Page 51 of The Runner
Sylvia closed her eyes.
‘George marrying the wrong woman could be why he had a breakdown and gambled Willow Manor in a card game and tried to burn it down in an act of total self-destruction. If he ran from Caroline, the other half of his soul, and chose his duty over love, he will most certainly have struggled to bear it. Twin Flame love is a soul deep connection and no matter how long and far someone runs, it cannot be denied or disconnected.’
Cara’s eyes welled with tears and her chest was thick with emotion. She sniffed and shook her head. ‘Sorry, I don’t know why this affects me so—everything is fine with George. He’s at home at Willow Manor,’ she said with a watery smile.
‘Don’t apologise. Your soul carries the weight of your past lives, which is why it’s critical that you heal and resolve the past karma of every timeline whenever you are given the opportunity. Remember what Ralph told you? He said he was burning in karmic hell because of his desire for revenge.’
‘I remember, but I don’t understand how that helps us heal.’
‘We don’t know what happens when you choose a different path and what the impact on his life would be, but what we do know, is the life that’s unfolding in your dreams, looks destined for disaster and that won’t help any of you.’
Cara winced. ‘So, what should I do?’
‘You know, as tempting as it can sometimes be, I must not tell you what to do. I can only show you the paths open to you, so you may follow your intuition about the best one to travel.’
Sylvia pointed to the crossed keys on the Tarot card. ‘The keys represent the balance between the conscious and the subconscious minds, and the unlocking of mysteries for the Initiates to reach the next level. It’s a rite of passage for you and George to fulfil your appointed roles. Let us not forget that you are multi-generational Twin Flames which brings the added complexity of hundreds of years.’
She touched the book as if trying to glean answers, and then shook her head and stared at Cara, her eyes widening. ‘What am I talking about? You two have been connected forthousandsof years.’
Cara stared at Sylvia. ‘How do you know?’
‘I feel it through the energy of the pages.’
Sylvia closed her eyes, her hand still touching the pages of the book as she began to speak in the staccato-like tone Cara recognised from previous readings.
‘Your souls were present at the time of the Jewish Second Temple when Jerusalem was ruled by the Romans,’ Sylvia said, blinking as she emerged from the vision.
Cara’s stomach knotted as Sylvia revealed her revelation.
‘What on earth was all that about?’ Cara asked.
‘That was the most intense vision I’ve ever had. I saw the high priest in the Temple.’
The reading had come to an end and Cara left the building in a daze. Her future and her past flashed before her eyes.
CHAPTER22
Willow Manor, York - Georgiana
Caroline and Oliviasat next to the window doing their needlework in the blue drawing room, when George’s head appeared around the door.
‘Ah, there you are. I was just telling Charlotte about the wonderful progress Olivia has made since you came to us. Do you mind if we join you for a moment?’
Without giving her time to reply, he turned and ushered Charlotte in, whose red curls framed her beautiful, heart-shaped face. Caroline reluctantly laid down her needlework on the window seat and Olivia did the same, and they stood simultaneously to greet their visitors. Olivia’s cheeks were rosy with delight at the unexpected attention, while Caroline’s grew pink with the strain of suppressing her feelings. The last thing she wished for was to be singled out by George and his soon to be betrothed, but she must be courteous.
‘Good afternoon, my lord… Mistress Charlotte. I trust you are enjoying your stay at Willow Manor, and it is not too quiet for you after life at court.’ She curtsied as they approached, and directed her comment to Charlotte.
The young woman smiled in return and inclined her head, seeming genuinely pleased to seek them out. ‘How kind of you. I must say, Willow Manor is quite as delightful as dear George promised me. He said I would fall in love with the estate, and his prediction has already come true.’
Caroline attempted a smile, but it was more of an awkward grimace, and she prayed they wouldn’t notice how ill at ease she was in their company. A mottled blush spread up her neck to her face and she longed to flee the room, but she stood firm and replied, ‘How wonderful. I am not at all surprised—the estate is one of the most beautiful for miles around.’
Charlotte continued, ‘Lord Cavendish tells me you are still quite new to the position of governess but are doing splendidly.’
Caroline’s cheeks burned hotter, and a trickle of perspiration slid down her spine beneath her tight garments. ‘How generous of my lord, to say so,’ she stuttered, trying to keep herself together but fearing she was failing terribly and making a complete fool of herself.
Charlotte turned her attention to Olivia, and indicated they should sit, and then they discussed the perils of needlework and Charlotte admitted she was a poor seamstress and her talents lay more in the musical arena.
‘You simply must play for us,’ said Olivia, and George agreed, showing rather too much enthusiasm for Caroline’s liking.
