A Castle of Dreams by Barbara Cartland

truth about her father, the oil fields and the vast sums of money that she and David had inherited on his death.
    She would now suggest that the Northcombe family should invest into the Glentorran estate and that between them they would make a big difference.
    She took a deep breath.
    â€œRobert – ” she began.
    At that precise moment the Duke turned abruptly away from Viola –
    â€œLook over there!  Here’s Meg come to find us, no doubt.  Hello, my little sister.  Am I neglecting my duties in some way?  That frown on your face does not spell good news, I am sure.”
    Lady Margaret reached up and kissed his cheek.
    â€œOnly Mr. Campbell from town, Robert.  Worrying about his bill for cattle feed once more!
    â€œI have asked him to wait in the library and said I would come to find you immediately.  But if we walk very slowly, he might have lost patience and left!”
    The Duke sighed heavily and the mournful sound tore at Viola’s heart.
    Viola could tell just how greatly he cared about his inheritance and all the responsibilities it carried.
    How difficult he really must find it, to have to beg a tradesman for time to pay a bill.
    She fell silent as they made their way slowly back to the Castle.
    Her chance to set things straight between them had disappeared for now, but she would have to find a way of speaking to the Duke again very soon.
    Because there was also the problem of Fergus and the diamond brooch!
    Viola groaned inwardly.
    Goodness, how complicated her life had become in such a short time!

CHAPTER SIX
    The following day dawned sparkling and clear over Glentorran Castle, the distant mountains sharply etched in purple against a pale blue sky.
    The sea was lapping quietly against the shore and it was impossible to believe that it could ever be wild enough to sink a ship and put lives at risk.
    The local people would have told Viola and David that these signs were deceptive, that there was a great deal of bad weather to come later that day, but at the moment it was warm and fine.
    Viola had spent a restless night tossing and turning, worrying about how soon an opportunity would arise when she could tell the Duke she was no longer poor like him, but together with David was the owner of a vast fortune.
    Unable to sleep she climbed out of bed and gazed out of her window at the moonlit landscape.
    She decided that after dinner that evening would be the best time for the face to face she dreaded so much.
    She would ask for a private word with the Duke in his study and confess to him that she had kept the change in her circumstances secret.
    â€˜And I can easily guess what his reaction will be!’ she murmured wryly to herself, leaning out of the casement window to breathe in the fresh night air.
    â€˜Indeed, I cannot blame him.  How would I react if our roles were reversed?  I would feel that all my trust had been betrayed!’
    But Viola still felt a little better for having made up her mind to take a specific course of action and, returning to bed, she finally fell asleep.
    After breakfast she was surprised to see a sea mist rolling in, hiding the high mountains from view and filling the air with a fine drizzle.
    Walking in the grounds was not an option, so Viola decided to make some alterations to the rest of the clothes Lady Margaret had found for her to wear.
    She was wearying of always dining in the same old plain blouse and skirt.  There was a pretty primrose dress with a becoming high collar and long sleeves edged in lace that would fit her with a few small adjustments.
    The Duke had not appeared at breakfast – no doubt he had left the Castle very early once again.
    Viola was working in the small drawing room, the primrose dress lying across her lap in a shimmery tangle as she was studying it, when the door opened and her brother limped slowly in, his grey eyes smiling.
    He was wearing an ancient Glentorran kilt and she clapped her hands in