Beneath the Major's Scars

by Sarah Mallory

  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 th
reatening 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

  Zelah 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 f
inding 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.’