There was a moment of shocked silence, then fresh cries of fury filled the room. Giles Grundy rose to his feet, his broken arm strapped up securely across his chest.
‘We found Old Robin drowned in the Lightwater,’ he said slowly. ‘But his head was bashed open fearsome bad.’
‘Sir Oswald said I was to frighten ’im,’ said Miller, still trying to free himself. ‘Said I was to get him to leave the area, but the old man were stubborn. Drunk, he was, and we came to blows.’
‘So you knocked him unconscious and threw him in the Lightwater,’ pursued Sir Arthur.
Maria gasped and Zelah saw that her sister was holding Nicky tight to her and covering his ears.
‘He’d have fallen in anyway, like as not,’ muttered Miller sullenly.
Sir Arthur hammered on the desk to regain order. ‘Take him away and lock him up,’ he commanded. ‘We will deal with this later.’ He turned to Sir Oswald. ‘I find it hard to believe, sir, that you would resort to abduction to prevent new evidence being put to the court.’
‘Of course I would not,’ declared Sir Oswald impatiently. ‘I knew nothing about any new evidence.’
‘Oh, yes, you did.’
Silence fell over the room as Nicky’s young voice rang out. All eyes turned towards him and he flushed, shrinking closer to his stepmother. Sir Arthur turned to him.
‘And how do you know anything about this, young man?’
Nicky swallowed hard. ‘It was at the ball at Rooks Tower. I was on the landing. Major Coale said I might stay up and watch.’ He turned his eyes towards Dominic, who nodded. Encouraged, Nicky continued. ‘I heard Mr Lerryn tell Sir Oswald that Papa had a new document that would win the case for the villagers.’
‘Utter nonsense,’ blustered Sir Oswald. ‘The child is dreaming.’
Sir Arthur put up his hand and directed his solemn stare at Nicky. ‘I was at the ball, young man, and I know how crowded it was. How could you have possibly heard what was said?’
‘It was supper time, and there weren’t many people in the hall. Mr Lerryn brought Sir Oswald over to the corner of the hall, beside the stairs. Directly below where I was sitting.’
‘And you are sure that is what was said?’ Sir Arthur asked him.
‘Yes, sir,’ affirmed Nicky. ‘When Sir Oswald asked him how he knew about it, Mr Lerryn said he was there when Papa received the paper and that he wanted to...to put a spoke in Buckland’s wheel. He said he knew Papa meant to keep the paper a secret until the hearing.’
The murmur amongst the crowd swelled again. Sir Oswald jumped up, banging his fist upon the table.
‘You will never take that child’s word over mine, Andrews!’
‘It explains why you thought it necessary to abduct my son!’ roared Reginald.
Shouts and cries of ‘shame’ filled the air. Sir Arthur hammered on his bench.
‘I will have order!’ he bellowed. He fixed a stern gaze upon Sir Oswald. ‘I will question you about the matter of abduction later, but first I am obliged to finish this hearing. I charge you, therefore, not to go out of my sight.’
‘Don’t ’ee worry, sir, we’ll keep’n safe for ’ee,’ shouted someone in the crowd, amid much cheering.
Reginald murmured something to his lawyer, who handed the magistrate a rolled parchment.
‘My client informs me this paper was found amongst the books Major Coale recently purchased from the Lydcombe Park estate. You will see, Sir Arthur, that it is a contract of sale for Lydcombe Park, a transaction that took place some thirty years ago, and it describes the boundary between the village land and Lydcombe Park in great detail, placing it quite clearly on the Lightwater, which flows along the western edge of Prickett Wood, and marked by a white boundary stone.’
‘And you were not going to declare this?’ demanded Sir Arthur, frowning heavily.
‘I think, in the circumstances, we can understand my client’s reluctance,’ stated Mr Summerson. ‘But this contract is quite precise in the boundary’s location.’
‘Aye, but rivers can change their course over the years,’ cried Sir Oswald, his face still alarmingly red. ‘And I tell you there is no stone in Prickett Wood. If there was, then surely someone would know of it.’ He glared at the packed courtroom. ‘Well, have any of you ever seen it?’
‘It would appear not,’ mused Sir Arthur, shaking his head. ‘In the absence of a boundary stone...’
‘But there is one,’ cried Nicky, his high young voice piping clearly over the hubbub. ‘There is a white stone in Prickett Wood. I’ve seen it!’
‘The boy’s deranged,’ Sir Oswald sneered, but when Sir Arthur had again called for order Dominic stepped up and placed his hand on Nicky’s shoulder.
‘Let the boy tell us what he knows.’
‘I’ve seen it,’ Nicky said again, his eyes wide. ‘Old Robin took me following the deer and we often tracked them into Prickett Wood, and the pricketts always use the white stone.’
‘Pricketts are the young bucks,’ Reginald explained to Mr Summerson. ‘They like to rub their new antlers against favourite trees and rocks.’
Dominic’s contemptuous gaze fell upon Sir Oswald. ‘So that is why you were killing the deer.’
Sir Oswald glared at Nicky, fury etched into every line of his face. ‘By God, you young devil, I should have told Miller to dispose of you rather than—’ He broke off, realising what he had said.
‘The boy has certainly got the better of you, Evanshaw,’ said Dominic with grim satisfaction.
Sir Arthur turned again to Nicky. ‘Can you show us where to find this stone, young man?’
‘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 ta
ke 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
If 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 hap
py 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.
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