Tall Poppies Read Online Free PDF Page B

giving her stern looks at breakfast. Mother had been reduced to taking a tray of coffee and dry toast in her bedroom, while Daddy and that little prig Richard had glowered heir way through the kippers and marmalade without so much as a ‘Good morning’.
    My God, if he wasn’t already leaving everything to the boys, he’d disinherit me, Elizabeth thought, then hugged herself. Granny had put a stop to that. She needn’t be afraid of Dad any more.
     
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    Even so, she had saddled up one of the bay mares as soon as breakfast was over and taken her out for a gallop across the cliff tops. It was good to be out of his way; the turrets and battlements rearing behind her seemed gloomy and menacing in the chill morning light. She’d never known Tony so furious. It was dawning on her that he had been serious about her marrying David. He was outraged that she’d blown her chances of becoming a duchess …
    ‘Lizzie!’ called a reedy voice.
    ‘Right here, Richard,’ Elizabeth said, throwing her apple core into some bracken. Her brother came clumping through the trees, looking annoyed.
    ‘Where on earth have you been? You’d better get yourself inside, sharpish. Father wants to see you in the library, right away.’
    She got up, ignoring the gloating tone to Richard’s voice. What an unpleasant little brat he was, he loved to see her in trouble.
    She tried to ignore the nagging voice inside her that told her she’d behaved like a spoilt brat herself last night. Poor clumsy David, he hadn’t meant any harm.
    But no! Elizabeth thought sulkily. Why should I have to put up with him on my birthday!
    When they reached the dark-panelled hall Richard turned pointedly away towards her stepmother’s morning room, leaving Elizabeth standing in front of the library door by herself. She looked at the brass studs in the old oak door and drew herself up bravely. Father’s bullying needs standing up to, Elizabeth told herself. She smoothed down her long mane of hair and knocked sharply.
    ‘Come in,’ the earl snapped.
    Elizabeth pushed the thick door hard and it swung open, creaking on its hinges. The library was a large room, tapestries and antique swords mounted .between
     
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    rows of dusty, leatherbound books. A mahogany grand piano stood to one side. Behind it, his back to her, her father was sitting in front of his writing desk, a sheaf of papers laid out neatly on the green baize.
    ‘Elizabeth,’ he said icily without turning round, ‘your behaviour last night was unforgivable. You disgraced yourself in front of all our friends. You made a public exhibition of yourself. Your stepmother was so ashamed she has made herself ill.’
    ‘David Fairfax kissed me. What was I supposed to do? He was slobbering down the front of my dress—’
    ‘Elizabeth!’ Her father spun round on his seat, glaring at her. ‘Not another word, do you hear me? Stop lying!’
    ‘But I’m not lying!’ Elizabeth protested, feeling the tears well up despite herself.
    The earl.raised a warning hand, his expression dark. ‘For the sake of sheer impudence and disobedience to us
    you chose to assault one of your own guests.’
    ‘That’s not true!’
    ‘Why in the name of God a decent young man like that should have been interested in you, Elizabeth, is quite beyond me, but you could not even accept a small romantic gesture—’
    ‘There’s nothing romantic about being pawed by that baboon!’ Elizabeth cried angrily. ‘You and Monica just want to marry me to a duke! You’re nothing but a pair of snobs!’
    Father gazed at her impassively.-Then he reached down to his desk and picked up a piece of paper.
    ‘This is a letter of registration, enrolling you at the Ecole Henri Dufor.’
    ‘The Ecole Henri Dufor?’ Elizabeth repeated blankly. ‘In Saas-Fe.’
    ‘You’re sending me to Switzerland?’
    Her father nodded coldly. ‘Since you cannot seem to
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    behave yourself here, I am sending you to your stepmother’s finishing