Regency Beauty: Beneath the Major's Scars / Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager. Sarah Mallory

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СКАЧАТЬ you have done with the books while we wait for my carriage.’

      Unable to muster her arguments, Zelah consented and ten minutes later she was sitting beside the major in his sleek, low-slung racing curricle and marvelling at the smooth new road he had built. They had to slow their pace when they joined the Lesserton road, but they still made good time and soon reached the village. They were heading for the main street and, seeing how busy it was, Zelah glanced at the major. He was wearing a wide-brimmed hat, tilted to shadow the left side of his face, so that his scarred cheek and chin were barely visible. She was pleased to note that the majority of the men touched their caps and the women dropped a curtsy as they bowled past. Some children and one or two of the adults stopped to stare, but she decided this was due to the unusual sight of a fashionable carriage with a diminutive groom perched upon the rumble seat.

      ‘Where shall I drop you?’ enquired the major.

      ‘Here, if you please. I am still a little early, so I shall indulge myself by looking in the shops on Market Street before I collect Nicky. You have no need to hand me out, I can easily jump down.’ She suited the action to the words as the curricle drew to a stop and gave a friendly little wave as Major Coale set his team in motion again.

      The morning clouds had given way to a warm, sunny afternoon and when Nicky came running out from the vicar’s rambling house she persuaded him to take a detour before they made their way home. They were just setting off when Nicky gave a delighted cry.

      ‘Major Coale!’

      Zelah looked up to see the major approaching. She noted with no little satisfaction that there was now only the faintest irregularity in his purposeful stride.

      ‘Good day to you, Master Nicholas! How do you go on, how is your leg?’

      ‘Much better now, Major. Zelah wants to see the bluebell woods, so I am going to take her. Will you come with us?’

      ‘Nicky!’

      Her admonition went unheeded. Nicky gazed hopefully at the major, who replied gravely, ‘I would be delighted.’

      Zelah shook her head vehemently. ‘No, no, I am sure you must have more important things to do.’

      ‘As a matter of fact I don’t. Sawley noticed that one of the horses has a shoe loose and he is now at the smithy, so I was coming to say if you do not mind waiting a half-hour or so I would take you back to West Barton.’

      ‘You would take us up in your curricle?’ demanded Nicky, his eyes wide. ‘In your racing curricle?’

      ‘I only have the one, I’m afraid, but it is perfectly safe, as your aunt will testify.’

      ‘That is very kind of you, I’m sure, Major Coale,’ said Zelah, realising it would be cruel to withhold such a treat from Nicky. ‘However, there is no need for you to accompany us on our walk.’

      ‘But Major Coale wants to come with us, don’t you, sir?’

      ‘I do indeed.’

      Zelah looked helplessly from one to the other. Major Coale held out his arm to her.

      ‘Shall we proceed?’

      There was no help for it. She laid her hand on the major’s sleeve.

      ‘Maria told me about the woods,’ she explained as they followed Nicky along the lane that led out of the village. ‘She said the bluebells are a picture, but for only a short time each year. I do hope we won’t be too late, we are well into May now.’

      ‘We shall soon find out.’

      Nicky had scrambled over a stile and the major followed, turning back to help Zelah.

      ‘Careful, there is a ditch on this side and it is a little muddy.’

      As Zelah stepped over he reached out and lifted her, putting her down well away from the muddy puddle at the foot of the stile. A hot, fiery blush spread through her, from her head right down to her toes. Whether it was his hands on her waist, or the feeling of helplessness as he held her she did not know and, what was worse, she instinctively gripped his arms, so that when he had placed her on the ground he could not immediately release her, but stood looking down at her with a smile lurking in his grey eyes.

      ‘Are you ready to go on, Miss Pentewan?’

      She swallowed. So many new and shocking sensations were coursing through her that she could not think. Her hands were still clutching at his sleeves and, instead of letting go, she wanted to hold on even tighter. It took all her willpower to release him and to step back.

      ‘Y-you startled me,’ she stammered. ‘I could quite easily have climbed over by myself …’

      ‘I’m sure you could, but my way was much more pleasurable, don’t you think?’

      His self-possession annoyed her.

      ‘Are you trying to flirt with me, Major Coale?’

      ‘Do you know, I think I am.’ He laughed.

      ‘How strange. I used to do it all the time before that damned chasseur tried to cut my face off. I beg your pardon, it was unwittingly done.’

      Disarmed by his response, her anger melted away and she chuckled.

      ‘That has pricked the bubble of my self-esteem! What an abominable thing to say.’

      ‘Not at all. It was, in a way, a compliment. I have not felt so at ease in anyone’s company since I came back to England.’

      ‘Then I will take it as such, sir.’

      She met his eyes, responding to the warm smile in his own and forgetful of everything else until he looked away.

      ‘Nicky is almost out of sight. Shall we continue? Else I fear he will abandon us and we will be left to wander these woods all night.’

      Zelah moved on, ignoring his proffered arm. She was shocked to realise just how much she would like to be wandering here all night with Major Coale.

      Nicky had stopped at a turn in the path to wait for them and as they reached him Zelah gave a little gasp of pleasure. The woodland stretched before them, the sun filtering through the lacy canopy of leaves onto the floor, which was covered in a thick carpet of bluebells and wild garlic.

      ‘Oh, how beautiful!’ She sank down, putting out her hands to brush the delicately nodding bluebells. ‘They are at the very peak of their bloom. I think we should pick some for you to take back to your mama, Nicky—make sure you pick them at the bottom of the stem, love.’

      She began to collect the tallest flowers and within minutes had a large bunch, then Nicky handed her his contribution.

      ‘Goodness, that was quick!’ She rested the delicate blooms more securely on one arm and looked towards the major, who was still standing on the path. ‘What do you think, Major, are they not beautiful?’ He did not respond, merely stared at her across the dell. ‘Oh, I beg your pardon. Perhaps you are wishing to turn back, it must be growing late.’

      ‘We don’t have to turn СКАЧАТЬ