Free A Battle of Brains by Barbara Cartland

was an angry note in his voice.  He had thought when he brought Cecil Watson up to bed, he was too drunk to do anything but fall asleep.
    He had been mistaken and now he was furious with himself that this drama should have occurred.
    Very gently he released his hands from Yolanda’s.
    Then he rearranged the bed so that he could pull the bedclothes over her.
    She was still wearing her blue dressing gown and he thought it best for her to sleep in it, as she should not move about more than was absolutely necessary.
    Now she was quieter, but he noticed that her body was still trembling.
    Although she had opened her eyes, she kept closing them – it was as if she was terrified of what she might see.
    Mr. Garrack pushed her hair back very gently from her forehead.
    â€œNow will you be all right if I leave you alone to sleep?  Or would you rather I asked someone to come and stay with you?  It will have to be one of the maids.”
    â€œ No !  No!  I don’t want anyone!  But you will not let him come near me again?”
    â€œNo, of course not, Yolanda, I tell you what I will do. I will leave you, but I will lock you in.  Then tomorrow morning before the maid wakens you, I will come and open the door.”
    â€œYou will – lock my – door,” Yolanda repeated slowly.
    She was forcing herself to fully understand what he would do.
    â€œI will lock the door and I will take the key away, so no one can come near you.  Is that what you want?”
    â€œYes!  Yes!  Then I shall be safe!”
    â€œYou will be safe,” he said firmly.  “But, just in case you are still scared, I will leave the door of my room open.  If you scream loudly I shall hear you.”
    â€œI will try to go to sleep,” Yolanda promised with an effort.
    â€œThat is most sensible of you and everything will seem better in the morning.  Now, don’t be frightened any more because there is no need for it.”
    He rose to his feet.
    Then he pondered for a moment, walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains so that the moonlight could pour in.
    Yolanda could see the stars from her bed.
    â€œThat will give you a little light.  Now, would you like me to leave the candles or blow them out?”
    â€œYou are quite sure that the door will be locked?” Yolanda repeated in an agitated voice.
    â€œShut and locked.”
    â€œThen please blow out the candles and I will look at the stars.”
    â€œI want you to close your eyes and go to sleep.  I am so very sorry that this has happened and you will have to forgive me.”
    He did not wait for her to answer.
    He walked across the room and opened the door.
    â€œGoodnight, Yolanda.  Remember you are safe.”
    He went out and she heard the key turn in the lock.
    Then she hid her face in the pillow and burst into tears.

CHAPTER FOUR
    â€œHow is Lady Yolanda?” Mr. Garrack asked of his housekeeper.
    â€œShe’s very poorly, sir.  She won’t get up, but just lies in bed staring at the ceiling.”
    â€œDo you think she is really ill?”
    The housekeeper shook her head.
    â€œI don’t know what it is, sir.  I talks to Emily who’s her lady’s maid and she says something about her Ladyship going back to a Convent where she’s been abroad.”
    Mr. Garrack’s lips tightened.
    He was silent for a moment and then he said,
    â€œTell her Ladyship that I wish to see her at twelve o’clock and it is very important.”
    â€œI’ll tell her, sir.”
    When he was by himself in his study, Mr. Garrack sat for some minutes thinking.
    Over his long career he had coped with all types of different men and invariably, even though at times it was difficult, he always got his own way.
    He recognised that Yolanda was still suffering from shock, even though her encounter with Cecil Watson was now over three days ago.
    She had not come out of her bedroom