A Castle of Dreams by Barbara Cartland Page B

onto his mount and with a brief nod of farewell to the groom, set off down a path that led through the neglected grounds and then away from the Castle and out onto the moors.
    Viola glanced around her as she rode, enjoying the sweet breeze that was blowing in from the sea.
    She had no difficulty in handling Bonnie and soon urged her into a trot, so that where the path widened she could ride next to the Duke.
    â€œIs this all Glentorran land?”
    â€œAye, it is.”
    The Duke shook his head in despair.
    â€œAnd, as you can see, it is not in good repair.  The grounds were immaculate in my grandfather’s day.  Lawns swept down gracefully from the terrace and there were so many interesting trees and shrubs.
    â€œI must admit that Stuart does seem a little on the elderly side to be gardening full time,” remarked Viola, not wishing to sound critical.
    The Duke laughed, but it was not a happy sound.
    â€œYou should meet his father!  Old Angus.  He was the Head Gardener for years at Glentorran.  He has a little croft up on the moors, but he refuses to leave his cottage in the Castle grounds.”
    The track was leading them upwards now, winding its way through great sheets of heather.
    Somewhere overhead a lark was singing about the glorious day and bees were busy everywhere.
    â€œI should have thought it would be marvellous to live up here amongst all this magnificent scenery.”
    The Duke smiled across at the beautiful girl, whose hair had pulled free from the blue scarf and was blowing in pale blonde tendrils across her cheeks.
    â€œMagnificent now, that is true, but in the winter the snow comes down from the mountains and these moors are cold and bleak.  Still beautiful but deadly as well.”
    â€œOh!  I can see sheep on the mountainside.”
    The Duke nodded and pointed with his whip.
    â€œYou are right.  The estate earns most of its income from sheep – from their wool.  Luckily for the sheep, their lifestyle does not make them good to eat!  All that running about across the moors makes the meat tough.
    â€œIf you stay in Glentorran for long, you are sure to meet some of the shepherds.  They are a law to themselves, but good men.”
    Viola hesitated to make any remark that could give offence, but her honesty at last forced her to say,
    â€œAlthough, of course, it is none of my business, I have heard that Glentorran has fallen a little on hard times recently.”
    The Duke did not reply immediately.
    He was busy keeping Brandy in check.  The horse had spooked as a rabbit took off from almost under his hooves.
    At last he replied,
    â€œI am sure it is quite obvious to someone who is in the same position.  All the signs are here.  The lack of staff, the plainness of the food, how incredibly shabby the Castle has become and as for the grounds –
    â€œYes, Viola, you and your brother, more than most people will, I am sure, understand the plight of Glentorran.
    Â â€œMy father – well, I will not speak ill of the dead!  Let me just say that there were debts that had to be settled when I inherited the title, some of which I am still paying!”
    â€œMy father – ”
    Viola paused and then continued slowly,
    â€œMy father was a man who chased after dreams all his life.  And chasing dreams costs money.  David and I never went hungry or cold, but our lives could have been very much easier if Papa had stayed at home.”
    The Duke sighed.
    â€œI could even accept the situation with more grace if my father had had dreams of making Glentorran a better place – a Castle of Dreams .  But he hardly ever came up to Scotland.  His time was spent gambling in London.
    â€œAnd it isn’t just the Castle that has been neglected.  The people who live in the surrounding areas have such a hard life.
    â€œDo you know there is not a hospital for over a hundred miles?  My people here often die