A Battle of Brains Read Free Page B

broke on the last word.
    â€œI am sure it is Papa who sent Mr. Garrack to us at exactly the right moment.  When we get back to England, I am sure we will find things are not as bad as we fear.”
    As it happened it would have been a lot worse, except that Mr. Garrack took them to his large and imposing house in Park Lane.
    He insisted on finding out if there was any money left in her father’s bank account and if they were entitled to sell anything from the family house and estate.
    Mr. Garrack reassured the heartbroken Countess that he was sure something had been overlooked and that they had not been left totally penniless.
    It was only after all the finances had been scrutinised that he conceded that he had been mistaken – there really was nothing left.
    What was more, the income from the people renting the Earl’s house and estate had already been given to the bank against his large overdraft.
    It was then, looking back, Yolanda realised that Mr. Garrack had taken complete control of their lives.
    He managed to persuade her mother that she should for the time being stay with Yolanda at his house in Park Lane.
    â€œI could, of course,” he said, “quite easily buy you a house anywhere you wanted, but I want to be with you, to see you and to talk to you.”
    He smiled before he added,
    â€œIt seems rather a waste of money when this large house is full of empty rooms and I am a very lonely man!”
    There was really nothing the Countess could do but accept his kind offer.
    It would have been untrue to say that both she and Yolanda did not enjoy the comfort and luxury with which they were now surrounded.
    Because they were in mourning, Mr. Garrack at first did not try to persuade them to meet other people.
    But after quite a short time, he gradually began to bring his friends home.
    It was then that Yolanda began to notice that in many ways he was not exactly a gentleman.
    She did not say it, even quietly to herself, in those particular words – it was just what she observed when she compared him to her father.
    What was more, she considered it embarrassing that Mr. Garrack should be so obviously pleased and delighted to have her mother as a guest.
    Not only because of her beauty but also because of her title.
    There was something in the way he would say to anyone who came to see them.
    â€œLet me introduce you to the delightful Countess of Longwood , who is staying with me, who is not only the most beautiful woman in the world but also a very valued friend.”
    He always accentuated her title.
    â€œAnd also her daughter, Lady Yolanda Wood,” she heard him say dozens of times.
    Always he said her name with what she thought was a pronounced accent on the word ‘ Lady ’.
    *
    After they had been in London for only a month, the Season had come to an end and the majority of Socialites left London for the country or Scotland.
    They had been talking to two men who were going grouse shooting and Yolanda asked her mother,
    â€œDo you not think, Mama, it would be a good idea to get in touch with some of your relations?  I know they live in the North, but I have not met any of them and it would be very exciting if we went for a visit.”
    The Countess was silent for a moment.
    Yolanda knew she was considering what she should answer and it made her wonder why she had not been told anything about them before.
    Finally her mother said,
    â€œI suppose, darling, you had better know the truth.  When I married your father all my family were very angry.  They had arranged for me to marry a distinguished man, rather older than I was.  When I fell in love with your father, they tried in every way they could to dissuade me from marrying him.”
    â€œBut you insisted, Mama, and I am very glad that you did!”
    â€œOf course I insisted!  But after we were married your father found them so very disagreeable and unfriendly that we came South and never went