A Dream Come True by Barbara Cartland Page A

tomorrow and you will receive him with a smile on your face. Is that clear?”
    Lucia bowed her head trying to stem the tears welling up in her eyes. Perhaps if she had not been so hasty tonight in rebuffing Edward’s advances, he might have proposed and then maybe he might have been able to help out.
    But in her heart, she knew that, no matter how wealthy Edward might be, he did not have twenty-five thousand pounds at his disposal.
    No, it was hopeless.
    She felt so wretched as the motor car purred along the country lanes that she even considered jumping out.
    â€˜Right now, I would not care if I died,’ she said to herself miserably. ‘I cannot go and work for that man, there is something about him that is not – at all correct.’
    But Lucia knew that she was helpless, utterly helpless. She was not in control of her own fate.
    â€˜Oh, Papa,’ she wailed sending up a silent prayer to him in Heaven. ‘Why did you have to die? Help me. Please, help me. I don’t know if I can endure being treated like this.’

CHAPTER FOUR
    Lucia’s evening had been utterly ruined.
    When the Rolls Royce arrived back at Bingham Hall, she ran straight inside without waiting for Sir Arthur and rushed at once to her bedroom.
    She threw off her ruined slippers and pulled ferociously at her hairpins.
    â€œMiss,” cried Mary-Anne as she entered. She had not expected her back so soon. “Whatever is the matter?”
    Lucia could not speak. She was so angry that she feared she might say something indiscreet and no matter how much she loathed her stepfather at that moment, it would not do to let the servants know.
    â€œHelp me get my dress off,” was all she said looking forward to the moment when Mary-Anne would leave her on her own.
    As soon as she had shut the bedroom door, Lucia threw herself onto the bed in a fit of rage.
    â€˜I cannot bear to think of having to work for that man,’ she wept into her pillow.
    Eventually exhaustion overtook her and, when she awoke the next morning, she was still lying on top of the coverlet.
    Mary-Anne did not know whether she should remark on her Mistress’s state or not. She simply set down the tray with the early-morning cup of tea and went to run her bath.
    The maid had only been out of the room for a matter of seconds when there came a knock on the door.
    It was Mrs. Darrowby, the housekeeper, and it was only too apparent that she was upset.
    â€œI’m sorry to disturb you so early, miss, but I thought I should come at once. Your Mama has taken a turn for the worse and I think we should call out the doctor.”
    â€œDoes my stepfather know about this?” asked Lucia.
    â€œI-I thought that perhaps you would speak to him about it.”
    Lucia sighed inwardly, but did not show her emotions. It was obvious that Mrs. Darrowby thought that she alone would be able to make him change his mind on the subject of doctors.
    â€œVery well, once I am dressed I shall go and see him. Is he at home this morning?”
    â€œYes, miss. He has already had his breakfast and is in the study.”
    A little later Lucia held her breath as she knocked on the door of the study.
    â€œYes, Lucia?”
    â€œIt is Mama. She is not at all well. Mrs. Darrowby has asked that we send for the doctor.”
    Sir Arthur exhaled and pursed his lips.
    â€œShe is gravely ill, sir,” she said pleadingly. “I would not ask if it wasn’t serious.”
    â€œYou may summon Doctor Maybury from the village. I do not wish for my wife to suffer.”
    â€œCan I not call Doctor Glossop in Harley Street? He is far more experienced with chest complaints. He was wonderful with Mama when she was last ill – ”
    â€œHave you forgotten, Lucia, that we do not have Harley Street money? Until Lord Winterton has visited us this morning, the deal is not set in stone. No, Lucia, Doctor Maybury will suffice.”
    It was on Lucia’s lips to