A Castle of Dreams (17 page)

They were heading out across Europe and intending to travel through Africa, on to India and then to the South Seas islands. They would sketch and paint and live a simple life, wanting for nothing more than to be in each other's company forever.

Mischievously Meg had said the night before to a blushing Viola,

“We will send our children back to Glentorran for holidays so they understand their roots.  And get to know all the cousins I am sure you and Robert will provide for them!”

Yes, all Meg's dreams were coming true and she truly felt no couple could possibly be as happy as she and David.

But several rows further back in the Castle Chapel sat a husband and wife who would have disagreed with her.

Fergus and Heather Lyall, resplendent in their new clothes, Fergus's red hair blazing just like a torch above his dark blue jacket and Glentorran kilt, were certain that
they
were the happiest people in the whole wide world.

In London, on their behalf, the Duke had sold the diamond brooch that Mrs. Van Ashton had so generously given Fergus and with the proceeds a new modern fishing- boat had been purchased.

The
Lady Viola
now floated proudly in Glentorran harbour and Fergus knew his little son would have a future to inherit if he chose to follow his father's occupation.

*

Waiting impatiently at the altar the Duke was aware of nothing but the thudding of his heart.

The organ was playing, but he could not have told what the tune was.

Then the music changed completely as he heard the congregation rise to their feet.

Turning round, he watched in humble amazement as a vision in white silk and a cloudy chiffon veil studded with small silver stars floated down the aisle towards him.

Viola's bouquet cascaded from her gloved hands – a riot of white lilies and pink carnations and, there nestling between them, a few buds of the white and pink rose called
Grace Darling
she had admired so much in the Glentorran gardens all those weeks ago.

Only old Angus McAndrew knew the long hours he had laboured, nursing his rose bushes inside the glasshouse so he could provide the blooms she wanted on this special day.

And behind Viola, holding up the end of her long silk train came one solitary pageboy, red-headed Ian Lyall, so proud of his tiny kilt and sporran that he could hardly breathe.

Viola turned to smile affectionately at her twin who was giving her away.

He winked at her with brotherly good humour as he gently placed her hand onto the Duke's arm.

Together they turned to face the Minister and as the solemn words rang out for everybody to hear, Lady Viola Northcombe became the Duchess of Glentorran.

She lifted back her veil and gazed up in adoration at the man she loved so much.

He bent to kiss her and as his lips touched hers, she knew with every fibre of her being that their love was a gift from God and thus Eternal.

They both felt that their souls were being lifted to the stars as an angelic choir sang the praises of their love.

“You have always had my love and my heart.  Now you possess my very soul – for ever and ever in this world and the next,” Robert whispered to her.

And Viola knew that her new life in the
Castle of Dreams
would indeed be Heaven itself.

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