Chapter Twenty

The carriage ride was long and George and I rode in the carriage through the night. I woke with my head cradled delicately against his shoulder with his arm wrapped protectively around me as if to protect me from the jostling of the carriage.

'We have almost arrived' George stated, noting that I had woken. 'Hopefully, we will have arrived before your sister and the Bennetts'.

The carriage shuddered to a stop and I climbed inelegantly out of the carriage since my legs seemed to have stopped working from the long carriage ride. I looked around and noticed how small this place seemed to be. This was nothing like the Hammersmith I knew. I couldn't even recognise any landmarks by which to orientate myself. It dawned on me that I was well and truly out of my time. The rest of my family weren't even born yet, and wouldn't be for another 200 years or so.

George must have noticed the look of distress on my face and wrapped me in his arms. 'It's alright. I'm here' he calmed me. I relaxed into his embrace. He was right, everything somehow seemed alright when he was near me. I had never given a thought as to what would happen if Manda and I managed to right the story. Would we leave? I'm not sure if I could now if I wanted to. My heart thumped painfully at the thought of leaving George. No, I couldn't leave him. What if Amanda wanted to leave though? She was the only person in my family I was particularly close to. It would break my heart if I had to choose between her and George. I shook my head to rid myself of these melancholy thoughts. No, I would cross that bridge when I came to it. For all I knew, I may not ever be presented with that choice.

'Looks like we made it just in time' George broke me from my thoughts as he pointed out the approaching carriage. I could see Manda peering nervously out of the window.

'Mr and Mrs Bennett, I think, the time has probably come….' We heard Amanda begin as we approached the group as they had left their carriage.

'There you are! Welcome all! How was the road?' George interrupted, striding confidently across the grass with me on his arm.

'Mr Wickham!' Mrs Bennett gasped. She then turned her attention on me and gave a big fake smile 'And the other Miss Price. A pleasure as always, I'm sure. How unexpected.'

'Is it? Did Miss Price not tell you that she asked me to ride ahead to make arrangements?' George looked at Amanda and giving her a deep look that told her to play along.

'I quite forgot' Amanda said nervously.

'Sir Reginald and Lady Nora are safely on their way to Bath' George improvised.

'Aah, err… good' Amanda nodded.

'Who, pray, is Sir Reginald?' Mrs Bennet intoned.

'Miss Price's father, Mrs Bennett. The house, alas, is quite locked up. The servants absolutely insist on travelling with Sir Reginald and Lady Nora, which is inconvenient of course. But most devoted.' George fawned. Spinning a clever story that the Bennetts seemed to be buying so far.

'Lady Nora?' whispered Manda angrily. Personally, I thought she was focusing on the wrong details in this whole situation.

'That's a perfectly good name for the wife of a successful fishmonger' George smirked.

'What are you doing here? What's the point in helping me?' Amanda whispered back.

'Because your face is most amusing when surprised' George smirked. He then turned serious and moved closer to Manda and whispered something that I could not hear. 'Because I would do anything for your sister' he had whispered in her ear.

'Where is Lizzie?' Mr Bennett asked, interrupting the serious conversation.

'Err, Bath. When mama and papa go on their expeditions they always take their guests.' I chimed in. I was slowly picking up on being able to improvise. Or, you know, lie. I was suddenly unsure whether this was a good thing but George's behaviour seemed to be rubbing off on me.

'Mr Wickham, I speak to you as one gentleman to another with the expectation of discretion that entails.' Mr Bennett came closer and began talking in hushed tones.

'I understand Sir, whatever you shall confide shall die inside me' George replied seriously.

'My youngest daughter, Lydia, has run away with Charles Bingley. I do not know how to proceed. I cannot think how to find my daughter.' I suddenly felt very sorry for Mr Bennett. Sure he wasn't the most hands-on father but he wanted what was best for his family and everything seemed to have slipped out of his control lately.

'Well surely they are gone to The Jerusalem! That is the inn of note here is it not Miss Price?' George asked turning to look at both me and Amanda. With which we both replied with nods. 'If it is your belief that they have come to Hammersmith then we must thither immediately to prevent wrong-doing. Mr Bennett, sir, permit me to be your guide.' George took control once again and strode off leading both Mr and Mrs Bennett following close behind him.

'Oh Mr Wickham! How fortunate we are to find you here' I heard Mrs Bennett fawn as I walked over to Manda and linked arms with her.

'Hear that sound Eli? Duuuh… That's Jane Austen spinning in her grave like a cat in a tumble-dryer' she shook her head and watching Wickham in absolute disbelief.

'He's not the person he was in the books Manda' I defended him.

'You've changed him' she smiled gently at me.

'No. That's the thing. I haven't. He was always like this. We just couldn't believe it because of our prejudices.' I replied.

'And maybe our pride' Amanda smirked.

'I wouldn't want to change him. Not for the world. He's perfect for me just the way he is' I stared lovingly after him.

Amanda wrapped an arm around me and hugged me tight, sharing in my happiness for a moment. 'Come on. We'd better catch up to them!'