originally employed – ”
    The handsome young man looked slightly scornful and then remembered that Lucia was a modern soul who did not look down on the working classes.
    â€œYou will be telling me next that you agree with these suffragette women,” he sneered, as they took their place at the edge of the dance floor.
    â€œI believe that married women should have the vote. Do we not, after all, give birth to men?”
    Geoffrey laughed.
    â€œNo doubt, you wished you could have been there, lighting the fuse that nearly blew up Lloyd George’s house the other week?”
    Their political argument was interrupted by the orchestra’s first few notes. It ran through Geoffrey’s mind that Lucia, if she was not careful, would find it most difficult to find a husband herself, if she continued to express such radical views.
    He looked at her as he took her in his arms to dance – she was very beautiful with her pretty blonde hair and wistful grey eyes. She was intelligent and amusing with many accomplishments. But her opinions –
    â€˜If only they were not so forthright and so damned unfeminine!’ he thought.
    Lucia was unaware of what was going through Geoffrey’s mind. She had no conceit about her attractiveness, but did not consider herself especially lovely.
    Her mother had been a great beauty in her day, which was one of the reasons that Lord Mountford had fallen in love with her and, even now, Lucia felt that she outshone many women far younger than herself.
    She watched as her mother and Sir Arthur whirled around the room to the Viennese waltz. So elegant and majestic.
    â€˜If Mama had not been so ill after Papa died, she would not have been so weak as to have fallen prey to his attentions.’ she mused, feeling sick inside each time her mother smiled at Sir Arthur.
    The dance came to and end and Lucia told Geoffrey that she wished to sit the next one out.
    â€œI am feeling a little unwell,” she said. “I am not used to so much champagne so early in the day.”
    She was just about to leave the floor, when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
    Turning around, she saw it was Sir Arthur.
    â€œLucia. As my new stepdaughter, I hope you will do me the honour of having this dance with me.”
    Lucia opened her mouth to protest, but over Sir Arthur’s shoulder she saw her mother urging her to accept.
    With a curt nod of her head, she allowed him to lead her onto the floor.
    â€œYour dress suits you well,” he said, as he moved in time to the music whilst holding her stiffly. “It’s French silk, is it not?”
    â€œFrom Bond Street, yes.”
    â€œAnd I’ll wager you paid far too much for it. Tch! London prices! The shopkeepers know that silly London fools will pay over the odds and push up their prices accordingly.”
    Lucia tried to ignore his comments. She feared, if she replied, she would sound irritated.
    â€œYou know that I now regard you as my own daughter,” he continued, “and as such, I will provide the correct guidance for you. Without a