Beneath the Major's Scars(29)

‘Marriage!’

Of course. He dropped his razor and dried his face quickly.     Maria Buckland had already thought of an excellent plan. It was up to him now to     carry it out.



When Zelah set off for another day at Rooks Tower, the     sky was a blanket of unbroken grey and a freshening wind promised rain later.     Spring was refusing to give way to summer. However, the lowering weather did not     affect her spirits. When she thought of what she had achieved in the library she     was pleased, but when she reached the house and walked through the salon, its     window shutters now folded away to allow the light to fill the elegant space,     her heart swelled with pride. She was pleased to think she was playing some part     in Major Coale’s rehabilitation, encouraging him to see that he need not lock     himself away and live a solitary existence.

She must face up to the fact that she had grown fond of the     major. Too fond. He could be overbearing and irascible, but she knew much of his     ill temper sprang from the horrific injuries he had suffered, not just to his     face, but to his mind. She had seen a softer side to his character and now her     day was not complete unless she saw him—Zelah shook her head. Heavens, what was     she thinking? She must not allow herself to become attached to Dominic Coale. It     would be foolish to dwell upon his many kindnesses to her. They meant nothing,     and if she should betray her feelings—she knew only too well how easily a man     could succumb to temptation. It had almost destroyed her once, it must not     happen again.

It was therefore a very cool and formal greeting that she gave     the major when he marched into the library the following morning, before     returning her attention to her work. He appeared not to notice.

‘You will leave off your interminable cataloguing, Miss     Pentewan. I have another job for you.’ He strode about the room as he spoke, his     hands clasped behind his back. ‘I want you to compile a list of all the families     in the county. Those with the rank of gentlemen and above, naturally.’

She paused, her pen caught in mid-air.

‘A list, sir? Very well, if that is what you want...’

‘It is, and I want it complete by tomorrow. You may need to     consult your sister on this.’

‘Yes, I think I shall have to do that.’

She stared at his broad back, wondering if she dare ask him why     he wanted these names. He swung round, catching her glance.

‘I am going to hold a ball.’

Zelah dropped her pen.

‘A—a ball?’ She hurriedly blotted     the ink that had splashed on to the ledger.

‘Yes. Now we have opened up the salon it seems a pity not to     use it.’ He began to pace up and down the room. ‘My sister will be coming down     to play hostess. I have already written to her. You and I will compile a list     and then you will write to everyone, inviting them to attend.’

‘And...and when is this ball to be?’

‘At midsummer. Three weeks from now.’

‘Three weeks! So little time.’

‘I know, but it cannot be helped. I have asked Mrs Graddon to     let me know what is required to make all the bedrooms habitable and I will be     sending someone to buy what is necessary—give me a list of your requirements,     pens, paper, seals and so on and they shall be fetched for you.’

‘Th-thank you,’ said Zelah, her head reeling. She listened as     he explained the steps he had already taken to prepare for the event and drew a     sheet of paper towards her to write down a few notes.

‘I think that is all,’ he said at last, rubbing his chin. ‘I     must be off to find Phillips and ask him if Old Robin has been back yet to     finish removing the moles from the south lawn.’ He strode towards the door and     stopped. ‘Oh, and remember to put your own name on the list. You and your sister     and brother-in-law will be my guests at dinner beforehand.’

‘Me? Oh, I do not think I could—’

He turned to glower at her. ‘You will do as you are bid, Miss     Pentewan. If I am going to all this trouble, then I expect you to make a little     effort, too!’





Chapter Nine

Zelah was still dazed when she returned to West Barton that evening     and it was a relief to unburden herself to her sister.

‘Do you not think it odd,’ she mused, ‘that a man who so very     recently lived as a recluse should suddenly take it into his head to hold a     ball?’

Maria was inclined to be complacent. ‘That is the life he has     been used to.’

‘But up until a few days ago he could not bear to look at     himself in the mirror. He kept the salon in darkness.’

‘Yes, until you showed him how nonsensical it was. You are a     beneficial influence, Zelah. Think how much he has changed since he has met     you.’

‘He would have come about, even without me, but a ball! That is     most unexpected.’

‘He appeared to be enjoying himself at the assembly,’ returned     Maria, her eyes twinkling. ‘Perhaps someone gave him the hint.’

‘Yes, but the worst thing is, he insists that I should be     there. I suppose that he feels he cannot leave me out, since you and Reginald     are invited. We are all to dine there, too, beforehand. And I am to tell you,     sister, that he will have a suite prepared for you and the children, because he     knows you will not stay away long from Baby.’

‘Well, I consider that to be exceedingly kind, and beyond     anything I was expecting.’ She cast a shrewd look at Zelah. ‘Major Coale must     think very highly of you, my dear.’

‘I think he values the work I am doing.’

‘Are you sure that is all?’

‘Of course. What else should a viscount’s son think of a     parson’s daughter?’ Zelah forced herself to speak lightly and she was glad to     see the speculation fade from Maria’s eyes.

‘Oh well, at least this will give you the opportunity to mix in     society.’

Zelah shook her head. ‘But I don’t want to mix.’

‘Well, you should. Who knows? There will be many gentlemen     there, and dancing has been known to lead to greater things, like an offer of     marriage.’

‘Maria, you know that is impossible.’

‘Not so,’ said Maria stoutly. ‘You have many qualities that an     honest man would look for in a wife—’

‘Not if he knows of my past. Would you have me deceive an     honest man?’ Zelah bit her lip and fixed her eyes upon her sister’s dismayed     countenance. She said gently, ‘I should not be attending this ball at all. I am     a fallen woman, Maria. If anyone should discover that—’

‘They won’t. No one outside Cardinham knows what happened to     you—why, even Reginald and I don’t know the whole!’

No, thought Zelah, sadly, she had never told anyone about the     man who had stolen her heart and her virtue. She thought back to that halcyon     summer. She had been in love and thought herself loved in return. She stifled a     sigh.

‘Well,’ she said brightly, ‘at least it will give me the     opportunity to find out if anyone requires a governess.’



Two weeks before the ball, the major’s sister arrived. A     handsome travelling carriage bowled up the drive and Zelah, watching from the     tower room, saw a lady alight. She was elegantly attired in a travelling dress     of olive green, her dark hair caught up under a stylish cap from which a number     of curling ostrich feathers nodded in the breeze. Even as she shook out her     skirts Dominic came striding out of the house and caught her up in his arms,     swinging her around. Zelah turned back to her books. She had no right to feel     jealous of the major’s lovely sister.

Down on the drive, Dominic hugged his sister. ‘It is good to     see you, Sal. How was your journey?’

‘Tiresome. If only all the roads on Exmoor were as good as this     last mile!’ She pushed herself free of his arms and stood looking him over.     ‘Hmm, a vast improvement, Dom, I would not have recognised you. The last time I     saw you was at Markham and I thought then you bore a strong resemblance to a     bear. And you are no longer limping.’