The Masque

Previously; Elizabeth replied: "Of course they wanted us but we don't know the facts or the whole story of what might have happened. It could have been an accident or some kind of misunderstanding."

Jane replied: "I am sure that it is a misunderstanding, and when or if we find our….real family, we can ask them about it."

Chapter 3; Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley learns the truth

Darcy p.o.v

Fitzwilliam Darcy was standing in his chambers at Netherfield Park, - thinking about his childhood, - and his lost childhood friend, Elizabeth Quinn. She had been intelligent, smart, daring and yet she had been sweet and caring and proper and her eyes had always danced and sparkled with humour and laughter, just like Miss Bennett's eyes did at the Masquerade…and Miss Bennett had finished his sentence the other day, and they had both felt that awkward feeling of deja-vu, and he had felt like he had known her the moment they met. Could there be a connection between the two?

Just as he thought about their first meeting, a knock came to his door! "Enter" A servant came in and said: "I have a message for you, sir, from Longbourn."

Darcy opened the message and read;

"Mr. Darcy & Mr. Bingley.

Our father, sister and I would very much like to have your presence at Longbourn this afternoon, because of a very disturbing piece of news has reached us, and we would like to consult you gentlemen.

Sincerely

Elizabeth Bennett

Darcy hurried out of this chamber and reached Bingley's chambers, and knocking, and entering said: "Bingley, when can you be ready to leave for Longbourn?"

"What is going on, Darcy?" Bingley asked confused.

"The two eldest of the Bennett girls would like to consult us one a very disturbing situation." Darcy replied.

"I can be ready in ten minutes, Darcy." Bingley replied.

Soon after they were on their way to Longbourn, and arrived half an hour after the message had reached Netherfield Park.

They were shown into Mr. Bennett's study and the elder gentleman said: "It was good of you gentlemen to come. We have some need of consulting with you on a most delicate matter."

Mr. Bennett bid them to sit down, and said: "On the day that you two gentlemen stayed for tea I made my two eldest daughters aware of their situation."

Elizabeth said: "Mr. Darcy, Papa informed us that he had found us on the London road, 8 years ago."

Fitzwilliam Darcy was shocked, - and said: "You were found by Mr. Bennett… Would you please explain, Mr. Bennett, I am afraid I do not understand the situation."

"Gladly, Mr. Darcy." Mr. Bennett replied.

"I found Elizabeth and Jane, on the London road 8 years ago, with memory loss. They could not tell me anything about themselves or their family, or who they were. But I did found a handkerchief of Elizabeth's with EQ sewn into it."

Elizabeth held up the handkerchief, and Mr. Darcy said slowly: "E…Q…"

Mr. Bingley said: "8 years ago… Darcy, do you remember?"

"Yes, I do, Bingley. Mr. Bennett, I am sensing that you want to ask both me and Mr. Bingley about something about this situation."

Mr. Bennett said: "Yes, we do. We want to ask you about if you know about, or, - of any family who lost two daughters about 8 years ago."

Darcy replied while he remembered about his childhood friend: "I know of one family who lost two daughters around 8 years ago, their name was Quinn, it was a family of five, Lord Quinn and Lady Quinn and their three children, their oldest son, and two daughters."

Bingley said: "We knew them too, Darcy and I played with their children when we were young."

Mr. Bennet said: "The Quinn's? I have heard about them, they have been rather successful with shipping gems and precious stone from the new world, and they have been very social this spring, showing themselves in the theatre and other social places, or so I read."

Elizabeth said: "So you can hear, gentleman that Jane and I do not belong to the Bennetts, or so Papa tells us."

Bingley went over to Miss Jane, and Darcy said: "If you will allow me, Mr. Bennett, I will inquire in London, - about this, about Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth. May I have the handkerchief with me, so if I figure anything out, I can prove my theory?"

Elizabeth replied: "Yes, you may, Mr. Darcy."

Bingley said: "May I suggest that Mr. Darcy and I take your daughters out some fresh air? I think Miss Jane looks pale and it will probably do her good."

Miss Jane smiled gratefully at Bingley, and Mr. Darcy said: "Miss Elizabeth, will you join me, your sister and Mr. Bingley on a short walk?"

Elizabeth answered: "Yes, I believe I will, Mr. Darcy."

As Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth left the study, Mr. Bennett asked: "Mr. Darcy now I have watched you, - and now I would like to hear what you and Mr. Bingley know that we do not know."

Darcy said: "Mr. Bennett I have a notion that Miss Elizabeth and Miss Jane are…or were Bingley's and my playmates when we were children in Derbyshire. I do believe that Miss Jane and Miss Elizabeth are the two Quinn daughters who disappeared eight years ago, and were my neighbours in Derbyshire. Their family looked for them for more than two years."

Mr. Bennett said: "But I had ads in the paper for more than a year, in "The Times". How come the Quinn's have not seen this? Elizabeth and Jane Quinn that would match the handkerchief and you said that you knew them as children?"

Darcy replied: "I don't know, Mr. Bennett. But I will inquire if you will allow me of course? Yes, I knew the Quinn girls when I was a boy."

Mr. Bennett replied: "Of course, Mr. Darcy. Now I think you should go out and wait for Elizabeth and Jane."

Elizabeth p.o.v

Jane and Elizabeth walked up the stairs to get their outdoor clothes. Jane said: "Elizabeth, did you feel that feeling again of deja-vu?"

"No, I did not, Jane." Elizabeth replied.

As they came down, and met the two gentlemen and began the walk, Jane and Bingley broke off from Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy said: "Miss Elizabeth, do you fence or do archery still?"

Without thinking Elizabeth replied: "No, I do not, Mr. Darcy."

Less than a second later, Elizabeth asked: "How do you know, Mr. Darcy?"

Mr. Darcy replied: "I am just trying to get a few clarifications of my notion. I have an idea that you are Elizabeth Quinn, my old childhood friend."

"Why do you think that, Mr. Darcy?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because you knew that I lived in Derbyshire with my sister, and that was before I told you, and then now when I asked you about this and you answered it completely honest."

Elizabeth felt that feeling of deja-vu and remembered something;

"Wait up, Will!"

"Hurry up, Lizzie! We have to make it back to tea!"

"I am going to kill you Will! You made us lose our way!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Will you fence with me later?"

"Yes, I will, Will! If mother allows me out after tea!"

Elizabeth laughed and Mr. Darcy asked: "What is wrong, Miss Elizabeth?"

"I think I remembered something, or maybe it was a flashback." Elizabeth replied.

"What did you remember?" Darcy asked with a worried expression.

"It was when I was a child, and I think the other was you, Mr. Darcy. You had made us lose our way, - and then you asked if I would fence with you, after tea." Elizabeth said with a smile.

Mr. Darcy smiled and said: "I did not make us lose our way!"

"Yes, you did!" Elizabeth laughed.

Mr. Darcy said: "I am sure of whom you are now, Elizabeth. But I will inquire in London after all, just to be sure."

Authors note; Thanks to my beta and thanks for all the reviews!