‘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.