A Castle of Dreams Read Online Free

face by his ancestors many centuries ago.
    It was a wild day for early June.
    The sea was crashing onto the sharp black rocks of the West coast of Scotland in great walls of white foam and dark grey-green water.
    The early summer storm was blowing fierce clouds in from the far horizon, shutting out the sun.
    It was a day that matched the Duke’s mood – black and miserable.
    The sharp pebbles of the little cove crunched under his boots as he strode down to the water’s edge, his dark green kilt swinging around his knees.
    He stared out across the ocean, allowing the cold salty wind to blow his dark hair into wild tangles.
    High above him, on the cliffs of Glentorran, stood his home, the Castle he loved so much.
    He knew every inch of its endless corridors, turrets and rooms.  He had explored all the cellars and attics since his childhood and could recognise every stone and tile that made up the amazing building that looked so much like its bigger Royal relation, Glamis Castle.
    He had inherited the Castle and estate on the death of his ne’er-do-well father, Kenneth.
    The Glentorran estate consisted of miles of heather-covered hills where big herds of deer roamed, sheep farms,   fishing villages and little crofts that eked a living out of the hard ground.
    The Duke had always believed that the Castle and the estate were only temporarily his on trust, handed down to him by generations of the Glentorran family.
    His to hold until he could pass them on to a son.
    He picked up a handful of stones from the beach and threw them, one by one, out across the waves that were now hissing around his feet.
    He felt a great weight on his shoulders.
    He believed he had failed in his duty.
    The Castle and the estate were now in great danger of being lost to the Glentorrans.
    The majority of the money his father had left had been eaten up by paying the late Duke’s massive gambling debts.
    He knew that if he could not raise sufficient money quickly, he would be forced to sell the Castle and the estate and abandon the people who looked to him for leadership and support.
    He had even tried asking the hard-hearted London City men for a large loan just a few months ago, but that had failed miserably.
    Now he did not know which way to turn.
    His thoughts were as stormy as the clouds above, but he tried to smile as he heard the pebbles of the beach crunch behind him.
    His dear sister, Margaret, or Meg as he had always called her, was now walking towards him, her thick knitted shawl wrapped tightly around her thin shoulders to protect her from the wind and rain.
    She linked her arm through his and briefly touched her dark head to his shoulder.
    â€œCheer up, Robert.  I know you are worried, but I’m sure you will find a way to save the estate.”
    Her brother gave her a brief hug.
    â€œIf I only knew you were settled, it would help a great deal, Meg.  I can fend for myself, but I don’t want to see you reduced to poverty.”
    She laughed.
    â€œOch, Robert, you do exaggerate.  We will always have enough to live on.  We can close the Castle and move to the Dower House.  I will sell my jewellery and we can farm and fish and I will grow vegetables for the pot!”
    The Duke’s brow furrowed.
    His little sister had such a romantic view of life.
    They lived economically as it was, but every luxury would vanish if they lost the Castle.
    Admittedly Meg’s lovely jewellery would bring in some money, but how could he possibly ask her to sell her inheritance?
    â€œIf only you were married – ”
    The Duke’s voice died away.
    â€˜ If only ’ were two very sad words.
    He knew he could never force his sister to marry without love, because that was something he would never do himself.
    Ever since he had become an adult, he had longed to find that one very special girl to whom he could give his heart, completely and utterly.
    He knew that people expected him to find a