Beneath the Major's Scars (16 page)

‘And that was removed over fifty years ago,’ said Dominic
slowly. ‘At least twenty years before this document was written.’

‘So there must be another marker stone, in the wood itself.
Could we go and look? If we could find it—’

‘No. We must proceed cautiously. Evanshaw may well know about
the marker. That may be why he has his men patrolling the wood, but they are
more likely to shoot you than ask what you are doing there. We should take this
document to Buckland. He will be able to verify it and then he can ask Sir
Arthur to authorise a search.’ He carefully rolled up the manuscript and tied it
with a ribbon. ‘Sally has taken my curricle, but I expect her back any time now.
Once she is returned I will take you and this document to West Barton.’

Zelah frowned. ‘Could I not take it now? I could walk...’

‘Are you so keen to get this to your brother-in-law?’

‘Well, most likely he will not even be at home, but I will not
rest until he has seen it.’

Dominic hesitated, then shook his head. ‘No. It is too hot for
such exertion. I will take you in the curricle.’

His autocratic tone made her long to retort, but she closed her
lips firmly together. Dominic saw her response and his mouth quirked
upwards.

‘You must have patience, madam. Your family would berate me
soundly if I allowed you to walk home in this heat.’

He was right, she knew it. She looked at the manuscript.

‘I suppose it would be foolish to set off yet. But after
finding this I do not think I can sit down and work.’

She risked looking at him and immediately realised her mistake.
Once he had captured her glance she could not look away. She was trapped. The
smile in his eyes deepened. He lifted one hand and gently rubbed the backs of
his fingers over her cheek.

‘There is one way to pass the time.’

His eyes dropped to her mouth and she responded by running her
tongue over her lips. She should step back, but her wayward limbs refused to
move. She was drawn like a magnet to the man in front of her. He had changed
into a clean shirt, waistcoat and buckskins, but without a jacket the white
sleeves billowed out, making the breadth of his shoulders even more impressive.
He dominated the space before her and she could not look away.

Very slowly he lowered his head and kissed her. It was the
gentlest of touches, his lips gliding across her mouth. She closed her eyes,
almost swooning as desire swamped her. His kiss deepened as he sensed her
reaction, his mouth working on her lips until they parted and his tongue
flickered, seeking her own. She wound her free hand around his neck, pulling him
closer while he plundered her mouth, his tongue dipping, diving, driving her
senses wild. She responded by pushing against him, returning kiss for kiss. When
he released her mouth and raised his head she gave a whimper, turning her face
up, standing on tiptoe as she reached up for him.

He put his hands on her shoulders, holding her away from him,
his eyes hard and bright.

‘You are not...repelled by my disfigurement?’

‘Repelled? No.’ She reached out one hand and gently placed her
fingers on his ragged cheek, then she brought up the other hand to pull his head
down until she could kiss his scarred brow, his cheek, his jaw.

Dominic put up his hand to cover hers and dragged it to his
mouth, pressing a kiss into the palm before pulling her into his arms again. She
lifted her face, inviting his kiss and eagerly returning it as he pushed aside
the muslin scarf that covered her neck and shoulders, his thumbs gently rubbing
along her collarbones. She threw back her head as his mouth grazed her throat
and moved on to kiss the soft swell of her breasts. Zelah trembled, the desire
that had been smouldering inside her bursting into a flame that threatened to
consume her, but even as she felt her body slipping out of control she began to
fight. She pushed against Dominic and immediately he let her go.

With a sob she turned away. ‘Oh, what have I done?’

‘Zelah.’

‘Oh, do not call me that! I am—must be—Miss Pentewan to
you.’

‘Of course.’ His voice was harsh. ‘I should have known. You
were merely taking pity—’

‘No!’ She spun round, saying indignantly, ‘What I feel for you
is
not
pity.’

‘Then why push me away?’

She put her hands to her burning cheeks, forcing herself to
tell him the truth.

‘I was afraid that if I did not stop you now I would not be
able to do so. You—you arouse such feelings in me as I have never known.’

As she spoke she fumbled to straighten her neckerchief. Dominic
pushed her hands aside and carefully rearranged the folds of muslin decorously
across her shoulders.

He said quietly, ‘Such feelings are natural between a man and a
woman.’

‘Not to me! I cannot afford such a luxury.’

‘It is not a luxury, it is a blessing.’ He slid his hands down
her arms and grasped her fingers. ‘Believe me, I would not have kissed you if I
didn’t think you wanted it, too. I saw the way you looked at me in the
yard.’

She pulled away, confused and embarrassed. ‘Fine words, sir. It
is very easy for you to return to your rakish ways!’

‘Hell and confound it, madam, do you think I am toying with
you?’

‘Of course you are. But it is partly my fault, for coming here
to work, putting myself in your power.’

‘My power!’ He laughed savagely. ‘You make me sound like the
villain of a melodrama.’

‘And that is just what you are,’ she flashed. ‘With your black
scowls and tortured looks—’ She stopped, her hands flying to her mouth. ‘Oh, I
should not have said that, I am so sorry—’

‘Nay, why should you hold back? I cannot deny that I have the
physiognomy for a rogue!’

‘That is not what I meant.’

‘Isn’t it? Do I not feature as the villain in your fantasy, a
grotesque being who has ensnared you, drawing you in against your will? Do I not
exert an evil fascination?’

‘No, no,’ she said unhappily. ‘You wilfully misunderstand me. I
will not stay here—I shall walk home now and never return.’

At that moment a sudden crack of thunder ripped the air. Zelah
gave a little cry of fright and shrank towards Dominic. Instinctively his arms
closed around her.

‘So,’ he muttered, ‘the thunder frightens you more than I
do.’

Zelah extricated herself from his embrace and said with as much
dignity as she could muster, ‘I never said you frightened me. I merely wish to
quit this house—and you!—as soon as possible.’

The quiet patter of raindrops intensified to a roar. Dominic
went over to close the window.

‘Well, you can hardly walk to West Barton now.’ He glanced back
and saw that she was looking out at the rain sheeting down, her bottom lip
caught between her teeth. He said coldly, ‘Do not fret, madam. I will not
inflict my presence on you a moment longer than necessary. Once my sister
returns, Sawley shall drive you to West Barton.’

He turned on his heel and stormed out. Damn the woman! Did she
think he was made of stone? He was no saint, but she would turn him into a
veritable Lothario. He had not meant to kiss her, but she had looked so damned
alluring with the flush on her cheeks and those sparkling eyes.

And she had wanted him to kiss her, he would stake his life on
that. She had been right to stop him, another few moments and he would have made
good use of that ancient bed. But why had she ripped up at him? Why was she so
afraid to admit the attraction?

He had reached the yellow salon by this time and saw the answer
in the mirrors. A dozen reflections of his scarred face. Gritting his teeth, he
strode through the room. She had touched that scar, kissed it, but in the end
the thought of his disfigured body was too much for her. Well, the sooner she
was removed from Rooks Tower the better!

* * *

It was another hour before Sally returned in the
curricle. Dominic took an umbrella out as the carriage pulled up on the drive,
but when he informed his groom that he was to take Miss Pentewan to West Barton,
Sawley shook his head.

‘Not with this team, sir. I’ve nursed ’em this far, but I don’t
want to take ’em any farther.’

‘We had a slight mishap as we were leaving Lesserton.’ Sally
took Dominic’s proffered hand and alighted. ‘The doctor’s hack broke loose from
the smithy and charged into us. The off-side horse took a blow to his
thigh.’

‘Aye, and t’other’s started limping,’ added Sawley. ‘I think he
might’ve taken a kick on his fetlock.’

Dominic handed the umbrella to Sally and went to inspect the
horse, running his hands gently over the suspect leg.

‘You are right. It’s beginning to swell.’

‘Pray don’t blame Sawley,’ Sally implored him, observing his
black frown. ‘He did well to avoid overturning us. You can imagine that
everything was confusion, until the blacksmith’s apprentice managed to quieten
the poor runaway creature.’

Dominic straightened, exhaling. Just his luck for this to
happen today. He waved Sawley away.

‘Take the team round to the stables and look after them, Jem,
and have my match greys harnessed to the curricle. I shall drive to West Barton
myself.’

* * *

Thus when Zelah presented herself at the front door it
was to find Major Coale holding the reins. Briefly he explained the situation,
adding when he observed her hesitation, ‘I am afraid Sawley must stay here to
look after the horses and I will allow no one else to drive my greys.’

For a moment Zelah thought it might be a ploy, but Dominic
looked as dissatisfied with the arrangement as she was, so she allowed herself
to be handed up into the carriage.

‘You have the manuscript?’

‘Yes.’ She held up the rolled parchment, safely wrapped in
oilskin.

They set off, Dominic holding the greys to a sedate trot along
the drive. The rain had eased, but the grey clouds were still threatening and
Zelah hoped they would not have to stop to put up the hood. It was bad enough to
have to sit next to a man whose whole demeanour was one of barely controlled
anger, she had no wish to be trapped in a confined space with him. She stared
ahead, trying to maintain a dignified silence, but her conscience was making her
uncomfortable. The tension between them was palpable and they had not gone far
before she could no longer bear the strained atmosphere.

‘Major Coale!’ She clasped and unclasped her hands, forcing
herself to speak. ‘What happened earlier, it was as much my fault as yours. For
me to say such terrible things to you—I am ashamed. It was unjust and...and I
beg your pardon.’

His countenance did not change. Not by the flicker of an eye
did he acknowledge that she had spoken. Zelah’s spirits sank. He could not
forgive her.

She ought not to be surprised. She had intended to wound him
and had done so magnificently. She was mortified now even to think of it and to
be barred from Rooks Tower—and its owner—for ever would be a fitting punishment.
A silent tear slid down her cheek.

‘My own conduct was reprehensible.’ Dominic spoke without
taking his eyes from the road. She sucked in a ragged breath.

‘Oh, if you only knew how much I wish my words unspoken!’

‘That is impossible, but if we both regret what happened this
afternoon, if we admit that we were both at fault, could we not put it behind
us?’

She looked down. ‘I had determined never to come back to Rooks
Tower.’

‘That would be sad indeed. Is that what you really want?’

She blinked back the tears. ‘Not at all.’

He took one hand from the reins and reached out to cover hers.
‘Then let us cry friends, Zelah.’

‘Do...do you think we can?’

He turned his head to smile at her. ‘I have a damnable temper,
my dear, but if my black scowls don’t frighten you...’

‘They do not. They never have.’

‘Then, yes, I think we can be friends.’

Her fingers twisted under his and she clasped his hand. She
said shyly, ‘Then I would like that very much, Major.’

‘Dominic.’

‘Dominic.’ The name rolled off her tongue. She relished each
syllable.

The sun breaking through the clouds lifted her spirits, so much
so that when Dominic mentioned the forthcoming ball she was able to reply with
perfect candour.

‘I am glad I am not to be excluded, I am looking forward to it,
very much.’

‘And will you save one dance for me?’

‘As many as you wish,’ she replied recklessly. ‘I am unlikely
to have many partners, I know so few people.’

‘You underrate yourself, my dear—’ He broke off to guide the
curricle through the gates of West Barton. A closed carriage was already
standing at the door.

‘Well, that is very good timing,’ declared Zelah. ‘Here is
Reginald just arrived home. Now you will be able to give him the charter
yourself.’

Dominic brought his team to a stop and a groom ran out to hold
the greys. Zelah climbed down and shook out her skirts, glancing towards the
carriage where her brother-in-law had alighted and was waiting while another
gentleman clambered out.

‘Reginald has brought a guest home,’ she murmured, as Dominic
came round to join her. She handed him the manuscript. ‘It makes no odds, you
can still give this to him, it is too important to wait and I am sure he will
be...’

Her words trailed away. The fashionably dressed gentleman
beside Reginald smiled, lifting his hat from his carefully arranged blond
curls.

‘Zelah, my dear. How good to see you again.’

Chapter Eleven

Z
elah could not speak. She did not resist
when the gentleman picked up her hand and pressed a kiss upon her fingers,
holding them for far longer than was polite. He looked up and smiled into her
eyes and the years fell away. She was eighteen again, gauche and tongue-tied.
Dominic shifted impatiently at her side and she pulled her hand free, giving
only the slightest nod of recognition.

Reginald was beaming.

‘What a stroke of luck, my dear. I met Lerryn at the White
Hart. Major Coale, let me present Mr Timothy Lerryn to you. His father is the
squire in my wife’s home town of Cardinham.’

Timothy’s eyes flickered over Dominic’s scarred face, but his
smile never wavered.

‘I am travelling to Bristol and I thought, since it is on my
way, that I would call upon Mrs Buckland at West Barton. When Buckland told me
that Miss Zelah Pentewan was staying here too, I could hardly believe my good
fortune.’

His smile had turned to a caress, but it only made her shiver.
Reginald laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

‘What could I do but invite him to join us for dinner. And you
too, Major, if you are free.’

‘Thank you, I regret that I cannot stay. I came only to give
you this.’ He handed Reginald the manuscript. ‘It relates to the dispute with
Sir Oswald. Miss Pentewan will explain it all.’

Reginald’s eyes lit up.

‘Another charter, is it? This could be important. Come along to
my study now and tell me everything. My man will look after your horses. Lerryn,
you will not object if I leave you with Zelah?’

‘On the contrary.’ Timothy Lerryn held out his arm to her. ‘We
are such old friends I am delighted to have her to myself.’

Zelah wanted to say that
she
objected, but Reginald bore Dominic away, leaving her with Timothy Lerryn. His
blue eyes roved over her.

‘You have not changed one jot.’

She had thought the same of him, but now that he was closer she
could see that he was different. He was still a handsome man, in a florid way,
but the last four years had added inches to his waist and tiny lines at the
sides of his mouth and around his eyes. Lines of dissipation, she thought.

‘What do you want here?’

He looked pained. ‘I came to find you. I heard you were
visiting your sister.’

Once such words would have delighted her. She would have given
anything to hear them. Now her lip curled.

‘You can have nothing to say to me.’

‘How can you speak so?’ He followed her into the empty hall.
‘Remember what we were to each other.’

She stopped. ‘No one here knows of that!’ she hissed at him. ‘I
do not want them to know.’

‘And nor shall they. I did not come here to make trouble for
you, Zelah. I wanted merely to see you.’ He lowered his voice. ‘I have missed
you.’

‘You are a married man.’

‘That was a mistake. I see that now.’

‘Ha!’ She turned from him. ‘I will take you to my sister. You
shall have dinner here, but then you must go, do you understand?’

Head high, she led the way into the drawing room. Maria was
reading to Nicky, but she stopped when they came in, regarding Mr Lerryn with a
polite, questioning air. She listened to his explanation, flattered if a little
bemused that he should break his journey to see them.

Zelah made her excuses and went off to change her gown. Her
nerves were jangling, not only from the events at Rooks Tower but also from the
unexpected appearance of Timothy Lerryn. He said he had come to find her and
that could only mean trouble.

She tarried as long as she dared, but when she returned to the
drawing room she was surprised to find Major Coale taking wine there. The sight
of Dominic and Timothy Lerryn talking together did nothing to calm her nerves.
She could not help comparing the two men—Dominic no longer turned the injured
side of his face away from the room, but the sight of his terrible scars only
added to his dark, powerful presence. By comparison she thought Timothy’s
tightly waisted coat and fashionable blond locks looked positively effete.

She had to steel herself not to run away as Timothy crossed the
room to her.

‘My dear Zelah—Miss Pentewan,’ he corrected himself smoothly,
seeing the flash of anger in her eyes. ‘Your brother-in-law was explaining to me
about the current land dispute going on in Lesserton. I understand you were
instrumental in finding a new document that will help the villagers’ case.’

‘Yes. I certainly hope that will be so.’

She went to leave, but he put his hand under her elbow. ‘Will
you allow me to escort you to a chair?

She quickly pulled her arm free. A swift glance assured her
that Maria and Reginald were engaged in conversation with Dominic so she walked
to the bay window where they would not be overheard. Timothy followed her, as
she knew he would.

‘Let me make one thing plain,’ she began. ‘I am not your dear
anything and I do not wish to renew our acquaintance. After tonight I never want
to see you again.’

‘I am very sorry to hear that.’

‘Are you? I should have thought you would be pleased to know
that I am making a new life for myself, that does not involve you.’

‘Ah, yes, your sister told me you are working for Major Coale,
as his librarian. Are you sure that is wise?’

She eyed him coldly. ‘I do not know what you mean.’

‘With your, er, history.’

She fought down the blaze of anger at his words and the knowing
look that went with them. ‘No one knows about my
history
here and my employment at Rooks Tower is perfectly
respectable.’

‘People might not think so, if they were to know the truth
about you...’

‘Which they never will,’ she flashed, ‘unless you tell
them!’

He put his hand on his heart. ‘My dear Zelah, it is not my
intention to say a word.’ He reached for her hand, but she snatched it away. His
eyes hardened. ‘Of course, if you are unfriendly I might inadvertently let
something slip.’

His hand remained outstretched, the challenge in his eyes
unmistakable. Reluctantly she gave him her fingers. He lifted them to his
lips.

‘There, that is not so bad, is it? Now, as long as you are
sweet to me, your secret is safe.’

She put up her chin. ‘It is
our
secret, Mr Lerryn, and if it was to become public then you would not appear in
any very honourable light.’

His grip tightened. ‘True, but a man’s reputation will survive
the odd scandal—a woman’s good name is a very different matter.’

Zelah clamped her lips closed upon the angry retort that rose
within her and with a slight nod she moved off, inwardly seething.

Disinclined to join the others, she moved to the piano on the
pretext of tidying the pile of music, but Dominic soon followed, carrying two
glasses of wine. He held one out to her.

‘You look troubled. I am sorry if you did not wish me to stay.
I merely came to pay my respects to your sister and see how Nicky goes on.’

The roughness of his tone rubbed at her raw nerves.

‘Your presence does not trouble me.’ She forced herself to
smile. ‘I have a headache. The weather...’

Her gaze shifted to Tim Lerryn, who had come up. She kept the
smile fixed on her lips as she hid her dismay at his interruption.

‘Poor Zelah never could endure thunder. The storm this
afternoon was particularly bad, was it not? However, the sky is clearing now and
I am in hopes that the weather will improve for the remainder of my visit.’

‘How long are you staying in Lesserton?’ Dominic enquired.

‘Oh, a few days more, at least. Having caught up with my
friends again we have a great deal to talk about, do we not, my dear?’

Zelah felt her cheeks burn with anger and embarrassment at his
familiar tone. She dare not risk her voice, so she turned her attention to
straightening the sleeve of her gown.

‘I shall not see much of them tomorrow, I fear,’ Timothy
continued. ‘Mrs Buckland tells me the family are joining you at Rooks Tower for
your summer ball, Major Coale. I hope the weather holds for you.’

‘You are welcome to join us for the dancing, if you wish, Mr
Lerryn. My sister has already sent out all the invitations, but I will see to it
you are not turned away if you present yourself at the door.’

Zelah froze.

‘Why, that is exceedingly kind of you, sir, most obliging, is
it not, Zelah?’ Timothy beamed with pleasure. ‘It means I shall have the
opportunity to dance with you again, my dear. By heaven, that will bring back
some memories, eh?’

She murmured something incoherent. After listening to Timothy
repeat his gratitude, Dominic gave a little nod and walked away. He exchanged a
few words with Maria and took his leave. Beside her, Timothy expelled a hissing
breath.

‘Dashed ugly brute, ain’t he? Didn’t know where to look when we
was first introduced, my eyes kept going back to that damned scar.’

‘One hardly notices it after a while.’

‘
You
might not, but others will,
take my word for it. I heard about this Major Coale of yours in Lesserton.
Allowing villagers grazing rights, letting them forage in his woods—trying to
buy his way into their favours, I don’t doubt.’

‘You know nothing about him,’ snapped Zelah.

His brows rose. ‘Oho, and you do? I hope you are not growing
too attached to the Major, my dear. He won’t be interested in the likes of you,
at least not in any honourable way.’ He leaned closer. ‘Better to let me look
after you...’

She hunched a shoulder and turned away, just as Reginald came
up to escort her to dinner. Zelah placed her fingers on his arm, steeling
herself for an interminable evening.

* * *

‘Ah. I did not expect to see you here today, Miss
Pentewan.’

Zelah looked up as Dominic strode into the library. His formal
address did not escape her notice. After Timothy’s remarks yesterday perhaps it
was for the best. She could be formal, too.

‘Good morning, Major Coale. I wanted to finish listing the
books on mathematics today. I understood you and your guests were going riding,
so the library would be empty.’

He spread his hands, looking down at the buckskins. She wished
he had not drawn her attention to them, for they clung to his powerful thighs in
a way that made her feel quite weak. ‘I am dressed for riding, as you see. I was
on my way to the stables when I heard a noise in here and came to investigate.
Your devotion to your work is admirable, but it is the summer ball this
evening.’

‘I am aware of it. My sister is bringing my ball gown. I shall
go upstairs and change when she arrives.’ She was quick to note his frowning
look and added, ‘Mrs Hensley has no objection to my working here today.’

‘Hmm.’ The major walked over to the window while Zelah
continued to pull the books off the shelf. She was about to take them upstairs
to the tower room when he spoke again. ‘I thought you would spend the day with
your friend Mr Lerryn.’

She stopped. ‘Mr Lerryn is not my friend.’

‘Oh?’ He turned to face her. ‘I thought he was damned friendly
towards you yesterday.’

‘Mr Lerryn is an old acquaintance, nothing more. He is a
married man.’

‘Married! His behaviour towards you did not give me that
impression.’

Zelah had no answer to that. Silently she started towards the
door. In two strides he had crossed the room and blocked her way.

‘And you were not exactly spurning his advances.’

The accusation hurt her, but she could not deny it. She merely
gave him a scorching look and went to walk past him. He caught her arm.

‘Let me warn you to be careful, madam. I’ll not have an
employee of mine embroiled in a scandal.’

Her face flamed. Anger, indignation and dismay warred within
her breast. Silently she shook off his arm and stalked off. Only when she
reached the seclusion of the tower room did she allow her self-possession to
crumble. She dropped the books on to the desk and sank down on the chair,
shaking.

Scandal.

How could it be avoided? If she allowed Timothy Lerryn to dance
with her, to flirt with her this evening, she risked Dominic’s wrath, possibly
even dismissal. If she followed her inclination and refused to have anything to
do with him, she knew Timothy would not hesitate to make her past known to
everyone.

* * *

She tried to get on with her work, doggedly listing
details of each book in her ledger, but Dominic’s uncompromising words kept
coming back to her. He would not tolerate a scandal. Perhaps she should not go
to the ball, but then Dominic would know she was avoiding Timothy Lerryn and
draw his own conclusions. Even worse, Timothy might decide he had nothing to
lose by exposing her. At length she admitted defeat, put down her pen and
dropped her head in her hands. Whatever happened she was ruined.

Eventually the heat roused her from her reverie and she went to
open the window, looking down at the gardens shimmering in the summer heat,
while beyond the park she could see the ragged outline of the moor, bare but
majestic above the trees. She stared about her, trying to memorise every detail.
It might be the last time she ever enjoyed this view. She had been a fool to
think the past could be so easily left behind.

A party of riders crossed the park, cantering towards the
house. Dominic was easily recognisable on his grey mare and she spotted Sally
Hensley beside him, tall and elegant in the saddle. The rest of the party were
the relatives and friends invited to stay for the summer ball and she knew none
of them. Zelah had begged Sally to wait until this evening’s dinner to introduce
her, not wanting the other guests to see her in her role as librarian. Now her
caution seemed laughable. If she did not dance to Tim Lerryn’s tune, then they
would soon know her as something far worse and how embarrassing that would be
for Dominic, when he discovered she had deceived him.