A Battle of Brains by Barbara Cartland

drawing room when Yolanda came running up to him.
    â€œ I want to go home ,” she told him breathlessly.
    He looked at her in surprise.
    Then without asking her any questions, he replied,
    â€œOf course, Yolanda, if that is what you want.”
    She hurried down the stairs in front of him and they waited without speaking until their carriage was brought to the door.
    Only when they drove off, did Mr. Garrack ask,
    â€œWhat has happened? What has upset you?”
    For a moment he thought Yolanda was not going to reply and then she murmured,
    â€œThe man I was dancing with asked me to marry him.”
    There was a short pause, before he commented,
    â€œYolanda, I suppose you realise that is the greatest compliment you can be paid and the most expensive one.”
    He paused to smile at her before continuing,
    â€œAfter all, the gentleman in question is taking you ‘ for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, until death do us part ’.  By that time you may be sightless, toothless and extremely irritable.  No man could offer you more!”
    For a moment there was silence and then Yolanda began to laugh.
    As her stepfather laughed too, she moved closer to him and put her head on his shoulder.
    â€œYou are quite right, Step-papa.  I am a fool, but he took me by surprise, so I ran away.”
    â€œHe will certainly not think you are running after him ,” Mr. Garrack remarked dryly.
    Yolanda laughed again.
    â€œI just don’t know why I am so stupid, but I am no longer as frightened as I was.”
    â€œI do realise that, Yolanda, but I think that now you are such an overwhelming success, you will think as I do that it is silly to worry about anything in the past.  After all what is done is done and cannot be altered.  It is tomorrow that is important.”
    â€œOf course it is,” agreed Yolanda, “and you must forgive me for behaving so badly.”
    â€œIt was getting late anyway and as I have to be in my office early tomorrow morning, I am actually delighted to be going home to bed.”
    Yolanda knew that he was making things easier for her.
    When they arrived back at his house, she kissed him affectionately.
    â€œI am so sorry I behaved so stupidly,” she told him.
    â€œForget it, Yolanda, I think tomorrow may be very exciting for you.”
    He made it exciting by giving her an attractive and very expensive present.
    He knew only too well that he was spoiling her.
    Because Yolanda was such a social success, she and her stepfather were invited to endless parties given by the most exclusive hostesses.
    They would certainly not have been invited to them in the past.
    In her new dresses for the daytime, as well as new gowns for the evening, she recognised that her stepfather was proud of her.
    *
    At the end of the third week, he said to her casually,
    â€œOh, by the way, Yolanda, we are travelling to the country for the weekend.”
    Yolanda’s eyes lit up.
    â€œTo the country!  How wonderful!”
    â€œThere are several new horses for you to see and there are three pictures I have just bought that I think will interest you.”
    â€œWhy did you not tell me before?” asked Yolanda.  “You knew I would be thrilled.”
    â€œI could not go to the sale myself, but my secretary did well and brought back a Van Dyck, which I am sure will delight you, as well as two more by Stubbs.”
    Yolanda clapped her hands together.
    â€œOh, Step-papa, that is exciting.  You know I love the Stubbs you have already and I did think it was a pity there were not more horses inside the house when there are so many outside!”
    Her stepfather chuckled.
    â€œI hope you will approve of my new purchases and they will certainly add lustre to my collection.”
    â€œYou have many fine pictures here in London.”
    â€œThey are the first purchases I ever made and to be quite honest I could have done better.”
    â€œSome of