A Battle of Brains by Barbara Cartland Read Free Book Online Page B

despised.
    â€œBusiness, my dear, business, which is far more important than our personal feelings.”
    Yolanda gave a sigh and then something struck her.
    Was this going to be another ‘job’ as her stepfather would say – another ‘job’ for her ?
    If so, how could she bear it?

CHAPTER THREE
    Yolanda did not see her stepfather again until it was teatime.
    She had ridden again, this time on one of the other horses, which was a particularly good jumper.
    She sailed over all the jumps in the paddock.
    Then she had a discussion with the Head Groom asking him to put up some more difficult jumps.
    â€œI’ll ’ave to ask the Master,” he said.
    â€œOf course,” Yolanda replied.  “But he did agree with me that we need some more when I spoke with him over luncheon.”
    â€œI’ll get busy on ’em right away, my Lady.”
    Yolanda took her horse over the same jumps again.
    She could not help thinking it would be exciting if she had someone to ride with her – someone young whom she could race and compete with over the jumps.
    Then she thought that she was asking too much.
    It was just a miracle that she should have so many wonderful horses to ride.
    She knew her father would have loved to have them if he could afford it, and it seemed sad that there were so many horses in the stables and so few people to ride them.
    At the same time all her stepfather’s friends might be like Mr. Harpole and if they were, she had no wish to meet them.
    She was feeking a little apprehensive after what he had said about the man who was coming this afternoon.
    Several hours later Mr. Garrack came into the drawing room for tea.
    It was arranged in front of the sofa and he immediately asked Yolanda,
    â€œDid you have a good ride this afternoon?”
    â€œIt was fabulous, thank you, Step-papa.  By the way, I hope you don’t mind, but I told the Head Groom that you agreed to some more jumps in the paddock.”
    â€œNo, of course not and you were quite right to do so.  I had forgotten all about it as a matter of fact, but when the new horses arrive we must keep them well exercised.”
    â€œI think that means that you will have to ride more frequently than you do already,” suggested Yolanda.
    â€œI am too busy to spare the time.”
    â€œI am certain that Mama would say that you should take more exercise than you do at the moment.  She always thought that you spent too much time at your desk and not enough in the saddle.”
    Her stepfather laughed as she meant him to do.
    â€œI will follow your mother’s wishes – as I always have and I will ride with you tomorrow morning.”
    â€œPerhaps they will have some more jumps up by that time,” Yolanda added optimistically.
    She passed him various plates of food, but he shook his head.
    â€œIf I take more exercise, as you suggest, I shall be able to eat more.  As it is I am getting fat.”
    He was actually a very slim man.
    Yolanda could not imagine that however much he ate, he would put on much weight.
    â€œI think you are exaggerating.  Therefore as I cannot eat all this tea myself, the chef will be disappointed if every plate goes back untouched.  We will have to buy a dog.”
    Her stepfather laughed.
    â€œI suppose the excuse that the dog has eaten the tea is better than nothing.  I have often thought that we lack dogs here and I will see about it the next time I am in London.”
    â€œThat will be marvellous,” enthused Yolanda.
    There was a slight pause and she looked at him nervously.
    â€œMy friend, the one I told you about,” Mr. Garrack began, “is called Cecil Watson.  He is an uncouth man for whom I have no liking, but he is an extremely astute businessman.”
    â€œIf you do not like him, why do you have him down here?  Can you not see him at your office in London?”
    â€œThat is a very sensible question,” he