The Secret of Hollyfield House by Jude Bayton (first ebook reader TXT) 📕

gone down to the lake. I’m going to try and find her.” With that, he was gone—out into the pouring rain.

Quickly I threw on my wet coat and muddy boots. I slammed the door closed as I ran to catch up with them. I followed Dominic and the lad, who were quite far ahead of me. Where were the parents of this waif-like child? The boy was too young to be out alone in such bad weather, and not dressed warm enough either.

It did not take long to reach the banks of Lake Windemere. The usually calm waters slapped against the shore, whipped up by the wind and rain. Dominic began calling out the girl’s name, which sounded like Jenny. He walked along the shoreline, looking for a sign of the child. I finally caught up with them, and he gestured for me to go in the opposite direction so we could cover more ground. I did, and began shouting her name as loud as I could.

We appeared to be the only people about, and no wonder. The weather had turned nasty, and I heard thunder rumbling overhead. I scanned the land and water before me, but all I could see were rolling grey waves. But then, something bright caught my eye. It was a speck of red in the distance, easy to see against the backdrop of the gloomy day. I turned and shouted to Dominic but did not wait for him to get to me. I ran towards a small outcrop of trees whose branches reached out quite a way over the water. Perched near the end of a large branch, hanging on for dear life was a tiny slip of a girl.

“It’s all right, Jenny,” I called as I drew closer. “Hold on. We’re coming to get you!”

Dominic passed me at a full run with Jem close on his heels. By the time I reached the trees, Dominic had already discarded his boots and coat and was climbing the trunk of the enormous willow.

The little girl had somehow crawled practically to the end of a branch which would not support the weight of an adult. I watched in utter dismay as Dominic tried to find a parallel branch that could support him, so he might be able to pluck her to safety. He finally selected one, and I covered my mouth to stop the cry of anguish which threatened. Beside me, a small hand crept its way into mine, and I squeezed Jem’s cold fingers in reassurance.

Gingerly, Dominic dragged his body carefully along the branch, edging slowly down its length as he neared the child. Below the tree, the lake swelled, and I could not tell how deep it might be.

“Can Jenny swim?” I asked Jem, who leaned against me, tears streaming down his face.

“No, she can’t, miss,” he cried. “She be only four.” He began to sob. I could not comfort the lad because I had my eyes fixed upon Dominic. He was almost close enough to reach Jenny. I watched as he held tightly to the tree limb and then reached down his arm to the girl. I could not hear him, but saw his mouth moving, trying to encourage her to take hold of him. But Jenny was too scared, and she shook her little head. The seconds stretched into minutes, or so it seemed, as Dominic begged her to grab onto his outstretched hand.

And then she reluctantly let go of her grip to reach out to him, just as a mighty crack sounded and Jenny’s branch tumbled into the water, taking her with it.

“No!” screamed Jem, running full speed to the water. I chased him, grabbing his clothes before he could rush in, as from the corner of my eye I saw Dominic drop into the lake from the safety of the tree.

I put my arms around the writhing boy, and he calmed when he realised what was happening. I scoured the water for a sign of Dominic, or the girl. I saw Dominic’s head break the surface and the breath caught in my throat. But just as quickly he disappeared again beneath the roiling waves. My heart hammered, not in fear for this man I cared so deeply for because I knew he could swim. But I was terrified for the poor little mite he sought to save.

All at once, his head reappeared. Both Jem and I were transfixed as we saw first his head and neck clear the water, then his shoulders, and finally his arms, wrapped tightly around a small figure clinging to him like a barnacle.

As Dominic made it to shore, I took off my coat and wrapped it around the shivering little body he placed into my arms. She weighed almost nothing, and her skin was blue with cold and fright.

“Hush,” I soothed. “You are safe now, little one. No need to be scared now, hush.” I pulled her to my breast and held her tight, willing any warmth from my body into hers. Dominic collected his coat and boots, and we quickly left the lake for home. We dispatched Jem to the mill to fetch his mother, with orders to bring her to Wolfe Farm straight away.

The next hour passed quickly. I removed Jenny’s wet clothing and wrapped her in a blanket before the fire. Dominic changed into dry clothes and then warmed a mug of fresh milk for the child. As she sipped the drink, I saw the grey fade from her skin as her pallor slowly returned to normal. By the time Jem arrived with his frantic mother in tow, Jenny was sitting on Dominic’s lap while he read her a story from one of Billy’s old books.

“Oh Dom, how can I thank you for savin’ my Jenny?” The slightly built woman had tears in her eyes as she collected her daughter from Dominic’s lap.

“No need for thanks, Maggie,” he said, getting to his feet. “I’m just glad we got her. Her big brother is