Page 52 of The Runner
He was clearly very taken with Charlotte, and who could blame him? Of course, George would admire such an elegant woman of his own class, and no doubt he would marry her in due course. How could it be otherwise? Caroline’s spirits sunk like a heavy anchor, and she went through the motions of resuming her needlework, doing her utmost to look poised and unaffected by the happy couple’s presence, while inwardly she crumbled.
Charlotte and Olivia continued to exchange pleasantries, and she stabbed at the cushion cover she had been tasked with mending before cautiously raising her eyes. Her breath caught in her chest as her eyes met George’s and she saw he was examining her with some curiosity.
‘Mistress Caroline, you seem not quite yourself. I was sorry to hear you were unwell.’
‘I am much recovered my lord, thank you.’
Her cheeks burned and her thoughts spun faster than her needle, as she reasoned he would, of course, be used to the effect he had on women, so it was nothing strange for him to see her nervous. He no doubt found it a dreadful bore to have young women swooning over his every word and would be relieved to have met his match in the confident and accomplished Charlotte.
Caroline straightened her shoulders and resumed her sewing with a vengeance, praying they would soon leave them in peace, but George was not done with her yet.
‘I didn’t realise you took your needlework so seriously,’ he said, raising one eyebrow, his smile lighting up his eyes.
Caroline’s heart pounded as he continued to appraise her, and he seemed in no rush to stop. Charlotte and Olivia continued their conversation about music, until Charlotte rose, almost reluctantly, as if she could quite happily spend all day talking to Olivia.
‘We must leave you to your needlework, but I look forward to seeing you at dinner. Perhaps dear Olivia, we may play together?’
‘That’s settled then,’ said George. ‘And on another occasion, Mistress Caroline shall join you at the pianoforte. I have heard she plays like an angel.’
Caroline opened her mouth to protest, but then she saw the gleam in his eyes and knew he was teasing her.
‘If only that were true.’ Despite her determination not to encourage him, he had a knack for disarming her when she least expected it.
Charlotte smiled and said, ‘I’m sure a little practice is all you need. I was fortunate to play for my dear sisters who had to endure many an off-note in my quest for improvement.’
Caroline found herself warming to Charlotte’s easy manner and sincere remarks, despite her anguish. As they took their leave, no doubt to join the rest of the house party, she told herself it was just as well because if the servants were correct, Charlotte would soon be the new mistress of the house and her new employer.
Barely a moment after the door closed, Olivia whispered to Caroline over her cushion cover, ‘What do you make of Mistress Charlotte?’
‘She seems a fine woman,’ replied Caroline, wondering how to distract Olivia so they wouldn’t spend the rest of the morning talking about Charlotte.
‘Yes, but do you think she would make a good wife for my brother?’ Olivia asked, her eyes probing Caroline’s in earnest.
‘I have no experience in these matters, dear Olivia. What do you think?’
‘I think I would be happy to have her for my sister,’ she declared, looping and tying her thread with impressive precision. ‘But if the truth be known, I would rather have you for my sister,’ she added, her face splitting into a mischievous grin.
Caroline squeezed Olivia’s hand. ‘You are a very dear girl,’ she replied, choking back the emotion to check the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. ‘How would you like to go for a ride, just you and me?’
Olivia’s eyes lit up, and they tidied their needlecraft away briskly and went to their chambers to change.
After Caroline dressed in her riding habit, she glanced out of the window and spotted Charlotte and George in the courtyard, headed in the direction of the stables, and she immediately regretted suggesting they go for a ride. She decided to delay a little before going down, so they wouldn’t bump into the lovebirds again. It was more than she could bear.
Willow Manor,York - Present Day
Cara and Georgesat in the blue drawing room. ‘This needs a complete overhaul,’ she said, touching the faded blue paper on the wall. ‘It looks as though they have decorated it in various shades of blue over the years. This room was a stunning shade of blue in Georgiana, but I recall it was much darker in our Tudorville days.’
‘Makes sense—the style was more formal and sombre then. I’ll add this to our extremely long list of rooms that need a complete overhaul,’ said George dryly.
‘Good idea, darling.’
George’s phone rang. ‘Hello Professor,’ he said, and then paused for a minute, and sat down on one of the chesterfields as he listened to Eddie. Cara continued touching sections of the wall and poking about the room, trying to get a vision for how to bring it back to life and restore it to a more modern version of its former glory.
‘Yes, she’s right here with me. Her phone must be off.’
George passed his phone to Cara, and she walked to the window and gazed out at the lush gardens, spotting Swifty and Cornelius in one of the flower borders.
‘Thanks for calling back, Eddie. I tried to reach you after I visited Sylvia, but I think you must have been in class.’
