Thank you to everybody that is reading this story and, as always, to Gaeilge for helping me so much with her corrections.

I didn't answer any message from last week beacause I read you from the email, so I will do it now.

Previously in chapter eight...

The Darcys and Matlocks leave Rosings and Lizzy spends time with Anne and Mr. Warlock. She receives a letter from both Richard and Fitzwilliam, being quite impressed by the contents of the latter.

Chapter nine: Truth be told

With receipt of Fitzwilliam's letter, Lizzy's admiration began to grow. She was determined to improve herself; she wanted to build things as he did and to be just as knowledgeable. She continued taking books from Rosings' library and read until her eyes could not stay open anymore. Some were still too difficult to understand while others supplied by the governess were a bit dull, but that did not stop her. Soon, the walls of her room were covered with notes from the more interesting lectures and readings, favourite poems, and even a map of the constellations. She put a great deal of effort into her lessons with Mrs. Simons but only in those topics which interested her. Lizzy practiced the pianoforte until her hands ached but did not give much thought to embroidery and she discovered she liked to paint but did not care to arrange flowers beyond making Anne happy.

Elizabeth finally answered the much admired letter and was rewarded shortly after by receiving another in return. In his letter, Fitzwilliam expressed his surprise regarding some of the poems Lizzy favored and shared those he found interesting as well as addressing various other topics. Finally, he told her the latest news about his chariot. He was able to finish it just two days after sending his first letter and made good use of it, until the steward's son, George Wickham, told Mr. Darcy about it. Needless to say, his father's wrath was fearsome! Fitzwilliam has known the boy since he was seven, being his usual playmate when George's father became ill, and Mr. Darcy decided to care for him. The relationship continued after Mr. Wickham's recovery because the men felt the boys could benefit from each other. Master Darcy was understandably disappointed in his friend, especially given how he had never tattled about George's mischievousness to the grownups. The boys were eventually able to resolve their problems.

She was happy to read about him and laughed inwardly at the poems he told her about for she already had two of them on the wall of her room. Lizzy was glad for the knowledge she was acquiring and continued to take books from the library to continue her self-improvement. However, the incident with George bothered her because she wanted to know what new adventures Fitzwilliam would have in his chariot.

One morning, Lizzy was spending time with Anne in her room, brushing her hair while they enjoyed the sunlight streaming through the windows. Elizabeth expected Anne to reach out for the table currently illuminated by the sun. Instead, she raised her other hand near her face, catching the reflected light from the mirror. Lizzy had been reading about reflection and refraction of light from a book written by Isaac Newton. Recalling about a system of mirrors that could be used to brighten a space, she dashed out the door and returned several minutes later, arms laden with mirrors. After placing the mirrors to catch and reflect the light, Anne was astonished to see how a single sunbeam could illuminate an entire room.

"This is so beautiful! I have never seen anything like it!" Anne's voice conveyed great emotion and in her excitement, she walked about the room with such energy as to cause Lizzy to gape at her.

"Anne! Look at you. I have never seen you like this."

Becoming aware of Lizzy's words, Anne paled and attempted to feign weakness again, but it was too late, for Lizzy had seen her liveliness and energy in its fullness.

"Oh, Lizzy please, do not tell Mother."

"Whatever you mean? You are fine, you will never need to hear your mother's concern and you will be able to do whatever pleases you without being constantly taken care of, and…" Lizzy saw Anne's head lowering and broke off in the middle of the sentence. "You do not want that, do you? You have been alright and said nothing?" The girl nodded. "I will not judge you, but why?"

Anne sighed and raised her head. "I truly was quite sick when I was born. I was not able to move much and it took me longer to start talking. I do not really know what the doctors said to Mother, but they were incorrect. Then one day, I began to improve and recover. I was able to learn faster, walk better… even run. Mother was very happy," said Anne, her face brightened with her memories until an unpleasant though passed through her mind and she grew somber. "She said that I will marry Cousin Fitzwilliam, I would have children and be mistress of Pemberley and Rosings. I do not want any of those things. I like Cousin Fitzwilliam but I do not want to be his wife." Lizzy was astonished and tried to speak but she could not make a sound. Anne continued, "So, I started pretending to be sick again and Mother stopped making plans. I know it is dishonest, but like this… like this, I will always be able to stay at Rosings. Maybe one day, Fitzwilliam will marry and I can be free. Until then, when I am alone, I can sing, walk and talk. I do not speak very well but sometimes I repeat complex things people say."

And what about Mrs. Jenkinson? Has she never been aware? Even she could see that she had not such great difficulties standing up or moving as everybody was assuming, but they all insisted on carrying their overprotective ways.

Elizabeth began pacing the room, looking at Anne and then the floor, the window, the walls, the mirrors. She did not know how to put her thoughts in order after such a confession. Anne was fine! Lizzy knew she could speak better than she appeared to, for even in her quiet voice, Lizzy was sometimes surprised by Anne's remarks, but she did not expect this. She was both happy and distressed, knowing that the older girl felt the need to resort to such subterfuge. Lizzy was angry! Angry with Lady Catherine for forcing her daughter to carry out this charade, angry at Sir Lewis for being such a dreadful father, and angry at everybody else for not seeing the reality after so many years. And what of Mrs. Jenkinson? Was she aware of the truth or not? Even she could see that she had not such great difficulties standing up or moving as everybody was assuming, but they all insisted on carrying their overprotective ways.

"Lizzy, please do not be angry at me. I am happy you know. I am not as smart as you are, but… if you liked me when I was sick, maybe you could also like me now?" Anne had tears in her eyes and her voice broke a bit at the end of her sentence, which finally gave Lizzy the courage she needed to speak again.

"Of course I am not angry at you. Nothing has changed between us; I am just sorry you have had to carry this burden all by yourself for so long. You have to know, I will never let Lady Catherine marry you to someone you do not like. Anne, you can be free, truly free if you show your true self. You will not need Mrs. Jenkinson hovering over you all of the time, you could walk beyond the gardens, and let the sun touch your skin."

Anne carefully pondered Elizabeth's words but was unsure of what to say. "I know what you say is true, Lizzy. I have been doing this for so long… everyone will hate me when they learn I am a liar! When I pretend to be ill, no one pays me any attention; they do not question my odd behaviour and just leave me be. Cousin Fitzwilliam once wrote me a letter and I became so anxious. I am not as smart as he is and had nothing to say to him or anyone else. If I begin to show that I am normal, people will know I am behind. I should have learned so much by now but I have not and I will never become an accomplished woman."

"How can you say that? You are just as smart as anyone else. I am sure with a little bit of effort, everything will be fine." Anne shook her head and Lizzy knew she needed a different way to convince the girl. "What if you started to improve slowly and I helped you? You will not need to learn anything you do not want to and no one will judge you."

Anne kept quiet for a while and then nodded slowly. Lizzy smiled and took her in an embrace.

Lady Catherine had been watching Elizabeth over the last few weeks and was surprised to see her increased interest in her lessons with Mrs. Simons. She was proud of herself, thinking this change was due to her endeavours. She also noticed that Anne seemed brighter and livelier and was thrilled to witness the love the girls professed to have for each other. Though she was still worried about Anne's health and needed constant reassurance, she began to be more flexible. The girls remained in each other's company longer and were allowed to enjoy walks further than the gardens, as she could see the beneficial effects enjoyed by both girls.

Several months after the family's departure from Rosings, Lady Catherine received a letter from her brother, the earl. As they were not regular correspondents, and this was his second letter in as many weeks, Lady Catherine was alert to the possibility of an issue. She took the letter and went to a room where she would not be disturbed.

Dear Sister,

I hope you and your family are well and having a pleasant time these days. I know it is unusual that I would write twice in a month and you are probably wondering what has happened to warrant a second this missive. Allow me to share what I have learned.

Some months ago, a gentleman was visiting London, accompanied by his daughter. After suffering an apoplexy on the street, he was carried to a physician but he was unable to communicate and could not tell anyone his name. He was finally found by his family from Hertfordshire and transferred to a home in Gracechurch Street where he had some relatives, who just returned from the continent. I am sure you are curious as to why I am relaying this to you.

The family published several advertisements in the newspapers looking for the child who had accompanied the gentleman. He was alone when was found and no one knew she was missing since he had been unable to inform the physician. They have been looking for her in the orphanages and infirmaries without success. It is my understanding the child's name is Elizabeth Bennet and was six years old when lost, being now seven. Curious, is it not? The Bennet's, inhabitants of Meryton, say their father was found near Grosvenor Square, and as I recall, you were not far from there during your last visit to London.

Catherine, I will not ask this more than once. Is your Elizabeth this same girl? I hope you did not take a child from her family and tell her they were all dead to fulfil your plans. Can you explain this coincidence and assure me that everything is alright? The consequences could be dire if this is anything other than a misunderstanding.

Your brother,

Matthew.

Lady Catherine was positively pale after reading the letter. Bennet. She did not remember if that was the name Elizabeth had supplied when she inquired the day after their arrival at Rosings. Could it be the same? She said her parents were dead, did she not? She recalled the girl running into her and frantically begging assistance for her ill father. She remembered assuming the poor child, covered in mud was an orphan, for when they arrived at the location Elizabeth led her to, her father was not there. But did Elizabeth make any other mention of her family that day? Lady Catherine was in turmoil; the truth was invading her mind and displacing her future plans.

She stood up and paced the room, pondering everything she had learned as well as everything she remembered. Even if the child was not an orphan, she saw the clothes she had been wearing. Hertfordshire? Gracechurch Street? She was apparently the daughter of a minor country gentleman and with her father's precarious health, how could they sustain her now? No! She had done the right thing. She was giving Elizabeth a bright future. She would become a Darcy and care for Anne when she, her mother, no longer could. If not Elizabeth, who would? Certainly not Sir Lewis! She cradled her head in her hands while she considered everything. This was the best solution for everyone, was it not?

Lady Catherine became aware of the sounds of the pianoforte filtering through the door and knew Elizabeth was playing. She opened the door and followed the music to find the girl, seated upon the bench, playing the new song she had been learning. She was dramatically improved in just a few weeks and she appeared both motivated and happy. Anne was seated in an armchair, just enjoying the music while smiling as Lady Catherine had never seen her smile before. Her daughter appeared calm, comfortable and healthier! Could she risk Anne's future by returning Elizabeth to her family, though she suffered from their loss? She shook her head. Elizabeth was still young, her heart would heal and one day, she would be grateful for everything Lady Catherine had done for her.

She returned to the room where she had read her brother's letter and taking a blank sheet of paper, wrote the words that would reassure the Earl of her innocence in such a deceitful scheme. There would be no going back.