Page 90 of Twin Flames
Cara’s eyes welled up, and a wave of emotion blocked her throat. She swallowed. ‘I must go to him.’
‘Yes, that’s exactly what she said.’
‘That’s good. I couldn’t bear it if she didn’t adore him as I do.’
‘Oh, you need have no fear on that score. They’re crazy about one another.’
‘Edward, you’re not helping.’
‘Oh, I thought I was. You said it was good.’
‘I know what I said. Don’t you know that a woman sometimes says things she doesn’t actually mean?’
‘Um, oh dear, I’m on shaky ground. I’m not very up on the ways of the fairer sex.’
‘Scientists!’ Cara rolled her eyes.
‘It’s as though he’s with another woman. It’s not as gut-wrenching as him being married to Joanna or even Kate, but it’s still horrid,’ she said.
‘Trust me; she is just like you! He’s not fallen for another woman. But who the hell is Kate?’
‘I’ll tell you later. I can’t believe I’m jealous of myself. How absolutely ridiculous! Let’s talk about something else, or I’ll go mad. What’s been happening since the morning of the aborted rescue?’
‘If we plan another rescue I think we’ll be better to have Swifty in the Tower with my lord, and me down below with you. They’re used to the boy. He blends in, and as long as we get word to George via Swifty, he’ll know when we’ll be waiting.’
‘Yes. Makes sense. That way we won’t alert them to anything out of the ordinary.’
‘There’s something else, though. Don’t get your hopes up too high as it could be complete nonsense, but Swifty heard a rumour from a guard, who heard it from a courtier, who heard it from someone at the Tower, that the king is going to pardon George.’
Cara stopped. ‘Good lord. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?’
‘You weren’t here! Anyway, it’s only a rumour. We can’t rely on it being true until we get some kind of solid indication it’s really happening. You know the palaces are always awash with whispers, and most of it never comes to anything. The servants love to gossip.’
Cara hardly dared to hope it might be true.
‘I still want to see him as soon as possible. It feels like forever since I’ve seen his face.’
‘Okay. What do you propose?’
‘I’ve given this some thought. It’s all I had to focus on in the present day to keep myself from going around the bend. You won’t believe what’s happening now, by the way. The new George is a complete arse.’
‘Oh, dear. Is this something to do with the Kate you mentioned? Could there be some misunderstanding? It wouldn’t be the first time you two have tripped over your crossed wires. The earl is a good man; surely even in an alternative timeline, he couldn’t be a wrong-un.’
‘Trust me. It’s just as well he’s married to someone else, and I won’t make the same mistake again. It must be the time travel lucky dip; sometimes you get a bad egg in the gene pool.’
‘Goodness. So he has married again?’
‘Yes, indeed. How many times must that romantic fool marry? He’ll be giving the king a run for his money at this rate,’ Cara ranted. There was a note of hysteria in her voice. ‘In fairness, he doesn’t even know what happened. He’s unconsciously trying to repeat our whole story, and this time it’s even worse. He’s with this fantastic woman, but he still propositioned me. At least when he was married to Joanna, I had some compassion for his situation. This time he’s just an out and out philanderer.’
Eddie shook his head, doubtful. He knew better than to say any more, but secretly he bet there was more to it. His mistress wasn’t in a benevolent mood, so the less said, the better. He might not understand the fairer sex, but he knew when to shut up.
‘How will you get in to see George?’ Edward deftly changed the subject.
‘I’ll disguise myself as his mother, and petition to see him before his death. It’s perfectly reasonable for his mother to be desperate to see him one last time. It’s harsh that they banished his wife and children. I think in the circumstances, even Cromwell, may show mercy.’
‘Yes, I hope you’re right. What about the rescue? Shall we wait and see what happens—in case the pardon isn’t a rumour?’
‘I think we better had. I keep remembering the warning from Angel Gabriel about things not being as they seem, and the risk of doing irreparable damage by taking the wrong action. If the rescue were to succeed and Henry had planned to pardon George, he would be furious. He hates being outwitted. That’s when he’s at his most dangerous. I saw it with Anne. She knew how to play him like a fiddle until she lost his trust. He’s like a child; he detests being thwarted. We must let him be in control, or George will die. The king loves to be admired as the benevolent king so let’s play him at his own game.’
