Page 140 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Dr. Wynn stopped him. “If you find them, tell them that I wish them well.”

Richard drew the handkerchief from inside his coat. For a moment, both men looked down at the embroidered initials.

“I will.”

Chapter 44: The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Fitzwilliam looked down at the receipt in his hand.

Clementi & Co.

April 12, 1811.

Beside him, Georgiana held the other receipt. Her gaze moved from the paper to the rows of instruments, the shelves of music, and the clerk standing behind the counter.

Fitzwilliam took in the shop before meeting his sister’s eyes.

Georgiana began to weep.

She made no sound, but tears slipped down her cheeks as Fitzwilliam led her aside. He put his arm around her and rested his cheek against the top of her head.

His own eyes were moist.

For some time, they stood together before Georgiana wiped her face.

“I am tempted to visit the Gardiners and ask after Elizabeth,” he said. “But she is not living there yet. She remains at Longbourn with her parents.”

Fitzwilliam kissed her hair. “My Elizabeth is not here yet.” He straightened.

“Come, my dear. Let us go home.”

When they returned to the counter, Fitzwilliam caught the clerk watching them with some concern.

“I believe we have disturbed the gentleman. He is probably wondering why we are weeping over our purchases.”

Georgiana laughed and wiped another tear from her cheek.

Fitzwilliam offered her his arm, inclined his head politely to the clerk, and led his sister from the shop.

Once they were settled in the carriage, he directed the coachman to Gracechurch Street.

“When you reach this address, slow down. I wish to have a look at the house.”

“Shall I stop, sir?”

“No, there is no need, Hobbs.”

Neither spoke. London passed outside the windows, familiar and unchanged, until the carriage entered the neighborhood whose address Elizabeth had written in his letter in that other life.

He leaned forward when they reached the Gardiners’ street.

“There.”

Georgiana followed his gaze.

The carriage slowed as it passed the house. A servant crossed the pavement carrying a parcel, and farther along, two women stood talking beside a doorway. There was no sign of Elizabeth.

Georgiana glanced at her brother. “Shall we go around again?”