Page 15 of The Runner
‘Indeed,’ said George, the admiration in his eyes clear.
Caroline lowered her head and focused on the table to avoid his intense stare. She wondered what it was like to be lord of the manor and a frequent visitor at the famous court of King George and Queen Caroline.She wished she could flee from the room and away from his prying eyes, but dinner with the Cavendish family was no speedy, simple affair, so she tried to steady herself and appear calm. She had no doubt she would be able to hold her own at the dinner if it weren’t for his unsettling presence. There was something about him that undid her poise and made her feel naked and exposed.
The sumptuous meal was served. Caroline was relieved there was something to keep her occupied, and as she ate, she paid special attention to how the family ate and she tried to model them. Her father did his best to teach her how to dine in society, but she never had the opportunity until now. She found their table manners weren’t all that different to her father’s, because he wasn’t your average villager. The quality and quantity of the meal differed vastly from the fayre they ate at the cottage, with a rich array of meats from which to choose. There was more food than she and her father ate in a week. There was venison and partridge and beef, and Caroline wished she could relax and enjoy the feast, but she was on edge under George’s watchful eyes.
Why did he study her so closely?
Morsels of the succulent dishes stuck in her dry throat as she chewed and tried to swallow. She could barely digest the food and wished only for the meal to end. Olivia chattered on about her riding lessons and asked that Caroline join her the next day.
‘Are you an accomplished rider, Mistress Caroline?’ asked George in between mouthfuls.
‘No, I’m afraid my riding skills are minimal,’ she replied, feeling inept and out of her social depth.
She had assisted Ralph occasionally by riding one of his wagon horses on the farm, so she knew the basics, but she certainly wasn’t up to Olivia’s standard of riding for pleasure.
‘You must join Olivia and make the most of the horses. You’ll be up to speed in no time,’ he said.
‘How kind of you,’ Caroline replied. ‘I shall consider it.’
Olivia said, ‘I won’t hear of it. We shall ride tomorrow after lessons. Perhaps we may ride into Willow Wick.’
Caroline shook her head. ‘I’m definitely not ready for a long- distance ride.’
She would not risk running into Ralph. He was angry enough without taunting him with the sight of her behaving like a lady of the manor on horseback.
‘I’m going to need a lot of practice before we get that far,’ she said, trying to make light of the suggestion and brush it off.
‘Perhaps the three of us could ride out together,’ said George, raising one eyebrow as he contemplated her discomfort.
She noticed a wicked smile briefly cross his lips, and she had the uncomfortable realisation that he was toying with her.
Caroline sat up straight in her chair and raised her chin. ‘What a wonderful idea,’ she said, her grey eyes sparring with his challenging dark ones.
She wasn’t going to let him treat her like a foolish girl, earl, or no earl.
CHAPTER7
Willow Manor, York - Present day
The next morning,George took Eddie on a partial tour of the rambling old house. ‘We plan to refurbish it over time and are focusing on launching the Tudor Heritage Centre. The main house needs a lot of updating—it still looks somewhat like a hotel,’ said George, pointing to the oak counter near the entrance which had served as a reception area.
‘And over there used to be part of the great hall, if I’m not mistaken,’ said Eddie, pointing and shaking his head in wonder. ‘Thomas, May and I would frequently join you there for meals.’
‘I don’t recall much unfortunately, but the house has felt very much like home for both of us since the moment we moved in.’
George led the way as they wandered in and out of the downstairs rooms.
‘It’s incredible you got this place back into the family. I keep getting flashbacks from Tudorville—it looks so different and yet remarkably similar. It’s hard to explain,’ said Eddie.
George nodded. ‘Cara says that too. It must be the layout and the Tudor furniture because there have been a lot of changes over the centuries.’
Eddie ran his hand over the back of a smooth wooden chair, marvelling at the condition of the fine period piece. ‘I almost wish I could be back in Tudorville again. I would pay more attention.’
‘Well, if you happen to find yourself back there, that would be incredibly helpful for the refurbishing and restoration work. We only have Cara’s memory to go by. Much of what we’re planning is based on guesswork and her knowledge of how houses were typically laid out and furnished at that time.’
Eddie studied the impressive rows of paintings lining the walls. ‘Is there one of you?’
‘I’m not sure. I understand there are some old portraits of the family stored away for safekeeping, but we haven’t had a chance to look properly yet. There is so much stuff everywhere and we’re trying to get the centre ready to open.’
