Page 3 of The Uprising
‘No, of course not. These past months have been heavenly; spending every possible moment with you and the children, instead of being called away on the Crown’s business at a moment’s notice. I could not wish for a greater blessing than being here with you at Willow Manor, and all the joy that comes with it.’
‘I feel the same. Being together every day without the constant drama and intrigue of court has been a gift, indeed,’ said Cara. She reached up to kiss him.
Cara admired his lips as he spoke; they were shapely—almost feminine in their fullness—but George was all man.
She wondered when her memory would update with the more recent Tudorville goings-on. She remembered little beyond their return to Willow Manor, following George’s exoneration.
In their present-day discussions, they had considered the possibility of the resumption of time travel to Tudorville, and she had yearned to see their sweet children, Thomas and May, but they had hoped that George would be conscious of what was going on. She sighed. Judging by his responses so far, he wasn’t.
As far-fetched as it seemed to her logical mind, she knew that a version of Cara and George would continue on as normal in the present day, oblivious to what was happening in Tudorville. If George’s current awareness was anything to go by, she assumed he wouldn’t even realise she’d gone, which evoked a bittersweet feeling in her chest. She sighed again, and tears filled her eyes.
It appeared George was suffering from total timeline amnesia. Cara would never forget her rite of passage into Tudorville when she met him, and her ability to time travel was unlocked. She’d found herself married to the dashing hero from the bookshop; locked up with him in Newgate Prison.
She studied George's eyes and roman nose and decided to test him, just in case he was playing her at her own game and putting on a front for her benefit. ‘Have you seen Cornelius?’ she asked, hoping that their agreed secret time travel coded question would jog George’s memory or prompt him to be truthful. Perhaps he was in the same predicament as her.
He looked confused and responded, ‘What an unusual question! If you must know, last time I saw that wily hound, he was in the kitchen using all of his persuasive powers to convince Cook that he is the rightful recipient of our breakfast leftovers.’
He does not know what I’m talking about. Damn it!
Cara contemplated her husband. A weariness permeated her soul as she considered how she would navigate the situation to avoid the inevitable complications of messing up the timelines. She didn’t want to risk throwing them both into mortal danger again. So much was at stake, and the responsibility lay like an iron cape on her slim shoulders. She didn’t want to go through all this on her own again. Should she confide in George this time? Would he even believe her, or would he think her quite deluded?
I can’t believe I’m back in this impossible spot.
‘Cara, Cara...where have you gone? You’re miles away.’
‘I’m sorry, my love. I am filled with dread at the prospect of you leaving and not knowing what the king has planned for you.’
‘But you didn’t hear the good news.’
‘Oh yes, do tell,’ she said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice.
‘The good news is that you shall join me very soon. Queen Jane requests your presence as her lady-in-waiting.’
‘That’s strange—she must surely recall how close I was to Queen Anne. I wonder why, of all the possible ladies, she would desire me at her side? Whatever do you make of it?’
‘You’re overthinking it, my love. The king and queen need to be surrounded by experienced and reliable courtiers, and the king has no doubt reflected on past events and realised we were not at all at fault in the Queen Anne conspiracy. Good, loyal courtiers are in short supply, as I’m certain he must appreciate. And besides, knowing him, he regrets ordering Anne’s execution. It will trouble his soul.’
Cara nodded. ‘Yes, that makes sense, although I shall be not a little nervous about joining the queen's ladies. In the meantime, I will miss you terribly when you leave, but at least I’ll have time to prepare the children for our absence. Your sudden parting will be shock enough after we’ve had such a wondrous, prolonged period tucked away here.’
George pulled her towards him and held her tight for a minute before releasing her.
‘Let’s round up the children and Cornelius and go for a nice long walk.’
Arm in arm they strolled, keeping slightly behind the children who bounced about, throwing sticks for Cornelius, and chattering in high-pitched cheerful notes, not knowing their idyllic life was about to end.
Chapter 2
Willow Manor, York, 1536 - Tudorville
Cara and the children waved off George and his faithful servant, Swifty, as their horses carried them away down the long tree-lined drive. They waved until George’s back was a distant dot between the rows of vibrant green willow trees, and then it turned the corner and he was out of sight.
A gloomy feeling descended over Cara; she was more worried than she let the children know.
‘When will Father return?’ asked May.
‘I don’t know. He could be away for some time. It depends on why the king wants him back at court.’ Cara squeezed May’s hand.
‘But the king wanted to execute father and strip him of his title,’ chimed in the little girl, mature beyond her years.
