A Battle of Brains by Barbara Cartland

certain that never again would her stepfather invite her to help him as he had done over Mr. Harpole and then Mr. Watson.
    It was very wrong in the first place and even worse, because he had embroiled her in his nefarious schemes.
    He had not considered her as an attractive young woman or even as his stepdaughter.
    He was thinking only of the money he could make.
    Money, which must fill his life completely now that he had lost her mother.
    His beautiful wife had been, as he always claimed, the best and most wonderful thing to ever happen to him.
    â€˜I understand!  I do understand!’ she whispered.
    Then because it was impossible to go on ruminating any more, she fell asleep.
    *
    The next morning Yolanda was awake bright and early and after breakfast a carriage was waiting for them outside the front door.
    As they drove away, Yolanda thought the country had never looked more beautiful and it seemed almost a crime to leave it for the City of London.
    The servants were following them in a large brake with their luggage and besides her stepfather’s valet there were two footmen and Emily.
    Emily had begged Yolanda to ask the housekeeper if she could accompany her to London, and, as she was very attentive and a nice girl, Yolanda had done what she asked.
    â€œOf course you can have her if you wants her, my Lady,” the housekeeper said.  “But make sure she comes with you when you returns or we’ll be short-handed here.”
    As the house seemed to boast an array of servants, Yolanda thought this was a little unlikely.
    However, she promised that Emily would return when she did.
    â€œWe’ll all miss you, that we shall,” the housekeeper went on.  “But I’m sure the Master’ll be bringing down his friends and you, my Lady, must bring yours.  It’s nice to have a house full and the chef says he’ll get fat and lazy if there ain’t no one to cook for!”
    Yolanda laughed, but she thought it a good idea and told her stepfather what the housekeeper had said.
    â€œYou are reading my thoughts!” he exclaimed.  “I have every intention of having friends at the weekends, but first you and I have to decide who we will invite.”
    â€œYou think of everything!” smiled Yolanda.
    â€œI try to,” he answered.  “It’s most important to plan ahead and not leave everything until the last moment.  You know as well as I do that can be disastrous and all that happens is that everything of any importance is left behind.  You will find yourself with the people you don’t want, while those you do have made other arrangements!”
    Yolanda laughed.
    â€œYou must be careful not to let that happen, Step-papa, and I am sure London is going to be very exciting.  At least, as Papa would say, it is something new and that is always an adventure.”
    They stopped on the way for luncheon at a posting inn and when they set off again, Yolanda knew the horses had been well rested and that the servants had also enjoyed a good luncheon.
    Her Papa had always been most particular that they should look after their staff, when they had any.
    He had often become angry when he had heard that mean people neglected those who served them and allowed them to be housed in damp rooms and fed badly, while the gentry were enjoying the best of everything.
    â€œI learnt as a soldier,” he told his daughter, “that a good Officer looks after those he is commanding before he thinks about himself.  That is what I have always done in my private life and I shall expect you to do the same when you are grown-up.”
    â€œOf course, Papa” Yolanda had replied.
    But it was something she thought she would never encounter – she would be with her father and then perhaps with her husband.
    As they approached London, she could not help but wonder if her stepfather was now hoping that she would soon be married.
    She was certain that the