Page 35 of A Governess' Forbidden Flame
“My sister?” she echoed, not expecting that question.
He nodded. “You mentioned that your sister has written to you.”
“Oh, yes,” she smiled, chuckling nervously. “She says that she and my brother send their regards and that they all miss me very much, just like I miss them.”
“It is nice to have someone who misses you,” he said pensively. “Very few people appreciate it until it is unfortunately, too late.”
“You have Anna,” she reminded him, remembering that Anna was the only living member of his family. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how difficult that must be to outlive everyone.
“I do.” He smiled, although it was a pained smile. “I am blessed to have her.” He paused for a moment, then added, “You, too, Amelia…I know I am not the easiest man to understand, but I want you to know that I truly value your presence here, your help…everything.”
A part of her didn’t think that she heard him right. She smiled back, allowing that familiar warmth to wash over her. The echoes of the past were now less noisy, giving way to the unfolding possibilities of the present. She knew that this was not a good idea, but she couldn’t go against the wishes of her heart. Maybe heartbreak would not be such a terrible thing. After all,heartbreak only hurt so badly because something wonderful had to happen first.
But before she could reply anything, a scream pierced through the serene landscape of blossoming flowers, and she knew that something terrible had happened.
***
Sebastian turned around just in time to see it all unravel right before his eyes. A sudden gasp escaped Anna’s lips as her foot seemed to have caught on an unseen root, sending her tumbling to the ground. The cruel meeting of her head with the protruding rock echoed through the peaceful garden, shattering the tranquility like a fragile glass figurine.
Sebastian’s heart leaped in his chest as he witnessed the unfortunate accident unfold. In swift, decisive strides, he closed the distance to where Anna lay, dropping down to his knees, a deep frown etching lines on his forehead. Amelia, her concern mirroring Sebastian’s, hastened to join them.
“Anna, my dear, can you hear me?” Sebastian’s voice, though tinged with worry, carried a soothing cadence as he gently cradled Anna’s head in his hands. The air was charged with a palpable tension, a stark departure from the idyllic scene that had unfolded just moments before. This all felt like a nightmare, as his ears drummed with loud noises, making it impossible to think straight.
Amelia knelt beside them, her eyes darting between Anna’s unconscious form and Sebastian’s furrowed brow. Panic flickered in her gaze as they collectively grappled with the sudden turn of events, their eyes locking only for a moment before returning to Anna again.
“Sebastian, what should we do?” Amelia asked, her voice on the verge of breaking.
Sebastian knew that time was of the essence. They couldn’t afford to waste a single second. They had to act fast.
“Nicholas, quick!” Sebastian called for Nicholas, who had been working in the far end part of the garden, with his back turned to them.
“Anna! What happened?” Nicholas cried as he saw Anna’s unconscious body on the ground.
“She fell and hit her head badly,” Amelia spoke, fighting an onslaught of tears and guilt. Sebastian recognized it immediately in her voice, for he had known guilt for a long time.
“We need to get her into the house,” Sebastian urged. “Help me.”
The two men carefully lifted Anna’s unconscious form. With gentle precision, they carried her to the sanctuary of her chamber, the softness of the girl’s bed promising a brief respite from the pain that had interrupted their day. But that was only the beginning. They needed to make sure that she was all right before proceeding with anything.
Sebastian’s brows remained furrowed in concern, his gaze fixed on Anna’s pallid face. Amelia swiftly took charge, for which he was immensely grateful. She called for assistance and sent word to summon the physician urgently. Sebastian could barely think about anything other than holding Anna’s hand as she lay in her bed. He tried to banish the worst thoughts that somehow crept up on him, showing him terrible images of what could have happened and what could still happen.
He lifted his gaze to Amelia’s, grateful for everything she was doing, even for simply her presence.
“I didn’t even see her,” he said, feeling guilty.
“No, no, it’s all my fault.” She broke down, burying her face in her hands. “I was supposed to have been watching her, but instead…” She didn’t finish her thought. She didn’t need to. He was distracting her from her work. It was yet another indication that it was better if they were kept apart. They did not need a curse to create a tragedy. That much was obvious.
But this was neither the time nor the place for such conversations. Instead, he took her by the hand softly.
“None of this is your fault, Amelia,” he assured her, choosing to use her first name. After all, this was a moment when propriety went out the window. They were not an earl and a governess. They were two people in great concern for the well-being of a child they loved. “It was an accident. What Anna needs right now is for us both to be calm and composed. We can’t break down now. All right?”
She quickly wiped her tears, regaining composure. “Yes, of course.”
After about half an hour, it was announced that the physician had arrived. The physician, Dr. Archibald Thorne, entered the room with an air of professional composure. His graying hair and spectacles perched on the bridge of his nose spoke of years dedicated to the pursuit of medical knowledge. His attire, a mix of practicality and refinement, mirrored the delicate balance required in his profession.
“Dr. Thorne.” Sebastian shook his hand respectfully. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“What happened here?” the man asked, glancing at the child in the bed.
