A Castle of Dreams Read Online Free Page A

wealthy wife whose money he could use to his own advantage, but he could never countenance such a gesture.
    No, he knew he could only marry for love and even if he found her, he could never marry when the future was so uncertain.
    He closed his mind to thoughts of the slim blonde girl he had danced with in London.
    Because he knew that, whatever he might be telling himself, he would have asked her to marry him, regardless of what fate held in store.
    However, he had fallen foul of his own imagination where she was concerned and he knew that if they ever did meet again, she would certainly have no inclination to take their friendship any further.
    Lady Margaret sighed deeply as she tied her shawl tightly around her shoulders as a gust of wind tried to send it spiralling into the rain.
    She recognised that she did not have the outgoing, sparkling personality that most young men looked for in a wife.
    And all the local eligible bachelors were extremely wary of taking on the impoverished sister of Glentorran in case they were asked to pour their own family’s funds into the estate.
    Mind you, she had never met anyone she wanted to marry – then she hesitated, her mind whirling back to an evening several months ago, when she had been dancing with David, the Viscount Powell.
    She had never met a man like him before in her life – someone whose mind was so similar to her own.
    She shook her head to clear her thoughts.
    That particular evening had ended badly and there was no reason to imagine she would ever meet the young Viscount again.
    The Duke was peering through the mist and spray, out to sea.
    â€œLook – there’s a big boat out there, Meg, beyond the rocks! Not one of our fishing fleet, thank God, who are all tucked up at anchor safely in harbour.  I don’t envy those passengers on a day such as this.”
    â€œI wonder where they are headed?  We are a long way from the shipping lanes here.”
    â€œWell, if we don’t get indoors, we will be as wet as those poor sailors.   Come, Meg, I have some crofters coming to speak to me about repairs to their homes.  It’s not going to be a pleasant meeting.”
    And they turned away from the stormy ocean and distant boat and began the steep ascent up the slippery rock steps back to the grounds of Glentorran Castle.
    *
    On board the luxury motor yacht Stars and Stripes , Lady Viola Northcombe fought her way against the raging wind along the companionway to the luxurious lounge.
    The violent movement of the vessel had sent most of the other passengers into their cabins, but Viola had not felt a moment’s sickness since they had left New York.
    Her brother David was sitting wedged into a corner of one of the long benches.
    He was shivering violently and looked desperately pale and ill.  His fine blond hair fell across his forehead in a sweat-dampened tangle and even as she looked at him, he was racked by a fit of coughing.
    â€œDavid, you should go below!  Get into your bunk and sleep.”
    â€œIn this sea?  No, thanks, Sis, I would far rather be up here where there is some fresh air.  Oh, but I am so cold!  I wish we could reach land.  I want to sleep in a bed that doesn’t move.  I am sure I would feel better then and get rid of this dreadful cough.”
    Viola bit her lip, pulled off the heavy coat she was wearing and laid it across him.
    â€œHere – let me tuck this coat round you.  The storm cannot last for long – Captain Howard assures me that we will outrun it soon.”
    Viola sat next to David and held his hand tightly as the boat rolled and pitched.
    This journey across the Atlantic had started out so well, but it had turned into a nightmare.
    The first part of their trip from New York to Dublin had gone smoothly.
    The other passengers were quiet interesting people and Viola had enjoyed their company.
    The crew had proved attentive and polite and Viola had felt vindicated