Stormy the Way Read Online Free PDF Page A

that this avoidance of his gaze might prejudice him against her.
    'I see,' thoughtfully and, with slow deliberation. 'You are not contemplating marriage yet?'
    'Not - not until Paul finishes his studies.'
    'How old are you?' he asked, and something in his tone indicated a slight hesitation over this question. She felt sure it was one he meant to ask sooner, but had perhaps thought it rather delicate.
    'Twenty-five,' she answered, glancing up to see what effect this had upon him. His eyes were narrowed to mere slits.
    'Five years older than Paul. Don't you mind this difference in age?'
    She flushed.

    'I don't consider it all that important,' she returned defensively.
    'A man at twenty is a good deal younger than a woman of the same age,' he remarked suavely. 'In comparison to a woman of twenty-five he's a mere child.'
    Her indignant eyes flew to his. What was he insinuating? It would appear that already he was branding her a gold-digger, but after a swift flare of anger she knew an almost irrepressible desire to laugh, the idea of Leon's anxiety being the stimulant. She managed to maintain her cool exterior, however, but she did wonder if her amusement showed in her eyes. It really was funny - his being troubled about something that would never materialize - but it would do him good, she decided. Let him worry!'I don't think I understand you, Mr. - Mr.— She broke off, raising a questioning eyebrow and expecting him to tell her to call him Leon. Instead he himself raised his brow and saidsmoothly,
    'I'm quite sure you do understand me. I have spoken perfectly plainly, I believe.'
    Her colour deepened. He was far too overwhelming - with his air of superiority and hauteur. Anger rose, to remain this time. But it was the anger born of her own inability to spar successfully with this pompous brother of the boy she had promised to assist.
    'Are you suggesting I'm too old for Paul?' she queried at last, feigning a rather injured mien.
    Leon threw her a measured glance.
    'Aren't you?' he said gently.
    Tara stiffened, and lifted her chin. What an inordinate amount of satisfaction she would have derived from allowing herself a free flow of speech! It would be good to watch that arrogant face while she told its owner just what she thought about him! But she had to take care, much to her disgust, since if his man decided she was not a suitable wife for his brother then undoubtedly all that Paul was scheming for would be lost. The inheritance would be withheld for another five years.
    'I hadn't given it much thought,' she returned, thankful for her ability to swallow the tight little ball of anger which had for one dangerous moment threatened to affect her reply to Leon's softly-spoken question. 'Age makes no difference when you're in love.' Was that convincing? Tara sincerely hoped it was. This man required careful handling, though. The opinion that all Englishwomen were gold-diggers was well rooted, owing to the fate suffered by the two cousins of whom Androula had spoken.
    For one fleeting moment a half-smile of amused contempt touched the firm outline of his mouth.
    'Love? he murmured with gentle satire. 'You're in love?'
    Her teeth gritted together. How could she hope to keep her temper?
    'Why else would I get engaged to Paul?'
    'A good question,' he returned promptly, and she instantly realized her mistake. 'Why did you become engaged to Paul, Tara?'
    Her colour mounted more vividly than ever.
    'I've just said we're in love,' she reminded him in constricted tones. 'I trust I've answered the question to your satisfaction?' The content of her words, and the tone of their delivery, were lacking any measure of diplomacy, but by now Tara was almost at the end of her patience. If only Paul would come, but Androula would have informed him that his brother wished to be alone with Tara, so there was nothing to be gained by hoping for a speedy rescue.

    'You are aware that Paul is a very wealthy young man?' Leon spoke after a short silence,