Page 3 of The Runner
Caroline nodded and a thrill of excitement rippled through her as she thought about the wonderful and unexpected opportunity that had come her way. This was a lifeline for her to escape a long and dull life in Willow Wick where the most she could aspire to was to become someone’s wife, unless she was to continue to be a burden on her father or be alone and penniless. Ralph Knight wanted her for his wife, but she had no desire to marry him. Caroline didn’t know how long she would be able to hold him at arm's length as her childhood sweetheart’s ardour grew more feverish each time they met.
No, she must get away from the village, even if it was only by a few miles. By going into service, her father assured her she would be safe and enjoy the protection of the Cavendish household. He vehemently warned her not to marry Ralph, who he pronounceda bad lot.
It mattered not how bright she was or that she could hold her own among men with fine academic minds, she would be cast aside to do the laundry because she was of low-class birth. Caroline would miss living with her father and seeing him every day in the tiny cottage they shared, but she was ready for this moment, and she knew this was her chance to set herself free even if going into service didn’t seem like an obvious route to freedom. She would earn her own money and when she had saved enough, she planned to leave Willow Wick and ultimately be mistress of her own destiny. The countess’s progressive attitude to women appealed to her and made her all the keener to be in her employ.
Caroline was young, but she was ahead of her time, which she attributed to her father’s fine tutorage.
The countess raised her opulently jewelled hand to ring the bell on the table beside her. ‘Talking of Olivia, she’s having a piano lesson, but you shall meet her once you have settled in. The sooner you commence, the better.’
The countess bid a servant girl who appeared as if out of the shadows to bring them tea.
Caroline sat quietly doing her best to stay composed as she waited.
What if her young charge proved a dreadful handful, and she couldn’t manage her like Ralph had implied?
Ralph’s face loomed in her mind, and she consciously pushed the vision of his handsome, strong features and piercing blue eyes away. Her childhood companion—he always thought he was right and that as a man, he could tell her what to do and she should listen and do his bidding. Well, he was in for a shock because all of that was about to change. She would gradually loosen her ties to him; gently but firmly, and he would meet a girl who would be far better suited to his domineering nature.
Caroline’s thoughts turned to Olivia. She herself had only just turned nineteen, so she wouldn’t be much older than the daughter of the house. She heard footsteps in the corridor and the door swung open.
‘This must be our tea,’ said the countess, a second before a tall, fine-looking man wearing an elegant and richly embroidered sky blue waistcoat and breeches, launched himself into the room.
‘Ah, my dear boy, we are awaiting our tea, but I’m most pleased to be blessed with your arrival instead. Let me introduce you to Mistress Caroline Radcliff,who has just accepted the position of Olivia’s governess and companion.’
George bowed in Caroline’s direction, and said, ‘Good day, Mistress Radcliff. Welcome to Willow Manor. I am confident dear Olivia will not disappoint you in her studies. She is an accomplished young woman, although I of course confess to being most biased.’
Caroline reciprocated his smile in what she thought must be a rather forward manner, but she couldn’t stop herself.
His presence seemed almost too overpowering for the room, and Caroline’s heart beat rapidly. A light blush stained her warm cheeks as she studied him. His stare unnerved and thrilled her at the same time. His dark eyes bore into her and, uncharacteristically for Caroline, she found herself unable to hold his admiring gaze and she looked away quickly. Her heart pounded harder—she hadn’t been this nervous since her first day at school when she had to prove herself worthy of a place and not just because she was the schoolmaster’s daughter.
‘This is my son, Lord George Cavendish, who is officially the head of Willow Manor and the new earl, now his dear father is no longer with us,’ said the countess, seemingly oblivious to the instant attraction between her son and the newly appointed governess.
George continued to look at Caroline and said, ‘I’m still not accustomed to being an earl if the truth be known.’
He stooped to drop a kiss on his mother’s heavily powdered white cheek, and Caroline noticed her face light up even more.
‘I see I am intruding on your ladies’ conversation so I will make myself scarce at once and apologise for the interruption. I will return later to find the book I seek,’ said George.
He nodded, bowed once more, and then turned and left the library. Caroline had seen the young master occasionally during her childhood as he passed through the village in the Cavendish crested carriage, but she’d never been personally introduced or exchanged words with him. He was much more charming in person than she would have thought. She’d imagined he would be distant and snobbish, but he had appeared open and friendly, treating her as an equal, which she suspected must be rare for men of his class.
A long-hidden whisper of a memory stirred deep within Caroline’s restless soul, but she couldn’t put a name to it. She’d never experienced such an intense and immediate reaction to a man and didn’t recognise the feeling of a powerful attraction. As a sunflower leans towards the sun, she basked in the rays of the earl’s attention. After he exited the room, she had the unexpected urge to call after him not to leave, to ask him to come back and talk to her again, but her grey eyes met the countess’s brown ones, and she composed her features into a serious expression. It wouldn’t do for her employer to think she was smitten with her beloved son.
Whatever is the matter with me?
She was behaving in an erratic manner most unlike her usual steady self.
‘He’s a dear boy—well, a man, now…’ said the countess, glowing as she talked of her son. ‘Always so patient and polite with everyone. The servants positively idolise him, and his former nanny still lives in a cottage on the estate, at his bequest, since he left to study at Eton.’
Of course, he’s attentive to everyone. I only imagined he was interested in me—how naïve I am.
The countess turned her attention to the tea tray, which had just arrived. She poured a splash of milk, followed by the steaming tea, into two white, gold-rimmed china cups and carefully passed a cup to Caroline. After taking a sip and replacing the cup on its saucer, she continued,‘Olivia and George adore one another, you know.’
She was a mother who was contented with her lot.
Caroline said, ‘Indeed, my lady, he is most attentive, and I am grateful to be joining your household. Olivia is fortunate to have such a caring brother to watch over her.’
The countess took another sip of tea, and her pale green silk mantua gown shimmered in the light. ‘That’s settled then. You shall live in, of course, but never fear—you may visit your father on Sundays, should you wish. He is well, I hope? I exchanged only a brief correspondence with him concerning the position and haven’t had the pleasure of seeing him in person for many a year.’
‘He is well, thank you, my lady, and he spoke highly of you. It was he who encouraged me to accept the post.’
