A Castle of Dreams

BARBARA CARTLAND

www.barbaracartland.com

Copyright © 2009 by Cartland Promotions

First published on the internet in August 2009 by Barbaracartland.com

The characters and situations in this book are entirely imaginary and bear no relation to any real person or actual happening.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval, without the prior permission in writing from the publisher.

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The Duke strode across the hall and then stopped as a sudden flash of pale blue caught his eye.

The most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life was gliding down the great stairway towards him.

He did not see the costly dress or even the sparkling sapphires at her neck.

All he could see was the sheer beauty of her face, the proud way she held her head, the tumbled golden curls, carelessly pinned back with a length of cream lace.

He had not the faintest idea who she was or who could introduce him.

Normally the Duke was a quiet reserved man, but some power held him in place at the foot of the stairs and as the angel in blue reached him, he held out his hand and asked her gently,

“Madam, please will you do the honour of dancing with me?”

Viola felt as if she had been swept away into an unknown world.

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Barbara Cartland, who sadly died in May 2000 at the grand age of ninety eight, remains one of the world's most famous romantic novelists.  With worldwide sales of over one billion, her outstanding 723 books have been translated into thirty six different languages, to be enjoyed by readers of romance globally.

Writing her first book ‘Jigsaw' at the age of 21, Barbara became an immediate bestseller.  Building upon this initial success, she wrote continuously throughout her life, producing bestsellers for an astonishing 76 years.  In addition to Barbara Cartland's legion of fans in the UK and across Europe, her books have always been immensely popular in the USA.  In 1976 she achieved the unprecedented feat of having books at numbers 1 & 2 in the prestigious B. Dalton Bookseller bestsellers list.

Although she is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Romance', Barbara Cartland also wrote several historical biographies, six autobiographies and numerous theatrical plays as well as books on life, love, health and cookery.  Becoming one of Britain's most popular media personalities and dressed in her trademark pink, Barbara spoke on radio and television about social and political issues, as well as making many public appearances.

In 1991 she became a Dame of the Order of the British Empire for her contribution to literature and her work for humanitarian and charitable causes.

Known for her glamour, style, and vitality Barbara Cartland became a legend in her own lifetime.  Best remembered for her wonderful romantic novels and loved by millions of readers worldwide, her books remain treasured for their heroic heroes, plucky heroines and traditional values.  But above all, it was Barbara Cartland's overriding belief in the positive power of love to help, heal and improve the quality of life for everyone that made her truly unique.

“We all dream about romantic castles rising out of the mist in a beautiful setting. For me Scotland with all its turbulent history and wonderful heritage has to be the most romantic country in the world.”

Barbara Cartland

Lady Viola Northcombe stared at her reflection in the old misted cheval mirror that stood in the corner of her bedroom and sighed.

She was supremely unaware of the beauty of her face, surrounded as it was by tumbling blonde curls, her eyes the most startling violet blue fringed with dark lashes that swept down onto pink cheeks.

No, all Lady Viola could see at the moment was the old-fashioned, ivory lace ball gown she was wearing.

At nineteen Viola was not a fashion conscious girl.

She was more than happy wearing riding clothes or a plain cotton dress to sit in the garden.

But tonight was a special occasion and she wished she looked just a little more – well, special!

“Nanny, is there anything we can do to make this look a little more fashionable, a little more up to date?” she asked as a round-faced, elderly woman dressed all in black with a small lace collar came into her bedroom.

Nanny Barstow carefully placed the large armful of freshly ironed clothes she was carrying onto the top of the chest of drawers.

She now took a deep breath and smoothed down the linen apron she was wearing.  The endless flights of stairs up from the basement of the tall London house were very steep and she was not getting any younger.

“Now then, my Lady, I've got quite enough to do to get you and your brother packed for your trip to America without fussing about with a perfectly good ball gown.”

Nanny Barstow's rather ferocious expression hid a kind and gentle heart.

She had been a lady's maid to Viola's mother and nanny to both Viola and her twin brother, David, since they were born and would cheerfully have laid down her life for both of them without a murmur.

It upset Nanny that her Lady Viola had to wear an old ball gown that had once belonged to her elderly cousin, Miss Edith Matthews.

Miss Matthews owned the house in the big London Square where they were living, but as she wryly told Viola, her ball-going days were long past.  She was badly crippled by pains in her hips and knees and rarely left her room.

“Now, no more complaining, my Lady.  It's so very good of Miss Matthews to let you wear her dress.  Now, if I just trim a few of these loose threads from the hem and sleeves and you wear your nice long gloves, it will do very well.”

Viola sighed.

“I do wish Papa had sent us some money instead of two boat tickets to New York.  I cannot understand why he wants us to visit him.  He never has before when he has travelled abroad.”

Nanny Barstow sniffed, but did not reply.

Her opinion of the Earl of Northcombe was not one she would repeat to his daughter!

His wife, Helena, had died of pneumonia when the twins were just four years old.

Nanny believed that any normal man would have turned all his attention and affection towards the twins, but the Earl had never seemed interested in his children at all.

 He had very little money of his own and relied on the income from his late wife's investments.

All the family capital was tied up to be inherited by the twins when they reached the age of twenty-one.

For the past number of years, the Earl, who had a restless nature, had plunged into one business scheme after another – always about to make his fortune, but somehow never quite managing to do so.

If it had not been for the kindness and generosity of Miss Edith Matthews, Nanny had no idea what would have become of the twins.

The Earl had gone out to America two years before and apart from a few infrequent letters, the twins had heard nothing until the tickets had arrived, urging them to travel across the Atlantic and join him in New York as quickly as possible.

“I'll thank you to just let me finish packing your steamer trunk or else you'll never be ready to leave in the morning,” Nanny scolded.  “Now hurry along, Lady Viola. Your brother has been waiting for you in the drawing room these past twenty minutes.”

Viola pinched her already rosy cheeks and picked up her stole.

“Just think, Nanny, this time tomorrow we will be at sea!”