A Battle of Brains by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online

dozen letters and notes in Mr Harpole’s hand.
    Finally she found what she wanted.
    She pulled a letter out of the case and going a little nearer to the lamp burning on the writing desk, she read,
    â€œ Sir ,
    With reference to your recent offer of five hundred thousand pounds for the ships we discussed at our meeting on the 29th April, I have now put forward your offer to the Committee of the Doxford Shipyard.
    They have suggested you should visit them at your earliest convenience to discuss the matter more fully.
    Yours truly, James Augment .”
    Quickly, as she was afraid she might be disturbed, she scribbled down what she had read onto a small piece of writing paper.
    Then she shut and locked the case with the key and put it back down beside the writing table.
    Having taken the information her stepfather wanted, she hurried across the room.
    She only paused as she reached the door with the sudden realisation that it would be a mistake for anyone to see her coming out of Mr. Harpole’s bedroom.
    To her great sense of relief the passage was empty.
    She ran to her own bedroom on the other side of the corridor, closed the door behind her and locked it.
    She had done it .
    She had obeyed her stepfather and found what he wanted.
    She should imagine how angry he would have been if she had failed to find anything – or even worse still, been discovered rummaging in the case by Mr. Harpole or anyone else.
    She undressed.
    Then before she climbed into bed, she stood at her window looking up at the stars.
    â€˜Are you very shocked, Papa?’ she asked the stars.  ‘I know you would have been horrified at being required to do anything underhand and despicable.’
    There was no answer, but she carried on,
    â€˜I will try not to have to do anything like this again.  I have the frightening feeling that Stepfather will ask me to do anything he wants and there is really little point in my protesting.’
    She was still looking up at the stars.
    Then suddenly a shooting star sped across the sky.
    There was a flash and it was gone.
    She had the feeling it was somehow an answer from her father telling her that he understood.
    *
    The next morning Mr. Harpole left early.
    By the time Yolanda came downstairs for breakfast, he had gone and she was thankful not to have seen him.
    She then learnt from the butler that her stepfather had breakfasted with him and had seen him off.
    â€œThe Master is in the study, my Lady, if you wish to see him.”
    Yolanda was wearing her riding habit, but she went straight to the study knowing he would be expecting her.
    He was at his desk and he looked up as she entered.
    â€œGood morning, Yolanda. I very much hope you have something for me.”
    She did not answer, but walked to the desk and handed over to him the piece of paper on which she had copied the letter in Mr. Harpole’s case.
    He took it from her, read it and then smiled.
    â€œThank you, Yolanda.  You did that very well and I commend you for bringing me exactly what I required.”
    â€œHow can you be sure,” she asked, “that the people who own the ships will not ask Mr. Harpole to pay more and he will still get what he wants?”
    â€œThat is an intelligent question, Yolanda, but at the same time there is no reason for me to answer it.  But you can be quite sure I shall buy those ships and they will make me a great deal of money.”
    He regarded her closely with what she felt was an unpleasant glint in his eyes.
    â€œAnd, of course, money is what has been paid for the horse you are to ride this morning.”
    It was with difficulty that Yolanda managed to say,
    â€œI am looking forward to it, Step-papa, and again thank you very much.”
    She left the study thinking how much she had always disliked him, but how difficult it was not to be grateful.
    At the stables she found the stallion he had given her was outstanding and easily one of the best looking animals she had