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boy who cannot swim as far and as fast as he can.
    â€œI am also Godfather to his own lad, Ian.  We had hoped our boys would grow up together, too, but – ”
    He stopped, his face darkening.
    â€œWell, never mind all of that.  Come and meet him and his wife, Heather.  I am certain they will be delighted to see you.”
    The two riders trotted through the village and Viola noticed that the men and women acknowledged the Duke, but there was no servility in their bearing.
    She was very impressed – she had visited too many estates where the staff and tenants seemed almost in fear of their Master and landlord.
    The end of a long line of terraced cottages was the Duke’s destination.
    As they reined to a halt outside, Viola was full of admiration for the glowing window boxes full of flowers.
    â€œFergus!  Heather!  Ahoy inside.”
    The dark blue door opened and the redheaded man strode out, who she had last seen rowing her and David to safety through the storm.
    A wide smile creased his tanned face.
    The Duke dismounted, tossed the reins over a post and then helped Viola down.
    â€œFergus, let me introduce Lady Viola Northcombe.  Viola, this is Fergus Lyall.”
    â€œThank you so much for rescuing us!” cried Viola, shaking the hard hand held out to her.  “You were so brave, Fergus, to tackle that raging sea.”
    â€œOch, think nothing of it, my Lady.  I was only too happy to help out.  Heather!  Come quickly, lass, the Duke and a guest are here.  Do forgive my wife, my Lady.  She is just putting our wee boy down to sleep.”
    The door of the cottage opened again and a fresh complexioned, pretty young woman with bright brown hair came out, a shawl pinned closely round her shoulders.
    Viola held out her hand and then was hardly aware of the introductions being made.
    She could not take her eyes away from the brooch that was pinning the Scottish girl’s shawl.
    Large and ornate, it glittered in the spring sunshine.  To some it would have appeared to be just a piece of paste of no great value.
    But Viola knew better.
    The very last time she had seen this huge cluster of diamonds, it had been pinned prominently on the front of Mrs. Van Ashton’s evening gown!

CHAPTER FIVE
    Lady Margaret ran up the circular stone stairway leading from the Great Hall of the Castle, hurried along the corridor and knocked on David’s door.
    â€œCome in, Meg!”
    She entered the room and smiled in surprise at the sight of David sitting in a large chair by the open window.
    He was still looking somewhat thin and pale, but his eyes were bright and he was smiling cheerfully.
    â€œHow did you know it was me, David?”
    His smile deepened.
    â€œEveryone taps on the door in a different way.  My sister raps on it with two sharp knocks, Mrs. Livesey and the maids are very tentative.  Your brother gives three equal taps and yours, Meg – ”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œYours are a series of little noises.  As if a small bird was asking to be let in!”
    Meg chuckled.
    â€œWhat utter nonsense you talk!  Obviously, David, you are feeling much better?”
    David patted the wide casement seat opposite him and Meg sat down, smoothing the creases from her green skirt and wishing that it did no look quite so shabby in the bright sunlight that flooded into the room.
    â€œYes, indeed.  Thanks to you and all the wonderful care your staff have given me, I hope to venture downstairs tomorrow.  I would have liked to have joined you for dinner tonight, but Mrs. Livesey just turned several shades of puce when I mentioned it!”
    â€œDear Dorcas Livesey.  I have known her all my life.  I admit I used to be scared of her when I was small, but I know better now.  She seems such a dragon, but under that stern exterior beats a very soft heart.”
    David nodded.
    â€œShe has been kindness itself to me and I think my recovery