Chapter 3

-Sorrel-

Lizzy as she liked to be known by her friends and family was a person of such a lively nature, the outdoors was her home. The countryside and the forests called to her in peace and tranquillity.

She would often talk to the animals she found on her travels, as she chose the best spot to sit and read. She always found the house to be to loud and chaotic, noise and children running around chattering about the officers or bonnet decoration. Definitely not Lizzy's cup of tea.

The truth of the matter being that Lizzy had always felt like an outsider, a spare part in Longborne. She was not like her sisters or her mother. Like her father maybe, but he was an odd specimen. Thomas Bennet was an extremely intelligent man but hardly removed him self from the confines of his personal study.

Lizzy liked to model her self on her father. If she could not be like her mother and her sisters, she would try her hardest to be of use in the family and be like her father.

Lizzy did not know that this difference was not just in her mind but in reality. Her father had made it his job to make Lizzy want for nought. She was not aware just how deep the differences cut.

But this blissful ignorance had a shelf life.

The forest and the meadow were beautiful this time of year. The wind gently rustling the wildflowers and the tree tops. Lizzy made a game of seeing how many bird calls she could identify, collecting flower samples along the way.

"I need to go home at some point today." She muttered to the trees. She found it incredibly annoying that she had to live in the same house as the silliest women in Hertfordshire. Of course, she exempted Jane out of the picture. She had always had a soft spot for her sister. Janes mild manner and easy nature made her the best companion to the 'wild' daughter Lizzy was often described as.

"Sorrel" she spoke softly as she saw the patch underneath a willow tree. This was one of her favourite places to visit.

Carefully she picked a leaf from the patch and popped it on her tongue. The apple like flavour filled her mouth as she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Enjoying the feeling of nature around her.

Sighing she decided it was time to return home.

Following the dancing trees back to the estate she called home.

She could hear Lydia's screech as she stepped onto the garden. Book in hands trying to adsorb the last few moments of peace she could. Their home was not what some would call grand. But it was a beautiful building surrounded by flowers and ivy.

It did not compare to Netherfield but certainly had it's own brand of charm.

She could see her sisters running through the house chattering on about ribbons and lace. Her mother laying on the chair in the drawing room fanning her face and chest most vigorously. Jane sitting next to her looking trapped. Her Mother did favour Jane and as a result requested her presence the most often to calm her nerves.

"Good afternoon Hill." Lizzy said to Mrs Hill their maid. Who was walking though the hall with a basket of threads. "Miss Lizzy" she curtsied before walking to the drawing room.

Walking to the door of her fathers study.

Lizzy knocked lightly.

Hearing Mr Bennet's voice from the other side of the door in a welcoming phrase Lizzy opened the door with a creak.

"Papa you were right this book was marvellous." She exclaimed placing it down on her father's desk before taking her seat. Her fathers eyes crinkled as he smiled. It was not often that you would see Thomas smiling.

"Well, my Lizzy I am a fantastic librarian I do know a thing or two about great literature." He laughed picking the book off his desk and placing it in the book case which seemed to dip with the weight of the books.

"Some of your choices are not always as fascinating Papa you must admit." Lizzy smirked picking up her violin to idly pluck the strings.

"Yes, my dear you may be right about that but at least I find my self to be fascinating." He chuckled lightly.

"Where did you adventure today?" He asked his daughter who looked quite content with herself.

"Well, I went for a wonder and met the most beautiful deer Papa, and I tasted the sorrel from the willow tree in the forest. It was quite lovely." She smiled dreaming already about tomorrows adventure.

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself dear, maybe avoid your mother today if possible. She is not in the kindest of moods. Seeming to think her daughters reputation is on the line for walking in mud." He crossed is legs and lent back on his chair.

"Well mother seems to worry about everything Papa, it is just in her nature." She smiled fondly.

Mr Bennet looked down to his bottom desk draw. Gulping he spoke "Lizzy there is something I feel I should tell you. Your nearly 8 and 10 practically an adult." Thomas did not know how to say it. But it was time.

"There is a secret I have kept from you. It might change your perspective of our family and I want you to have the choice of knowing it." He spoke. His hands now clasped together and elbows learning on the desk.

His eyes watching his daughter for any sign of thought.

Lizzy's mind was whirling, what could he mean? Un able to deal with the unknown "Tell me Papa." Lizzy said decidedly putting the violin on the floor and fixing her eyes on her Father.

"Lizzy this is not easy. My child, there is a reason why you look so different from your siblings. Why you have curly dark hair, and your sisters and mother are blonds. Why you have such a sharp mind, why you have so much to give to the world. I must stress this fact Lizzy you will always be my daughter, and this will not change it." Mr Bennet gulped starting to perspire.

Lizzy's eyes began to widen as she looked as if she was going into a panic state.

"…Lizzy your mother and I adopted you."

Lizzy was struggling to breath. Her Father, her Papa was not hers. Her sisters, her Jane where not hers and her Mother was not hers.

Her mind was running over these facts in a dizzying loop.

"Who am I?" she finally spoke. Her father watched his eldest daughter with tears in his wise eyes.

There twinkle seemed to dull.

"I don't know much my dear, but I do have a name and a letter." He spoke, reaching to unlock the bottom draw he had so frequently glanced at waiting for the dreaded day he would need to relay this information to his blessing.

Lizzy's tears where know free flowing unable to grasp the concept of the unknown.

"After we found you Lizzy, I researched all I could and contacted as many of my old, trusted friends I could, we all came to the same name."

Looking at the envelop he handed it to his daughter.