Beneath the Major's Scars (22 page)

‘Yes, sir.’

‘No, no, not today,’ cried Maria. ‘My son has suffered far too
much. He needs to rest.’

‘Devil a bit, Mama,’ retorted Nicky, stoutly. His courage
faltered slightly and he cast a quick beseeching look at Dominic. ‘Will you come
with me, sir, you and Papa?’

‘Of course. And your mother and aunt. Lord Markham, too. We
will all be there for you.’

* * *

‘Well, that is most satisfactory,’ declared Reginald as
he walked back to the High Street with Maria on his arm. ‘It was delightful to
see everyone from the courtroom traipse off to Prickett Wood like that. No one
can be in any doubt now of where the boundary stone is situated. The villagers
have won their dispute and Evanshaw and Miller have been locked up to await
trial. All in all a good day’s work. But now, my love, I think you should take
Nicky and Zelah home; they look exhausted.’

‘Of course,’ said Maria. ‘I have to get back for Baby, too. You
will come home as soon as you can?’

‘I will follow on, once I have instructed Summerson to conclude
the business of the boundary with Sir Arthur.’

He turned and hailed Dominic and Jasper as they passed. Zelah
stepped back behind her sister. She felt as drawn and exhausted as Reginald had
said and did not want to face anyone, especially Dominic.

‘How can we ever thank you, gentlemen, for returning my boy
safely to us?’

‘I am pleased we could be of service,’ returned Jasper with his
cheerful grin. ‘Sir Oswald should not bother you any more, I do not see how he
can explain away the evidence against him.’

Maria put out her hand first to Dominic, then to his brother.
‘I know you must be very tired,’ she said, smiling mistily up at them, ‘but you
are very welcome to come to West Barton. Join us for dinner—it is the least we
can do after all you have done for us.’

‘And do not forget Miss Pentewan’s efforts, too,’ put in
Dominic, his words and the trace of a smile that accompanied them making Zelah
feel as if she might cry at any moment. ‘But, no, thank you. We will stay until
Sir Arthur has concluded the hearing, then we must go back to Rooks Tower. I
still have guests there. I shall send Sawley ahead to tell them what has
occurred, but I know they will be anxious to hear the story from us.’

‘Of course.’ Maria nodded. ‘I quite understand, but pray
believe me when I say that you are both welcome to take pot luck with us at any
time.’

‘Thank you, ma’am.’

Jasper bowed over her hand and Zelah’s before ruffling Nicky’s
hair. ‘Good day to you, Master Nick. Do not frighten your mama too much with the
tales of your adventures!’

Zelah stood by, smiling, supposedly listening to Nicky’s reply,
but all the time she was painfully aware of Dominic, standing beside Reginald.
He would be taking his leave any moment. She would give him her hand for the
last time. There would be no ‘until tomorrow’ because she no longer worked at
Rooks Tower.

Dominic stood outside the little circle, watching. Jasper found
it easy to converse, to do the pretty and bow over the ladies’ hands, but
Dominic held back. What was wrong with him? His manners could be every bit as
polished as his brother’s, but somehow today he could not push himself forwards.
If Zelah had given him the slightest encouragement, a mere look, then he would
have stepped up, taken her hand, but she had been avoiding him ever since they
had arrived in Lesserton this morning. Now he watched the way she smiled up at
Jasper when he took her hand and the demon jealousy tore at his gut so that he
could manage no more than a curt nod of farewell before he turned away.

Zelah’s heart sank. After all they had done together, all they
had been through, he could not wait to get away. Bitterly disappointed, she
climbed quickly into the carriage.

Dominic cursed himself for a fool. How could he leave her
without a word? He owed her more than that. Quickly he turned back, but she was
already in the carriage. The moment was lost.

* * *

‘Well, we did it, Brother,’ declared Jasper once they
had collected their horses and were trotting out of the village. ‘We brought the
boy home safely, the principal villains have been locked up and a party is even
now on its way to Beston Quay to apprehend the innkeeper and his wife.
Everything has worked out very well.’ Jasper laughed. ‘By Gad, I never thought
Exmoor would prove so interesting! You are the hero of the hour, Dom. And Miss
Pentewan is the heroine.’ When Dominic was silent he continued. ‘By Gad, what a
woman. Came into the inn, cool as you please, and cut us free. Heaven knows what
would have happened if she hadn’t come looking for us.’

‘Utter recklessness,’ retorted Dominic, chilled at the thought
of what might have happened. ‘To put herself in danger like that! If she’d had
any sense she would have gone to Beston village for help.’

‘And that might have come too late. Admit it, man, she’s a
damned fine woman. I thought so the first time I met her in your library. Not
one to say yea and nay because she thinks you want to hear it.’

‘Certainly not,’ agreed Dominic with feeling. She had
challenged him from the first moment they had met.

‘Graddon says Rooks Tower has been transformed since she first
entered it.’

‘Aye,’ growled Dominic, ‘if you call setting the place on its
head, opening up rooms and encouraging me to hold a ball—a ball, mark you!—a
transformation then, yes, she has changed it out of all recognition.’

‘And you too, Dom. When Sal wrote and told me how you had
recovered I could scarcely believe it, but it is true.’ His shrewd gaze slid to
Dominic, who strained every muscle to keep his countenance impassive. ‘How much
of that is due to your little librarian?’

‘I agree she was a civilising influence,’ Dominic said
carefully, ‘but any woman would have been the same.’

‘It takes more than just any woman to put up with your moods
and your curst temper,’ retorted his fond brother. ‘You know you have been the
very devil to live with since you came back from the Peninsula. And with good
reason, I admit. The state you were in, we were surprised you survived at all.
What you suffered would have tried the patience of a saint. But from what I’ve
heard Miss Pentewan has been more than a match for you.’

Exhaling in frustration, Dominic kicked his horse into a
canter, relieved that they had reached a stretch of open ground, but when they
drew rein to make their way onto the road he found his brother had not finished
with the subject of Zelah Pentewan.

‘And the way she kept up with us all the way to Beston Quay and
back. Never a murmur of complaint. Pluck to the backbone. Do you know, brother,
I think I am in love.’

A short laugh escaped Dominic. ‘Again! How many times has that
been this year?

‘No, this time I am serious.’ Jasper brought his horse to a
stand, a look of dawning wonder on his face. ‘Zelah Pentewan is intelligent,
courageous, generous—not a beauty, perhaps, but very lovely. There is something
quite out of the ordinary about her.’

Dominic swung round in the saddle, scowling fiercely. ‘Devil
take you, Jasper, Zelah is not one of your sophisticated society ladies. She has
no more guile about her than a kitten! I’ll not have you break her heart with
your flirting!’

‘Flirting?’ Jasper looked genuinely shocked. ‘Dom, I have no
intention of flirting with her. I want to
marry
her!’

Chapter Eighteen

I
f he had
taken a blow to the solar plexus Dominic could not have been more
winded. For a full minute he stared at his brother, and his stunned countenance
brought a rueful flush to Jasper’s handsome face.

‘Oh, I know I have thought myself in love before, but this time
I am convinced it is for real. It has been coming on ever since I danced with
her at your summer ball. She was so graceful and with such a natural wit that
she completely bowled me off my feet. Of course, I don’t know if she’ll have me,
but I’d like to put it to the touch. What do you think, Dom, do you think I have
a chance?’

Looking at Jasper with his perfect features, his clear brow and
the smooth, unblemished planes of his face, Dominic knew he was looking at one
of the most handsome men in the country. Add to that a generous nature, a noble
title and enough charm to bring the birds out of the trees, and it was
inconceivable that his offer should not be accepted.

‘Damn you, I do not see how you can fail.’

Jasper’s black brows snapped together and he subjected his
brother to a searching scrutiny.

‘Dominic? Do you have an interest there yourself? Because if
that is so...’

Dominic wished he had bitten off his tongue rather than have
Jasper guess his secret. In his mind’s eye he compared himself with his twin.
What woman would want a scarred wreck with a comfortable income when she could
have the exceedingly rich and handsome Viscount Markham? Not only that, but
Jasper’s unfailingly cheerful disposition was a stark contrast to his own foul
temper. It was time to be honest with himself. He had held the ball for Zelah’s
sake, had he not? So that she might find a prospective husband. Now it seemed he
had succeeded only too well, for she had won the biggest prize on the
matrimonial market. He forced himself to laugh.

‘I?’ He spoke with all the ease and nonchalance he could
muster. ‘Good God, man, what makes you think that? No, I merely want her to be
happy. Go to it, Jasper, and I wish you every success. She is indeed a
diamond.’

‘Thank you, Brother!’ Jasper reached across to slap his
shoulder. ‘Do you know, I think I should put it to the touch today, before I
lose my nerve. Mrs Buckland invited us to take pot luck at any time, did she
not? Very well, then, I’ll ride over there now. Pray make my excuses to
everyone—if I am in luck then I will not be back for dinner.’

Dom found it more and more difficult to maintain his smile. He
managed a nod. ‘Aye, go on then. Take your lovesick sighs to West Barton and
leave me in peace!’

* * *

Dominic took out his watch. Nine o’clock and no sign of
Jasper. The faint, barely acknowledged hope that Zelah would refuse him had
finally died. How he had managed to get through dinner without his guests
realising that he was totally preoccupied was a mystery. He remembered nothing
of the meal, prepared by the London chef Sally had sent down to relieve Mrs
Graddon, but as soon as the ladies had withdrawn he excused himself from the
table. It had not taken long for the events of the past two days to become known
to his guests. They were being discussed at Rooks Tower even before Dominic
returned, so his male friends and relatives were happy to send him off,
declaring he must be exhausted after his heroic efforts.

Dominic
was
tired, but he did not
go to his bedchamber. Instead he had come here, to the tower room, where the
last flare of the setting sun beamed in through the windows and bathed
everything in a rosy-golden light. Now even that was gone, replaced by grey
twilight that robbed even the bed’s garish cover of its colour. It was just as
she had left it, the books and ledgers on the desk beside the inkwell and the
freshly trimmed pens. As orderly and neat as the woman herself. He heard a light
scratching on the door and Graddon entered.

‘I thought you might like some refreshment, sir.’ He brought in
a tray laden with glasses, decanters and water plus a lighted taper.

‘No.’ Dominic stopped him after he had touched the taper to
only two candles. ‘Leave them. And make sure I am not disturbed again!’

His rough tone earned him an affronted look from the butler,
but without a word Graddon left the room, closing the door carefully behind
him.

Impatiently Dominic pushed his fingers through his hair. It was
unreasonable of him to vent his ill humour on a servant, especially one as loyal
as Graddon. He unstoppered the brandy and poured himself a generous measure. He
would have to beg his pardon, of course, but he could do that tomorrow, when
hopefully this black cloud would have lifted from his spirits.

Dominic carried his brandy over to the window, warming the
glass between his hands before tasting it. He could get riotously drunk. That
would bring him some measure of relief, but he would pay for it in the morning,
and so would his guests, if he was surly and uncommunicative. Damn his sense of
duty that obliged him to act the perfect host. He put his arm against the window
and rested his forehead on his sleeve.

It was that same sense of duty that made him hold back from
informing Jasper of Zelah’s past. She had told him in confidence and he thought
it likely that she would tell Jasper, too—he understood his twin well enough to
know that the story of her seduction and the lost baby would elicit nothing but
sympathy, but if she chose not to do so, he would not expose her. And what of
his own connection with Zelah, the kisses, the passion that had threatened to
overwhelm them? Would she tell Jasper of those? He guessed not. She was too
honourable, too generous to want to cause a rift between brothers. And if she
could put those precious moments behind her, then he could too. He would do
nothing to spoil her happiness.

A movement on the drive caught his attention. There were
shadows on the lawn, two riders approaching the house. Even in the dim light
there was no mistaking them. As he watched they looked up at the tower. Dominic
jumped back, cursing. What in hell’s name was Jasper doing, bringing Zelah to
Rooks Tower? It was late—did he mean to make sure of her tonight? Could he not
wait until they had exchanged their vows before he took her to his bed? Dominic
dragged the chair over to the side table and threw himself down, reaching for
the brandy. Let them do what they wished, Zelah Pentewan was no longer any
concern of his.

He leaned back in the chair and stretched out his legs,
wondering how soon it would be safe to cross the great hall to his study. He had
no wish to see Zelah. Would Jasper take her into the drawing room where family
and friends would be gathered now, or would he take her straight to his
room?

He shook his head to dispel the unwelcome images that thought
brought forth. He heard a soft knock and turned towards the door, snarling,
‘Damn you, Graddon, I told you not to come back tonight!’

‘I do not recall you doing so.’ Zelah stepped into the room,
unperturbed by his ill humour. With a smothered oath he jumped to his feet,
sending the chair crashing behind him.

‘What are you doing here?’

‘I saw the light and came to find you.’

‘Well, now you have found me you can take yourself off
again!’

‘You are not very polite, sir.’ She came closer, stripping off
her gloves.

‘I don’t feel very polite,’ he retorted. ‘If you want me to
bestow my blessing upon the match, I will do so tomorrow.’

‘If you wish.’ She pointed to the decanters. ‘Is that Madeira?
Perhaps I could have a small glass? I have had quite an exhausting day.’

He scowled, but automatically filled a glass for her. ‘You
should not be here.’

She took the glass from him, her clear eyes upon his face. ‘Why
should I not? I have quite come to look upon this room as my own.’

He concentrated on refilling his own glass and deliberately
avoided looking at her. ‘You will soon have much bigger properties than this at
your disposal.’

‘Ah. You mean when I am Viscountess Markham.’

She moved closer, so near he could have reached out and
embraced her. He had to force himself not to do so.

‘Jasper is very rich, isn’t he?’ she said, sipping at her
Madeira.

‘Exceedingly.’

‘Handsome, too, and charming.’

‘Yes.’ Dominic ground his teeth. Damn him. He took a mouthful
of brandy, impatient for the powerful spirit to begin clouding his brain.

‘I turned him down.’

Dominic choked. Carefully he put down his glass. Zelah put hers
beside it.

‘I am very sorry to hear that,’ he said cautiously.

‘Are you?’

‘Of course. He could give you everything your heart
desires.’

She shook her head. ‘No, that is not possible. You see, I do
not love him.’

‘If you are still pining for Lerryn, then you are a fool,’ he
said bluntly.

She waved her hand impatiently. ‘No, of course I am not. Oh,
Dominic, you are so, so
dull-witted
tonight!’

‘Well, I, too, have had a difficult day. Give Jasper time to
win your heart. You will come to see that there is not a better man in
England—’

‘That may be true. Jasper is very charming and I was very sorry
to cause him pain, but I am not the woman to make him happy, and he is not the
man for me. He is not you.’ She stepped up to him and raised her hand to caress
his left cheek, her palm cradling the scarred tissue. ‘There is only one man who
has ever held my heart,’ she said softly, her eyes shining into his and filling
his soul with light. ‘Only one man that I could imagine spending the rest of my
life with, and that is you, Dominic.’

There. She had said it.

‘And what of Jasper? How did he take your refusal?’

‘Like the true gentleman he is. I do not think he is truly
heartbroken, but even if that was the case, I could not act differently.’

Zelah waited breathlessly, her eyes fixed on his face. Jasper
had guessed her reason for refusing him. He had told her Dominic was very much
in love, and all she had to do was to make him admit it. Now, as the minutes
ticked by and she could discern nothing in his hard impassive gaze, Zelah
wondered if Jasper had been wrong about his twin. Her hand dropped and she
turned away, blinking back the hot tears.

‘So there it is,’ she said lightly. ‘I am a hopeless case. I
have heard nothing back from the widow in Bath, so I must surmise I was
unsuccessful there, too. Do—do you think your sister will write me another
ref—’

An iron hand gripped her arm and swung her round. The collision
with Dominic’s unyielding chest winded her, but the glow she saw in his eyes set
her heart pounding.

‘You would take me, rather than Jasper?’

‘I will take no other,’ she answered him solemnly.

She saw the desire leap in his eyes, but also uncertainty. She
prayed he would not reject her now.

‘Are you sure this is not just...pity?’ His voice was harsh,
the words edged with bitterness.

Summoning all her courage she slipped her hands about his neck.
‘No, not pity. Love. I love you, Dominic. Let me show you how much.’

She pulled him down towards her and kissed his mouth. His touch
was cool, wary, and she closed her eyes, willing him to respond. She felt rather
than heard him growl, or was it a sigh? His arms went round her and he kissed
her, working her mouth hungrily beneath his, forcing her lips apart, his tongue
invading, demanding. Zelah gave way to her passion.

Her hands scrabbled with his jacket, pushing it off his
shoulders. The waistcoat followed, but she had to break away to see how to untie
the intricate knot of his neckcloth. Impatiently he pushed her hands aside and
ripped off the muslin. He was breathing heavily and the crisp dark hair of his
chest was visible at the shirt opening. Her hands shook a little as she tugged
his shirt free from his breeches. He was far too tall and she could only gather
it up and allow him to pull it off. The sight of his naked chest enthralled her.
A dark cloud of hair ran down the centre of his chest and the shadows from the
candlelight enhanced the rippling muscle. She leaned forwards to press her lips
to the ragged scar that crossed his body, trailing kisses down its length as it
passed across his breast and the hard undulations of his ribs to the soft, flat
plain of his stomach while her hands unfastened the flap of his breeches, her
heart jumping with pleasure and anticipation when she noticed how hard and
aroused he was beneath the soft buckskin.

She pushed aside the material and began to kneel, intending to
follow that wicked scar its full length, but Dominic stopped her.

‘This is unfair,’ he muttered, pulling her to her feet. ‘Let us
take this slowly.’

Her body sang with anticipation as he undressed her, pausing to
kiss each new area of skin as he exposed it. She gasped when he reached her
breasts. She reached out for him, but he caught her arms, pinning them to her
sides while his mouth circled and teased her exposed flesh until she was almost
begging him to stop. Only then did he raise his head, a devilish gleam in his
eyes.

‘Now you know how I feel when you touch me.’

As soon as he released her she threw herself at him, kissing
him hungrily, tangling her tongue with his and pressing herself against him. It
was not enough. There were too many layers of fabric between their bodies. In
silent accord they hurriedly shed the remainder of their clothes until they
stood before each other, naked and breathless. The glow in Dominic’s eyes burned
into Zelah. She felt beautiful, powerful. Glorious.

With a growl he swept her up and carried her to the bed. The
silk was cold as he laid her naked body down upon the cover, but only for an
instant, and it was soon forgotten as he knelt beside her.

‘Now,’ he said softly, ‘where were we?’

She sat up and reached out to touch him, just below his navel.
‘I was about there.’