Jane's POV

Many men were brought back some who we knew would not make it home to their families. Clara and I went to wherever the sick men were and she treated them the best she could. Just as I was going back to check on one of the other soldier I saw Mr. Plumtree sit a soldier on an empty bed. Where in the world has he been and since when does he help others? Questions formed into my head until the soldier looked my way. It was George, Plumtree actually brought George back...but why? That's when Plumtree made a quick exit. Going to George side he began to explain to me that Clara could not know Plumtree helped him for he forced George to promise it was a secret.

"Oh dear, for once the man thought past himself and he wants no one else to know about it." I say as I sit on the bed and look at George.

George was weak and pale holding what appeared to be a rag close to his mouth. Upon looking a bit closer I could see the rag had blood on it. Two options came to my mind. George either had internal injuries or the disease that Clara told me about. TB is what she called it and even in her time there was no cure for it. Treatments were still very rarely successful and that caused me to worry not only for George but for Clara as well.

"Miss Austen? Is Clara here?" George asks me distracting me from my thoughts.

"Yes, she has been helping here as have I, would you like me to go and fetch her for you?" I ask him and to my surprise he just looked at me.

"No, please allow me to gain my strength before she sees me. I would hate for her to see me in such a state." George tells me as he lays his head back upon the pillow.

Little did we know that Clara was right outside the window behind George's bed and she heard every word that we had said. Sighing I nodded my head as I went to look for some water for George.

Clara's POV

Plumtree went to get George? Why in the world would he do something like that? Just fro George's coughing I was scared half to death but I knew I needed to find Plumtree and confront him. Since when did he decide to become such a gentleman? Deciding on that I take off just in time to see him about to walk out of the gardens and back to the road.

"Stop right there Mr. Plumtree!" I call out to him and he freezes in his tracks.

Holding the skirts of my dress up I run up to him about to demand an answer when I see a look of disappointment on his face. What does he have to be disappointed about? Could he be upset about something? Turning to me he finally faced me face to face.

"You called Miss Clara?" he asks as he slightly bows to me.

"Why? I don't understand you at all. One minute it seems you dislike the very ground I walk on and yet the next moment you are out saving someone who is dear to me. Do explain yourself sir." I almost demand of him.

"Land really couldn't keep his mouth shut. It was by sheer coincidence the man I saved was George Land. Going to the soldier and bringing them back was my full intention I do not deny for you did change my view on the subject." he tells me as I notice him take a step closer to me.

"So you decide to leave and just go out risking your life to bring back the sick and injured?" I question him as I try and sound forceful and stand my ground.

"Yes, I thought that was rather obvious Clara. I believe Lord Land is waiting for you. Would hate to keep him waiting any longer." he tells me turning away about to walk off.

"Thank you, though I do not completely understand you actions you have changed my mind as well." the words escape my lips before my mind has time to stop them.

Plumtree turns back to me with a look of confusion this time. Looking right into his eyes for once I can see a gentleness I had not seen before and I was a bit surprised to see it as well. Yet a part of me knew it was there all along just hidden away...perhaps for the same reason I use to hide my true feelings from others. To prevent from being hurt.

"Your a welcome Clara, will I see you at Fanny's wedding?" he asks me and I raise an eye brow at his question.

"You are going? Why you have nothing to prove?" I say and before I know what to say Plumtree has my hand in his once again.

"Pride my dear can be such a horrible thing." he tells me kissing my hand and taking off to the road just like he had before.

Looking back to my handle I realize my heart is beating faster than I have ever felt it beat before. Any doubt I felt for him suddenly goes away somehow. Watching as he walks off a part of me wanted to go after him but still my feet stood planted. Why you may ask? I have no idea.

Walking back into the sick rooms I can see Jane looking at me with a sad face. Trying to turn my head away from her I see George looking my way. Why now? Why of all times when I think I am happy does my heart decide that is it not sure of anything at all. No wonder I am not from this time for my heart can not even tell me what it wants.

"Heart's have a way of doing that my dear." Jane says as she comes behind me as I look to George. "Can you be the heroine of your own story?"

Truer words could not have been said to me. After all I knew a bit about my own heart but could I really do this? Could I be the heroine of my own story?