Chapter Twenty-Four

We had arrived back at the Bennett's at night. I would have to wait for the morning to try and get a carriage that would take me back to Hammersmith. That is the first place I would look for George. I went and sat outside to watch the stars. I knew that I should be resting but all I wanted was George with me.

'Eli, Jane and Collins are here. They were sent word that the Bennetts are returning in the carriage. They should be here by morning. They might be able to give you an idea where Wickham went.' Amanda sat beside me on the steps. 'You should rest. I spoke with Elizabeth and you can have her room for the night. You need to sleep so you'll heal quicker. Please Eli.'

'Ok' I sighed. I had no intention of resting if the Bennett's were going to return sometime tonight. But for Manda's piece of mind I would at least look like I was going to get some rest.

It wasn't very long when there seemed to be a commotion in the house. I then heard horse's hooves and a carriage pull up. I rushed to the window to confirm my suspicions. My intention was to rush down to the carriage straight away but I stopped in my tracks when the first person out of the carriage was George. He was here! My heart started pounding. I could hear everything that was occurring below through the thinly paned glass of the windows.

George was directing servants to aid Mr Bennett gently out of the carriage and into the house. Mrs Bennett was trailing behind attempting to give words of caution to the servants, not really helping the matter in the slightest. Amanda rushed out of the house to help. George stopped in his tracks in shock at seeing her.

'Miss Price' he questioned.

'Hello Wickham' she smiled gently. 'Eli was seen to. She's doing well. She's inside resting actually.'

George's face seemed to turn to stone with this news. 'Later' was all he said sternly before storming into the house after Mr Bennett.

I sat back down on the bed feeling miserable. Maybe I had blown my chances with George. He was angry that I had left. I needed the chance to explain things to him and make it right.

'Eli, the Bennett's are back' Manda said cautiously as she entered the room.

'I know' I replied. 'I heard everything' I indicated to the window.

'Oh' Manda said, clearly realising that I had heard George's reaction.

'Is he with Mr Bennett? I need the chance to explain things to him' I asked her.

'I actually saw him leave the house' Manda sighed.

'So he is gone then. He didn't even want to see me?' I asked, eyes filling with tears. 'Not that I can blame him. He must have thought I abandoned him! I need some air' I said and rushed out of the room and down the stairs.

I was full blown crying now but wanted to get outside before I encountered anyone. I was tired of being the girl always in need of rescuing. I was always injured or in some kind of trouble. I needed to be the strong woman I know I usually was, maybe Georgian England was making me soft. I couldn't really see where I was going because of the tears and so it was too late to avoid the person I collided with in the middle of the hallway. The collision would have sent me reeling back onto the floor but the person steadied me by grabbing onto my waist and my hands immediately grabbed onto a hard chiselled chest.

'George' I gasped.

'Eli?' George asked softly as he ran his fingers under my eyes to catch my tears. 'Are you still hurt? What ails you?' he asked in a rush.

'I am fine but I thought you had left?' I asked confused. At this he seemed to be reminded that he was angry with me. His hands dropped from me and he took a step back to create some distance between us.

'I could not use the carriage until morning. The Bennett's have a house full, Miss Price. Where am I to sleep?' he slipped behind his mask of sarcasm and formality once more. My heart sank at this change in him.

'Perhaps you should address yourself to Mr Collins. He seems to have taken charge while Mr Bennett is incapacitated' I said softly, mimicking his formality.

'I doubt if Mr Collins is equipped to give me satisfaction with regard to this enquiry' George smirked, his voice full of innuendo.

'So that is it? You're angry so you're going to treat me like a whore' I asked, partly furious but the emotions of the day were catching up with me and I couldn't help the catch in my voice or my eyes filling with tears once more.

'Well what else is our relationship if you don't trust me and run away with other men doing only God knows what' he spat out at me.

'Well in regards to where you should put yourself tonight; you must take matters into your own hands. Mine are full' I snapped back. I wanted to explain what had happened but not if he was going to call me a whore. I went to storm away but a hand grabbed me and pulled me back.

'Eli' he said. His mask started slipping and eventually fell away completely and I could see the complete vulnerability underneath. 'Why did you leave me? Did you not trust me? I was returning with the lady to do your stitches. You didn't need to leave with Darcy.'

'But I didn't mean to leave with Darcy' I said gently. I explained the whole situation to him and apologised. Explained that I hadn't wanted to leave him. I came back as soon as I could.

'I thought Darcy had convinced you to leave with him to seek medical treatment. I thought you didn't trust me to return as I said. I was angry at you for leaving me but also angry with myself' I remained quiet and silently urged him to continue. 'I had never given you a reason to stay.'

I made to interject and contradict him but he stopped me. 'No. I treated you abominably. I treated you like the whore I just accused you of being. I'm so sorry' he apologised sincerely. His eyes seem to be filling with tears. 'I never asked to court you, I just travelled around with you, ruining your reputation. Making sure everyone knew you were mine and ruining you for anyone else. You know I asked your sister if I could court you? I never worked up the courage to ask you.'

'And are you asking me now?' I looked at him, my eyes full of hope.

'No' he said resolutely. I looked down at the ground in shame. 'I don't think I could bear going through the tedious ritual of courting with you' he stopped and lifted my head with a finger under his chin. 'I want to skip right to having the rest of our lives together. I wasn't joking about what I said in the inn. I want to wake up with you every morning, fall asleep with you in my arms every night. I want no other man to be able to touch you, I want to watch our children grow within you and I want us to grow old together. Elicia.. Eli… I love you so much. Marry me?' he begged.

'How could I say no to that?' I asked as I leapt into his arms.

'Is that a yes?' he whispered into my ear, holding me close.

'I love you so much. Yes, yes, yes' I enthused as he swung me around in a circle.