but I need someone to put my books in order. Rooks Tower has a large library and I intend to make use of it. I have had the room decorated, but have done nothing about unpacking the books I brought with me from Markham. I have collected a great number of volumes over the years and transported them all here, but they are in no particular order. It is the devil of a job and with the summer coming on I need to be supervising the work outside as much as possible. I just haven’t the time …’
She blinked at him.
‘You … you want me to, to arrange your books?’
‘Yes. Oh, I know it is not the type of work you were looking for, but from our discussions I received the impression that you were intent upon becoming a governess because that is the only respectable occupation available to a young woman.’
‘Respectable, yes, and … I know nothing about organising a library!’
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
‘You told me you knew nothing about children, but that has not stopped you advertising yourself as a governess. I need someone to sort out all those damn—dashed volumes.’
‘But surely you should employ a scholar to do this, someone who understands the value of your collection—’
Again that grimace distorted his features.
‘I am not interested in its value, only that the books are recorded in some sort of order and that they are on the shelves and to hand when I want them. They are, in the main, useful books that I have collected.’ He took a turn about the room. ‘Besides, I do not wish to have a stranger in my house. No, madam, I want the library organised and all the books catalogued during the next few months. I see no reason why you could not walk over there every day and continue to live with your brother and sister.’
‘I—I am not sure …’
He waved an impatient hand.
‘You need fear no impropriety. Mrs Graddon and the housemaids will be present and I spend most of my time out of doors. I am willing to pay you a total of fifty guineas for the work: twenty-five when you begin, and the rest once the library is complete. It should not take too long, two months, perhaps three at the most.’
‘Then the remuneration you offer is far too generous.’
He shrugged. ‘I want it to be done, and soon. The cost is not important.’
Zelah shook her head, trying to think clearly. In the space of a few minutes her spirits had experienced ecstatic heights, deep despair and a fury of indignation, and all for nothing. He was offering her nothing more or less than a job of work.
The major picked up his hat.
‘Perhaps you would like to consider it. Talk it over with your sister.’
‘No,’ she answered him quickly. ‘No, I have made my decision.’
If she discussed this with Maria or Reginald they might well try to dissuade her, but here was an opportunity to earn her keep, albeit for a short time, and remain with her family. She squared her shoulders, raised her head and met his gaze.
‘I accept your offer, Major Coale.’
For a long, breath-stopping moment his eyes searched her face, then he smiled and she found herself responding, until he looked away from her.
‘Thank you, that is excellent news,’ he said crisply. ‘I see no reason for delay. Report to Rooks Tower on Monday morning!’
‘My dear sister, have you lost your wits?’
Zelah gazed up at her brother-in-law, a laugh hovering on her lips. ‘Why should you think that? I have merely accepted a very lucrative engagement.’
She had kept the news of the major’s proposal until they were sitting together in the drawing room after dinner. She had hoped that a good meal would put Reginald in a more mellow mood, but her announcement was still met with a mixture of indignation and amazement.
‘You cannot accept,’ declared Maria. ‘It would be most improper.’
‘But I have accepted and there will be nothing improper about the arrangement. Major Coale has already informed me that he spends his days out of doors.’
‘For an unmarried lady to be alone in his house—’
‘I shall not be alone, Reginald, I shall be surrounded by servants. Besides, who will know of it?’
‘The whole of Lesserton by the end of the week,’ replied Reginald drily.
‘But it is a job of work. I shall continue to advertise for a position as a governess, but until then it will give me a measure of independence, and if the task takes only three months then I should be able to save a good proportion of my money against hard times.’ Zelah looked at her sister, begging her to understand. ‘I have been here long enough, Maria. I told you when I came I would not be your pensioner. Major Coale has promised to give me half my fee in advance. I intend to give some of it to you, to pay Nicky’s school fees.’
‘But there is no need of that, Reginald and I have already agreed—’
‘To sell the seven-acre field, I know.’ Zelah interrupted her. ‘I would much rather you took my money.’
‘Never,’ cried Maria, pulling out her handkerchief. ‘I would not dream of taking your wages—’
Reginald held up his hand.
‘I think Zelah has a point,’ he said slowly. ‘To sell off the field would mean less return at harvest. If we keep it, we may well be able to repay your sister by the end of the year.’
Maria did not look convinced. She reached across and took Zelah’s hands.
‘Oh, my dear, for any young lady to take such a position, in the house of a man like Major Coale, would be to risk her reputation, but in your case—’
‘In my case I have no reputation to risk.’
An uncomfortable silence followed Zelah’s bald statement. She withdrew her hands from her sister’s grasp and rose.
‘I made up my mind when I left Cardinham that I would support myself. I have caused my family enough sorrow and will not compound my guilt by allowing you to keep me.’
‘But you might marry—’
‘You know I have set my mind against marriage.’
‘Oh, sister, pray do not say that—’
Reginald put up his hand to silence his wife’s protest.
‘My dear, Zelah is right,’ he said heavily. ‘Any man who formed an attachment would have to be told of her … unfortunate past.’
Zelah winced.
‘But if a man truly loved her—’ cried Maria, looking beseechingly at her husband.
Zelah shook her head.
‘Of all the requirements a man may have when looking for a wife three things are paramount: good birth, good fortune and a spotless character. I am afraid I have only the first of those requirements. So you see, it is much better that I should learn to make my own way in the world.’ She smiled at them, knowing tears were not far away. ‘If you will only allow me to continue living here while I work at Rooks Tower, then I shall consider myself truly blessed.’
‘Of course you may.’ Reginald came forwards to kiss her cheek. ‘We could not countenance you living anywhere else.’
‘Good day to you, Miss Pentewan. The master said you was coming. I am to show you to the library.’
Despite having told herself that she did not expect the major to be at Rooks Tower to greet her, Zelah was disappointed. She followed the housekeeper through the hall, heading away from the main staircase and towards a pair of ornate double doors. Zelah expected