Page 32 of Twin Flames
For a short while, Cara forgot she was making love to her Twin Flame who would soon return home to his twenty-first-century wife.
Willow Manor, York, 1525
Cara wrapped her arm through George’s as they rambled around Willow Manor’s immaculate gardens. It was a warm spring day, and the comforting scent of apple and cherry blossom wafted up their nostrils as they entered the orchard. To see them you’d know immediately they were in love. They were lost in each other and had no interest in anyone else. The bounce to their step and the attentive tilt of George’s head as he looked into Cara’s sparkling eyes, would make it impossible for any onlooker to miss.
George’s mother watched them enchanting each other from her window in the upstairs parlour. ‘I’ve never seen a pair so enraptured. We’re fortunate Cara isn’t a terrible match for him, or we’d have a rebellion on our hands. Our boy is headstrong; he doesn’t like being reined in. My concern is that they both have such high expectations of marriage, they’re going to be sorely disappointed with the reality.’
‘That’s not a very complimentary observation to share with your husband of thirty years,’ said George Cavendish Senior, as he thumbed through estate papers. He was accustomed to his wife’s acerbic candour and had learned to manage her outbursts while maintaining his sense of humour.
‘Well, you know what I mean. It’s precisely because we’ve been married thirty years that I may say it,’ she replied, rolling her eyes.
‘Most nobles don’t marry for love, so surely we should rejoice in their fortunate coupling and wish them well, my dear.’
‘I don’t know. Romantic love of that nature gives me a queasy feeling in my gut. It’s not practical. He’d have been better to marry one of those solid, dependable Lovell girls,’ she grumbled, a sour expression on what was once a pretty face.
‘Possibly so, but it’s all too advanced now to stop it, so fret not my love. All will be well. George will be married. He will have his wedded bliss and soon enough, God willing, we’ll have another round of Cavendish children running about the orchard to keep their adoring parents out of mischief.’
George pulled Cara off the path and beneath an apple tree out of sight of the house. He was familiar with his mother’s overbearing ways.
‘Come here, so we’re out of sight of my mother’s lookout tower.’
‘What are you doing?’ laughed Cara, a look of playful disapproval on her face. ‘It’s entirely improper for us to be alone like this, my lord, you know.’ She lowered her eyes in false modesty.
‘Come here, you little vixen. You have bewitched me, and I can’t wait a second more for another kiss of your soft lips.’
‘We’ll be married soon, and then we’ll be able to kiss whenever we want,’ she said, her voice full of innocent wonder. ‘I can’t even imagine how incredible it will be to wake up with you every day and fall asleep by your side every night with no one to interfere and no chaperones frowning about our every move.’
They had met a little over a year ago, and they’d fallen in love that night. Cara’s parents had all but promised her to another man, but fortunately, the betrothal wasn’t yet formal. Cara was mature enough to know what she wanted but young enough to follow her heart and not listen to anyone else’s advice about who she should marry. Her parents were disappointed but were consoled by the allure of George’s lavish estate, plentiful lands, and title. They quickly readjusted their expectations, and the result was that Cara and George would be married this summer.
George planted kisses on the side of Cara’s neck, and she shivered and clung to him. They were never allowed to be alone for more than a few minutes so they had only shared stolen moments of passion. They were both impatient with longing and could barely keep their hands off one another. There was a magnetic attraction between them which had been apparent the first time George took her in his arms. Cara thanked God every day that she had met George in time to stop the impending nuptials with her first suitor. She had liked him well enough as an acquaintance but had felt no attraction to him whatsoever.
She gazed at George, and her heart danced at the prospect of the years ahead when they would build a life together.
They heard a whimpering noise from the direction of the bushes. ‘What’s that?’ said Cara.
‘It’s a dog!’ John, the estate manager, said his greyhound had given birth to puppies; one of them must be roaming about.’
‘Oh, I do love dogs. Do you think we might take a look?’ said Cara. She darted off before he could reply and a couple of seconds later he found her holding a greyhound pup in her arms. ‘This fellow with the long nose has won my heart almost as quickly as you did. May we keep him and take him up to the house? You could take care of him for now, and he can be our dog when we’re married.’
‘Well, he’s a hunting dog, my love. They’re usually kept in the stables, but you’re right, he is an adorable fellow indeed. Let’s play with him a while here and see if he manages to hold your interest.’
They turned back into the manicured gardens, and Cara held the puppy close to her chest, stroking his silky ears. He nestled in her arms, and his long pink tongue shot out of his mouth to lick her cheek.
George laughed at the startled expression on her face. ‘He has impeccable timing; I’ll give him that. He’s managed tokiss you even quicker than I did! If I’m going to have male competition for your affections, then I’d rather it be from a dog. I say he’s a keeper.’
‘He looks to be the most faithful creature. I declare he’s a talisman of our true love,’ said Cara, happy high notes chiming in her voice.
George loved to see her joyful. She was quite the most enthusiastic person he’d ever met; her joy was contagious.
‘What shall we name him?’ asked Cara. ‘We must name him and make him officially part of our family.’
‘How about Cornelius? He has wise, old eyes as though he’s been alive for centuries.’
‘I love it! He shall share the initials CC with me upon our wedding.’
‘That’s perfect, my love. Cornelius Cavendish, he shall be.’
They kissed again before emerging from the trees and turning towards the lodge in search of theestate manager so they could check he wouldn't mind them adopting Cornelius.
