Nicky plunged into the undergrowth at the side of the road and she waited for him to reappear, but he had not done so by the time they reached the point where he had dashed off the path. She was about to remark upon this to her companion when they heard a man shouting, as if in anger.
‘What the devil—?’
The major followed the narrow overgrown track into the wood and Zelah went after him, a chill of anxiety running down her spine. They heard the man’s voice again.
‘What in damnation do ye think you’re doing here? Trespassin’, that’s what! I’ll give ’ee what for!’
‘Take your hands off the boy!’
The major barked out the command as they came into a small clearing. Nicky was wriggling helplessly while a burly man in a brown jacket and buckskins held his collar. The man had raised his fist but he did not strike, instead he glared at them.
‘And who the devil might you be?’
‘Never mind that. Unhand the boy. Now.’
‘That I won’t. He’s trespassin’. This is Sir Oswald’s land and no one’s allowed in here.’
‘The boy strayed a few yards off the path. He’s done no harm.’ The major’s cool authority had some effect. The man lowered his fist, but he kept a tight grip on Nicky’s collar. He said stubbornly, ‘He’s still trespassin’ and so are you. I have me orders, thrash any brats that comes into the wood—’
The major advanced. ‘Then you will have to thrash me first.’
The man scowled, his harsh features becoming even more brutish.
‘Aye, well, then that’s what I’ll do.’
‘No, please!’ Neither man heard Zelah’s cry.
There was another shout and a tall, thick-set man pushed through the bushes towards them. He was carrying a shotgun, but Zelah was relieved that he was not threatening anyone with it.
‘What is going on here? Miller? Who the devil are these people?’
‘Trespassers, Sir Oswald. They—’
The major interrupted him. ‘I am Coale, from Rooks Tower. If this is your man, then I’d be pleased if he’d unhand my young friend.’
‘Major Coale, aye, of course. Let the boy go, William.’
Reluctantly the man released his grip and Nicky tore himself free and ran over to Zelah, clutching at her skirts. Sir Oswald watched him, then looked at Zelah, giving her a rueful smile.
‘I beg your pardon if my bailiff frightened your boy, ma’am, but I have been having a great deal of trouble from the village children running in and out of the woods at all times, causing havoc.’
‘Mayhap they dispute your ownership of these woods,’ put in Dominic.
‘These are ignorant folk, Major. Just because they have been allowed to use the land in the past they think they have a right to it, but it ain’t so. I have to keep ’em out.’
‘By beating small boys who wander inadvertently onto your land?’ The major’s lip curled. ‘Your methods are a little extreme.’
‘But what can I do?’ Sir Oswald shrugged. ‘We are culling the deer and I would not want to risk shooting anyone.’ He looked back at his bailiff. ‘It’s all right, Miller, you may go back to your work, I’ll escort these good people back to the lane.’ Sir Oswald stretched out his arm, as if shepherding them along. Zelah took Nicky’s hand and led him away. Behind her she could hear Sir Oswald’s voice.
‘I do not say I like appearing the ogre, Major, but I have to protect my own, and these people are very stubborn. Is it any wonder that Miller has become a little...hardened? But he knows his territory. Believe me, no one will come to any harm as long as they stay off my land.’
* * *
‘I do believe we have been warned off,’ murmured Dominic, when they were once more on the path and making their way back to the village.
‘What a horrid man.’ Zelah shivered. ‘Heaven knows what would have happened to Nicky if we had not been there.’
‘He has no right to shoot the deer,’ declared Nicky, who was recovering from his ordeal. ‘They have been there for ever, and it’s not his land.’
‘Well, that is what your papa is trying to prove.’ Zelah squeezed his hand. ‘I hope he is successful. I do not like to think of Sir Oswald riding roughshod over everyone.’
‘There must be documents,’ said Dominic. ‘Papers stating what belongs to the village.’
‘There are, but they are old and not very clear.’
‘Robin says it’s to do with the boundary stones,’ said Nicky.
‘Oh?’ Zelah glanced down. ‘And who is Robin?’
‘He’s my friend.’
‘Another one?’ The major’s brows lifted. ‘I thought I was your friend.’
‘Robin is a different friend. He lives in the woods.’
‘Ah, you mean the crow catcher.’ Dominic turned to Zelah to explain. ‘There is an old man who is paid to do odd jobs around the village, trapping crows or catching moles, helping out at lambing. In winter I believe he lives with his sister in the village, but during the better weather he has a hut on the edge of the forest. I did not know he was a friend of yours, Nicky.’
‘Oh, yes. Sometimes he lets me go hunting with him, sometimes we just follow the deer, to watch them.’
‘Well, you had best warn this friend to avoid Sir Oswald Evanshaw’s land,’ said Zelah. ‘I don’t think that bailiff of his would think twice about giving an old man a beating.’
‘They won’t catch Robin,’ said Nicky confidently. ‘He knows everything about the land here.’
They had reached the village and the major’s groom was standing with the curricle outside the smithy, waiting for them. Nicky forgot everything save the excitement of climbing into this elegant equipage, where he sat between Zelah and the major as they drove back to West Barton. Zelah glanced at the bluebells, still cradled on her arm.
‘I almost dropped them all when we ran into Sir Oswald and his horrid bailiff, but I am very glad I did not. They are beginning to droop a little, but I think they will recover, do not you, Major?’
He took his eyes off the road for a moment to look at the mass of nodding bells.
‘I am sure they will. You have a knack of reviving wilting spirits, Miss Pentewan.’
* * *
It was only natural that Nicky should describe the events in Prickett Wood to his parents. Maria had been outraged at the treatment of her son and Reginald immediately called for his horse and rode off to confront Sir Oswald. The ladies waited anxiously for his return and Maria was just suggesting they should put dinner back an hour when Reginald came in, a frown darkening his usually genial features.
‘Oh, my dear, I was beginning to worry that you might have come to blows.’ Maria ran to her husband and took his arm, coaxing him to a chair.
‘He could not have been more accommodating, damned scoundrel. Apologised profusely, said his man, Miller, was over-zealous.’
‘So it will not happen again?’ Zelah enquired.
Reginald’s scowl darkened. ‘Damned rascal had the nerve to say he hoped I’d be able to keep my family away from his land, because he’s putting mantraps in Prickett Wood!’
Chapter Six
Zelah was present when Reginald explained the situation to Nicky, impressing upon his son how important it was that he did not stray on to Sir Oswald’s land.
‘But Prickett Wood isn’t his land, it belongs to the village,’ Nicky protested vehemently. ‘Robin says so!’
‘And I hope it is so, but until we can prove it, you must stay away. A mantrap can take a man’s leg off, Nicky, it is a barbaric device.’
‘But what about Robin, Papa? What about the villagers?’
‘Sir Oswald tells me he will post notices in Lesserton and at the edge of the wood. You must not worry about Robin, son, he’s too wily an old bird to be caught. As to the rest, well, we have a lawyer coming down from London in a few weeks’ time and he is bringing with him a copy of the royal charter. We must hope that settles the matter once and for all.’
> Maria declared that if Reginald was not available to take his son to school and back then a servant should accompany him. She tried to insist that Zelah should take a servant with her to Rooks Tower each day, but the suggestion was energetically rebuffed.
‘My dear sister, your people have more than enough to do without accompanying me. Besides, my way goes nowhere near Sir Oswald’s land. I cross from the gardens directly into Major Coale’s woods.’
‘Who knows what danger may lurk there?’ Maria muttered darkly.
* * *
Zelah dismissed her sister’s concerns and happily made her way to Rooks Tower the following day, and she was somewhat surprised when Major Coale announced that he intended to accompany her on her homeward journey.
‘I assure you there is no need, sir.’
‘But I insist, Miss Pentewan.’
‘This is absurd,’ she challenged him. ‘There can be no danger from Sir Oswald or his men on your land.’
Something akin to surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.
‘One never knows,’ he replied glibly, falling into step beside her.
‘But you are far too busy!’
‘Not today. I have spent the day giving instructions for the refurbishment of the orangery. The carpenter knows what to do now and I would only be in the way. Come, Miss Pentewan. Do not look so mutinous. Can you not accept my company with good grace?’
‘I suppose I must.’
He laughed. ‘A grudging acceptance, ma’am.’
‘But this is not treating me as an employee, an independent being who is quite capable of looking after herself.’
He did not respond to her grumbling, but strode across the park and into the woods, describing to her all the improvements he had planned. It was impossible to sulk and Zelah found herself voicing her opinion, telling him her preference for chestnut trees to be planted in the park and suggesting an avenue of limes along the length of the new drive.
‘These are long-term plans, Major. Are you planning to settle here?’
‘Possibly.’
‘Then you should become more involved with the village. You could support my brother-in-law in his efforts to oppose Sir Oswald.’
‘I wondered when we would come back to that. I have told you before, Miss Pentewan, one of the reasons I like Rooks Tower is its isolation. I have no desire to become embroiled in local disputes.’
‘But—’
He stopped. ‘Enough, madam. Sir Oswald may be perfectly entitled to enclose the land, for all we know, and to cover it with mantraps. I will deal with matters that concern me, and no more.’
There was a note of finality in his voice and Zelah firmly closed her lips upon the arguments she wanted to utter.
‘Well, at least you could attend the summer assembly. It is looked upon almost as an obligation, you know, to be seen there. Besides, you would become better acquainted with your neighbours.’
He looked so fierce, his lips thinning and his crooked left brow descending so low that for a moment she thought he might shout at her, but he contented himself by saying curtly, ‘If I have business with my neighbours I will call upon them. I see no point in social chit-chat.’
They were in the woods now, another few minutes would bring them to the lane, so there really was no point in prolonging the argument.
There was a sudden crashing in the undergrowth and a hind shot across their path, so close it almost brushed Zelah. It was swiftly followed by a large stag. Startled, Zelah jumped back. The major pulled her into his arms, twisting around to shield her in case another creature should plunge out of the bushes.
He held her tight against him, one hand cradling her head against his chest. She could feel the thud of his heart through the rough wool of his coat. To be held thus was strange, unfamiliar, but she did not find it unpleasant.
Zelah allowed herself to savour the feeling of safety and of refuge as the silence settled around them once more, but as the shock abated she realised her situation and pushed herself away. He released her immediately.
‘I beg your pardon. Did I hurt you?’
His curt tone only added to her confusion. Without his arms tight around her she felt quite...vulnerable.
‘N-no. I—um—I have never seen a stag at such close quarters before. Magnificent.’
‘So it is you!’ Nicky’s cheerful voice came from the undergrowth at the side of the path. ‘We wondered what had startled the deer.’
He emerged from the bushes, followed by a thin man in a faded brown coat and breeches who touched his hat.
‘Major.’
‘Good day, Robin.’ Dominic nodded. ‘And to you, young Master Buckland.’
‘But, Nicky...’ Zelah put her hand on her nephew’s shoulder ‘...why are you out of school?’
‘Mr Netherby was called away and he cancelled his classes today, so I joined Robin in the woods. Pray do not worry, Zelah. John the stable boy was in Lesserton and he carried a message back for me, telling Papa that there was no need to send the carriage to collect me. I have been having such a good time with Robin, following the deer. We were doing very well until you startled them.’
Zelah gave an uncertain laugh. ‘I think they startled us.’
‘Ah, beggin’ yer pardon, ma’am.’ Old Robin took off his hat as he nodded to her. ‘The hind turned away from yer voices and found us blockin’ her way, so she took off across the path and the stag followed.’
‘Are they not splendid creatures, Aunt?’ Nicky’s upturned face glowed with excitement. ‘We have been following them all day.’
‘I trust you have not been near Sir Oswald’s land.’ Zelah frowned, concerned.
‘I wouldn’t take the boy there, ma’am, you may be sure o’ that,’ Robin assured her. He turned aside and spat on the ground. ‘Not that Sir Oswald owns all the land he’s laid claim to, whatever he may say.’
‘You know where the boundary runs?’ Zelah asked eagerly.
‘Aye, that I do. Not that the deer follow boundaries of any man’s making.’
Nicky scowled. ‘Sir Oswald’s told Robin that he’ll shoot any animals he finds on his land, but they’ve been wandering there for years, they don’t know any different.’
Dominic shrugged. ‘I’ve no doubt Sir Oswald is trying to make his estate profitable.’
‘Aye,’ said Robin, rubbing his nose, ‘he’s cutting down timber above Lydcombe Park and that’s his right, on that piece of land. What’s going on at Prickett Wood is another matter.’
‘If you know something, then you should tell my brother-in-law,’ said Zelah. ‘Or Sir Arthur, who I think is the magistrate here.’
‘Aye, p’rhaps I will.’
His response was too vague to satisfy Zelah, but before she could reply Nicky addressed her.
‘I am very glad we met you, Aunt, for I was coming to the Tower to see if you were ready to walk home with me. Robin has some work to do.’
The old man turned to the major, his eyes bright in his weather-beaten face.
‘Thought I’d take a look at the moles in yer south lawn, sir, if you still wants ’em gone?’
‘I do, Robin. If you wish, you can take yourself off to the Tower now. Tell Mrs Graddon I sent you and she’ll make sure there’s a meal for you tonight. I shall escort Miss Pentewan and Master Nicky to West Barton.’
It was on the tip of Zelah’s tongue to say that was not necessary, but the look of delight on Nicky’s face silenced her. They parted from old Robin and set off for the lane. She was not obliged to converse, because Nicky chattered away quite happily to the major, describing his lessons and his friends. The path was narrow and she was content to fall behind, listening to their conversation.
‘This is where I shall bid you goodbye.’ They had reached the lane and Major Coale stopped.
‘Will you not come to the house, sir?’ Nick gaze up at him hopefully. ‘I know Mama would be happy to offer you some refreshment.’
‘Thank you,
but no. I have work that needs my attention.’
‘But—’
‘Do not press him, Nicky,’ cautioned Zelah. ‘The major sees no point in social chit-chat.’
He met her eyes, the glint in his own confirming that he understood her. ‘Quite, Miss Pentewan. Good day to you.’
Chapter Seven
‘What will you wear to the assembly tomorrow, Maria?’
Zelah was sitting in the drawing room with her sister. Dinner had been a quiet affair, just the two of them since Reginald had not yet returned from his meeting in Lesserton.
‘I thought my bronze silk with the matching turban. It has a train, but I will not be dancing, so that will not matter. What think you, Zelah? It is not new but good enough for the summer assembly, I think. After all, it is not a special occasion.’
Zelah sighed.
‘It will be very special to me. I do so love to dance, but it has been three years since I had the opportunity.’
‘Goodness me, yes. I suppose you did not go to the assemblies near Cardinham after...I mean—’
‘No, and I have added some new ribbons to my lemon silk for the occasion,’ Zelah broke in, speaking quickly to cover her sister’s confusion.
‘I am sure you will look charming,’ agreed Maria, thankful to follow a safer line of thought. ‘We will put your hair in rags in the morning to make it curl—’
‘No, no, Maria, I shall be at Rooks Tower.’
‘What? You cannot work on those horrid books tomorrow, you will have no time to prepare for the assembly.’
Zelah laughed at her sister’s horrified look.
‘I am not such a great lady, I need only enough time to change my gown.’
‘No, no, that will never do. Did you not tell Major Coale about the assembly?’
‘I did, but I do not think he attaches much importance to such things.’
‘Well, you must send a note over in the morning, telling him you cannot come.’
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