Beneath the Major's Scars (18 page)

And she was a parson’s daughter, an encumbrance that he was
trying to marry off by inviting her to his ball. Had he not said as much?

The silence was uncomfortable and she searched for something to
say as they crossed the hall.

‘I met your brother earlier. He came into the library.’

‘I know. He said you had given him his marchingorders.’

‘I hope he did not think me uncivil. I tried very hard not to
be.’

‘No, but you surprised him.’ A glancing smile touched his lips.
‘He is not accustomed to being turned away.’

As the footman jumped to open the door, Dominic released her
arm and allowed her to precede him into the drawing room. It was filled with a
chattering, glittering crowd and Zelah knew a moment’s panic, but it subsided
when Sally Hensley came forward to meet her.

‘My dear, how charming you look. I have just been talking to
your sister. She is over there by the window, but you can find her later. First
I want to introduce you to everyone....’

It was not to be a large dinner, a mere ten couples were
sitting down, but that was more than a dozen new people for Zelah to meet and
remember their names. She realised Sally had chosen the company with care, they
were all close friends of Dominic or family. No one to stare or comment upon his
scarred face.

At dinner she found herself beside one of Dominic’s army
colleagues. Colonel Deakin was a jovial, bewhiskered gentleman who lost no time
in telling her that he had served with Dominic in the Peninsula. He patted his
empty sleeve.

‘Wasn’t long in following him home, too! I’ll not complain,
though, my wife and I have settled into a nice little house in Taunton and she
says she’s glad to have me under her feet all day, even if I only have the one
good arm.’ He raised his glass at the plump little woman sitting opposite, who
twinkled back at him and addressed herself to Zelah.

‘I’m lucky to have him and I thank the Lord for it, every
day.’

Colonel Deakin chuckled. He leaned a little closer to Zelah,
lowering his voice. ‘And I’m pleased to see Coale looking so well. He was a good
officer. Thought we might lose him, y’know.’

‘Was he very badly injured?’

‘Barely recognisable,’ replied the colonel, cheerfully helping
himself to a large slice of raised pie. ‘Fortunately we had a good sawbones who
patched him up pretty well, but even then when we sent him off to England I
never really expected to see him again. Pity about his face, of course. He was a
dashed handsome fellow.’

Zelah glanced to the head of the table, where Dominic was
engaged in conversation with his brother. With the two of them together she had
no need to try to imagine how Dominic had looked before he went to war, but the
scars mattered very little to her now.

* * *

By the time the guests left the dining room the first
carriages were pulling up on the drive. Zelah and Maria went off to tidy
themselves before the ball and Zelah took the opportunity of thanking Maria for
her gown.

‘With the fan, and new shoes and gloves—it is all too
much.
How I wish you had not spent your money on
me, Maria.’

‘Oh, tush! If you will not think of yourself, then please think
of what my feelings must be on the occasion. Reginald is highly respected here
and I would not have it thought that we could not afford to dress you.’

Zelah hugged her sister, tears starting to her eyes. ‘Then I
will accept it all very gratefully, my love. Thank you, dearest sister!’

Maria had to stay to feed the baby, so Zelah made her way back
downstairs alone. The great hall and the salon were already full and she saw
Dominic greeting his guests. She thought she had never seen him look better. His
black frock coat, tight-fitting breeches and stockings only accentuated his
powerful physique. Now he was no longer limping his movements were graceful and
assured, those of a man at the peak of his physical power. Dragging her eyes
away, she spotted Reginald talking to Sir Arthur Andrews and on the far side of
the room stood Sir Oswald Evanshaw, resplendent in a lime-green coat. She
descended the final few steps and was caught up in the crowd. Almost immediately
Dominic was at her side.

‘I was looking out for you.’

‘You were?’

Her spirits soared, only to plummet at his next words.

‘Yes. Lerryn has not arrived yet. I have given instructions
that if he turns up he is not to come in until I have had a word with him.’ He
touched her arm. ‘Do not worry. He will do nothing to harm you.’

She murmured her thanks and watched him walk away. The harm was
already done. Dominic knew what she was. Sally came up and took her hand.

‘You are looking very pensive, Zelah. I hope everyone is being
kind to you?’

‘Oh, yes, in all the noise and confusion no one has time or
inclination to question too deeply why Major Coale should invite his librarian
to the summer ball. Indeed, most have no idea of my identity, and I think the
guests who were at dinner merely look upon me as a poor little dab of a girl who
is on the receiving end of the major’s charity.’

Sally laughed. ‘Oh, no, my dear, you are much more important
than that! All Dom’s friends know he was becoming a positive recluse. When he
moved to Rooks Tower we thought we had lost him but now, barely six months
later, he is holding the most important local gathering of the summer.’

‘But I had nothing to do with this—’ Zelah protested.

‘You taught him that he is still a person worthy of note,’
Sally cut in. ‘He told me as much. We all owe you a great deal.’

Zelah saw her chance. ‘Then perhaps I could ask a favour of
you,’ she said. ‘Would you be kind enough to supply me with a reference? I am
sure a good word from yourself would mean a great deal to any future
employer.’

‘Oh, my dear, you are looking so lovely tonight that I am sure
you will have no need of a
reference
—’

‘But I
will.
’ A note of desperation
crept into Zelah’s voice. ‘My work here is almost done and I have had a very
favourable enquiry from a widow in Bath. She has three children in need of a
governess and has asked me to provide references. My father has offered one, and
Reginald, but they are family and therefore not as valuable... I would be most
obliged if you would provide one for me.’

Sally squeezed her hands. ‘I will, of course, Zelah, if that is
what you wish. But on one condition.’

‘Anything!’ was Zelah’s grateful response.

‘That you forget all about being a governess for tonight and
enjoy yourself!’ Bestowing an airy kiss upon Zelah’s cheek, she dashed off to
greet more guests.

When the music began Zelah moved to one side of the room. She
knew so few people that she had little expectation of dancing, although, with
Sally’s words still ringing in her head she did hope that Dominic might claim
her hand later in the evening. That could not be for some time, of course,
because there were many ladies with whom he must stand up first. She watched him
from the side of the room. He strode proudly through the crowds, seemingly
unaware of his scarred face and because he took no note of it, most of his
guests did the same. She was aware of one or two sly looks, the odd hesitation
when someone was introduced to him, but she saw no signs of the repulsion
Dominic had feared would mar his return to society. She was glad, for his
sake.

‘Zelah.’ Timothy Lerryn was beside her. ‘You need not look
daggers at me,’ he muttered savagely. ‘I have already been warned not to
importune you.’

‘Then there is no reason why we should not be civil to one
another.’

‘Will you dance with me?’

‘Thank you, I would rather not.’

His face darkened. They were surrounded by people and she did
not wish to quarrel openly with him. She said pointedly, ‘My sister tells me
your wife is expecting a happy event soon. That must be cause for
celebration.’

‘Yes. Thank you. It will be our third child.’ His smile
remained, but there was a spiteful note in his voice as he added, ‘My wife
breeds like a sow. We expect no still births in
our
family.’

Zelah’s hands went immediately to her stomach, as if to protect
herself from the cruel blow. Feeling sick and disgusted, she turned away,
grateful to hear her brother-in-law’s cheerful voice close at hand.

‘There you are, my dear. Maria is not yet downstairs so I shall
carry you off to dance in her stead.’

‘I’ll dance with you, Reginald, with pleasure!’ Zelah accepted
with alacrity and went off, determined to forget Timothy Lerryn.

* * *

Despite his duties as host, Dominic found his eyes drawn
constantly to Zelah. He watched her dance with her brother-in-law, then Colonel
Deakin led her out, and finally Jasper.

Dominic watched his brother taking Zelah down the dance. How
had he ever thought her an insignificant little thing? She was the most elegant
woman in the room. Her only ornament was the string of fine pearls around her
neck, but she outshone the other ladies with their flashing jewels. He was
standing beside Lady Andrews, who saw his concentrated gaze and gave a little
chuckle.

‘Lord Markham appears quite taken with young Miss Pentewan. I
am not well acquainted with her, but she seems a pleasant, well-mannered gel.’
There was a pause. ‘She is employed here, I understand, as your archivist?’

‘That is correct, ma’am.’

‘How unusual. And, may I say, very daring.’

‘Oh?’ He frowned. ‘How is that? Why do you call it daring?’

Lady Andrews fluttered her fan nervously. ‘Oh well, perhaps I
am old-fashioned,’ she tittered. ‘Sir Arthur says he sees no objection, but to
have an unmarried lady employed in a bachelor’s establishment...’

‘I have several housemaids working here. They are unmarried—do
you consider them at risk, too?’ he countered bluntly.

‘Oh, no, no, Major, of course not—’ She broke off, flustered,
then gathered herself and came back to say brightly, ‘And you have your sister
staying here, so there can be no objection, can there?’

Dominic forced himself to smile before he moved away. He had
known from the outset there would be gossip, but he had ignored the voice of
caution and hired the girl, wanting only to help her. He had thought only the
meanest of tabbies would consider there was anything improper in the situation.
After all, she did not live at Rooks Tower and he had a house full of female
servants, so there should be no question of impropriety. Yet if he was honest
with himself, Dominic knew that he had failed to keep a proper distance between
himself and his employee. By God, if anyone found out he had kissed her! He knew
his world, it fed upon sordid intrigue and gossip—that was the reason he had
refused to give her a reference: the more glowing his recommendation, the
greater the belief that she was his mistress.

Dominic nodded to one acquaintance, threw a brief word to
another, but continued to move through the crowd, his thoughts distracted. Hell
and damnation, he had no wish to ruin the chit. The work in the library was all
but complete now. He would end her employment before Sally left Rooks Tower.

Chapter Thirteen

D
ancing with Lord
Markham set the seal on Zelah’s success at the
ball. After that there was no shortage of young gentlemen begging for the
pleasure of leading her out. She whirled from one partner to the next in a heady
round of gaiety, but her enjoyment was cut short when she left the floor at the
end of one dance to find her way blocked by Timothy Lerryn. He bowed elegantly
and held out his hand.

‘Dance with me once,’ he coaxed her. ‘For old time’s sake.’

There was no escape. The matrons on the nearby benches were all
smiling and nodding encouragement, pleased to see the young people so enjoying
themselves.

She could declare that she would dance no more that evening,
but Dominic had not yet asked her to dance, and she desperately hoped he would
do so before the end of the ball. Putting up her chin, she gave Timothy a
challenging look. ‘One dance,’ she told him. ‘No more.’

Triumph gleamed in his eyes as he led her back to the floor.
While they waited for the other couples to take their place in the set he leaned
towards her.

‘Have I told you how well you are looking tonight, my dear?
Quite beautiful.’

She ignored his compliment and returned only short answers to
his remarks as they went down the dance, impatient for the ordeal to end. But
even when she made him a final curtsy he took her hand and placed it on his
arm.

‘You sister and her husband are over there, I shall escort you
to them.’

Zelah merely inclined her head, keeping as much distance as she
could between them. A moment later he spoke again.

‘By heaven.’ He raised his quizzing glass. ‘Who is that fellow
in the lime-green coat, talking to Buckland?’

Zelah shifted her gaze. Reginald was standing beside Maria’s
chair, looking very much like a terrier guarding a bone.

‘That is Sir Oswald Evanshaw.’

Even as they watched, Maria rose from her chair and Reginald
swept her off towards the door.

‘Well, well, they have cut him dead!’ He stopped. ‘No point in
taking you over there now, your sister and brother have gone off to the supper
room, I suppose. So what do you say to one more dance?’

‘No.’ She tried to pull her hand free. ‘Release me, if you
please.’

‘If you will not dance, then I shall escort you in to
supper.’

She could smell the brandy on his breath as he leaned closer.
She tugged again at her hand. ‘Let me go,’ she hissed. ‘You have been
warned.’

He leered at her, a reckless look in his eyes. ‘Coale can do
nothing to me if you come with me willingly.’

‘But the lady does not want your company.’ With relief she
heard Dominic’s voice behind her. ‘I suggest you leave now, Mr Lerryn.’

Dominic spoke very softly, but there was no mistaking the
menace in his tone.

Lerryn glared at him for a moment, his jaw working, then he
flung himself away, shouldering his way through the crowd.

Zelah closed her eyes and released a long, grateful sigh.
‘Thank you.’ She put out her hand and he took it in a warm, reassuring grip.

‘I did not expect him to stay so long. His attachment to you
must be stronger than you thought.’

She shuddered. ‘His attachment is nothing more than pique, the
desire to have the unobtainable.’

‘We are all guilty of that,’ muttered Dominic. He pulled her
hand on to his sleeve. ‘Come. Let us go to supper. My sister is waiting for you
there.’

* * *

Timothy Lerryn lounged out of the salon. Damn the chit,
who was she to set herself up against him? He would show her! He had half a mind
to tell her story now, to anyone who would listen. But his brain was not so
befuddled that he had forgotten Major Coale’s quiet threats when he had arrived.
They had been issued in a cold, matter-of-fact tone that was much more effective
than any blustering arguments and he did not doubt that if word of Zelah’s past
got out the major would indeed hunt him down and ruin him. Well, the slut was
not worth the risk. Seething with frustration he set off across the great
hall.

He had almost reached the door when a flash of bright green
caught his eye and another idea came into his sly brain. He stopped, stepping
back and across to put himself in the way of his quarry.

‘Sir Oswald.’ He bowed. ‘Timothy Lerryn, at your service. I
wonder if I might have a word with you. There is something I think you should
know...’

* * *

In the supper room Zelah found her sister sitting with
Sally Hensley while Reginald paced up and down behind them.

‘He is still fretting over his words with Sir Oswald,’ Maria
explained when Zelah came up with Dominic.

‘Aye, blast his eyes, the man came bang up to me to say that
his men had found Giles Grundy on his land and sent him home with a broken arm.
Then he had the effrontery to suggest the hearing next week was as good as
settled!’ Reginald scowled blackly. ‘He thinks he has Sir Arthur in his pocket,
but when I show them that new document—!’

‘Yes, dear, now sit down, do and calm yourself.’ Maria shook
her head at him. ‘The man is indeed a scoundrel, but we will not stoop to his
level. I will visit the Grundys tomorrow and offer what help I can and you will
use the law against Sir Oswald.’

‘I’ll ride over, too,’ said Dominic, holding a chair for Zelah.
‘I can spare some of my men from the woodcutting if Grundy needs help on his
farm. Now if you will excuse me—’

‘Are you not going to eat with us?’ asked Sally.

Dominic shook his head. ‘I promised a certain young man he
would have some supper. So I am going to take it to him!’

* * *

The last dance had ended and the salon was rapidly
clearing. Dominic looked for Zelah, but she was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she
had gone off with Jasper to the drawing room. He and his twin had made a habit
of that in their younger days, seeking out the prettiest girls and carrying them
off at the end of the evening to engage in a desperate flirtation.

Dominic tugged at his neckcloth. It was all he could do not to
go storming off to find them. Instead he forced himself to remain outwardly calm
as the last of his guests took their leave. He escorted them out to the drive
and watched the final carriages rattle away until the silence of the summer
night was restored. For once there was no wind to freshen the balmy air, the
moon rode high in the cloudless sky, dimming the stars and bathing everything in
a silver blue light. After the clamour of the evening, the peaceful calm was
soothing and he did not want to return to the house immediately. He set off
across the grass rather than have the scrunching of the gravel under his feet
disturb the night.

* * *

Even before the ball was over, Maria was congratulating
Zelah on her success. She began to talk of having a small gathering at West
Barton.

‘Nothing as grand as this of course, but we could perhaps
invite one or two of the gentlemen who danced with you...’

Zelah stopped her. ‘I know what is in your mind, Maria, you
think to persuade one of those eligible gentlemen to offer for me.’ Timothy
Lerryn’s scowling image rose up before her. ‘I do not
want
a husband.’

She read the determination in her sister’s face and made her
excuses to walk away. The orchestra was playing the last dance of the evening
and she could see Dominic partnering his sister. There was no chance now that he
would dance with her and Zelah slipped quietly away to her room.

There were no curtains or shutters on the windows and the
moonlight flooded in on all sides, making candles unnecessary, but it was
oppressively hot. She wanted to be out of doors, but that was impossible. It was
the middle of the night and not safe for anyone to be wandering around alone,
especially a young lady. She remembered the flat roof above her. That surely
would be safe enough. Quickly she slipped out of the room and up the stairs.

Zelah stepped out on to the roof. She gazed about her,
entranced. It was a magical world, all grey and blue moonshadows. She paced
around, her slippered feet making no sound on the stone slabs. It was easier to
think up here, for the rest of the world seemed very far away and somehow less
important. There had been no lack of partners this evening, she had enjoyed the
dancing and for a short time she had felt like a carefree girl again. That was
what she had hoped for, wasn’t it? A few hours of enjoyment before she settled
down to the sober existence of a governess.

She gazed out at the distant moors, silver under the moonlight.
She would not deceive herself, she had hoped for more. She had wanted Dominic to
dance with her. It was too much to hope that he would flirt with her, as his
brother had done, bringing a flush to her cheeks with his cheerful nonsense, but
she had thought perhaps he might compliment her upon her appearance.

She wrapped her arms across her chest as a huge wave of anger
and futility welled up. She wished there had been no summer ball, that the world
had remained shut out of Dominic’s life.

That she could have kept him to herself.

It was a despicable thought and she quickly dismissed it. She
did not want Dominic to be a sad, lonely recluse. He needed to take his place in
society, even if that meant he had little time for her.

And what did that matter? She would not be here much longer.
The books were all in order now and in another few weeks the cataloguing would
be finished. She really must remind Sally to write her a reference and make
efforts to secure another position, although she knew that nothing could compare
to being at Rooks Tower.

‘What the devil are you doing here?’

She jumped as Dominic’s angry words cut through the night. ‘I—I
beg your pardon. I did not think there could be any harm...’

‘Harm? Foolish girl, you know the stonework is unsound. Come
away from that wall.’

His anger sliced into her like a knife. Not for her the soft,
civil tone he used for his guests. Just because she had been allowed to attend
his summer ball she must not think herself anything other than a servant. The
unhappiness within her tightened into a hard knot.

‘I had not forgotten. I am sorry. I shall not come here
again—’

She ran for the stairs, but as she passed him his hand shot
out, gripping her arm. He was not wearing gloves and she could feel the heat of
his fingers through the thin sleeve.

‘Wait. There are tears on your cheek.’

She turned her head away from him. ‘Please, let me go.’

Instead he pulled her closer, putting one hand under her chin
and forcing her to look up at him. The moonlight glinted in his eyes, twin
devils sent to mock her. Gently he wiped her tears away with his thumb.

‘Has someone been unkind to you tonight?’

‘N-no.’ It was a struggle to speak with more tears ready to
fall.

He said roughly, ‘Perhaps you are regretting sending Lerryn
away.’

‘You know that is not so!’

‘Then why are you crying?’

‘I—um—I am just...very tired.’

How could she tell him the truth? His eyes bored into her and
she prayed he would not read her thoughts. At last he looked up at the moon,
letting his breath go in a long sigh.

‘Yes, it has been a long day.’ He pulled her close and enfolded
her in his arms. She did not resist, it was the most natural thing in the world
to allow herself to lean against him. ‘It has been quite exhausting, having so
many people in the house.’

‘Did you not enjoy it?’ she murmured the words into his
coat.

‘I did, after a fashion. It is good to know I am not a pariah,
a social outcast.’ His arms tightened. ‘And it is you I have to thank for that,
Zelah. You made me see that all was not lost.’

‘Then...then you are not angry with me?’

‘Angry? No. I was worried lest you lean on the parapet and the
stonework should give way.’

‘Oh.’

It was a spark of comfort. The tiny flame warmed her heart. She
let herself relax against him, her cheek against his shoulder. His breath
ruffled her curls, softer than the night breeze.

‘I am pleased I could help,’ she murmured.

‘And now I shall do something for you. Sally told me you had
asked her to recommend you. With her support I have no doubt that we can find
you a suitable post. I was talking to her earlier—are you set upon becoming a
governess? Because we thought perhaps you might find the role of companion more
to your taste. Sally has many contacts.’

The little flame flickered and died.

‘You are very kind, Major.’ Steeling herself, she pushed away
from him. ‘I should go in now.’

Dominic caught her fingers. His body was alive, aroused and he
wanted to succumb to the attraction he felt for her, to seduce her here on this
moonlit terrace far above the everyday world. He could do it, too. She had
responded to him before, and here, with the darkness to hide his face, why
should it not happen again? But she was pulling away from him and he could still
see the trace of tears on her cheeks. He buried his own desires and squeezed her
hands.

‘Of course. It is very late.’

For a brief moment her fingers clung to his. Perhaps she wanted
comfort, but he was not the one to give it. He would do nothing that she might
regret in the morning. He said formally, ‘Goodnight, Miss Pentewan.’

Without a word she walked away, her figure a pale blur on the
stairs before she disappeared from his sight. There. It was done. He had saved
her. From himself, possibly from her own weakness.

Why, then, did he feel no pleasure in his chivalrous deed?

* * *

Zelah did not sleep well and was relieved when the
morning came and she could leave the tower room and go in search of her sister
and brother-in-law. She found them at breakfast, being entertained by Sally and
Lord Markham.

‘Dominic has already gone out,’ explained the viscount, rising
to escort her to her chair. ‘Taking his duties far too seriously, if you ask me.
He should be here looking after his guests.’