Page 29 of The Runner
‘I’m excited to find out more about the history of the priest hole. I think we’ll attract a lot of visitors. Old unsolved mysteries fascinate people. We could create some possible background stories to generate interest,’ Cara said.
‘I like that idea,’ said George. ‘I’ll see what more I can find out and then let’s jot down some potential angles.’
Eddie stopped abruptly and turned to them. ‘There’s something about the priest hole I didn’t mention yet.’
They stared back at him.
‘The vortex didn’t take me, but I remembered something when I was in there,’ he said.
‘Don’t keep us in suspense,’ said Cara. ‘What did you remember?’
‘I had a clear vision of a Jesuit priest, and I knew him… I was helping him, in fact.’
Cara’s eyes widened as she stared at him. ‘Do you mean you, as in Tutor Edward from Tudorville, were helping a Jesuit priest to hide from the authorities?’
‘The very same,’ he said, nodding slowly, as if he didn’t quite believe it himself. ‘It seems we had a fugitive in our midst.’
Willow Wick,York - Georgiana
Caroline frequently distractedOlivia from riding into the village, with promises of a variety of entertaining endeavours in the house and out on the estate, but at least once a week, Olivia insisted they rode the horses into Willow Wick. Caroline ensured there was no set day for their outing so that Ralph wouldn’t be able to predict when to expect them.
Sometimes there were menacing undertones when they met, although he was always outwardly polite, which she presumed was for Olivia’s sake. She could tell he enjoyed toying with them both, and it was obvious Olivia admired Ralph. The young woman had developed a dangerous crush, and Caroline was even more wary than before. It was one thing fending him off herself, but quite another keeping him away from Olivia.
‘He is so dashing and good looking,’ said Olivia, one fine afternoon as their horses’ hooves picked over the occasional craggy rock and clump of purple hued heather. ‘The sight of him fair makes my knees go weak,’ she continued, glancing at Caroline to gauge the effect of her words, a mischievous glint in her brown eyes, which reminded Caroline of George.
‘You do like to torment me, so,’ said Caroline. ‘You know it’s my responsibility to take care of you and if Lord Cavendish heard you speak in such a way, you would be confined to the estate, never to leave again. Not to mention, Ralph is only a farmer and is not a suitable match for you.’
Olivia tilted her head and smiled. ‘You’re right, dear Caroline. I shall keep my daydreams about Ralph to myself so as not to compromise your position.’
‘What would be better is if you put a stop to those daydreams all together. They can go nowhere, and trust me when I tell you, he is not the good-natured charmer he appears to be. Stay away from him,’ said Caroline firmly. ‘He is a dangerous man.’
They tethered their horses by the square, and entered Talbot’s, the haberdashery shop where Olivia regularly indulged her fancy for ribbons and buttons.Caroline hurried her in and out of the shop, avoiding conversation with old Mrs Talbot who could chat all day with very little encouragement, in an attempt to be on their way back to the estate, unseen by Ralph.
A short while later, they mounted their horses and joined the footpath. Caroline inhaled the fresh air and let herself enjoy the ride. Now they were on their way out of the village, it would be fine, and she could relax.
Then she blinked. There was Ralph, riding steadily towards them on one of his bulky farm steeds. ‘Remember what I said. Please don’t encourage him,’ she hissed to Olivia. ‘You’ll get us both into trouble.’
Caroline’s breathing was fast and shallow, and her heartbeat quickened as his large frame bore down on them.
Please God, let him leave us in peace.
She looked over at Olivia, whose cheeks had turned a rosy pink, and her eyes glowed with something more than just fresh air and exercise.
Caroline feared if he goaded her again, she would react like a bull to a red flag. She tried to ignore his underhand taunts, but the chances were, if he persisted, she would retaliate. She could not abide bullies and since she had dared leave the village and accept the position at Willow Manor without his blessing, Ralph had come dangerously close to behaving like his vicious brothers.
He drew his horse to a halt in front of them, blocking the path so they couldn’t continue even if they wished. ‘Good day, ladies. And what a fine afternoon it is. I must say, I’m pleased to bump into you again. Fridays, is it you ride into the village?’
‘Good afternoon, Ralph. No, we have no such set schedule, as we cannot take leave of our studies frequently.’
‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Your studies must be right important,’ he said, inclining his head at Olivia, who, despite her pledge, dissolved into a bundle of simpering young female delight.
He turned his head and directed the force of his sharp blue eyes back to Caroline. ‘It’s been some time since I’ve seen you. I visited your father not long back, to ask for word of you.’
Caroline knew he meant this as a warning. If she didn’t come and see him, he would seek news of her from her father, his former teacher. Her father couldn’t abide him and would be unsettled by the visit.
‘Oh, yes? I trust Father is well?’ she said.
‘He is well enough… for an old man abandoned by his only daughter, that is,’ he said, his voice low so Olivia couldn’t quite catch his cruel words on the wind, and he smiled at Caroline as though they were exchanging social pleasantries.
