Page 103 of Twin Flames
Cromwell hurried out and whispered to the executioner who then moved aside.
Cara struggled to breathe. Something important must be happening. She prayed for a miracle. No one ranked as highly as Cromwell except for the king himself.
The king’s chief advisor extracted a note from the pocket of his black cloak, his face solemn.
‘I hereby declare George Cavendish, accused and found guilty of treason, is to receive a full pardon, this day, by order of our most merciful king and ruler of the Church of England. New evidence has exonerated him, and he is now free to go.’
There was a cheer for the king. It mattered not one way or another to the crowd whether George lived. All they cared for was the drama.
‘Long live the king,’ roared his subjects, entertained by the unexpected turn of events.
People all around the Tower broke into animated conversation.
Cara gasped and stumbled on the sodden grass of Tower Green; her foot caught in the hem of her gown, as she strained to see George. Edward stooped to help her up. Tears streamed down their faces, and they clutched at each other, not believing their good fortune.
Cara ran to George and flung herself into his arms, kissing his lips and face. His skin was ashen, and clammy beads of sweat clung to his upper lip, but she sprang straight into action.
‘Let’s get you away from here. It won’t do to linger.’ Cara steered George away from Tower Green. Edward and Swifty followed closely behind.
George paused and said, ‘I should quickly go and thank the king or at least Cromwell.’
‘No, please, no, George. I beg you let us not delay or take any chance that he may change his mind. Please come away with me now, and we’ll gather our wits and leave for Willow Manor. You can write to him from home.’
Cara touched his shoulder, as if uncertain he wasn’t merely a figment of her imagination. Her eyes implored him to accompany her. He nodded and clasped her slender fingers in his hand.
Cara sobbed all the way back to their lodgings through the rainy streets of London. He soothed her, but the tears wouldn’t stop, and her whole body shook.
‘You’re in shock, my darling. There, there. It’s all over now, my love.’
His filthy shirt was drenched in sweat.
At the lodgings, George washed for the first time in weeks, and they ordered a light meal which they ate beside the roaring fire in their bedchamber. Their tired eyes glowed in the firelight.
‘It feels almost too good to be true,’ she said. ‘It was so close. I nearly lost you forever.’
George kissed her but he couldn’t keep his eyes open, and nodded off.
A few minutes later, Cara roused him from the chair and helped him into bed. He was asleep within seconds.
She removed her heavy blue gown and tucked in beside him, covering them both with the soft bedding. She sank into the mattress and wrapped her arm around him. The emotion and exhaustion had taken its toll.
As she fell asleep, she knew that home was wherever they were together; it mattered not, which timeline, city or country.
They slept undisturbed in each other’s arms for hours. Bliss. They were reunited in Tudorville.
CHAPTER 31
London, 1536
Cara was worried the king would summon George to court.
‘Let us not tempt fate by staying here longer than necessary,’ she said. ‘He has pardoned you. It would be just like him to want you back at his side now. He’s like a jealous child.’
‘Don’t fret, darling. I’m confident we’re in the clear. The king has a new wife and a court overflowing with sycophants to pander to his every whim. We will travel home to Willow Manor forthwith, and I shall write to thank him from there as you suggest. There’s nothing to detain us. We are finished with London, at least for the present.’
‘You’re still not well. You were confined to that damp cell for weeks. Shall we have a doctor look you over before we set off? It’s a long, arduous journey even at this time of year.’
‘I’m fine, a little tired that’s all,’ said George. ‘Let us make a start this afternoon and stop at Madame Alicia’s for the night. I’d like to thank her again and arrange compensation for her helpwhen we were on the run. We can then wake up after a good night’s sleep and begin the final leg home in the morning.’
