Beneath the Major's Scars(5)

‘Huzza!’ Nicky gave a sleepy cheer.

Major Coale continued, his voice soft and low.

‘And just in time, for the enemy were already in sight. They     were upon us in an instant, the French 15th Chasseurs and the 3rd Hussars, all     thundering down to the bridge. All was confusion—our men could not withdraw     because the way was blocked with fighting men and horses. Fortunately the     chasseurs were in disarray and drew back to regroup, giving us time to get back     across the bridge. We fixed bayonets and waited below the six guns of the horse     artillery, which opened fire as the French charged again. The 52nd and the 95th     delivered a furious crossfire on their flanks, killing two generals and I don’t     know how many men, but still they came on and fell upon us.’

He paused, his brow darkening. Nicky stirred and the major drew     a breath before going on.

‘I found myself caught between two chasseurs. I wounded one of     them, but the other closed in. His sabre slashed down across my face and chest.     I managed to unseat him and he crashed to the ground. He made another wild slash     and caught my leg, but I had the satisfaction of knowing he was taken prisoner     and his comrades were in full retreat before I lost consciousness.’

‘Don’t stop, sir. What happened then?’ Nicky’s eyes were     beginning to close.

‘I was patched up and put on to a baggage wagon. Luckily I had     no serious internal injuries, for I fear it would have been fatal to be so     shaken and jarred as we continued to Villafranca. I remember very little after     that until we reached England. Someone had sent word to Markham, and my brother     came to collect me from Falmouth and take me home. There I received the best     treatment available, but alas, even money cannot buy me a new face.’

He lapsed into silence. Nicky was at last in a deep sleep, his     little hand still clasped in the major’s long lean fingers. Silence enveloped     them. At length the major became aware of Zelah’s presence and turned to look at     her. She realised then her cheeks were wet with tears.

‘I—I beg your pardon.’ Quickly she turned away, pulling out her     handkerchief. ‘You have been most obliging, Major Coale, more than we had any     right to expect.’ She wiped her eyes, trying to speak normally. ‘Nicky is     sleeping now. We do not need to trouble you any longer.’

‘And what will you do?’

‘I shall sit with him...’

He shook his head.

‘You cannot sit up all night. I will watch over him for a few     hours while you get some sleep.’

Zelah wavered. She was bone-weary, but she was loath to put     herself even deeper in this man’s debt. He gave an exasperated sigh.

‘Go and lie down,’ he ordered her. ‘You will not be fit to look     after the boy in the morning if you do not get some sleep.’

He was right. Zelah retired to the little anteroom. She did not     undress, merely removed her shoes and stretched out on the bed, pulling a single     blanket over her. Her last waking thought was that it would be impossible to     sleep with Major Coale sitting in the next room.



Zelah was awoken by a cock crowing. It was light, but     the sun had not yet risen. She stared at the unfamiliar surroundings, then, as     memory returned, she slipped off the bed and crept into the next room. Nicky was     still sleeping soundly and the major was slumped forwards over the bed, his     shaggy dark head on his arms.

The fire had died and the morning air was very chill.     Noiselessly Zelah crossed the room and knelt down by the hearth.

‘What are you doing?’

The major’s deep voice made her jump.

‘I am going to rescue the fire.’

‘Oh, no, you are not. I will send up a servant to see to     that.’

He towered over her, hand outstretched. She allowed him to help     her up, trying to ignore the tingle that shot through her at his touch. It     frightened her. His presence filled the room, it was disturbing, suffocating,     and she stepped away, searching for something to break the uneasy silence.

‘I—um—the story you told Nicky, about your wound. It was     very...violent for a little boy. He seemed quite familiar with it.’

‘Yes. He asked me about my face the very first time he saw me     and has wanted me to recount the story regularly ever since.’ He was watching     the sleeping boy, the smile tugging at his lips just visible through the black     beard. ‘I was working in the woods and he came up, offered to help me finish off     the game pie Mrs Graddon had packed into my bag to sustain me through the     day.’

‘You must have thought him very impertinent.’

‘Not at all. His honesty was very refreshing. Most people look     away, embarrassed by my disfigurement.’

‘Oh, I beg your pardon. I hope you did not think that I—’

The smile turned into a grin.

‘You, madam, seemed intent upon inflicting even more damage     upon me.’

The amusement in his eyes drew a reluctant smile from     Zelah.

‘You did—do—look rather savage. Although I know now that you     are very kind,’ she added in a rush. She felt herself blushing. ‘You have been     sitting here all night and must be desperate for sleep. I can manage now, thank     you, Major. You had best go...’

‘I should, of course. I will send someone up to see to the fire     and order Mrs Graddon to bring your breakfast to you.’

‘Thank you.’ He gave her a clipped little bow and turned to     leave.

‘Major! The chasseur—the one who injured you—was he really     taken prisoner?’

He stopped and looked back.

‘Yes, he was.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘I may look like a monster, Miss Pentewan, but I assure you I am not.’





Chapter Two

Nicky was drowsy and fretful when he eventually woke up, but Dr     Pannell was able to reassure Zelah that he was recovering well.

‘A little fever is to be expected, but he seems to be in fine     form now. I think keeping him still is going to be your biggest problem.’



Zelah had thought so too and she was relieved when     Reginald arrived with a selection of toys and games for his son.

‘Goodness!’ She laughed when she saw the large basket that     Reginald placed on the bed. ‘Major Coale will think we plan to stay for a     month.’

Reginald grinned.

‘I let Nurse choose what to send. I fear she was over-generous     to make up for not being able to come herself.’

‘And what did our host say, when you came in with such a large     basket?’

‘I have not seen him. His man informed me that he is busy with     his keeper and likely to be out all day.’ He glanced at Nicky, happily sorting     through the basket, and led Zelah into the anteroom. ‘I had the feeling he was     ordered to say that and to make sure I knew that he had given instructions for a     maid to sit up with the boy during the night. Setting my mind at rest that he     would not be imposing himself upon you while you are here.’

‘Major Coale is very obliging.’

‘Dashed ragged fellow though, with all that hair, but I suppose     that’s to cover the scar on his face.’ He paused. ‘Maria asked me to drop a word     in your ear, but for my part I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.’

‘What did she wish you to say to me?’

He chewed his lip for a moment.

‘She was concerned. Coale was well known as something of a, er,     a rake before the war. His name was forever in the society pages. Well, stands     to reason, doesn’t it, younger son of a viscount, and old Lord Markham had some     scandals to his name, I can tell you! Coale’s brother’s inherited the title now,     of course, and from what I have read he’s just as wild as the rest of ’em.’ He     added quickly, ‘Only hearsay, of course. I’ve never had much to do with that     side of the family—far too high and mighty for one thing. The Bucklands are a     very distant branch. But that’s neither here nor there. We were worried the     major might try to ingratiate himself with you—after all, we are mighty obliged     to him—and Maria thought you might have...stirrings.’

‘Stirrings, Reginald?’