A/N: Happy New Year, Readers! Do you think you can forgive me for not updating over the holidays? I hope so!
Anyway, back to it! A longer chapter this week to make up for the last shorter chapter.
Thanks for reading!
What a Difference
Chapter Twelve
Elizabeth half-jogged beside Will, glad to be wearing flats as she hurried to keep up with his long strides. Jane and Charlie followed behind them. The small square was silent and full of dark corners. They crossed quickly; Elizabeth stumbled as she stubbed her toe on the uneven flagstones on the floor. Will stretched out an arm to steady her. She smiled gratefully; even in the dark his eyes caught hers immediately. They started down the short cut to the station.
Old, cracked red bricks formed the walls of the alley; a steep hill grew on the left, peppered with trees that waved slightly in the small breeze. On the right, the dark wall obscured the backyards of what were, presumably, the shops from The Archway. The night sky was clear; the moon hung, low and yellow, in the inky sky, its light the only lamp for their walk.
'What's the plan?' Charlie called from behind.
'Go in. Find Lydia. Kick Wickham's arse,' replied Elizabeth, gritting her teeth.
Jane's usually soft voice had a warning edge. 'Lizzie, don't be silly. You're not taking on George. We've just got to find Lydia.'
'That's right,' chimed in Will. 'Finding Lydia is the main thing.' Looking at Elizabeth, who was frowning at him for his betrayal, he smiled grimly and added, 'the arse kicking comes after that.'
The sound of music reached them as they headed left at a fork Elizabeth had never really paid attention to before. The path sloped gently down as the hill loomed steeply on the left. The brick wall kept the bank at bay, though the bulges and cracks were far from reassuring. The path felt enclosed and bleak and Elizabeth couldn't help but cast a wary gaze over her should to check no one was following. The wind whipped around the bend and she shivered, unconsciously stepping closer to Will.
The yellow lights of The Lodge felt almost blinding after the darkness of the alley. The small building dissolved into the darkness, nestled in its dark corner. A small, squat construction, its small, off-set windows made it look at though the building was scowling at the world.
As they approached, Elizabeth felt sick at the prospect of finding her sister here. Murmuring voices came from all sides; the glowing tips of cigarettes gleaming at them out of the dark, like angry red eyes. Will strode to the door with tense confidence; Elizabeth kept his pace, Jane and Charlie followed.
The heat inside was stifling. The smell of smoke, stale air, alcohol and sweat was almost overpowering. Through the dense crowd, Elizabeth could see just make out booths holding cosy-looking couples. She shuddered slightly, pushing the worst thoughts from her mind.
Will was moving around the bar; it stretched before them, along the far wall. Elizabeth stretched out her fingertips, gently touching Will's back to keep herself anchored as she followed him, her eyes darting about the room, looking for her sister.
'Hey, pretty, pretty…' A man leaning on the bar looked at Elizabeth hungrily. 'Fancy a drink? A pretty girl deserves a special drink.'
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him. 'No, thank you,' she replied stiffly.
Will said nothing, but firmly steered Elizabeth away from the stranger, his fierce eyes on the man's face. He held up his hands and shrugged in indifferent defeat, though his wandering gaze over Elizabeth made Will tremble with fury.
As they moved along the bar, Will kept his arm firmly wrapped around Elizabeth, the crowd pressing them closer. Elizabeth looked at the faces around her. She wasn't afraid, but she had to confess she was relieved that Will and Charlie had come with them.
Jostled from either side, Elizabeth twisted to look over her shoulder, checking Jane and Charlie were still with them. Sure enough, even in the hot, sweaty pit, Jane managed to smile encouragingly back at her twin, any discomfort she was feeling barely visible in her face. Elizabeth looked back to Will.
'Any sign of them?'
Will stretched up on his toes, looking this way and that. Elizabeth followed suit, gently placing one hand against his chest to steady herself. She could feel his heartbeat thrumming away underneath her fingertips.
Will and Elizabeth froze at the same moment. Her hand on his chest balled into a tight fist about his shirt; his grip on her arm tightened in an involuntary spasm. The crowd before them had parted a little, revealing the objects of their search. George and Lydia.
Lydia was leaning heavily against the bar, supported by George. Though she was turned almost entirely away from them, Elizabeth could see her head slumped to the side, listlessly. Lydia's usually energetic figure was now almost lifeless as she slowly lifted her free hand and rubbed her neck tiredly. George remained close, pulling her form close to his, murmuring in her ear. As Elizabeth fought her way through the crowd, she was dimly aware of Will and Charlie just behind her, keeping pace. In that instant, she saw that George's eyes had registered their approach. In a single motion, George unceremoniously dropped Lydia, taking off in the other direction. Will pushed past Elizabeth, hot on his heels. Elizabeth reached for Lydia as she fell, only to be beaten as Charlie appeared from nowhere, cushioning her fall. As she registered Lydia's safe rescue, Elizabeth sprang forward, following the retreating shape of Will. A brief backward glance showed Lydia in the safe arms of Charlie and Jane. Rage rippled through Elizabeth as her fear for her sister subsided. Fixing her eyes on the back of George's head she allowed her anger to spur her on.
George had reached the end of the bar and ducked beneath the hatch; running back along the inside track of the bar. Without a second thought, Elizabeth climbed on the bar, amidst cheers of amusement from the locals and jeers of annoyance as she knocked over drinks, and jumped down the other side, just as Will passed her.
The fact that this was not the first time George Wickham had needed to escape from this building became clear to Elizabeth as she followed the boys through a door into the back room, dodging the staff on their break, ignoring their shouts and trying not to wonder where the dark stairs in the corner led to. As she ran into the storeroom, jumping down the three steps, she could see Will closing in on George; as the two burst out into the night, Will managed to land a secure grip on George's collar. Letting out an almighty roar, Will drove George into the brick wall of the alleyway behind The Lodge. The two recoiled from the impact, sprawling onto the cobbled floor. Elizabeth followed them into the night.
Both boys were on their feet as soon as the other, looking each other darkly in the eye, breathing heavily. On the other side of the wall, a train rushed past; its screeches deafening in the small space. In the ringing silence that descended as it faded into the night, George spat on the floor.
'You know what, Will,' George panted. 'You're developing a bad habit.' Will's face darkened, fury coursing through him as George smiled maliciously. 'You're always spoiling my fun.'
Will's hands balled into fists.
'And, oh,' George continued, stepping conspiratorially closer, 'what fun I was about to have.'
Will was moving toward George before he'd even registered the movement, hot anger flowing through him. For Georgiana; for his parents; for everything he'd gone through; for the hateful creature before him, filling the shell of his childhood friend. Before he could land a blow, however, a smaller figure darted between them, pulling her fist back and punching George square on the nose, hard. Having focused all his attention on Will, George was unprepared for this attack, staggering backwards against the alley wall, groaning in pain. His hands flew to his face, his fingers unable to stem the flow of blood streaming from his nose.
Will just stood there, stunned, alternating between staring at George's quivering form, and the small, strong shape of Elizabeth as she surveyed him, a look of disgust on her face.
'Don't you ever come near me or my sisters again, do you hear me?' she shouted, her voice steady, while her hands, still balled at her sides, were shaking.
'You broke me nose!' came the muffled reply.
'Did you hear me?' Elizabeth demanded again, her voice rising.
George nodded forlornly, not looking at her. Elizabeth turned back to Will, wincing and shaking her striking hand as if only registering the pain for the first time. She smiled sheepishly at him.
'Sorry if I stole your thunder a bit there,' she apologised. Behind her, George shuffled to his feet. Turning, Elizabeth glared at George. 'He's all yours.'
Elizabeth watched as a process of emotions flickered across George's face. Before she could fully comprehend his movements he launched himself at her, blood smeared across his face, his eyes bright with anger and fear. The back of his hand came out of nowhere, whipping around and connecting brutally just above her eye. Lights danced beneath her eyelids. The blow sent her sprawling; she threw out her hands to cushion herself as a warm pair of arms wrapped themselves about her, cradling her close. Her eyes closed tightly against the pain in her face. She recognised the scent of Will's aftershave as he pulled her to him, lowering her half to the floor as he supported her. The fading rhythmic beat of footsteps on cobble told her that George had disappeared.
Will called her name, the fingers of his free hand gently brushing the hair off her face. She opened her eyes; her head throbbing. Will smiled and sighed in relief as she looked at him.
'Ow,' she moaned. 'That wasn't fun.'
'I can imagine,' Will chuckled a little. 'You ok?' He added, seriously. Gently helping her to her feet, Will sat her down on a stack of empty palette bases stacked against the wall, crouching in front of her. Feeling dizzy now she was upright, Elizabeth placed a hand on Will's arm, steadying herself.
'I think I'm alright,' she murmured, reaching up to touch her forehead, wincing as she felt the welt already rising beneath the hot skin.
'Let's have a look.' Will shuffled closer; putting a finger beneath her chin to tilt her head, catching the best of what little light was shining to see by. 'The skin's not broken, but I think you're going to have an impressive bruise.' He gently placed the back of his cool hand against the hurt. Elizabeth inhaled sharply through her teeth, closing her eyes, but smiling grimly in appreciation of his cool touch.
'You should have gone after him,' she said through gritted teeth.
Will paused before answering. 'No. He played his hand well. He knew that if he went for me, I'd give as good as I got. If he just tried to run, I'd go after him. Knocking you down, well…' Will hesitated for a moment. 'It was the only way he could be sure I wouldn't follow. He knew I'd have to make sure you were ok.'
Elizabeth found she was glad her eyes were closed; she wasn't sure she'd have been able to meet his gaze at that moment.
They sat in silence for a minute, Elizabeth focusing on Will's steady breathing. She could smell his aftershave again, and feel the warmth radiating from him as he crouched so protectively by her. As she opened her eyes to find his already fixed on her face, her stomach fluttered violently. She found herself comparing this warm, gentle, protective Will in front of her with the one she met – or thought she had met – earlier in the night; proud; unsociable; judgemental. She smiled a small smile at him, leaning into his hand an infinitesimal amount. He smiled in return, and Elizabeth's stomach flipped again.
As Will dropped his gaze and took her damaged hand in his, examining the swelling pushing up painfully between her knuckles, a warm realisation crept through Elizabeth; she liked Will. He'd made her laugh, saved her from Colin, joined in the hunt for Lydia without being asked, kept her calm when panic had threatened to take over. She remembered their dance; how closely they'd drifted together; how her stomach had deliciously fluttered every time he'd looked at her.
In return, she realised, her heart sinking, she'd been rude, mocking, immediately believed the worst in him and dragged him into a ridiculous situation to rescue her little sister. She remembered the horrible things she'd accused him of. If ever there was a girl that screamed 'too much drama', it was her. Even she wouldn't want to be friends with her after a performance like that.
'I don't think you've broken anything,' he said, breaking into her reverie. 'Can you wiggle your fingers for me?'
She stretched her fingers slowly; the pain shot through her hand, but she could move all her digits without fear of any breaks. Her new understanding that any chance of friendship, let alone anything more, must certainly be off the cards, left her feeling tired, cold and a little empty. Will must have noticed the change in her; the encouraging smile he wore slowly slid from his face as he looked up at her once more.
'Elizabeth,' he breathed, leaning forward. Her heart pounded as he came close, every tiny part of her being tingling wildly. The pair jumped as Will's phone began ringing in his pocket. He straightened up and answered it. Elizabeth let out a deep, shuddering breath as he spoke to the person at the other end of the line.
'Hey Charlie… yeah we're ok… No, he's gone. No, it's ok… You've got her? Great, where are you? … Ok, we'll see you in a minute.'
Pushing the phone back into his pocket, Will extended a hand to Elizabeth. 'Charlie and Jane are with Lydia. He said she's been sick but she seems ok all things considered. You alright to go?'
Elizabeth nodded and slipped her uninjured hand into his. He pulled her gently to her feet. She felt colour rush to her cheeks as they stood face to face. Overcome by self-consciousness, Elizabeth dropped his gaze and hand. She examined her sore knuckles.
'Come on,' Will said softly.
Together they walked the route that Wickham has used to escape. In a much shorter space of time than Elizabeth had expected they were crossing the square of The Archway, the yellow glow of the street lights shining brightly beyond. As they passed under the arch, Elizabeth let out a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding.
At the sight of the two familiar figures standing between her parents' and Will's car, Elizabeth ran across the road. Will followed.
'Lizzie!' Jane swept her twin up in a bear hug as Elizabeth pushed past Charlie. 'Lydia's fine; she's been sick and already feeling the affects of a very unpleasant hangover, I think, but she's ok.' Elizabeth looked over Jane's shoulder at their younger sister, curled on the back seat, half hidden in the shadows. Jane released Elizabeth and pushed past her and Charlie, stepping up onto her tips-toes and throwing her arms around a very surprised looking Will.
'Thank you, thank you so much,' Jane gushed. Will chuckled at the look of barely restrained jealousy on Charlie's face and awkwardly patted Jane on the back.
'No problem, it was nothing.'
'Will!' Jane exclaimed, releasing him. 'Without you we'd never have found her!'
'I'm sure Charlie would've thought of it,' Will quickly supplied, seeing his friend's downcast face.
Jane looked to Charlie, nothing but complete trust on her face and in her voice as she replied, slipping her hand into his and smiling. 'Of course he would.'
Charlie beamed.
'Well, as fun as this has been,' Jane continued, 'I think it's time we headed home.' Looking to Elizabeth she added; 'Mum's probably tearing her hair out by now.'
Elizabeth nodded and the group began to move. Jane, leading Charlie by the hand, pressed past Will, Jane calling goodnight as she went by. Elizabeth reached for the door handle of the passenger door, resting her fingertips on the black plastic, but not opening the door. She watched Will, silently. He moved towards her, closing the distance between him and Elizabeth slowly but deliberately, his eyes watching her face intently. As he stood in front of her, she felt her heart begin to beat almost painfully.
'Time to face the music.' Elizabeth smiled wearily, tiredness pressing heavily on her shoulders.
'Once more unto the breach, dear friend,' he quoted with a small smile.
'Exactly.' She returned his smile. She stood stupidly for a minute, unable to conjure up a single word, but unwilling to move away. She didn't know if it was the tiredness, the stress of the night or the way her pounding heart seemed to have left her feeling dizzy, but she was seized with a sudden conviction that this was probably the last time she'd ever see him.
'Will, I - '
'Lizzie,' Jane interrupted, appearing on the other side of the car. 'Do you want to sit in the back and keep an eye on Lydia?'
'Sure,' Elizabeth replied, collecting herself. Jane smiled, saying goodnight to Will again before getting into the driver's seat.
Elizabeth looked up at Will again. For the first time she thought she could detect a sense of tiredness in him as he returned a small smile.
'Oh!' she exclaimed in sudden realisation, 'I'm so sorry, I'm in your way!' She quickly slipped past to let him get to the driver's seat of his car, trying to ignore the tingles that rushed through her as he brushed past. Opening the rear door, she looked up at Will. He, too, had opened his door, but looked back.
'Bye, Will.'
'Night, Elizabeth.'
He held her gaze until she ducked inside the car, rearranging Lydia so she could sit more comfortably, cradling Lydia's head in her lap. Lydia moaned pitifully. As Elizabeth pulled her door shut, she heard the engine of Will's car rev into life. As he backed out of the parking space, Elizabeth hoped, but couldn't see if he looked for her as their windows passed.
Jane reversed onto the road, and headed for home. In the darkness of the backseat, Elizabeth watched as shapeless forms in shades of black and grey rushed past her window. She looked at the small figure curled up to her, and gently stroked the hair from Lydia's face. Unbidden, and for reasons she couldn't fully explain, Elizabeth felt a tear roll down her cheek.
Thanks for reading to the end! Technically this brings the night to a close and, with it, the story. Does anyone want an epilogue?
tinydisk
