They were in the morning room at West Barton. Breakfast was finished, Zelah had donned her riding habit and was waiting for Sally Hensley to arrive. She could not deny she was looking forward to riding out. She had enjoyed riding her father’s hack at Cardinham and she had brought her riding habit with her to West Barton. However, Maria had explained to Zelah that she had sold her horse, for there would not be any opportunity for her to ride until little Reginald was older. What Zelah knew, although it remained unspoken, was that there was no money to spare for such a luxury. Zelah had resigned herself to the fact that she would never ride again, but now Major Coale’s delightful sister had not only invited her to ride, but was willing to provide a mount, too.
Zelah had spent some little time wondering if she should have held fast and refused to go. But it had been far too tempting an offer and when Sally eventually arrived, and Zelah was at last mounted upon the spirited bay mare, she could not regret her decision. The mare tossed her head and snorted, playfully sidestepping across the drive while Zelah kept control with the lightest hold on the reins.
‘She is very lively, but you have her measure.’ Sally nodded approvingly as Zelah brought her mount alongside Sally’s glossy black horse.
‘She is delightful.’ Zelah laughed. ‘What is her name?’
‘Portia. After Shakespeare.’ Sally chuckled. ‘Dom and Jasper had taken me to see The Merchant of Venice as half of my birthday treat. Portia was the other half. She is a delightful ride and can cover miles without flagging, but then my husband bought Ebony for me.’ She leaned forwards and stroked her horse’s gleaming neck. ‘Poor Portia was ousted.’
‘I do not know how you can choose between them,’ commented Zelah as they rode out into the lane.
‘Ebony was a present from my darling Ben. When you have a much-loved husband you too will value any gift he gives you.’
‘I do not intend to marry. I am going to be a governess.’
‘Goodness. Wouldn’t you rather have a husband?’
‘No.’ Realising this bald answer might be a little rude, she added, ‘I would rather be independent than marry the wrong man.’
‘Very true, but if you could marry any man you wanted...?’
Zelah was silent. There was no possibility of her being able to marry the man of her choice, so she would rather not think about it. She said carefully, ‘It is all too easy to be deceived by a charming man.’ They followed Sawley into a field and she took the opportunity to change the subject. ‘The land is well drained here, shall we gallop the fidgets out of these horses?’
After racing across the open ground they settled down to follow the groom as he pointed out to them the extent of the land belonging to Rooks Tower. It was impossible for Zelah to keep up her reserve when Sally was so naturally friendly. She could not, of course, agree that they should do away with formality completely and while she was happy for Sally to use her first name she was resolved never to call her companion anything other than Mrs Hensley.
They had finished their tour with another gallop across the moors and were about to turn back when a lone rider appeared in the distance. Zelah’s heart skipped a beat. She instantly recognised the upright rider on the huge grey horse.
‘Here is my brother now,’ declared Sally. She waved. ‘Just in time to escort us home.’
The major spotted them and raised his hand. The grey mare broke into a canter and very soon he had caught up with them. He did not smile in response to Sally’s greeting and the downward turn of the left side of his mouth was more pronounced than ever. Zelah regarded him anxiously.
‘Is anything the matter, Major?’
‘It’s Old Robin. They found his body in the Lightwater today.’ His voice, his whole manner, was terse.
‘Oh, good heavens!’
‘Who is this Robin?’ demanded Sally, her frowning glance moving between them.
‘An old man from the village who spent most of his time living wild in the woods. He earned a little money doing odd jobs for me or the other landowners. There was nothing he didn’t know about this land. A useful fellow.’
‘He will be sorely missed,’ added Zelah, thinking of Nicky. ‘Who found him?’
‘Buckland was out with Giles Grundy early this morning, trying to prove that the Lightwater is the river referred to in the charter. They came upon him just where the Lightwater enters Prickett Wood.’
She shuddered. ‘Poor man. How long...?’
He shook his head. ‘No one knows. I saw him outside the White Hart on the night of the hearing. He was drunk, then. No one seems to have seen him since that night.’
‘Perhaps that was it, then,’ suggested Sally. ‘He lost his footing and slipped into the stream and drowned. How sad. Has he any family?’
‘A sister. Buckland has gone to see her.’
‘Is there anything to be done?’
‘No. Buckland and Sir Arthur, the local magistrate, have everything in hand. Let me escort you home.’
The little party was subdued as it cantered back across the fields to Rooks Tower. When they reached the fork in the path which led to West Barton, Zelah drew rein.
‘This is where I must leave you. My brother-in-law will send someone over with the mare tomorrow, if you wish, or Sawley can come with me now.’
‘I would not hear of you going home alone,’ said Sally. ‘Dominic shall accompany you.’
‘No, please,’ cried Zelah, alarmed. ‘There is no need for that!’
‘It is the least he can do when you have given up your time for me this morning. And we must do it again—I have enjoyed it so much. I know! We will keep your riding habit at Rooks Tower, then when we want to go riding you only have to change into it, and can go back to your work in the library afterwards. What do you think, Dom?’
‘I think you are imposing upon Miss Pentewan’s good nature, Sal.’
‘Nonsense. You enjoyed riding out with me, did you not, Zelah?’
‘Very much, but—’
‘Then it is settled. Dom shall send the carriage over for you in the morning, so that you can bring everything with you. Is that agreed?’
Overwhelmed, Zelah could only nod and earned a beaming smile from Sally.
‘Good. That is settled. Now, see her home safely, Dominic. I should come too, but I fear the journey yesterday tired me more than I first thought.’
‘Very well,’ said Dominic. ‘Take Sawley with you, Sal. I will see Miss Pentewan home.’
Once they had watched Sally and the groom cantering off towards Rooks Tower, Zelah turned her horse towards West Barton, the major bringing the big grey into line beside her. He said quietly,
‘You will have to explain to Nicky about Robin.’
‘I was thinking of that. Nicky has seen much less of Robin since he has been attending classes with Mr Netherby, but he will still be upset, I think.’
‘Would you like me to come with you?’
She looked up, surprised. ‘Th-that is very kind of you, Major, but I think I can manage.’ She gave a little smile. ‘After all, I need to learn to handle things like this, if I am to make a good governess.’
He gave an impatient huff. ‘You still hold by your absurd plan?’
‘Of course.’ Zelah blinked. ‘Why not?’
‘You are attending the ball. It is not impossible that you will meet some gentleman—’
‘Not you, too!’ she exclaimed bitterly. ‘I do not want to meet some gentleman. I can never marry.’
‘Can never marry?’ He jumped on the word. ‘Is there some impediment then?’
Her hands jerked on the reins and Portia sidled nervously.
‘N-no, of course not,’ she stammered, aware that her cheeks were hot and most likely very red. ‘I am merely determined to maintain my independence. In fact...’ she put up her chin, suddenly remembering a letter that had been delivered yesterday ‘...I have received an enquiry for a very good situation as a governess. In Bath. I have to send references.’