Page 63 of Twin Flames
Fortunately, she could talk to Eddie about their other life because unlike George, he knew what was going on.
‘Slightly off-kilter?I’d say it’s about six hundred years off and also in completely the wrong direction!’
‘What were you thinking about when you left the hotel?’ he asked.
‘That must be where I went wrong. The more I tried to stop thinking about George, the more I couldn’t get his face out of my mind. I wasn’t even thinking about London. Sorry, I’ve messed it up.’
‘Don’t worry. We’ll have to reroute you later. Better not try with the children here.’
‘But hold on. What day is it, Eddie? Please tell me we received word from George saying it was safe for us to set out? We were supposed to wait for the all-clear. He said on no account to leave without hearing from him. He was most insistent.’
‘I don’t recall,’ said Eddie. ‘I woke up and found myself here. This is more confusing than when I travel alone.’
‘You can say that again,’ said Cara.
They trundled along in the carriage for a couple of hours. Cara worried they’d left too early; she was unable to relax. Neither of them had any recollection of what had happened before the journey. Typically, she remembered snippets from Tudorville and then later the memories would flood in, and thetimeline would slot into place. The timelines of recent events were muddled in her head. It was like watching the middle of a movie but missing the beginning. Living in two parallel realities was a tricky business.
An ominous dread swept over her like a dark curtain. She was supposed to be in 2100, not racing to George in daylight while the king’s army searched for them.
She sensed something had gone terribly wrong.
‘Stop! Stop!’ A loud voice thundered from behind the carriage. A soldier on a black stallion, wearing King Henry VIII’s livery, drew up alongside and hammered on the small windowpane. Another soldier pulled up, and the two of them peered in at her as she pushed the drapes aside.
Cara panicked. These soldiers must be on progress with the king’s party that George had warned her about in the letter.
‘Alight from the carriage immediately,’ boomed a voice.
The children stretched and rubbed their red eyes. ‘Mother what’s going on?’ said Thomas.
She patted his head. ‘Shh. Stay quiet, don’t move; wait here with May, please. If anyone asks your name, pretend to be too frightened to speak. Don’t say your real names, whatever happens.’
She turned to Edward. ‘Please stay here with the children, and I’ll see what these soldiers want. It may be pure coincidence. I’ll be back as soon as possible. Don’t worry.’
‘What’s the meaning of this?’ said Cara as she opened the door and stood on the carriage steps, her voice stern and commanding. Her heart galloped, but her countenance was steady. Life at court had prepared her to handle the unpredictable.
‘What’s your name, mistress?’ said the first soldier.
‘Before I tell you anything, I’d like to know who dares stop my carriage in this cavalier manner. Please identify yourselves immediately.’
The first man squared his shoulders and stood to attention. ‘We are the king’s soldiers, Smith and Cartwright; our orders are to find escaped prisoners wanted for treason and witchcraft. We’ve been informed by these here bounty hunters that you are the Countess Cavendish.’
The two scruffy men who’d been on their trail since they fled London, emerged from the trees looking sheepish.
‘Do you confirm this is Countess Cavendish?’ Smith directed his question to the bounty hunters.
‘Yes,’ they chimed in unison. ‘The earl should be with her too. We want a reward for the pair of them.’
Cara thought she recognised them from the brothel tavern.
‘No. You are quite mistaken,’ said Cara. ‘I’m Lady Sarah Bravenger of Manchester. I’m a widow, on the way to visit my kin in Scotland, with my two children and their tutor.’
Smith barked an order to Cartwright who then pulled Cara roughly off the steps and onto the ground, pushing her in the direction of Smith. Smith captured her arms and tied a piece of rope around her wrists.
She kicked and shouted, ‘You oaf, what do you think you’re doing? I’m Lady Sarah Bravenger. You’re making a dreadful mistake.’
‘I’m going to search for the earl. King Henry wants em both.’ Cartwright barged into the carriage.
Three pairs of frightened eyes stared up at him.
