Page 37 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought of the dreadful end to her lovely summer in Ramsgate. She should have known better than to believe a man as handsome and alluring as Mr. Wickham could feel any affection for her beyond her fortune.

Mrs. Younge stopped once more.

“I shall find seats for the two of you in the dining room. Order tea and biscuits while I arrange for a post chaise. Georgiana, your purse, if you please, dear. I shall need the money to pay for the chaise. Fortunately, we have not far to travel, or there would not be enough money between us.”

Georgiana searched through her reticule, now crammed with her jewels, Fitzwilliam's miniature, and several handkerchiefs. She found her purse and handed it to her companion.

“Georgiana, put those things into your portmanteau. Someone may think your reticule is full of money with it bulging so.”

“Yes, Mrs. Younge, I shall.”

“Come. Let us find a quiet corner where you may rest without being noticed.”

* * *

The chaise was being made ready, and Mrs. Younge sat opposite Georgiana, eating biscuits and drinking tea as though nothing had happened. Her gaze shifted to Jenny. The maid, too, ate her biscuits in silence.

“Georgiana, eat. Though it is only about seventy-two miles to Mayfair, we shall spend twelve or thirteen hours upon the road. Finish your biscuits. I have ordered a basket with boiled eggs, bread, and cheese. We shall not stop along the way, lest Wickham overtake us.”

Her gaze rested upon Georgiana as the girl cowered in terror.

“I do not believe he will, for he was exceedingly drunk and still drinking brandy when we left him. He will sleep for several hours, and that will give us our start. By the time he comes in search of us, we shall be beyond his reach.”

Georgiana drew comfort from those words. “Yes, Mrs. Younge. I shall try to eat.”

A young server approached the table with a basket.

“I should also like to purchase a bottle of Rhenish wine, or perhaps claret, for our journey,” Mrs. Younge said. “And three sturdy glasses suitable for travel.”

“Yes, mistress. We have claret or hock.”

“The claret, if you please.”

“Right away, mistress.”

* * *

The three women had traveled for two hours when Georgiana woke with a start as the chaise lurched around a bend. She was thrown from her corner and bumped into Jenny.

“Is everything well, Mrs. Younge?”

“Yes, my dear. We have reached Faversham. I was told we should change horses here at the Crown Inn. We shall not stop again until we reach Sittingbourne around four o'clock. We will use the necessary here, and perhaps I can purchase some pudding from the inn. Come along, girls. We have little time.”

An ostler handed them down from the chaise, and the two girls followed Mrs. Younge into the inn.

When Georgiana stepped out from the necessary, she found Mrs. Younge and Jenny waiting for her.

“We shall eat the pudding here and take tea to sustain us.”

“Mrs. Younge, what if Mr. Wickham should find us here?”

“You need not be afraid, dear. Mr. Wickham was so overcome with drink when we left him, I doubt he has slept it off. Come, let us have a bit to eat. Try to put away your fears.”

Georgiana followed the other two women into the dining room and took her seat while Mrs. Younge placed the order.

Her gaze drifted about the room. Everyone appeared contented, happy even. Families and travelers conversed in cheerful tones, laughing together over their meals. She alone carried a burden so heavy it brought tears to her eyes.

She struggled to master her emotions when the server approached with their tea and cake.