Rebecca heard the sound of the approaching carriage even from the parlour, and her pacing came to an abrupt stop. Her heart pounded in her chest and her hands clasped together even tighter. There was a knock at the front door, and for once it would not be a patient seeking medical care. It would be Lord Thomas Melton, and the thought of it both terrified and excited her.
“Miss Rebecca,” a maidservant said from behind her, and she turned around.
The maid stood in the doorway and smiled at her. “Your carriage has arrived, Miss.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca said, her breath catching in her throat as she left the parlour.
Standing by the front door were Thomas and her father, who did not seem to notice her until she was halfway down the hallway. They spoke of Thomas’ leg, and Dr. Morton advised him to be careful.
“There she is,” her father said suddenly.
Rebecca smiled, but was perplexed by how polite and happy her father appeared to be in Thomas’ company. He hadn’t liked the thought of Rebecca joining the young lord for a fossil hunting excursion, but his actions and demeanour towards Thomas now communicated something different. What had changed her father’s behaviour? Had he finally realized that she was no longer a child and was able to make her own choices?
Unlikely.
“Good morning, Thomas,” Rebecca said.
“A good morning, indeed.”
“Marcus will accompany you on your excursion this morning,” her father said, his gaze narrowing slightly.
She then realised that her father was simply reassured by the presence of Marcus as the chaperone for their outing.
She embraced her father before stepping out the front door and into the radiant morning light, where the carriage awaited her and Thomas.
And Marcus.
THE COOL BREEZE CARESSED Rebecca’s cheek as she gazed at the beach, and the water lapped along the pristine sand. She and Thomas were comfortably seated on a rug, enjoying a lovely spread of bread, cheese and fruit. And although the food was delicious, she was much more enthralled in Thomas’ company.
“I was rather surprised that your father did not greet me at the door with a hunting rifle,” Thomas said. “He does not appear to like me very much.”
“Oh, Father does not keep the rifles in the house,” Rebecca said.
Thomas’s eyes widened and she could not help but chuckle at him. “It was a joke. My father does not use rifles. Scalpels are his preferred weapon.”
“Your sense of humour is dark and troubling.” Thomas said, then with a grin added, “But also refreshing.”
Rebecca laughed once more and shook her head. “I will graciously accept that compliment.”
“I wish to thank you for persuading your father,” he said. “It is lovely to spend this time with you.”
“Indeed. I was not certain my father would agree.”
“How did you manage it?”
Rebecca flicked a wayward lock of hair from her face with an exaggerated hand gesture. “A lady doesn’t reveal her tactics.”
Thomas laughed. “Certainly not. Shall we walk to the cliff face over there? It is known to have a number of common fossils.”
“Is your leg comfortable for that sort of effort?” she asked.
“Knowing you are here with me makes it all the more comfortable, Rebecca,” he said.
Happiness danced through her and a smile ran across her lips. “Indeed.”
Rebecca stood from the rug and held her hand out to Thomas, but before he was able to take it, Marcus stepped in and helped Thomas to stand.
“Thank you, Marcus,” Thomas said, a grin on his face.
“You are most welcome,” Marcus said in return. “I am merely following Dr. Morton’s orders.”
“Of course,” Rebecca said as the trio slowly made their way to the rocks spread about the cliff face.
The water did not reach the rocks, so they proceeded through. The sand was scattered with the loveliest small fossils and shells Rebecca had ever seen. She could barely contain the excitement she felt as she examined each one closely.
Thomas gazed upon her in the most wonderful manner.
“What?” she asked him, as she held a pale pink seashell in her hand.
“Nothing.”
“The expression on your face tells a story, Thomas.” Though she’d like him to tell her exactly what sort of story.
Thomas grinned sheepishly and nodded. “I am simply relishing in the sight of you. Seeing the excitement and the wonder in your eyes makes me unable to look away.”
Rebecca’s cheeks heated and she lowered her gaze. “You cannot say things like that.”
“And why not?
“Because—”
“Miss Rebecca,” Marcus shouted out suddenly. “The tide.”
Marcus was on the other side of the rocks, and much to their horror, the tide had risen quite rapidly.
“Oh my,” Rebecca said with a gulp as she grabbed Thomas’s arm. “What are we to do? We cannot get back to the beach.”
“It will be all right. Take my hand.”
Rebecca nodded as she took Thomas’ hand and he led her to the water. A gasp escaped her throat as the cold water surrounded her legs and feet, but Thomas continued to pull her, and they waded through the water.
The water continued to rise so rapidly that it soon reached their waists, and Rebecca clutched Thomas’s hand tightly. She wanted to scream but could only wheeze as the freezing cold water washed over her.
She looked at Thomas, sure the terror was obvious on her face.
“It will be all right,” Thomas said urgently, still moving towards the beach.
Before Rebecca was able to respond, the strong current and an unexpected swell caused her to lose her footing. She screamed loudly as Thomas’s fingers slipped from her grip, and she disappeared beneath the icy water.
Terror consumed her as the water swept her off her feet. She was unable to swim and panicked instantly. The icy water around her swirled and ebbed, seeming as though it tried to suck her down into its depths.
When she’d screamed as she fell into the water, the salty water had filled her open mouth.
