Gertrude was a very clever and curious girl. She loved lying on the floor and reading books, but hated having to sit in a chair and do lessons. That was why she would play tricks on the governesses who were hired to teach her. “I don't need them!” she would complain to her father. “I'm cleverer than they are – just let me read more books instead!”
As soon as her lessons were over, Gertrude would go in search of adventures! Red Barns had huge gardens to explore – and her brother Maurice would tag along with her.
Well, maybe Gertrude wasn't the ruler of Red Barns – if she
