A Castle of Dreams by Barbara Cartland Page A

glee at the sight.
    â€œDavid!  How wonderful.  You are well enough to come downstairs.  Are you sure?  You don’t wish to over-tax your strength.  And I am sure that putting on a kilt must have taken a lot of your energy!  If your friends in London and New York could only see you now!”
    The young Earl walked over to a chair next to Viola and sank into it with a slight moan.
    â€œGoodness me, those stairs were steeper than I had thought!  You can mock me, Viola, but the kilt is strangely comfortable and although I could wish for my legs to be a little bit stronger, I don’t think I would shame this garment too much!
    â€œAnd yes, I am well on the road to recovery, Viola.  Indeed, I think if I can continue to progress at this rate, we could make plans to leave at the end of the week.”
    â€œLeave?”
    Viola could not prevent a cold wave of unhappiness sweeping over her.
    David sighed.
    â€œI know just how you feel.  I, too, am loath to say goodbye to Glentorran.  But life goes on, Sis.  We must get back to London and pick up the threads of our own world.
    â€œAnd I am sure that Robert and Meg, as hospitable as they are, will be glad to have their home to themselves once more.  We must be a drain on their slender resources.
    â€œBut – ” he now hesitated, looking very young and uneasy – “before we go, I want you to release me from my promise.  I need to tell Meg of our change in circumstances, as I cannot leave her believing the lie that I am as poor as she and her brother.”
    Viola bent her golden head over the silk dress, tears threatening to fall.
    Her twin brother was not the only one who needed to confess.
    â€œDavid, I really must tell the Duke first.  It is only polite.  Please give me until tomorrow night and I promise you that I will explain the situation to him before then.”
    David looked closely at his sister’s beautiful face.
    They often thought alike and he was certain that he understood how she was feeling.
    â€œYou like the Duke?  More than like him – perhaps?”
    Viola flushed and tossed her head.
    She now turned away to gaze out of the window, not wanting her brother to see the pain in her eyes.
    Â â€œWhat nonsense you do talk, David!  Of course, I like the Duke.  Robert is a fine man, but I hardly know him or he me.  We are just – friends – acquaintances.  I am just a guest who he has been forced to shelter.  I am sure that as soon as we leave Scotland, he will not give me a second thought.”
    David was about to begin arguing with her, when Lady Margaret appeared in the doorway.
    She hesitated, aware of an atmosphere in the room.
    â€œI am so sorry,” she started to say, “I do hope I am not interrupting, but oh, David, it is so good to see you up and about once more.  And wearing such a bonny kilt!  I am very impressed.”
    David stood up, all his earlier tiredness apparently forgotten.
    â€œMeg – good morning!  And yes, as you can see, I am becoming stronger with every passing minute and I am hoping that you will take my arm and show me some of the Castle grounds.
    â€œLook, your good housekeeper, Mrs. Livesey, has found an old sketchbook for me.  I have promised to be very careful with it because some of the pages have already been used.  But if you can find me a good place to sit, I plan to draw to record my own memories of your beautiful home.”
    Lady Margaret’s eyes shone and her cheeks burnt pink.
    â€œI would be so delighted to help you.  The rain has vanished as quickly as it came and the sun is shining once more to welcome you outside.”
    David walked across the room to stand beside her and then turned back to Viola, his face grave.
    â€œI shall abide, of course, by your wishes, Viola, but only until tomorrow.”
    And then they were both gone and Viola could only sit still, fighting