Free A Dream Come True by Barbara Cartland Page B

families were sent away.
    Her mother continued her diatribe without pausing,
    â€œAnd then, there was that Lady Shelley. Such a shocking affair!”
    â€œLady Shelley?” asked Lucia, not following the thread of the conversation.
    â€œYes. I know I should not listen to gossip, but then I saw them together with my own eyes, making a spectacle of themselves at Ascot. Your father forbade me to speak to either of them after that. Poor Lord Shelley, the old fool did not realise what was going on right under his nose. Of course, he has now passed away.”
    â€œMama. You must not upset yourself. I am quite capable of taking care of myself. Look, here is Mrs. Darrowby.”
    Lucia was grateful of the chance to steer the conversation away from the topic of Lord Winterton. Had not her mother just confirmed all her worst fears about him?
    â€˜She is raving – it is the laudanum,’ she thought, as Mrs. Darrowby poured a small glass of her mixture into a glass.
    â€œNow then, my Lady. Drink this, it will calm you down.”
    She gulped down the green liquid and made a face.
    â€œIt tastes of burnt wood,” she grimaced.
    â€œIt’s only herbal, my Lady,” soothed Mrs. Darrowby, casting a meaningful look at Lucia. “I wouldn’t give you anything poisonous.”
    Lucia took one last quick look at the array of bottles on the bedside cabinet and made a mental note to ask Doctor Maybury what he had prescribed.
    â€œI shall leave you now, Mama, but I shall look in again before dinner.”
    Closing the door behind her, Lucia returned to her room. Lord Winterton’s arch face suddenly flashed into her mind and she willed it away.
    â€˜What is it about that man that makes him so – impertinent?’ she asked.
    â€˜I shall resolve to keep my distance and Mama is right, I should request a chaperone. Yes, I shall insist on it!’
    *
    Â The next day, Lucia made herself ready to receive Edward. She had not forgotten that she had invited him with his stallion to the Hall for a ride.
    She did her best to avoid discussing anything over and beyond the marmalade at breakfast with her stepfather. He appeared very preoccupied and did not mention Lord Winterton for which she was grateful.
    He did not even remark on her wearing her riding habit at the meal table.
    As soon as she had finished eating, she left the dining room and went out to the stables to check that everything was ready.
    â€œWill you be riding Flash today, miss?” asked Jack.
    â€œNo, but Mr. de Redcliffe will,” she replied. “Have him saddled up, please.”
    She watched Jack walk away and wondered if he had any inkling that the future of the stables had been in serious jeopardy.
    Now with Lord Winterton’s promise of funds, they would not be selling horses.
    â€œLucia.”
    She turned around in time to see Edward riding towards her on Lightning. The horse tossed his dark mane and snorted as he pulled up next to her.
    â€œGood morning, Edward. I see that Lightning is in fine form today.”
    â€œHe is being rather skittish actually, I do hope that he behaves for you.”
    â€œI am told that I ride as well as any man and I love a challenge. I have selected Flash for you to ride. He is a very handsome stallion with a fondness for eating daisies!”
    â€œThen it is fortunate that the daisies are not yet out,” remarked Edward.
    Lucia stroked Lightning’s fine, well-muscled neck and spoke to him gently.
    â€œThere, my fine boy. We shall have some fun today.”
    Very soon she was astride him and they were heading along the fields at the back of Bingham Hall.
    Lucia could not resist the temptation to show off a little and made Lightning take a jump over a hedge at the edge of the estate. The horse flew through the air and landed sure-footedly on the other side.
    Lucia felt as if she had grown wings.
    After a long hard ride, they came to a halt by a stream.
    There they