Page 27 of The Runner
‘So, what’s it to be, Lord and Lady Cavendish?’
Willow Manor,York - Georgiana
The daysand weeks passed but seemed like months and years for Caroline. She had no word of George other than the occasional piece of news she gleaned from Olivia.
They fell into a predictable rhythm of life revolving around lessons, riding and long early afternoon walks around the grounds. Olivia was young for social occasions and, with the master of the house away at court, the three women led a quiet, sheltered existence.
Caroline began dining with the family more frequently, upon the countess’s request. ‘You are such diverting company, dear Caroline. I would wish that you eat with us for we are a sorry, sad pair without my son to entertain us.’
And so, Caroline ate other meals with the servants downstairs as usual, but she was invited to dine with the countess and Olivia most afternoons for the main meal of the day. She didn’t mind and began to rather enjoy the experience once she relaxed into the routine and grew more at ease as time went on. It was interesting to observe the aristocracy in their day-to-day routines, and she saw they were similar to her in many ways, beyond the idiosyncrasies of their class.
One day, the countess announced that she’d received a letter from George, and she would read it to them after they had eaten. Caroline’s heart buffeted like a wild storm in her chest, and she struggled to swallow her food. The meal dragged on and on until finally the footmen cleared the table and they retired to the drawing room as was their custom.
The countess extracted the folded pages of parchment from a drawer in her desk, and when they all settled in their usual places near the fire, she began reading.
Dearest Mother
I pray all is well with you and you are in good spirits. I was sorry to be called away at such short notice. I hope the weather is not inclement. Here in London, we have been enjoying some rather fine days for the time of year, which is as well because the king is an enthusiastic hunter and I have become a regular in his party.
Whilst it is not unpleasant at court, I do confess I would rather be at Willow Manor and hope to have permission to return home shortly. I am told the king is keen to acquaint himself with the young nobles, so I pass much of my days with the other lords of a similar age. I trust Olivia is doing well in her lessons with Caroline, and that both young ladies are in good health and not straying too far from the estate. I urge them to be cautious on their outings and if they wish to visit Willow Wick, I think it best if they are accompanied by one of the grooms. I don’t think I mentioned it before, but we met a most unpleasant man from the village when we rode together shortly before I left.
Pray beg Olivia write me, with news of her studies, for I feel remiss in my duties with my unexpected absence.
I passed your blessings to Queen Caroline as you requested and she bade me to send you the same, and said you are most welcome at court should you wish to attend. A game of cards awaits, so I must end here. Please write with your news and the latest of the estate as soon as you may.
Your loving son,
George
Caroline didher best to maintain her composure as though the letter meant no more to her than if she were to hear news of a distant acquaintance, but she was flustered as her ears strained for every word and paid attention to every inflection in the countess’s voice.
‘I do wish he didn’t have to go away like that, and I hope he will be released soon,’ said Olivia. ‘I miss him so terribly.’
The countess smiled indulgently at her daughter. ‘Court isn’t prison, my dear, although it’s true it can feel that way when you don’t wish to be there,’ she said. ‘I imagine we will have your brother back with us in the not-too-distant future. Unless they have other plans for him, such as matching him with a wife in London.’
‘Oh, how simply dreadful for poor George,’ sighed Olivia. ‘To have someone foisted upon him, rather than to choose his own wife.’ She stuck her chin out and drew herself up in her chair. ‘I mean to marry for love, not by royal decree,’ she declared in a rebellious tone, shaking her blondehead.
‘I’m afraid you have a lot to learn, my dear girl. You shall be matched in the same way your father and I were matched. We had a wonderful marriage and that is the way of things in our world.’
Olivia rolled her eyes at Caroline behind her mother’s back, but Caroline wasn’t paying attention. A violent chill swept through her body when she heard the countess’s fateful words, and she was busy trying not to show she was shaking at the thought of George returning to Willow Manor with a hand-picked bride. She fought an urge to rise from her chair and flee the room to the solace and safety of her green chamber. Instead, she steeled herself to smile as though she hadn’t a care in the world.
Never had she felt so trapped. What was she to do?
CHAPTER12
Willow Manor, York - Present day
Eddie entered the wormhole first,torch in hand, with Cara and George bringing up the rear. George had stubbornly insisted on accompanying them, even though Cara would have liked him to watch from the library at a safe distance.
‘I much prefer to call it a gateway or portal. Wormhole isn’t a very attractive name, is it?’ she said, wrinkling her nose at Eddie as they discussed the pending quantum experiment.
‘I don’t mind what you call it, my lady,’ he said. ‘Gateway may sound more appealing, but wormhole is the correct scientific term. More importantly, are you ready to begin?’
Cara was nervous and stalling to buy some time. ‘Are you certain you won’t stay out there, George? Perhaps it would be better to have an observer rather than both of you in the hole with me—wouldn’t it, Eddie?’
Eddie shook his head. ‘I don’t mind either way, don’t bring me into it!’
George said, ‘I’m coming with you. Are you sure you want to do this? This is your last chance to pull out. You don’t have to go through with it, you know.’
