The Duchess out of Time

I

Thunder roared over the crashing of the waves. Lightning lit up the sky like fireworks. Liz had never been afraid of storms or the roaring ocean that made the yacht beneath her feet sway. But she did fear the drunken man screeching her name behind her. Rain kept pouring causing the smooth surface of the boat to become extra slippery. Racing up a set of steps an uncomfortable scream left her lips as a hand gripped her ankle. Her body slammed against the edge of a step in the rain, the wind leaving her lungs as her bruised body protested at the new crack that surfaced her ribs.

Using her feet in desperation she kicked down at the hand that clung onto her in a deadly grip. Please no. She kept thinking as she felt the grip loosen. Thank you Lord. Liz wasn't very spiritual but she would believe in anything if it meant that she would be free from her fathers grip. With the roaring of the wind and crashes of the waves Liz knew no one would hear her if she screamed for help. With the amount of alcohol the London's elite and socialite's downstairs 'politely' consumed no one would hear anything.

Liz never wanted to come on this party boat but it wasn't acceptable in society for a Lady to be absent when the family had been personally invited. Initially Liz had wanted to accept the invitation; she took every opportunity she could, as she is desperate to leave the family estate. Nothing beat being closer to the sea, she had always loved the ocean and the water, but after the accident it was out of the question. But once her father had made the decision on behalf of the family that they were to attend she knew there was no backing out. His word was law and she didn't have a death wish.

"Elizabeth!" His roaring drunken growl sent shudders down her spine but she wouldn't stop. Her heart was pumping as she continued to race around the different levels of the boat. She just needed to outlast him or find somewhere perfect to hide. With the amount of alcohol consuming through his veins, Liz had no idea how he was able to still chase after her. Racing and finding herself on the bottom deck, she clung onto the railing as the yacht lurched sideways. The waves were getting higher and rougher beneath her feet. Her hair was stuck against her neck as, panic filling her emerald eyes.

The boat lurched sharply to right causing Liz to slip in the rain, slamming against the railing. Gripping tightly so she didn't go overboard, a sharp scream left her lips as she felt a pair of hands grip around her neck. She couldn't understand what he was saying in her ear, the reek of alcohol flooding her nose. The roaring of thunder was getting louder and before she knew it her body was being flung over the railing. She had barely enough time to catch her breath before her body crashed into the water. The currents turning her wildly under the surface of the water making it hard for Liz to know which way was up or down. Feeling the bolt of electricity course through her bones, Lizzie couldn't do anything but struggle as lighting struck the ocean causing her world to turn black.