Beneath the Major's Scars

Chapter Three

The following morning Reginald drove over in his travelling chaise, which Maria had filled with feather bolsters and pillows to protect Nicky during the long journey home. Nicky looked around as his father carried him tenderly out of the house.

‘Is Major Coale not here, Papa?’

‘He sends his apologies, Master Nick,’ said Graddon in a fatherly way. ‘He went off early today to the long meadow to oversee the hedgelaying.’

‘But I wanted to say goodbye to him!’

Nicky’s disappointed wail touched a chord in Zelah: she too would have liked to see the major. However, she was heartened by Reginald’s response.

‘Your mama has already penned a note to Major Coale. She has not only given him permission to call at any time, but she has also invited him to dinner. And once we have you home, Nicholas, you may write to him yourself, thanking him for his care of you.’

‘Yes, and I can ask him to call and see me,’ agreed Nicky. He frowned, suddenly unsure. ‘He will come, won’t he? If I ask him ‘specially.’

‘I do not see how he can refuse.’ Reginald grinned at Zelah. ‘But I might have to instruct the staff not to send him round to the kitchens—when I saw him last he looked so ragged one might easily mistake him for a beggar.’

‘I think you might be surprised,’ murmured Zelah, smiling to herself.

The five miles to West Barton were covered with ease and they were greeted with great joy by the household. Maria clasped her stepson and wept copiously, bewailing the fact that she had been unable to visit him, while Nurse promised him all sorts of treats to make up for his ordeal.

‘I only hope being in That Man’s house hasn’t given you nightmares,’ said Nurse, tucking Nicky into his bed. ‘I believe he is truly hideous to look at.’

Anger welled up in Zelah, but she fought it down and said quietly, ‘Nonsense. Major Coale has a scar on his face, nothing more.’

‘Yes, and I don’t care for that,’ exclaimed Nicky. ‘He’s a great gun.’

‘Of course he is, my pet. Now, you need to rest after your long journey.’

Obedient to her unspoken wishes the others left Nicky to Nurse’s care and made their way back downstairs to the morning room.

‘I don’t like to think that he has been making a nuisance of himself.’ Reginald frowned. ‘When Coale told me he has been running free at Rooks Tower—’

‘Major Coale and his people are very happy to see him,’ said Zelah. ‘With everyone here so busy with the new baby, Nicky has been left too much to his own devices.’

Her words were met with a short silence. Then Maria sighed.

‘It is very true. Nurse has been giving all her attention to me and little Reginald and we were only too happy to think that Nicky was amusing himself in the garden.’ Her softly reproachful eyes moved to her husband. ‘And you have been out of the house so much recently …’

‘Trying to gather evidence for the villagers,’ he replied defensively. ‘I could hardly take the boy with me! I never thought—Nicky seemed quite happy.’ He gave Zelah a rueful smile. ‘No wonder he took to you so well, although looking after Nicky was not the reason you came to us. My poor sister, you have been with us for only a few weeks and we have turned you into a nursemaid.’

‘I am pleased to help, you know that, but Nicky needs companions of his own age,’ she said gently. ‘Or at the very least a tutor …’

‘But he is so young!’ Maria clasped her hands together. ‘I suppose I must stop thinking of him as a baby now.’ She brightened. ‘You are looking for a post as a governess, Zelah—perhaps you should start with Nicky. We could pay you—’

‘Dear sister, that is a kind thought, but that is not what I meant. And I could not take a salary off you; I have no wish to be an added drain upon your resources.’

Reginald shook his head.

‘No, it would not do at all. I believe Mr Netherby gives lessons to a few boys in the vicarage. I will make enquiries when I go into Lesserton this afternoon.’

Maria stretched out her hands to him. ‘Oh, must you go, with Nicky just come home …?’

He squeezed her fingers.

‘I’m afraid I must.’

‘What is this business that takes you there so often, Reginald?’ asked Zelah. ‘Is it something to do with Lydcombe Park? I remember you saying the new owner was causing difficulties.’

‘Aye. He is planning to open mines on his land.’

‘But surely that is a good thing,’ exclaimed Maria. ‘It will provide work—’

‘Not much. Evanshaw will be bringing in engineers and miners of his own. But the land he wants to mine is in dispute. The villagers believe it is theirs by ancient charter and have been using the land for years, grazing their animals on the hill as well as hunting in Prickett Wood. Sir Oswald claims it for his own and he has employed a bailiff, William Miller. A nasty piece of work who patrols the land with his henchmen.’

‘And is there nothing they can do?’

‘Those he has evicted are too poor to do anything themselves, but I have been organising the villagers. We have petitioned the Crown and put together a fund to pay for a lawyer to come to Lesserton and settle this once and for all.’

‘But can you not talk to Sir Oswald?’ said Zelah. ‘Surely he does not want to be on bad terms with his neighbours.’

Reginald shrugged. ‘I called upon him as soon as he took possession of the house on Lady Day, but he was not at all hospitable. I do not think he intends to live at Lydcombe. The house is merely a shell; everything of value in it has been sold. He told me he means to sell off the timber from his land and then sink his mine. He has no interest at all in the people.’

‘Then of course you must fight this,’ exclaimed Zelah. ‘I quite understand now why you are so busy. And please do not worry about Nicky, at least for the moment. I am very happy to help you look after him.’

Zelah went upstairs to relieve Nurse, satisfied that Maria and Reginald would find a solution to Nicky’s loneliness. Taking lessons at the vicarage would go a long way towards filling his days and would also provide him with the companionship of other boys. For the present, her concern was to keep him entertained while the deep gash on his leg healed.

The fine spring weather continued but Zelah was too busy to go out, dividing her day between Nicky and Maria, who was delighted to have her back and insisted that Zelah should sit with her whenever she could. It was therefore a full three days before she could find the time to enjoy the sunshine. She tied a straw bonnet over her brown curls, but declined her sister’s offer of a parasol, declaring that her complexion was past praying for.

Leaving the house by a side door, she set off across the grass at a very unladylike pace. It was good to be out in the fresh air again and she lifted her face up to the sun, revelling in its warmth. She walked briskly, enjoying the opportunity for a little quiet reflection.

She had been at West Barton for a month now and had made no progress in finding a position.

She could make excuses, of course. Maria had told her how helpful it was to have her there, looking after Nicky, but deep in her heart Zelah knew she did not want to dwindle into the role of favourite aunt, at everyone’s beck and call and willing to perform any little task in gratitude for being allowed to live with the family.

‘You are being very ungrateful,’ she said aloud. ‘A position as governess would be far from comfortable. Here you could more than earn your keep.’ She climbed over a stile and jumped lightly down. ‘But as a governess I would be paid!’

She strode on. What she wanted, she realised, was independence. If she was fortunate enough to find a good position, then it might be possible to save a little of her salary each year until she had enough to retire. That, of course, would take many, many years, but what else had she to look forward to?

Perhaps you should look for a husband.

Major Coale’s words came into her mind. She could almost hear his deep voice saying them.

A husband. That was the ambition of most young ladies, but it was not hers. Besides, no man would want her if he knew her past—and she could not consider marrying a man without telling him everything.

No, thought Zelah practically, she had only two choices: she could remain at West Barton, loved and valued at the present, but destined to become nothing more than a burdensome old maid, or she could make a bid for independence.

‘I choose independence,’ she said to a cow, regarding her balefully from the next field. ‘I shall go back now and write out an advertisement for the newspaper.’

She crossed the field and scrambled over the stile on to the lane that led up to West Barton and as she did so she saw a rider approaching from the direction of Lesserton. Major Coale. In a panic she considered jumping back over the stile and hiding until he had gone by, but it was too late; he had already seen her.

‘Good morning, Miss Pentewan.’ He raised his hat to her. She felt a little rush of pride when she saw his short hair. His cheeks were still free of a beard, too. There was no sign that he planned to revert to his former shaggy appearance. ‘I am on my way to enquire after young Master Buckland.’

‘He is doing very well, Major, thank you. The doctor says he may leave his bed tomorrow.’

He professes to dislike society, she thought. Perhaps he will be satisfied with that report. He will touch his hat, turn and ride away again.

‘I am glad to hear it.’ He kicked his feet free from the stirrups and jumped down. ‘Are you walking back to the house now? May I join you?’

‘I … yes, of course.’

She waited until he was beside her and began to walk on, very slowly, the grey mare clopping lazily along behind them. After a few yards the major stopped.

‘Is this how you usually walk, Miss Pentewan? I am surprised you ever get anywhere.’

‘Yes—no, I …’ She trailed off, her gaze dropping to his booted feet. ‘I thought, your leg …’

‘I am not a cripple, madam.’

Mrs Graddon’s words flashed into her mind and she recalled when she had offered to cut his hair and he had got up from the table to summon his servant. There had been no dragging step, no sign of a limp then.

‘Does the wound not pain you?’ she asked him.

‘Not at all, unlike this dawdling pace.’

She gave a little huff of irritation.

‘I beg your pardon. I was trying to be considerate.’

His hard look informed her quite clearly that he did not appreciate her efforts. She put up her chin.

‘If the wound has healed and there is no pain, why, then, does it affect your step?’

‘Habit, I suppose. What does it matter? I do not go into society.’

‘But that might change.’

‘I think not.’

She gave up the argument and walked on at her normal pace. The major matched her stride for stride and Zelah hid a smile. A little furrow of concentration creased his brow, but he was no longer limping.

‘Your journey back was not too tiring, Nicky did not suffer overmuch?’

‘Not at all. The new road is very smooth.’ She waved her hand at the lane. ‘It puts our own track to shame.’

‘My engineer used a new method of road-building: smaller stones, tightly packed. It seems very good, but we shall see how well it wears.’ His glance shifted to her skirts and the band of damp around the hem. ‘You have not been keeping to the roads, I think?’

She laughed. ‘No, I have crossed a couple of very muddy fields. It was such a lovely day I could not bear to remain indoors a moment longer.’

‘I suppose Nicky requires a great deal of attention. Your time cannot be your own.’

She was surprised by his concern.

‘You are not to be thinking I begrudge him a moment of it, nor Maria, but sometimes one likes a little time alone—but I have had that now,’ she said quickly, sensing his hesitation. She added shyly, ‘This last stretch is the least interesting, and I am always glad of company for it.’

The house was in sight. She called to the gardener’s boy to take the major’s horse to the stables and led him in through the front door, sending a footman running to fetch Maria.

‘Please come into the morning room, Major. My brother-in-law is out and will be sorry to have missed you, but my sister will be here directly.’

‘Must I see her? I would rather you took me directly to see the boy.’

‘You know I cannot do that. Besides, my sister will want to give you her thanks in person.’

He gave a little pout of distaste but the scar at the left side of his mouth distorted it into a full grimace. He muttered irritably that he wanted no thanks. Zelah felt a smile tugging her lips.

‘You sound very much like a sulky schoolboy, Major.’ She heard the door open and turned. ‘Ah, Maria, here is Major Coale come to visit Nicky, if you will allow it.’

Maria hesitated at the door, then smiled and came forward.

‘Major Coale, I am so delighted to meet you at last. I have heard so much about you from my son and I have been longing to thank you in person for taking such care of him.’

Watching him take her outstretched hand and bow over it gracefully, Zelah was aware of a little stab of jealousy that he had never saluted her in that way.

‘My husband is in Lesserton at present, Major, and I am sure he will regret that he is not here to greet you. However, he is looking forward to seeing you next week at dinner—you received my note, I hope?’

‘I did, ma’am, and I am delighted to accept.’

‘Reginald is at a meeting,’ said Zelah. ‘There is a dispute over the boundary between the villagers’ land and that belonging to Lydcombe Park. Have you heard about it?’

‘Yes,’ he said indifferently. ‘I recall Netherby telling me something of it when he came to call.’

‘Did he not tell you of the meeting?’

‘He did, but it’s no business of mine.’ His tone was final and Maria was quick to change the subject.

‘Goodness, how the morning is flying! I am sure Nicky is anxious to see you, sir. Zelah, my love, perhaps you would escort Major Coale upstairs?’

‘Oh—but I was about to retire to change my gown. It became sadly muddied during my walk …’

‘Well, the major has already seen it and Nicky will not notice.’ Maria laughed aside her objections. ‘I must go and relieve Nurse—little Reginald will be waking up soon and demanding to be fed.’ She turned to smile at the major. ‘I shall say good-day to you now, sir, and look forward to seeing you here for dinner next week.’

Silently Zelah led the major away. The slight hesitation in his step had returned, but whether it was due to the exercise or the awkwardness of meeting his hostess she did not know and would not ask. Nicky’s face lit up when the major walked in.

‘I knew you would come!’ Nicky greeted him enthusiastically.

‘Did you doubt it, after you wrote me such a very polite letter?’

‘It was Zelah’s idea. She helped me write it.’

‘But the sentiments were all Nicky’s,’ she said quickly.

The major turned towards her, amusement warming his hard eyes.

‘Including the invitation to call? I am quite cast down.’

Zelah flushed scarlet, but she was saved from finding a response by her nephew, who had spotted a packet protruding from the major’s coat pocket.

‘Is that a present for me, Major?’

‘It is, sir. It is the travel backgammon set from Rooks Tower. Hannah told me how much you enjoyed using it so I thought you might like to have it. She sends you her best wishes, by the bye.’

Nicky gave a little crow of delight and immediately challenged the major to a game.

‘Oh now, Nicky, I am sure Major Coale is far too busy—’

‘Major Coale has a little time to spare,’ Dominic interrupted her. ‘And my honour is at stake here—I cannot refuse a challenge!’ He nodded at her. ‘You may safely leave the boy with me for an hour, Miss Pentewan, if you wish to go and change your gown.’

‘… and he stayed for a full two hours playing backgammon with Nicky. It was most good-natured of him. It left me free to look after baby and Zelah went off to write her letters.’

The family were at dinner and Maria was telling her husband about Major Coale’s visit.

‘Yes, I must say he struck me as very gentlemanly when I passed him on the road,’ said Reginald. ‘Quite a change from when I first made his acquaintance. Then he was looking very wild, but he is very much altered.’ He cast an amused glance at Zelah. ‘Having you in the house was a civilising influence, my dear.’

‘Not that civilising,’ she responded. ‘I told him about your opposition to Sir Oswald’s plans for Prickett Wood and he was not at all interested in supporting you.’

Maria was inclined to be sympathetic.

‘One can hardly blame him, poor man. He is so hideously disfigured it must be a trial for him to go into society at all.’

Reginald paused, considering.

‘Do you really think him so repulsive, my love? I can’t say I really noticed his scar the last time I saw him.’

This response earned him a warm smile from his sister-in-law.

‘Well, of course, it was the first time I had seen him,’ said Maria. ‘But his manners are so polished and he is the son of a viscount. Once he has been to dinner and I have seen him a little more, I am sure I shall grow accustomed.’