Upstairs, on the wide carpeted landing of the staircase, Lady Celine Farrington remained curled tightly into a small ball.
The loud, violent echo of the gunshot had faded from the air, but it still rang loudly in her ears. She kept her eyes squeezed completely shut. Her hands were pressed hard against the sides of her head, trying to block out the terrible memories.
For several long minutes, Celine could not move. Her mind was trapped in the dark past. Her breath came in short, rapid gasps. Her entire body shook with absolute terror.
But as the minutes ticked by, she slowly realized something important.
The house was incredibly quiet.
There was no shouting. There was no sound of boots marching on the marble floors. There was no sound of her father's cruel, commanding voice. The Crown Guards had taken him away. The terrifying Earl, the man who had controlled her every breath and ruined her life, was truly gone.
