A Dream Come True Read Online Free PDF Page A

you’re ready to go out on your own,” suggested Briggs, “but mind you be careful with it. This here Silver Ghost is the only one for miles around and Sir Arthur will blame me if anything happens to it.”
    â€œIt was my father’s car,” countered Lucia, quietly prickling at the mention of Sir Arthur’s name.
    â€œSorry, miss. I didn’t know that,” replied Briggs embarrassed. “The Master led me to believe that it was his car.”
    Lucia fell silent as they returned to the Hall.
    â€˜Is there anything that he has not laid claim to?’ she fumed to herself.
    *
    Â A few days later it was bright and sunny and so Lucia put on her gloves and hat and ran out to the garage. Briggs was in the stables chatting to Jack and he soon broke off his conversation to drive the Rolls Royce out of the garage.
    â€˜I shall surprise Emmeline,’ she said to herself, as the engine warmed up.
    Lucia thrilled as she drove along the lanes with the wind tugging at her hair.
    She was soon driving through the gates of the Grange, where Emmeline and Geoffrey lived and she could not wait to see their faces as she bowled up in the car.
    Outside the front door she tooted the horn noisily as Briggs had shown her.
    The Charlton’s butler came rushing out and his face broke into a wry smile.
    â€œMeek, would you mind bringing Miss Charlton out to the car, please? I want to surprise her!”
    The Butler nodded and disappeared back inside, only to bring a puzzled Emmeline out to the car five minutes later.
    â€œGoodness,” she cried. “I thought poor Meek had taken leave of his senses when he said I was to come outside. And now, I can see why. Did you really drive over here all on your own? Are you certain that your chauffeur is not hiding in the bushes and this is some joke?”
    Lucia laughed.
    â€œNo, Emmeline. Briggs is responsible for teaching me. Is Geoffrey at home? Do run and fetch him.”
    â€œNo, he is out, but I do have guests who have come for coffee. Please come and join us. I am certain that they will find your new skill most interesting.”
    Lucia jumped out of the car and dusted off her jacket. Emmeline took her friend by the hand and led her into the morning room.
    â€œEveryone, I want you to meet my very dear friend, Miss Lucia Mountford. She has driven over here in a motor car, all on her own. What do you think of that?”
    Emmeline had a look of triumph upon her face, knowing what kind of kudos this would lend to her by proxy. Very few people in the County owned cars and not only did she know someone who did, but she also drove it herself!
    â€œThis is Cecily Armstrong, and her sister, May. That gentleman by the piano is Lord Hornby’s youngest son, Tristram.”
    Lucia shook hands with them all and then blushed, as her eyes met those of a rather good-looking young man who had just moved forwards. He was tall and slender with neat black hair and friendly hazel eyes.
    â€œLucia, this is Edward de Redcliffe,” said Emmeline with a smile.
    It had not escaped her notice that he could not stop staring at her friend.
    â€œWe have not met before,” began Lucia, as she shook his hand.
    â€œI think I would have remembered, had we done so,” he replied with a warm smile.
    â€œI am sorry that Geoffrey is not here to witness your great surprise,” said Emmeline. “He is in London today buying books for his new job.”
    â€œWhen does he start?”
    â€œA week on Monday. I think earning an honest day’s crust will come as a complete shock to him after gadding about Italy and France for so long.”
    â€œDear old Geoffrey,” interjected Tristram. “I give him a month, tops!”
    Lucia sat down and at once, Edward de Redcliffe came and sat beside her.
    â€œYou are a very brave young lady,” he remarked. “Driving a motor vehicle.”
    â€œIt is – was my father’s,” she