Page 65 of Twin Flames
Cara agreed. George inspired loyalty in all who knew him. He was respected and admired by the tenants of Willow Wick and his network of influential peers held him in high esteem. Just as Sir John Locke had offered them protection, many of the great northern lords were George’s close friends and allies. They’d grown up together, fought together and served at court together.
He looked at her, with kind eyes, ‘Also, I can’t imagine the earl heading off to Scotland without you. I’d wager he’ll find a way to rescue you.’
Cara rested her head against the carriage seat and prayed for a miracle. It seemed the only thing that could save them now. The stakes were high; if George tried to save them, he would then also put himself in grave danger. She didn’t know what to hope for. Every scenario was fraught with jeopardy.
Had she risked the lives of everyone she loved with one critical error? She blamed herself for trying to run away from George. Now they would be lost to one another forever, andendanger everyone dear to them. She closed her eyes and fell into an uneasy doze.
Berwick-upon-Tweed, 1536
George paced back and forth in front of the roaring fire. The cold floor creaked beneath his feet. He’d been confined to this house ever since his arrival in the border town. He’d exchanged one prison for another and was restless. How he wished he’d been able to give Cara the go-ahead to come to him; he ached to have her close, and he missed the children, but it was too risky.
He continued to pace back and forth for much of the afternoon, occasionally lingering by the fire to rub his hands in the warmth of the orange flames.
His heart was heavy. He’d woken with a sense of foreboding which he couldn’t shake as the day wore on. Something wasn’t right with Cara. He knew it; he felt it in his gut; he always did.
George watched Swifty as he gulped steaming potage from a bowl. He was impatient to hear news of Cara, but the boy almost passed out on arrival, so weak was he from the arduous journey.
‘Are you feeling better?’
‘Yes, thank you, my lord. I hadn’t eaten for days.’
‘I’m glad to see the colour creeping back into your cheeks, drink up and then pray tell me all you know.’
‘My lady, the children and Tutor Edward were all captured on their way here.’
George cursed under his breath.
He knew it. He’d warned Cara not to set out until he sent the all-clear. What the blazes was she doing?
‘Did something occur to make her leave so suddenly?’
‘I’m not sure, my lord. It all happened so fast. I was in the kitchen when I got word to ready myself for the trip. Sir Johnlent us one of his plain carriages, and we were headed on our way to you.’
‘Yes, and then? Tell me exactly what happened.’
‘It seemed to be okay; the rain was coming down hard; we were on the road for hours, but then we heard soldiers shouting and giving chase. On one of the breaks, Tutor Edward had instructed me to run like the wind to find you, if anyone stopped us. I was sitting up top with the driver, so when the soldiers checked the carriage, I slipped away.’
‘I see, so he thought it likely that soldiers would be on the road. Well, that was good thinking so thank heavens for that. Why they didn’t wait, I don’t know! And then?’ said George.
‘I managed to get away, and I hid in the bushes. I saw them arrest my lady, and then they made them turn the carriage around and escorted them back in the direction we’d come.’
‘Did you hear anything more, Swifty? Think carefully, please. We must save them, but I need to know everything. Is there anything else?’
‘It was hard to hear exactly what they were saying, but I heard them talking about taking them to London.’
‘Yes, that makes sense. I imagine they’ll be taking the countess to the Tower. We must hurry. I need your help again, I’m afraid. Knowing how efficiently Cromwell operates, I fear they’ll rush her into a makeshift trial before any of the lords have time to intervene on my behalf. We must hasten. Ready yourself to leave in ten minutes, and we’ll make our plan on the road.’
Swifty nodded, and George went immediately to inform King James’ envoy of the latest news and to ask if he may borrow some horses.
They rode hard in the driving rain without stopping. Every second counted if George was to save Cara.
They arrived exhausted at Madame Alicia’s. George was grateful for his network of loyal friends.
She ushered them in via the back entrance of her establishment, and they huddled in the warmth of her cosy parlour.
‘Madame Alicia, my good lady, have you paper and ink to spare? I must write to the king forthwith; his soldiers are on the way to London with the countess. I must intervene and propose a bargain before it is too late.’
George took another gulp of red wine to steady his nerves and commenced writing the most important letter of his life.
