"So, are you going to explain this?" Will gestured towards his cousin and Lizzie's door.
Richard felt a little guilty, but then frustration hit him and he suddenly didn't care if his cousin liked Lizzie.
"What, can I not talk to her just because you have a thing for her? You guys aren't dating so it shouldn't matter."
"So, you're finally announcing that you're also trying to win her."
"Finally! Man I had a better chance than you did, especially after you botched it at Rosings."
"Yeah, like she'd want to date a guy who's had more girlfriends than I have pairs of shoes. Just like your brother."
"Oh please, I don't insult the girls I try to date."
"No, you do other things."
"Virgin!"
"You're a virgin too! You tell everyone you aren't but I know you are."
They both stood there, glaring at one another.
Richard sighed, "Look it doesn't matter. I already helped you so she likes you now. I'm probably just a friend to her now." Richard straightened his back, "Besides, you have a bigger problem right now."
Will arched an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
"When I was talking to Lizzie she was crying. Apparently one of her sisters was on a date with our old friend and hasn't returned home."
"Wickham."
"Can we ever get him out of our lives?" Richard mused. "She told me some more of where they supposedly went on their date. We can start there."
"You're going to help?"
"I am her friend after all, or we can fight to see who gets to beat the crap out of him?"
Will groaned, "What about Georgiana? Her birthday is tomorrow."
"We can leave after its over and drive straight there."
"What about Georgiana? How is she supposed to get back to school?"
"Mrs. Reynolds can take her to our aunt's."
"Then it's decided; we leave tomorrow night."
The boys nodded and walked off to their individual cars.
Back at home, Georgiana was wondering where they had both been. She'd expect her brother was possibly visiting Lizzie, but Richard; she couldn't tell. When her cousin retreated to his room, she followed him.
"Stalking me now." Richard dead panned.
"Where were you?"
"Out for a drive."
"As if, I heard you leave really early this morning because you passed my room."
"So."
"So what were you doing."
"Nothing. I went for a drive."
Georgiana thankfully let the subject die, and went back downstairs. When she was gone, Richard grabbed his bag and began packing his things.
Downstairs, Will was trying to distract his thoughts from thinking about Wickham.
He had to remain focused on his sister's birthday tomorrow.
No matter how hard he tried to keep George out of their lives, he seemed to manage to sneak back in.
The weekend arrived and Georgiana was bouncing off the walls. She twirled around in her new dress that was given by Mrs. Reynolds, and did several poses before she settled down and opened the rest of her presents.
"I'm not really sure I like that you gave Georgiana a rape whistle." Will muttered to Richard as they sat with their party hats clumsily placed on their heads.
"Hey, I want her to be safe just as much as you do." Richard smiled, then it faded and he became serious, "There are some real creeps out there."
"No guy like George will ever enter her life if I have something to say."
"But one day, you won't have a say. She will be responsible for her choices and will have to stand on her one. I just want her to have the tools to go against any Wickhams out there."
"I can't remember our parent's voices anymore, there faces are a blurred memory and soon I won't remember them in my life. All I have are pictures to show me scenes that I'm not sure I was apart of."
"It has been fives years."
"And all I've been doing is throwing myself in my studies. I don't even talk to Georgiana about our parents; I've been hiding my feelings and ignored hers."
"You were upset, and rightly so. Nobody should have to lose their parents at a young age, deal with custody battles and move to a new town."
Will didn't reply as Georgiana approached them.
"You still aren't going to tell me why Lizzie couldn't make it." She asked with a pouty face.
"She have family business to attend to." Will said simply.
"Is someone dying?"
"Not yet they aren't." Muttered Richard under his breath.
"I feel so horrible. I shouldn't feel that she has to be here if someone is dying."
"Don't worry, I'm sure they aren't going to die." Even if that does sound good. That's just too mean.
"I should write her a letter and wish that person a full recovery." Georgiana rushed off before the others could say anything.
"Maybe we should tell her."
"No it's fine. I'll tell her I'll mail it and won't. If by chance I run into Lizzie, I'll tell her that Georgiana sends her condolences." Will said as he stood up with Richard.
"It feels really quiet with Lizzie gone."
"It was so quiet at our aunt's house, that Lizzie's laughter and outburst; It's been growing on me that I really miss it."
"Well, once we beat up George and rescue the damsel, you can go to your fair lady and listen to her laughter all the time."
"Once we deal with George, I won't be returning to see Lizzie."
"Why the heck not?"
"Because I'll be going off to college next year and she will be a senior. If I want to get Pemberly back then I a great paying job. The timing of all this was just off."
"Talk about looking at only the dark side."
"Well I'm not even sure that she even likes me. The last thing I need is for her to think I'm trying to win her over by doing things for her. What if she doesn't want me to interfere; I can't just announce what I'm doing? It's better to remain anonymous."
"But how will she know who to thank?"
"She won't and that's the point. I'm not trying to take advantage of this situation."
Richard nodded and they went upstairs to grab their things.
Will threw in the few belongings he had brought, into a bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"Where are you off to?"
Will turned around and saw Georgiana leaning against the door jam. She looked sad and Will felt a pang of guilt rise in his chest.
"I have a few group projects that I need to work on." Will saw the letter hidden in Georgiana's skirt pocket."Did you want me to mail your letter?"
Georgiana smiled and handed over the letter which he took and stuffed it into his back pocket. Will kissed her on the forehead and wished her happy birthday once more before he walked out the house.
Richard had his car already running when he stepped out.
"Did she take it hard?"
"I told her I have a group project that I have to do."
Richard thought back to when he used that same excuse on Will the other day. Georgiana must've known it was a lie.
"So what is your plan exactly?" Asked Richard.
Will raked his hair back with his fingers, "I'll go to the place where he usually hangs out, I'll ask people that know him if he is around. If I'm met with a 'no' then I have a few other places I can check."
The ride was mostly in silence. For Will, this was normal. Richard however was unusually silent.
He thought about his own plans to help. Anything he did would be overshadowed by his cousin; if Will didn't say anything, then he surely couldn't.
He gripped the stirring wheel tighter and focused more on the road. The least he could do was to help, yes, he could only help and stay out of the picture.
They arrived at Brighton Place about a quarter to two in the morning. The boys knew they couldn't start searching till later that morning so they slept in the car until six.
A/N: Sorry school is rough and I don't have internet on my computer and I'm working on my iPad. I won't be able to post as many as I thought and as long. So what's the future going to hold for Will and Lizzie? Will Georgiana be able to ship them? Why does no one like Rizzie? What happen to Lydia and will she be okay, or does anyone care? Please review, I love your comments and they help me to push forward.
