Whimpering, Sophia went in the direction she’d been pushed. Ruth followed. Suddenly the creaking sound intensified, and she realized with stark horror that the wooden shelves which had held up the barrels were breaking.
“Sophia! Run!” She yelled into the smoke and a moment later, the shelving structure gave way. Barrels rolled down from the burning shelves, several smashing as they hit the ground. Others, to her dismay, rolled forward and blocked her path to the stairs. She attempted to push a barrel out of her way but found herself not strong enough.
“I’m trapped, Sophia. Get help!” She called but there was no answer. Or if there was, the sounds of the roaring fire were too loud for her to hear any reply.
Did Sophia make it? Or was she crushed, laying injured beneath the barrels?
For a moment, time seemed to stand still, but then as if by miracle, the sound of the cellar door opening drew her attention. Sophia had made it out. The sudden rush of fresh air seemed to stoke the fire as the flames shot up higher, further igniting the wood structures and barrels in the room. Ruth stood with her back against the wall, watching as everything around her seemed to catch alight. She shivered, even though it was burning hot in the room and sweat ran down her body.
I will die here. I cannot get out; the barrels are blocking me. Even if Sophia brings help, it may be too late. I will die!
The realization was even more terrifying than the fire around her. A coughing fit overcame her, and she sunk to the floor unable to remain standing for a moment longer. Closer to the floor, she found breathing was easier and thus, she decided to lay down as flat as she could, her face pointed to the concrete floor. She breathed slowly, using her sleeve to cover her mouth as she prayed for rescue.
* * *
“Ruth?” Her name found its way to her ears and she forced her eyes open only to shut them again with fright.
Flames. They were everywhere now. She wasn’t sure how much time passed. The heat was so intense she could hardly breathe and when she did dare take a breath, it was as if she were inhaling flames directly into her lungs. Her skin felt as though it were on fire.
“Ruth?” The voice sounded again. “Call out!”
Mama! It is Mama. She has come for me. I will be safe now!
The sound of her beloved mother’s voice gave her the strength to sit up. “Here!” She called but it was only a croak that came out. Still, it was enough for her mother.
“Stay there. I will get you!”
A moment later, a figure came through the flames. It was her mother. She looked like an angel from heaven in her white dress and blonde hair. She moved one of the heavy barrels blocking her path aside with strength Ruth never thought her mother possessed. Then she was beside her, draping a wet piece of cloth over Ruth’s hot body. Her mother lifted her to her feet.
“Stay by me, we will get out.” The fire was so close now it licked at Ruth’s body, but her mother pushed her forward. They were almost at the door when –
“Go!” her mother pushed her forward with such force, Ruth tumbled and fell. A deafening sound filled the air and her mother screamed. Ruth turned and saw with horror how the beams from the ceiling, all of them on fire, had crashed down, trapping her mother beneath them.
“Mama!” She called and attempted to walk back through the smoke.
“Do not turn back. Go. Go now!” her mother shouted. For a moment she could see her face through the beams. She was on her side, her eyes wide with terror but when she saw Ruth, a serenity seemed to fall over her.
“Go, my love. I will be fine. I love you. I will see you very soon!”
Ruth did not want to leave, but she knew she had to. She had to get more help, otherwise, her mother’s life would be lost. She felt her way along the wall to the stairs and ran as fast as she could. As she broke through the door and into the afternoon air, she knew she was safe.
It wasn’t until she saw the horrified faces of her sister and the governess, who’d rushed to help that she realized – her clothes had all but burnt off her body and her brown hair was entirely singed black.
“Mama…” she said but before another word could pass her lips, her eyes rolled back in her head and the entire world went black.
Chapter 1
Twelve years later…
Ruth sat at the pianoforte with her eyes closed and let her fingers dance over the keys. The melody filled the room and a sense of peace fell over her as it always did when she played. She smiled to herself, aware that anyone looking at her would be most perplexed at her strange appearance. Such a serene look on a face as damaged as hers struck people as odd; she knew it.
However, she did not care. Not when she had her music and the comfort it provided her. When she played, be it the pianoforte or the harp, or even the cello, her worries, and fears of the future drifted away, taking with them the horrible memories of her past.
“Ruth?” The warm voice of her father drifted to her ear, severing the connection between her and the music.
She stopped playing and turned to him. Her father, the Duke of Twilightfare, looked at her with a loving smile. He always looked at her that way, as if he saw her - the true her - not the scarred young woman that most other people in society saw. It was one of the things she loved about him the most.
“Papa, I did not see you there.”
