Page 10 of The Runner
‘That’s exciting. I wouldn’t be surprised if we offered refuge to a priest in Tudorville. I wonder whether he survived, poor thing.’
‘Here—touch the wall—it’s firm, considering how old it must be. I can’t feel any crumbling.’ George guided Cara’s hand towards the wall and placed her fingers on the rough surface.
The second her fingers touched the wall, she knew. ‘It’s going to happen again, George.’
‘What?’
‘The vortex is coming.’
Suddenly he felt it too. The freezing cold air swirled around them and the familiar whooshing sound filled their ears. George gripped onto the torch tightly, but the light fizzled out and he lost sight of Cara.
‘I’m going,’ she called.
He heard the panic in her voice.
George stood helpless as the vortex surrounded them, powerless to stop it. He’d only witnessed the vortex when it transported him to the Victoriana timeline, but this time, it hadn’t come for him. He put his arms out to stop her from going, but they only flailed about in the freezing nothingness and his cold fingers scraped the wall. It was hopeless. He could do nothing to stop it.
She had gone.
Willow Manor,York - Georgiana
The rain drummed relentlesslyon the walls of the old Tudor manor and droplets of water slid down the library windowpanes. Olivia and Caroline sat at the table, side by side. They had clicked into an enjoyable rhythm of reading and studying together in the mornings after breakfast, and then taking some form of exercise in the afternoons. Sometimes they would discuss what they had learned, and at other times, Caroline would encourage Olivia to forget her studies and enjoy the day.
Caroline was grateful to have a post where she could continue learning with Olivia, rather than pretending to be an experienced governess who already knew everything she must teach. Caroline shared what occurred to her, and they also explored new themes together as they read, which proved absorbing for the two young women.
‘I don’t suppose we’ll be able to walk into the village today, after all,’ said Olivia, glancing up from her book to assess the ferocious rainstorm which had come out of nowhere after a sunny start to the day.
Caroline’s eyes followed Olivia’s, and she rested her open book on the table. ‘We won’t even get a turn around the gardens if this downpour doesn’t let up, never mind a walk to the village.’
Olivia frowned, and her mouth turned downwards. ‘How tiresome. I was so looking forward to it.’
‘Is there a particular reason you wish to walk to the village again so soon after our last visit?’ asked Caroline. She suspected she knew what attracted the young woman to Willow Wick, and unfortunately, it wasn’t only the fresh air.
Olivia shook her head, her expression one of pure innocence. ‘No, I just enjoy the long walk. It’s pleasing to have an interesting destination rather than wandering around the grounds as I used to with Nanny or Mother. I have grown weary of the same old childhood walks.’
Caroline studied the dazzling young woman, who looked particularly lovely today, dressed in a vibrant blue gown which complemented her golden hair and intelligent dark eyes.
Caroline dreaded the walks to Willow Wick and intended to use every excuse she could to avoid them. They had already been twice in the short time she’d been in service at Willow Manor, and twice was too much as far as she was concerned. Caroline had been on edge all the way during the first walk, worrying they would run into Ralph. She was a bag of nerves by the time they reached the line of willow trees. There was no sign of Ralph, but Caroline didn’t find the walk pleasurable, which was a great shame, because Olivia was a pleasant companion with a keen interest in the world around her and a stimulating conversationalist. Caroline was on edge and expected Ralph to jump out at them at any moment. The second time Olivia beseeched her to walk into the village, she was about to use her governess status to divert her, when her brother George overheard the request and chimed in to say he thought it a splendid idea.
When she professed her reluctance, he said, ‘But Mistress Caroline, you would not deny my dear sister and your good self the prospect of a wonderful outing on such a fine afternoon as this?’
Caroline’s face grew hot, and her cheeks stung as they flushed bright pink. She couldn’t think of a good reason to refuse. In fact, she couldn’t think at all when he was staring at her like that. He had a way of disarming her with just one look that reduced her to a speechless wreck. He must think her a terribly dull companion for his beloved sister.
‘If I wasn’t so preoccupied with estate business today, I would accompany you myself. Perhaps next time, ladies,’ he said, bestowing a wicked smile in Caroline’s direction, which turned her legs to water.
She suspected he was well aware of the dramatic effect he had on her just by being in the same room, and he seemed to enjoy it. He was a sophisticated young man who had spent much time at court. It was obvious he was already skilled in the art of flirting with the opposite sex and was quite as chivalrous as any knight in the books she read.
She wished she could compose herself when she was around him, but he only had to say two words to her, and she became bashful and quite unlike herself. Caroline struggled to find her usual witty retorts in his all-consuming presence and left the room whenever possible so he wouldn’t notice her state of embarrassment.
And so, thanks to George, the two of them had set off on their second walk, wearing warm capes and bonnets, walking arm in arm across the fields and then along the footpath which led to the village. Caroline resolved to do her best to forget about Ralph and make the most of the outing. She chastised herself for allowing thoughts of Ralph to ruin her exciting new life. How could she enjoy the freedom she craved if she lived in fear of what he might do if he saw her with Olivia?
Caroline shook her head and brought herself back to the present.
‘This afternoon, I would like to hear you play your latest piece,and later we shall do some needlework to entertain ourselves. This is most definitely not a day for venturing out to the village. Let us hope tomorrow will be dry and we may explore an alternative route I wish to show you.’
Olivia’s pretty face clouded over. She looked at Caroline, unable to hide her disappointment, and said, ‘I would have thought you’d love to go into Willow Wick, seeing as it’s your home. Do you not care to visit your father? I could accompany you and we could take the carriage.’
Olivia had a good point. Caroline hadn’t been to see her father yet. She hoped to go the following Sunday when the girl would be otherwise engaged with the family. She must not leave it much longer to visit her poor dear father, who would be waiting to see her, even at the risk of running into Ralph. At least she could go alone and there was no chance of him shaming her and making a fool of her in Olivia’s presence. She could just about handle him on her own, but not in front of the Cavendish family.
