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on your brother’s hospitality for such a long time?”
    A look of concern crossed Lady Margaret’s pretty face.
    â€œIt is no imposition on us at all.  I am quite sure that Robert would be shocked to hear that you thought it so.”
    Viola’s head was whirling.
    She knew the Scottish girl was right, but how could she possibly manage to exist under the same roof as the Duke for a whole month when they had parted on such bad terms in London?
    â€œAnd Lady Viola  – ”
    â€œOh, please call me Viola.”
    Lady Margaret blushed.
    â€œWhy thank you.  And everyone here calls me Meg.  Margaret seemed such a big name when I was a wee child!
    â€œI was about to suggest, don’t worry yourself about clothes. Although you are slightly taller than me, I am sure there will be no problem in altering some of my dresses so they will fit you.  And I do know that Robert has plenty of kilts.  When your brother is able to move around, I am sure that he will look fine in a kilt!”
    Viola smiled to herself as she imagined the look of horror that would cross her twin brother’s face when faced with wearing what he would consider a skirt !
    â€œMrs. Livesey is sitting in with your brother at the moment, but obviously you will wish to see him straight away.
    â€œI’ll be away and find you some garments to wear tomorrow.  I have also arranged for a meal to be served in your bedroom, as I am sure you do not want to be bothered with formal dining tonight.”
    Viola thanked her profusely, deeply impressed by how well organised she was.
    At first glance Lady Margaret seemed rather a shy timid creature, but this was obviously not the case.
    She entered David’s room, her mind still spinning.
    Clearly they would have to stay in Scotland for at least a month.
    Viola had no idea how the Duke would react to that particular piece of news!
    *
    The next morning a sharp fresh wind blew through Viola’s open window.
    She awoke warm and comfortable and then sprang out of bed to gaze from the casement window, wondering at the beauty of the wild rocky coastline that lay spread out before her.
    The storms of the day before had vanished and the sky was a pale eggshell blue and the sea a flat plate of dark green.
    Viola realised her room was high up in one of the turrets and she could see for miles in both directions.
    On one side of the turret a window looked out over acres of neglected grounds that lead towards the moors and distant mountains.
    From the window on the other side of her room the view was of the sea.
    And there, only a few short yards from the beach – that must be the ring of vicious rocks that had been their ship’s downfall.
    There was no sign of wreckage anywhere and she imagined it must have sunk without a trace.
    Turning back to her room she found underclothes, a long-sleeved white blouse and a freshly pressed tweed skirt and jacket hanging on a hook behind the door.
    Someone had indeed been busy overnight because when she put on the skirt, it fitted perfectly.
    The shoes she had worn had been dried and cleaned and she washed and dressed with speed, anxious to check on how her brother had passed the night.
    Viola spent only moments tying back her long fair hair with a piece of ribbon she had discovered in one of the dressing table drawers.  It was bright red and far too gaudy, but she did not think that anyone was going to criticise her today.
    Opening David’s door, she peered in cautiously and found he was still fast asleep.
    Mrs. Livesey was sitting in a chair next to the bed, also dozing.
    David looked pale, certainly, but Viola thought his breathing seemed easier than the day before and a flood of relief raced through her.
    She tiptoed out of the room without waking either nurse or patient and made her way down the steep winding staircase into the Great Hall.
    The front door – heavy and intimidating, made out of nail-studded oak – was