Page 58 of The Runner
‘It is a bit! Caroline was crying in the drawing room. I dreamt about that a while ago, if you recall, so that was a premonition and now it’s come true.’
‘Maybe it’ll all resolve itself,’ said George.
‘That would be nice, but I’ve got a feeling in the pit of my stomach that it won’t be quite that easy.’
Willow Manor,York - Georgiana
Much to Caroline’s relief,the guests departed, along with Charlotte, and the house was restored to its usual peaceful equilibrium, but unfortunately her state of mind was not.
She had said goodbye to the house guests the evening before they were due to leave, so she would not have to witness George taking leave of Charlotte.
Olivia sighed as she turned the pages of the book she was reading. ‘Sophocles doesn’t seem nearly as engaging now.’
Caroline brushed away a lock of Olivia’s hair, which had escaped and fallen over her eyes. ‘You will soon settle back into the normal rhythm of life—it’s bound to feel a little slow after all the recent excitement.’
‘A little slow? It is positively dull,’ said Olivia, sighing again even more dramatically.
‘We will finish our studies in one hour and then we may do as you wish. Let us do whatever you would like this afternoon,’ Caroline said, taking pity on her bored companion, and wishing to cheer her.
‘You are very kind, but it is not in your power to give me what I wish for, for what I wish is to be at court in London. I do not see why I cannot be when there are other girls my age serving at court.’
‘I suggest you speak to your brother about this matter because, as you rightly say, it is not within my power to transport you to court.’
Olivia leaned closer to Caroline and whispered, ‘I will talk to my mother… my brother would keep me here, closeted like a little girl to keep me safe, forever, if he had his way.’
‘I fear he will have his way, for he is head of the household. If I were you, I would consider how to broach the matter with him, if this is what you truly desire.’
Olivia resumed reading, and then raised her head, and said, ‘I know what we shall do. Let us ride into Willow Wick and spend the afternoon in the village.’
Caroline did her best to conceal her feelings about Olivia’s request, for in truth she had known that were she to give her the choice of what to do, she would most likely choose such an outing, even so, her mind raced, and her hands grew clammy at the possibility of meeting Ralph again.
She had not seen him since the day George rescued her when Ralph had cornered her on her way into the village. Caroline would not be kept prisoner on the estate for fear of him, but still, she readied herself for another unpleasant encounter, for there was no other type since she had come to work at Willow Manor and dared to go against his wishes.
She laid her book on the table and looked out the window. ‘Very well, it’s a fine day. Let us ask Cook to prepare a picnic and we shall make an afternoon of it if that is agreeable to the countess.’
Olivia rewarded her with a beaming smile, and the rest of the hour passed quickly, and Olivia hummed, distracted from her previous melancholy at the promise of a ride to the village, and an afternoon picnic.
Caroline was not so easily distracted from her own melancholy and her mind flitted back over recent events. She yearned to be alone with George after the passionate kiss, to try and make sense of what had happened, but she had resolved to be distant and refused to look at him while Charlotte was staying. Each time he entered the room, she found a reasonable excuse to leave, taking care not to appear rude to the other guests. One morning before Olivia joined her for lessons,he sought Caroline out in the library, and they were alone for a rare moment.
She turned to leave so he would not see the tears in her eyes, and he reached for her, and whispered, 'Are we destined to live this miserable existence apart?'
The pain in his dark eyes destroyed her already tender heart, and she recoiled.
‘I had not thought to repulse you. I am sorry you find my touch so deeply distasteful.’
Caroline’s temper flared at the unfairness of the accusation.
‘It is I who findsyourepulsive, my lord? It is not I who fled the kitchen without a word—it is not I who is betrothed to another.’
Tears streamed from her eyes and her throat ached as she hurried from the room and didn’t look back. She felt his eyes on her as she rushed to her chamber to try to regain her composure.
In her bedchamber, Cara’s consciousness took over, and although she felt the weight of Caroline’s sadness, she was fully aware of what was going on and realised the enormity of her task.
How the heck was she supposed to unite Caroline and George and give them a happy ending?
CHAPTER25
Willow Manor, York - Georgiana
