A/N: Another chapter done, dearest. I'm afraid we're slowly coming to the close of this story, not that I would mind, there is a moment after all when Angie and George will have to live happy ever after... Or... ^^ Oh, you'll see soon enough!

19. Promises

"Left in my remains, our promises that never age."

Right before we were about to leave, Jane came storming in the stables, where both Amanda and I were struggling to saddle two horses, gently lent by Bingers and George.

"Miss Price, Miss Johnson, you can't leave right now! Mr Darcy has asked us to join him in the drawing room, he has an announcement to make."

Amanda's face lost all colour. I, on my side, started to really loathe the man.

"Thanks, Jane, we're coming at once."

She smiled kindly and we walked beside her towards the offending house.

It was like setting foot on a war field just after battle.

Everyone was already there, save George who had left earlier. Collins was, as usual, talking with Mrs Bennett, and Snob was standing next to Frosty-Knickers, whose hand he kept held in his.

Uh oh. Certainly not that!

"Am', breathe. This moron is marrying her."

She sighed and closed her eyes. I knew she was expecting it, but repressing the tears wouldn't be easy at all.

Darcy cleared his throat and everyone turned around to look at him. I repressed a snort.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a poor host that doesn't keep his guests on local news. I have asked Miss Bingley to be my wife and she has consented to the task. Thank you for your attention, diner is at six."

Amanda's eyes seemed like they would burst sooner or later, so I grabbed her hand and squeezed it so hard it could have broken under my grip.

But Mrs Bennett didn't seem happy of the news at all. She let out a cry of distress, grabbing a letter in her hands as if for dear life.

After she ran away, Jane quickly read the word and sighed. She walked up to Am' and I. "You must come." Amanda looked at me quizzically, but Jane grabbed her arm and pulled us both with her. "Come!"

They soon joined Mrs Bennett who was sobbing loudly in the living-room. Jane came to rub her back and ease her sobs, while Amanda took the letter and read it. I leaned over her shoulder to do as such.

"Dear Mama,

Life here at Pemberley has become unbearable. I am decided to go away, and someone has consented to take me with him.

I am due to leave with Mr Bingley as soon as will be possible.

You do know how I long for adventure and company, I am sure you will understand.

Please do not tell Papa, and embrace my sisters for me,

Dearly,

Lydia"

Oh. Em. Gee. That wasn't possible.

So, in the book, she runs away with George, and here she runs away with Charles? What was wrong in this world?

"She's gone where?"

Jane turned to Amanda. "It does not say where, it says with whom."

"But, Lydia doesn't run off with Bingley, she goes with Wickham!"

I repressed a growl, though I knew no matter what I'd say, Amanda would still stick to her "George is an ass" story.

However, these words had the misfortune to light something within Mrs Bennett, who turned around and glared at Amanda quite harshly. She got up and grabbed the letter, reading some part I hadn't seen out loud. "Charles and I are afflicted by the same ennui. Society bores us. Our conversations with Miss Price have persuaded us-"

"Oh, no." Ooh, guess Am' knows something.

"Oh, yes, Miss Price! -have persuaded us that inspiring company is to be found elsewhere."

"Silly girl."

"How dare you? How dare you sneer on my daughter when it is you, you who has inflicted their minds?"

"What have I said, Mrs Bennett? What have I said to any of you that-"

"That you would marry Mr Darcy!" Ouch, that must have hurt.

"Mama, Mr Bingley is a gentleman. If he has gone away with Lydia, it can only mean one thing. He intends to make her his wife."

After a few squeaks, apparently the news affected Mrs Bennett at last. "Mrs Lydia Bingley? But, she has no outfit for town! I must return to Longbourne immediately!" And she hurried off. Then stopped and came back to Jane. "Shoes! Shoes! What shoes does she have?"

"I-"

"Oh, Mr Bennett shall make it surely worth it!" And she definitely was away.

I raised my eyebrows. "Well, that was something."

Amanda came next to Jane. "Your mother can't be stupid enough to believe that."

"She can. Until she is delivered home. Then my father shall have charge of it. It is time he rose from his chair for the good of the family." Then a few breaths. "I urged Bingley to love another. That he should choose my little sister did not occur to me." She sobbed once then turned to Amanda who still looked baffled. "In unguarded moments Miss Price you are given to the queerest ejaculations." I repressed a chuckle at the choice of words, then reminded myself these were the ways of speaking round here.

"Uh?"

"You profess things must be quite other than it is. Lizzie should be here for Darcy, Lydia should have gone off with Wickham, -"

"She should marry Wickham. Ultimately."

Jane glanced at me. I stood there, not making a sound, even stopping to breathe, as I clearly started freaking out again about that story.

"Good lord! I should now be married to Bingley."

"Yes."

Jane smiled a little at the thought. As did we all. "I consider our lives and I find out I much prefer your version. Will you escort my mother home?"

"I thought you would want to-"

Jane shook her head. "Mr Collins does not care for me to be apart from him. Longbourne is no longer my home, Miss Price. I'm no longer my mother's child, I am my husband's wife."

And she stormed off, following her mother.

I sighed. "Really, get on with it so we can go home. I'm sick of this place."

Amanda looked at me, clearly surprised. "What about Wickham? You intend to leave him here? Wow, I thought-"

"We haven't talked about it yet. Let's just...go back to the feast. Your Snob must wonder where we are."

She nodded and we got back to the drawing room, where Amanda grabbed a glass of wine and walked to Darcy himself, while I stood afar from everyone, and especially from the newly revealed priestess of Sapho.

After a moment, clearly during which they both quietly yelled at each other, Amanda separated from her...I don't know what, and came to stand by me. "Ready to go? If I stay longer I might kick his ass."

I smirked. "Oh, but, be my guest."

She elbowed me, and pulled me towards the stables, where obviously Mrs Bennett had already taken care of taking a carriage and our things. What a charming lady.

But if it meant living through her babbling during the trip, I confess it wasn't that amusing.

And, as if on cue, I really started to miss George like the devil.

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