Beneath the Major's Scars

by Sarah Mallory

  Now, standing alone in the library, a little flush of pleasure nudged through her depression. Dominic valued her opinion. Despite everything, he clearly wanted her to be present at the ball, so perhaps he would dance with her as he had at the assembly. The thought cheered her immensely and, determined to remain cheerful, she began to sing as she placed the last few books on the shelves.

  ‘Well now. Minerva, in her element.’

  The deep, warm voice held a laugh and she swung around, smiling when she saw Dominic. He was sitting astride the open window, his back against the jamb with one booted foot upon the sill. Her smile wavered. It was Dominic, and yet...he looked slightly more modish than usual. The top-boots seemed to fit more snugly, the buckskins were a shade lighter. His riding jacket was just as tightly fitting, but the buttons were larger and his neckcloth was a froth of white folds. His dark hair glowed like a raven’s wing in the sunlight, but it had obviously been cut by a master. The eyes were a shade lighter, more blue than grey, and his face, that beautiful face with its smooth planes and lean jawline, was just too perfect. On both sides. Her hands flew to her mouth.

  ‘You must be Lord Markham.’

  With a laugh he swung himself into the room and came towards her, tossing his hat, gloves and crop on to a chair. ‘How do you do—no, no, none of that.’ He reached out and caught her hand, pulling her up as she sank into a curtsy. ‘I should be saluting you, fair Minerva!’

  He bowed over her hand and she chuckled, even as he placed a kiss upon her fingers.

  ‘I am merely the librarian, my lord.’

  ‘You are not merely anything. You are important enough to be invited to the ball.’ His eyes were laughing at her, joyous, carefree, with none of the sadness she detected in his brother. He continued. ‘You are Miss Pentewan, are you not? My sister told me all about you when she wrote.’

  Her cheeks grew hot. ‘There is nothing to tell.’

  ‘No?’

  It was impossible not to warm to the viscount. His likeness to Dominic would have endeared him to her in any event, but she found his charm irresistible and she responded, quite at her ease, ‘No. I am merely going about my business here.’

  ‘That in itself is unusual. A female in the library.’

  ‘I am very grateful to Major Coale for the opportunity.’

  ‘Sal speaks very highly of you.’

  ‘She is most kind.’

  She could think of nothing more to say, and with a little smile of apology she went back to tidying away the books.

  ‘I hear my brother is improved a great deal.’

  ‘You have not seen him yet?’

  ‘No. I have only just arrived and was taking a look around the house when I heard you singing.’

  ‘Then I beg your pardon for distracting you.’

  ‘I was not distracted, I was enchanted.’

  The compliment came easily to his lips and she giggled. ‘I think you are trying to charm me, my lord.’

  ‘Would you object to that?’

  She considered the question. ‘That depends upon your reason for doing so. If it is purely to put me at my ease, then, no, but if your intention is more mischievous then I do object, most strongly.’

  His brows lifted. ‘Straight talking, madam.’

  ‘But necessary, sir. I may be an employee, but I am not to be imposed upon. I would not want to fall out with you.’

  He laughed. ‘Nor I with you, Miss Pentewan. I shall treat you with the utmost respect.’

  Her lips twitched. ‘Very well, my lord, then I beg you will leave me to finish tidying this library.’

  ‘Oho, am I to be dismissed summarily?’

  Zelah could not suppress a smile. She was beginning to enjoy herself. ‘You are indeed, sir. You said yourself you have only this minute arrived. You should make your presence known to Major Coale. You will find your way lies through those doors, which lead to the salon and then to the great hall.’

  He was laughing down at her, not at all offended by her dismissal. She was struck again by the similarity between the brothers, both tall, broad-shouldered and dark-haired, and although there was more laughter in the viscount’s eyes she was reminded of Dominic every time she looked at him. Perhaps that was why she felt so little restraint with the viscount. He gave a little bow.

  ‘Very well, Miss Pentewan, I shall leave you to your books.’

  He sauntered off, whistling, and Zelah went back to work, her spirits lifted even further.

  * * *

  When the party from West Barton arrived Zelah made her way to the suite of rooms set aside for her sister and brother-in-law, where she received a warm welcome. A footman was despatched to the tower with the small trunk containing Zelah’s evening clothes, but she did not immediately follow and instead asked Reginald about the charter.

  ‘I think it proves the case for the villagers, but I don’t plan to tell anyone about it until we get to the hearing next week. Sir Oswald’s lawyer is as cunning as a fox.’ He frowned. ‘I understand Evanshaw is expected here tonight. I don’t deny it goes against the grain to meet the fellow on friendly terms.’

  ‘Well, I don’t know how I shall look at the man,’ exclaimed Maria, ‘when I think how roughly he has treated anyone wandering into Prickett Wood, even catching Nicky—’

  ‘That was his bailiff, Mama, and I came to no harm.’ Nicky came running in at that moment and threw his arms around Zelah, who hugged him back.

  ‘No, because your aunt and the major were on hand to rescue you,’ retorted Maria, who could not bear the thought of any danger to her child.

  ‘Now, now, my love, if Evanshaw thinks people are trespassing he is perfectly entitled to put a stop to it,’ said Reginald mildly. ‘I admit I cannot like the man, but I do agree with Coale, it does not do to fall out with a neighbour if it can be avoided.’

  Zelah could not listen to more because Nicky demanded that she come and look at the room that had been allocated to him and his baby brother.

  ‘Major Coale says I can watch the dancing from the landing,’ he told her. ‘And he is going to send up supper for me.’

  ‘The major has been very kind,’ declared Maria. ‘Having this apartment means I will be able to slip away and feed the baby and then return for the dancing.’

  ‘Will there be ices, do you think?’ asked Nicky, his eyes wide.

  ‘Alas, no,’ laughed Zelah. ‘However, there will be little pastries and definitely lemonade, because I have already had some.’

  ‘So you will have a little party all of your own,’ said Maria, scooping up Nicky and kissing him soundly. ‘Now we must not keep Zelah, she has to change. I have already sent Bess to your room, my love. She will help you get ready.’

  Zelah protested, but only half-heartedly. She wanted to look her best tonight and she knew that Bess would be able to dress her hair far better than she would be able to manage alone.

  * * *

  By the time she arrived back at the tower room the maid had emptied the trunk and laid out everything upon the bed.

  ‘Oh.’ Zelah stopped. ‘That is not my dress.’

  Bess curtsied. ‘The mistress bought it for you, miss. She said this ball is the biggest event of the summer and she wanted you to have something new. It’s Indian muslin,’ she added, helping Zelah out of her grey gown. ‘And madam thought the green bodice would suit your colouring. I hope you aren’t displeased?’

  ‘How could I be?’ She fingered the filmy skirts, then, looking up, her eyes fell upon a little cup full of rosebuds on the desk. ‘Oh!’

  ‘The mistress picked them from the garden today,’ explained Bess. ‘She sent them over specially for me to put in amongst your curls.’

  Zelah wondered if she should protest at such frivolity. After all, if she was going to be a governess should she not put herself above such worldly considerations? But her doubts were quickly suppressed. Her work at Rooks Tower was coming to an end and this might be her last opportunity to dance. And besides, she
wanted to see if she would win a look of warm admiration from a pair of sombre grey eyes.

  She looked at her maid and allowed a smile to burst forth. ‘Well, Bess, will you help me to get ready?’

  * * *

  The chiming of a distant clock reminded Zelah that it was time for the dinner guests to meet in the drawing room. She left her temporary bedchamber and made her way downstairs. Her route lay through the empty salon and she could not avoid seeing her reflection in the mirrors as she crossed the room. She stopped and moved closer to one of the mirrors. There was no hint of the bookish librarian in the elegant stranger she saw there, with her hair piled up and white rosebuds nestling amongst the curls. Her neck and shoulders rose gracefully from a short green velvet bodice that was ornamented at the neck and wrist with twisted white-and-gold braid. The low neckline fell to a point at the centre of the bosom and the braid continued down the front of the muslin skirts. It gave the illusion of height and she smiled to herself. She looked almost as willowy as the elegant models on the fashionplates. She flicked open her new spangled fan and held it before her, experimenting with different poses. When she held it across the lower part of her face her eyes appeared to sparkle invitingly.

  The sound of the door opening made her jump and a guilty flush heated her cheeks.

  ‘I beg your pardon, I did not mean to startle you.’ Dominic stood in the doorway.

  ‘I—there is no mirror in the tower room....’ Her words trailed off. She knew she must sound very conceited.

  ‘You look very well.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Everyone else is in the drawing room. I was merely coming to check that the salon and the library were in order. The orchestra will be setting up in here while we are at dinner.’

  He seemed ill at ease, whereas Zelah’s fine new clothes gave her an added confidence.

  ‘I have just come through the library, Major, and I can assure you there is not a book out of place.’

  ‘No, of course.’ He seemed to battle with himself for a moment before meeting her eyes. ‘Very well, then, shall we join the others?’

  He held out his arm to her. Zelah placed her fingers on his sleeve. She could feel the ribbing of the wool-and-silk fabric through her glove. Expensive. Everything about his coat—the sheen of the material, the fit, the exquisite cut—it all shouted quality. Tonight he was every inch a viscount’s son.

  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.’