Stormy the Way Read Online Free PDF Page B

really decide to do this then the whole scheme had fallen flat already.
    What a hateful creature he was! Suddenly Tara was determined to outwit him. She would put on an act so clever that, smart as he considered himself, he would never see through it.
    And she began immediately, for at that moment Paul entered the room, after knocking quietly and waiting for his brother's permission to come in. Tara's eyes lit up. She had been in love, so she knew how a girl felt on beholding her loved one. Her mouth quivered with a halting smile, which broke as Paul came closer.
    'You've been away a long time,' she said in soft adoring tones. 'But your brother and I have been having a pleasant talk.'
    At this remark Leon naturally glanced at her with suspicion, but she had no time for him now that Paul was here. He sat down and her loving eyes remained on his face.
    He glanced anxiously at his brother.

    'You've made friends with each other?' he said hesitantly, examining Leon's dark features. Leon's gaze was fixed on Tara; she was conscious of this, but had eyes only for Paul.
    'We've become acquainted,' replied Leon casually. 'One doesn't make a friend in ten minutes.'
    'No...' Paul darted an apologetic glance at Tara, who in turn glanced at Leon. He was merely amused by his brother's discomfiture. 'You've got on all right, though?' added Paul after a second or two.
    'Certainly we have,' Tara answered for his brother, who looked across at her, his face an expressionless mask, 'I'm very happy with my relations-to-be, Paul, so please, darling, don't look so troubled.' She turned, smiling, to Leon. 'Paul was terribly anxious that you wouldn't like me, because I'm English. But I told him not to worry; I have every intention of adapting myself to the life I shall have to live when I come to Greece.' At that a faint curve of Leon's mouth and then,
    'You are aware, I hope, that ours is a strictly patriarchal social system.
    Our attitude towards women is far different from the ideas current in the West. Women of the East possess the inherent trait of obedience towards their husbands - or fathers, whichever might apply.'
    Tara said nothing. She was tight and seething inside. What an outmoded way of life! Inherent trait of obedience ! She could see, without a trace of difficulty, this arrogant Greek lording it over whoever he chose to marry, treating her as a slave, a chattel, a possession whose importance in his life was little more than any one of his servants. If ever a man needed a lesson it was he! And she was more determined than ever to help Paul get his inheritance - and what a thrill of satisfaction she would enjoy when the engagement was broken and once more Leon suffered the sting of disgrace. He would certainly hate all Englishwomen then, but little she would care!
    Sending him a glance from under fluttering lashes, she said meekly,

    'I do realize these things. And, loving Paul as I do, I shall adhere to any conditions imposed upon me.' A timid smile broke. 'I shall always obey Paul - although I don't think he'll domineer over me too much, will you, darling?'
    'Most certainly not!' He looked indignantly at his brother. 'You might treat a woman like that, Leon, but I never shall! You'll have Tara throwing me over if you say things like that!'
    Excellent acting, applauded Tara silently.
    'Oh, no,' she denied swiftly. 'I could never throw you over, Paul.
    Why, I think I'd die if ever we parted!'
    A rather strange hush fell on the room. Leon slanted Tara a glance and the warm blood rushed to her cheeks in spite of her determination to put on a calm and confident front.
    'You must forgive me, Tara, for questioning you as I have,' he said apologetically at length. 'I have to protect my brother, whose money has been entrusted to my care. I see now that you love him deeply, and I feel that he has made an excellent choice.'
    Another silence. Stunned for a moment, Tara then became exultant.
    How easy, after all! Of course, it was her excellent