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

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СКАЧАТЬ and the major’s groom was standing with the curricle outside the smithy, waiting for them. Nicky forgot everything save the excitement of climbing into this elegant equipage, where he sat between Zelah and the major as they drove back to West Barton. Zelah glanced at the bluebells, still cradled on her arm.

      ‘I almost dropped them all when we ran into Sir Oswald and his horrid bailiff, but I am very glad I did not. They are beginning to droop a little, but I think they will recover, do not you, Major?’

      He took his eyes off the road for a moment to look at the mass of nodding bells.

      ‘I am sure they will. You have a knack of reviving wilting spirits, Miss Pentewan.’

      It was only natural that Nicky should describe the events in Prickett Wood to his parents. Maria had been outraged at the treatment of her son and Reginald immediately called for his horse and rode off to confront Sir Oswald. The ladies waited anxiously for his return and Maria was just suggesting they should put dinner back an hour when Reginald came in, a frown darkening his usually genial features.

      ‘Oh, my dear, I was beginning to worry that you might have come to blows.’ Maria ran to her husband and took his arm, coaxing him to a chair.

      ‘He could not have been more accommodating, damned scoundrel. Apologised profusely, said his man, Miller, was over-zealous.’

      ‘So it will not happen again?’ Zelah enquired.

      Reginald’s scowl darkened. ‘Damned rascal had the nerve to say he hoped I’d be able to keep my family away from his land, because he’s putting mantraps in Prickett Wood!’

Chapter Six

      Zelah was present when Reginald explained the situation to Nicky, impressing upon his son how important it was that he did not stray on to Sir Oswald’s land.

      ‘But Prickett Wood isn’t his land, it belongs to the village,’ Nicky protested vehemently. ‘Robin says so!’

      ‘And I hope it is so, but until we can prove it, you must stay away. A mantrap can take a man’s leg off, Nicky, it is a barbaric device.’

      ‘But what about Robin, Papa? What about the villagers?’

      ‘Sir Oswald tells me he will post notices in Lesserton and at the edge of the wood. You must not worry about Robin, son, he’s too wily an old bird to be caught. As to the rest, well, we have a lawyer coming down from London in a few weeks’ time and he is bringing with him a copy of the royal charter. We must hope that settles the matter once and for all.’

      Maria declared that if Reginald was not available to take his son to school and back then a servant should accompany him. She tried to insist that Zelah should take a servant with her to Rooks Tower each day, but the suggestion was energetically rebuffed.

      ‘My dear sister, your people have more than enough to do without accompanying me. Besides, my way goes nowhere near Sir Oswald’s land. I cross from the gardens directly into Major Coale’s woods.’

      ‘Who knows what danger may lurk there?’ Maria muttered darkly.

      Zelah dismissed her sister’s concerns and happily made her way to Rooks Tower the following day, and she was somewhat surprised when Major Coale announced that he intended to accompany her on her homeward journey.

      ‘I assure you there is no need, sir.’

      ‘But I insist, Miss Pentewan.’

      ‘This is absurd,’ she challenged him. ‘There can be no danger from Sir Oswald or his men on your land.’

      Something akin to surprise flashed in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.

      ‘One never knows,’ he replied glibly, falling into step beside her.

      ‘But you are far too busy!’

      ‘Not today. I have spent the day giving instructions for the refurbishment of the orangery. The carpenter knows what to do now and I would only be in the way. Come, Miss Pentewan. Do not look so mutinous. Can you not accept my company with good grace?’

      ‘I suppose I must.’

      He laughed. ‘A grudging acceptance, ma’am.’

      ‘But this is not treating me as an employee, an independent being who is quite capable of looking after herself.’

      He did not respond to her grumbling, but strode across the park and into the woods, describing to her all the improvements he had planned. It was impossible to sulk and Zelah found herself voicing her opinion, telling him her preference for chestnut trees to be planted in the park and suggesting an avenue of limes along the length of the new drive.

      ‘These are long-term plans, Major. Are you planning to settle here?’

      ‘Possibly.’

      ‘Then you should become more involved with the village. You could support my brother-in-law in his efforts to oppose Sir Oswald.’

      ‘I wondered when we would come back to that. I have told you before, Miss Pentewan, one of the reasons I like Rooks Tower is its isolation. I have no desire to become embroiled in local disputes.’

      ‘But—’

      He stopped. ‘Enough, madam. Sir Oswald may be perfectly entitled to enclose the land, for all we know, and to cover it with mantraps. I will deal with matters that concern me, and no more.’

      There was a note of finality in his voice and Zelah firmly closed her lips upon the arguments she wanted to utter.

      ‘Well, at least you could attend the summer assembly. It is looked upon almost as an obligation, you know, to be seen there. Besides, you would become better acquainted with your neighbours.’

      He looked so fierce, his lips thinning and his crooked left brow descending so low that for a moment she thought he might shout at her, but he contented himself by saying curtly, ‘If I have business with my neighbours I will call upon them. I see no point in social chit-chat.’

      They were in the woods now, another few minutes would bring them to the lane, so there really was no point in prolonging the argument.

      There was a sudden crashing in the undergrowth and a hind shot across their path, so close it almost brushed Zelah. It was swiftly followed by a large stag. Startled, Zelah jumped back. The major pulled her into his arms, twisting around to shield her in case another creature should plunge out of the bushes.

      He held her tight against him, one hand cradling her head against his chest. She could feel the thud of his heart through the rough wool of his coat. To be held thus was strange, unfamiliar, but she did not find it unpleasant.

      Zelah allowed herself to savour the feeling of safety and of refuge as the silence settled around them once more, but as the shock abated she realised her situation and pushed herself away. He released her immediately.

      ‘I beg your pardon. Did I hurt you?’

      His curt tone only added to СКАЧАТЬ