She could still hear his cry of pain. Her mother’s scream of fear as she called out for help. But they were walking alone. Lizzie had to run back to Tolton Hall for help. Her brother had been visiting relatives so he hadn’t been there to help.
Their gardener and stable boys ran to her when she came screaming through the grounds. With their strength they were able to lift the tree off her father’s leg and carry him back home where they called for the physician.
Her father still walked with a slight limp to this day. The whole experience was traumatic, and every storm brought her back to that feeling of helplessness. She’d thought she’d lost her father that day.
Unable to stop shaking, she just nodded her head.
The earl moved onto his knees in front of her, taking her hands in his and forcing her to look at him. “Lass, I promise ye. Naught will happen to ye. We are safe.”
Another flash of lightning followed by a loud boom of thunder caused her to jump and she couldn’t hold back a scream.
Immediately, he gathered her in his strong arms, and sat her on his lap. He rocked them back and forth, stroking his fingers up and down her back as he told her everything would be fine. She buried her face in his chest, not caring that what they were doing was wrong. She just wanted to feel safe.
He began singing softly, his deep voice soothing as he sang the words with such emotion she couldn’t help but concentrate on him.
The sound of him.
The feel of him.
The scent of him.
Just him.
