RECAP:

Chapter 10 – Lizzy's been having flashbacks turned nightmares, she received news that the Gardiners' old warehouse was caught on fire, and Anne asked the question. Now let's see how our Lizzy will answer, shall we?

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© 2019 Zest Layne


Once Elizabeth placed her teacup on the table, she took a deep breath and began telling her story.

"Mrs Bennet started losing her temper at me when I was around four, but it wasn't until after I turned five that she started disparaging me; from my appearance to the way I walk, talk – everything and nothing, she always has something to say. When Grandma saw bruises on my arms, which resulted from Mama's tight grips, she immediately arranged for the Dower House to be prepared for us. Before I turned six, this," Elizabeth gestured at the neat space around them, "was already my home."

"About a week after we moved here, Grandma hired Mrs Winters to be my governess and companion. I was surprised at first because Grandma Claire was already acting as my governess; she taught me everything I know – from reading, writing, doing my maths, and speaking different languages. It was only when I was older that I realised the reason why Grandma hired Mrs Winters: to keep an eye on me. Or rather, to keep an eye on my parents when they interact with me and shield me from them."

Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth continued. "Grandma was wise to do that. Because when her illness took her away before I turned nine, Papa made me handle estate matters. Year after year he added more duties for me to take so by the time that I was fourteen, I basically manage the estate on my own."

To this, Anne and Richard stared at Elizabeth with wide-eyed expressions. Darcy, aghast at what he learned, curled his free hand into a fist. While his father had started teaching him his duties and responsibilities at a young age, he didn't have to do it all fully until he turned eight and ten. His poor Elizabeth, having such a heavy responsibility at a young age!

"Then what does Mr Bennet do, then?" Anne couldn't help but interrupt. "Read books all day? From what I heard around, he seemed to be very fond of his study."

When Elizabeth nodded, Anne gasped. "But how could you let him do this to you, Lizzy. You don't have to follow everything he says… even if he is your father."

"But I do, Anne," Elizabeth said, shaking her head. "If I didn't manage the estate, he would not let me spend time with Kitty and Mary. Mama already keeps Jane and Lydia from me and I don't want to lose the only good relationships I have with my family."

"And you have not," Darcy assured her with a squeeze of her hand. "They cared about you, Miss Elizabeth, so much so that they risked subtly reproaching a Marquess within his hearing just to defend you."

"If you're referring to the Marquess of Ashbourne," Anne said looking at Darcy with a mock glare, her way of trying to lighten the mood, "then he certainly deserved that reproach." She then turned back to Elizabeth solemnly. "Now, Lizzy, tell us, what else does Mr Bennet do?"

"He only lets Kitty and Mary spends time with me if I were to teach them how to manage the estate and other accomplishments such as playing the pianoforte. If the desired income for the year was not attained, he prevents them from seeing me too."

Suspecting that there was more to it, Richard prodded. "All he did was separate you from sisters, right? Or, has he threatened you in some other way… say, physically?"

When Elizabeth flinched, the cousins grew more concerned.

"Do not worry," Elizabeth was quick to mollify them. "He has only done it once and it was my fault for provoking him."

"Once does not make it better, Miss Elizabeth," Darcy stated vehemently. It was taking all his self-control not to pace around the room in frustration and anger. He had suspected something like this when she explained why she had run away from him the first time he was going to apologise, but hearing the truth from her mouth did not make it easier. "A gentleman should never lay his hands on a lady, especially his daughter."

"I was almost fifteen – foolish and driven by emotion. The bad weather inflicted damage on some of our properties and the tenants were getting sick but Mama still overspent her allowance so I tried to talk to Mr Bennet to stop it but he wouldn't listen! So I shouted at him not caring if my words were blunt. The next thing I know, there was a stinging pain in my right cheek."

"He slapped you!" Anne gasped, her hands covering her mouth.

"Yes, but it was my fault for being disrespectful. I should've just kept quiet and find a solution on my own."

Darcy and Anne were about to contradict Elizabeth and tell her that she should not place the blame on herself but Richard cut in. "What happened next?"

"Mrs Winters brought me to my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner's house in London. I stayed there for six months before they sent me back here for my safety." At the cousins' confused expressions, Elizabeth continued, "That was when the elder Mr Price entered their lives."

The cousins nodded in understanding. Elizabeth was glad that she did not have to tell them about Mr Price all over again. While telling about him was not as hard as telling how her family treated her, Elizabeth was just too emotionally exhausted to dwell on other facts right now.

Moving on, Elizabeth then proceeded to tell them that when she got back to Longbourn, her responsibilities were still the same and she was still the one managing the estate in the present. "Mary and Kitty help me with the needs of the tenants, as well as Charlotte and Maria Lucas. Lady Lucas and John Lucas also advised me in estate matters while Sir William makes sure that I am not harmed physically. Mr and Mrs Hill help with that too."

After hearing this, Anne inwardly commended herself. She was right; the Lucases knew more than they let on. Perhaps they could be possible allies in helping Lizzy.

When asked about Jane, Elizabeth explained what had happened to her sister's first suitor and how it affected their relationship. Regarding Lydia, she told them that she was too spoiled by Mrs Bennet and therefore, always followed in her mother's lead.

"That is why you had taken a dislike to poetry." Darcy pointed out and when Elizabeth nodded, Darcy's heart went out to her. He knew that she was an avid reader and knowing that her selection for a reading material had been limited because of a bad memory saddened him. But perhaps he could change that… Darcy made a mental note to create new memories with Elizabeth regarding reading poetry.

After that, Elizabeth explained that her time was divided into Hertfordshire and Longbourn every year. She'd stay in the county during planting and harvest seasons and she would visit Town in the other months. She also told them that because of her Aunt Gardiner's overprotective nature, her freedom in London was limited and the only place she was allowed to visit was the Gardiner Warehouse.

"They allowed me to go shopping once – with Mrs Winters and Graham, the footman Grandma Claire hired for me – but when they found out that I've made a friend in Lady Amelia, the one who helped me learn the truth about Jane's suitor, they forbid me to see her. Since then, I've never met anyone outside Hertfordshire…" she then glanced at Darcy, "until Lord Ashbourne, that is."

"It was why you kept your name a secret," Darcy said, starting to comprehend their unusual meetings, "to keep your relations from finding out. You feared that they would hear of our encounters. It was also the reason why no one, save Digby, knows of our meetings, was it not?"

"Yes."

"But why would they go as far as keep you in the house, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth twisted the handkerchief in her free hand as she contemplated what to say. "Years before the 'elder Mr Price incident', Aunt Gardiner had a miscarriage caused by the attack of highwaymen which made her wary and overly cautious. However, I am not obtuse not to suspect that there may be other reasons why they do not want me wandering in Town. Despite my suspicions, I never questioned why they don't want me to leave the house."

She bit her trembling lip before explaining further. "They were my only family who loved me truly. My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner acted as my parents when Grandma died. I am afraid that if I did not do their bidding then, they would not love me anymore…" Tears once again escaped her eyes. "So I complied, only breaking the rules a few times. My Aunt and Uncle Philips tolerate me – maybe even pity me – but that was it."

Each one of the cousins was suspicious at what could be the Gardiners' reason for limiting Elizabeth's freedom but they didn't dare voice their theories on why. It was silently decided that they would discuss it later.

When Elizabeth got to the part of her mother insisting that she marry Longbourn's heir, the three cousins were shocked. More so after finding out that said heir was Mr Collins who was Lady Catherine's parson.

"I knew he was visiting his relatives but I didn't know it was your family," said Anne. "Do not fret, Lizzy. You do not have to marry him. Mr Collins will consult my mother's approval and I will make sure that you're not going to be his wife."

At Anne's words, Elizabeth burst into a sob, "Oh, thank you, Anne. You do not know how relieved I am to hear that." When her cries subsided, she confessed softly, "I always dreamed of marrying for only the deepest of love. I have already experienced life with a family who mostly does not care for me and when I do get the chance to start my own family, I wanted it to be filled with love that I did not remember with my parents. I believe I could only do that if I respect and love my partner in life too."

"You are most welcome, Lizzy. Despite our short acquaintance, you have become dear to me and I only wanted to see you happy."

Elizabeth smiled at Anne and the two gentlemen watched the exchange fondly.

However, at the back of Darcy's mind, he still feared for Elizabeth. She was not yet of age and though she would not be Mr Collins' intended because of Anne and Lady Catherine, her parents might still force her to another man.

"They didn't use to be this way, you know?" Elizabeth asked rhetorically, drying her tears with Darcy's handkerchief. "Grandma Claire did tell me before she passed, that my family – my parents, my mother – love me. My earliest memories were a little foggy but I knew that Mama did love me once. Things started to change months before she became pregnant with Lydia and it only got worse when Lydia was born. They said she couldn't conceive anymore after Lydia. I guess she took it hard that she can't try for a son anymore…"

"What was the cause of your brother's death?" Anne asked hesitantly.

"Grandma Claire told me that it was the flu that took him."

Confused, Anne queried further. "Then why did Mrs Bennet blamed his death on you?"

Elizabeth dropped her gaze away from Anne's eyes, her grip on Darcy's hand tightening, as if afraid that she would be judged by her answer. "I was the one who got sick first. My brother got it from me. That's why I can see where Mama's blames are coming from." Swallowing the lump in her throat, she continued. "A part of me agrees with her. It should have been my brother that survived, not me. At least, our family wouldn't have to worry about Longbourn if he did. The guilt I feel plays a part on why I let Papa make me do his duties as the landowner."

"You can't control that!" Darcy interrupted impassionedly before Elizabeth could continue berating herself. It was one thing for her to think that she deserved Mr Bennet's slap but to blame herself for something uncontrollable like death was another matter. "And you did your best with Longbourn – you shouldered so many responsibilities at such a young age."

"Yes I cannot change the past nor do I have a say on who lives or dies – I know that. And a part of me – the one that knows that – resented my parents for doing to me what they did all these years!" Her fists clenched and her eyes blazed with fury in time with her raising voice. "I resented them for blaming me for the things I can't control, that half of the time I do not refer to them as 'Mama' or 'Papa'. In my mind, they became 'Mrs. Bennet' or 'Mr. Bennet' and when I talk to them it's often 'Sir' or 'Madam'."

A new set of tears escaped her and Elizabeth shut her eyes tight. She hated this – she hated crying for her parents. A part of her believed that they did not deserve her tears but another part of her couldn't help it. She was their daughter, but why didn't it feel like that? For years she kept the bitter side of her, hid it by focusing on the amusing parts of life, so now that she was saying how she honestly felt, it was as if a dam had opened and her emotions were drowning her thoughts and senses.

"Sometimes, the only reason I still think of them as 'Mama' and 'Papa' was because, if I didn't think of them as my parents then I'm afraid to lose the love and little respect I have for them. I do not want to be hateful." She opened her eyes to glare at the empty air with conviction. "I do not want to be like them."

While the cousins did notice Elizabeth's inconsistency in addressing her parents, they heed it no mind. However, hearing her reasons now grieved them. How long had she been feeling this way?

Darcy was used to seeing her smile and hearing her mirthful laughter that he was taken aback by everything that she was telling them. How could such a gentle creature remain frolicsome despite the hurt she was feeling inside? Her inclination to still try to be happy when she was being pushed down only made Darcy admire her more.

Lowering her eyes once again, Elizabeth took a deep breath to calm down. When she continued, her voice was softer. "But at the same time, a part of me hopes that I'm not related to them. That maybe I have a real family somewhere out there that loves me. I used to believe that I was adopted, you know?" She told them with a sour smile. "My features are very different from my sisters and parents. Where Mama, Jane and Lydia are blonde and Papa, Mary and Kitty have light to medium brown hair, I have dark brown."

"I think your hair is closest to the colour of Mahogany," Darcy interrupted, wanting to lighten the mood a little by speaking of something he knew very well. "Has anyone ever told you that it is hard to distinguish the actual colour of your hair? I think it ranges from a deep reddish-brown to a deep dark brown. When illuminated by the sunlight, some strands also appear like a dark gold colour."

For the first time since she began her story, Elizabeth laughed. It was not the rich and full laughter that Darcy had become accustomed to, but it was a laugh from Elizabeth nonetheless. No matter how short or light it was, Darcy would take it.

"I think you could compete with Alexa in describing my hair, your Lordship."

"I look forward to winning that competition, then."

"Very well, sir, if that's what you think." Then, Elizabeth's eyes turned serious again. "As for the eyes, Jane and Mary inherited Papa's light blue eyes while Kitty and Lydia got their hazel ones from Mama. I was the only one with a deep green colour."

"Perhaps you got it from your grandparents?" Richard suggested, after all, while he looked like a younger version of his father, it was said that his elder brother, Henry, was almost a copy of their Grandfather Fitzwilliam.

"That is what my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner told me, Colonel." Before more could be said, Elizabeth took out two miniatures from her pockets and presented them to them. "This is what my Grandma Claire and Grandpa Bennet looked like when they were younger."

The cousins nodded, seeing the similarities in colouring; Elizabeth had gotten her hair from her grandmother and her eyes from her grandfather. However, Darcy did not fail to notice that both Anne and Richard both had odd looks on their faces when they saw the picture of Elizabeth's grandmother. He would have to remember to ask them about it later.

"Unfortunately, these proofs put an end to my childish fantasies of not being a Bennet," Lizzy said ruefully, looking at the miniatures one last time before putting them back in her pockets. She had started carrying them around her since she woke up from her nightmare the other day.

"Do you really want to belong to another family?" Anne asked.

"I just wanted to feel loved, somewhere that I belong. Do not get me wrong, I know that Mary and Kitty love me, as well as the Gardiners, but…"

"A parent's love is different than a sibling's adoration or a relative's support," Darcy finished, speaking from his own experience. While his little sister, Georgiana, practically looked up at him as a hero, and his relatives thought of him as an honourable man, his father only saw him as someone who was not good enough.

"Yes," Elizabeth answered meeting his eyes and Darcy felt that he could get lost in them forever. Their situations were different yet somehow, they're the same. "I couldn't have worded it better, my Lord."

They were all silent after that, each contemplating all that has been said in the past hour. After some time, Elizabeth spoke up. "I think it is time I refresh myself and ask Cook for some snacks to be delivered here."

"Of course, Miss Elizabeth."

It was only when Elizabeth stood up and walked towards the kitchen when Darcy felt the loss of her hand. He did not even realise that he had been holding her hand for so long. Smiling, he glanced down at his fingers and wriggled them lightly, still feeling the little sparks he got from being in contact with Elizabeth's skin. It was only then that he noticed neither of them was wearing gloves.

When he looked up, Richard had a teasing grin plastered on his face. But before his older cousin could make fun of him, a commotion near where Elizabeth had exited interrupted; making Darcy's practically leapt out of his chest with surprise which immediately turned into worry after hearing the scream that followed: "Miss Lizzy!"

-p&p-

Alexa Digby watched quietly as Miss Lizzy began telling her visitors about her life. She was glad that her mistress finally chose to open up. Knowing that they would be needing privacy, she silently directed Archie (for he was the footman designated to look after Miss Lizzy at the moment) to move to the entryway of the drawing room. That way, they would not be able to see or hear anything unless they decided to take a peek.

Hopefully, once Miss Lizzy finished relating her story to them, then her visitors could help her with her situation. It was very convenient that Mrs Winters needed to travel to London. Otherwise, Alexa did not think that Miss Lizzy could talk to her visitors as freely as she was doing now. Well, they could ride out again but Alexa didn't think that Miss Lizzy was in the mood for that today.

As for propriety, Alexa made sure to check on them every five minutes. While she trusted Lord Ashbourne, Miss de Bourgh and the Colonel, she would not risk harm to any of their reputations. Even if the few other servants that worked in the Dower House were very loyal, Mrs Bennet or any other visitor could come calling unexpectedly.

Though, Alexa very much doubted that the Bennet matriarch would dare enter the Dower House. After all, today was the 19th of November, the death of Fanny Bennet's beloved son. Still, she would not take her chances.

After more than an hour, Alexa was relieved to see Miss Lizzy heading towards the kitchen. However, her relief instantly turned to horror as she watched Miss Lizzy's figure sway a little, one hand taking hold of a medium-sized charcoal vase before completely losing balance and taking the glass piece with her to the ground, breaking it into pieces.

Alexa's instant reaction was a scream. "Miss Lizzy!"

Luckily, before Miss Lizzy could hit her head, Archie was quick to catch her at the last moment. Rushing on her feet, Alexa kneeled before her mistress. "Miss Lizzy!"

Not a second longer after Alexa's second cry of Miss Lizzy's name, Lord Ashbourne was at the scene followed by Miss de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Without hesitation, Lord Ashbourne took Miss Lizzy's unconscious form from Archie and carried her away from the scattered pieces of glass. "She's breathing." Alexa heard the Marquess sigh in relief.

"Ask someone to clean up, I'll check on Miss Lizzy." Without waiting for Archie's reply, Alexa followed Lord Ashbourne and the others to the drawing room.

"Wait!" Anne stopped Ashbourne before he could set Lizzy on the settee and quickly fiddled with Lizzy's dress to loosen her corset. When done, she let her cousin placed her friend gently on the settee and turned quickly to the other two people in the room. "Richard, open all the windows. Digby, please fetch Lizzy a glass of water, some towels and a basin filled with water. If you also have some smelling salts, please bring them."

As Richard and Digby got to work, Anne ushered Ashbourne away from Lizzy which caused her cousin to glare at her. "I'm checking her pulse."

"But she needs air, step away from her."

Reluctantly, Ashbourne obeyed. "I think her heartbeat has returned to normal."

"Good," Anne said absentmindedly, removing Lizzy's shoes before bringing her feet together and raising them. [1]

"What are you doing?" Ashbourne asked, quickly averting his eyes.

Her cousin's shifted gaze confused Anne until she realised that with the way she was holding Lizzy's legs, the hem of the gown revealed her ankles which were clad in stockings. Anne would be amused if she was not panicking so to distract herself, she answered his question.

"I do not know," Anne replied honestly, "I saw an apothecary do this to one of Rosings' gardeners when he passed out. But if you wanted to do something, take the towels from Digby when she comes back. Wet it using the bowl of water, and apply it to Lizzy's face and neck."

Just as Anne finished explaining, Digby appeared and Ashbourne did as he was told.

"I'm afraid we don't have smelling salts, Miss de Bourgh."

"That's alright," Anne tried to assure the girl, "maybe you could get a fan instead to help Lizzy get some air."

Digby nodded and immediately left to find a fan. From the corner of her eye, she saw Richard return as well. "Richard, could you keep the room warm?"

As an answer to Anne's request, Richard quickly moved to the fireplace and stoked the fire.

After what felt like an eternity, Richard heard Darcy's sigh of relief, indicating that Miss Elizabeth was now gaining consciousness. Quickly, Richard left the fireplace and stood beside Darcy.

-p&p-

Elizabeth opened her eyes slowly with her head spinning and a dry throat. "What happened?"

Darcy, who was inwardly panicking ever since he saw an unconscious Elizabeth in the arms of a footman, adjusted the wet folded towel on her forehead. "Do not move for a minute, Miss Elizabeth."

Too tired and confused to disobey, Elizabeth remained lying down on the settee.

When Elizabeth complied, Darcy helped her in drinking the glass of water her Abigail prepared. "Drink this slowly, Miss Elizabeth. You fainted."

"I did?" She asked after taking a few sips. "I do remember feeling dizzy…"

Before any of them could reply, a woman who looked to be about in her late fifties, with greying hair and kind blue eyes entered the room with a tray in her hands. "This is what you get for not eating properly, Miss Lizzy." The woman chastised softly yet firmly. "It's a good thing, I thought of making some broth for you earlier so it's finished just in time."

Elizabeth had the decency to look ashamed. "I'm sorry, Cook."

The older woman harrumphed but the slight twitch of her lips revealed that she was not really mad. "Do not 'Cook' me, Miss Lizzy. It's 'Mrs. Hurley' to you until you finish this meal."

"Yes, Mrs Hurley."

"Good." With that, the older woman placed the tray on the table and left them alone. While he knew it was an uncommon relationship that Elizabeth had with the servants, Darcy could not fault his beloved for being close with them. It was obvious that they care about her well-being and Darcy was only too happy to see that, especially after knowing how her family had been treating her.

When he saw that Elizabeth was trying to get up, Darcy was quick to assist her in a sitting position.

"Thank you, my Lord." She told him before looking at Anne and Richard. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this. I'm afraid I haven't been feeling well lately and I apologise for all the trouble I caused."

"It's alright Lizzy," Anne smiled. "We're happy to help, but I'm afraid that we needed to head back to Netherfield now. My companion, Mrs Jenkinson, is waiting for me."

"You should know Mrs Jenkinson, Miss Elizabeth," Richard mock whispered in a conspiring manner, "She could rival Mrs Winters at keeping an eye on their charges."

Darcy did not like the idea of leaving Elizabeth so soon after she fainted but he also knew that they needed to get back to Netherfield. However, putting into mind that Elizabeth could rest properly without visitors, he seconded Anne's words. "I'm afraid that Anne is right, Miss Elizabeth."

"Then I will see you out if that's the case."

Before Elizabeth could attempt to stand up, Digby held her back. "If it's alright, I will see them out, Miss Lizzy."

"I agree with her, Lizzy," Anne said. "It will make us feel better if you try to gain your strength first before doing anything else."

Sighing, Elizabeth conceded, "Very well."

With that, the three cousins curtsied and bowed. Darcy let his cousins walked a few steps ahead of him before he turned back to Elizabeth. "Take care, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you feel better when I see you tomorrow." He then took her hand and kissed her knuckles softly before bowing one last time.

-p&p-

Once outside, the three cousins did not immediately board the carriage. They originally planned to ride their horses for this visit, hoping that they could ride around Oakham Mount again with Elizabeth, but Mrs Jenkinson put a stop to those plans.

Anne's companion told them that she was instructed by Lady Catherine not to let Anne exert herself. And seeing that for some reason, they knew that Anne had gone riding with them last Saturday, today's visit had to be done by carriage. The only upside was that Mrs Jenkinson allowed them to go without her.

By chance, when they explained the situation to Elizabeth earlier at the beginning of their visit, she had informed them that even if they had brought their horses, she would not be available to ride with them for she was feeling a little under the weather. If only Darcy knew that she would faint later in the day, then he would've stopped Anne from prying Elizabeth with questions about her family.

He felt so anxious and helpless as Elizabeth lay unmoving on the settee. The last time Darcy remembered feeling that way was when his mother was about to give birth to Georgiana. He was only thankful that he appeared composed in front of everyone else, despite panicking inside. And although his worry had subsided ever since Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open, he was still uneasy at the thought that it could happen again – and that time, without him by her side.

So when he was sure no one could overhear their conversation, Darcy bombarded Elizabeth's Abigail with questions. "What do you think caused her to faint? What does your Cook mean by Elizabeth not eating properly? Will you send a note to Netherfield in case something like this happens again?"

"Easy, cousin," Richard said, placing an arm on his shoulder. "How could Digby answer your question when you are not giving her time to respond?"

Darcy took a deep breath to calm down but did not reply and looked at Digby instead, waiting for her answer.

"It all started last Sunday. Miss Lizzy skipped breakfast and ate very little during luncheon and dinner. When Monday came, she only ate a slice of bread for breakfast and when she received news from Mrs Gardiner about the fire in their old warehouse, Miss Lizzy was too worried to eat her luncheon and dinner. When she went to Longbourn last night she was so upset that she didn't even bother touching her breakfast this morning. I think the tea delivered earlier was the only thing that filled her stomach since yesterday's bread."

"Do you know why she was not eating?"

"I suspect that it had something to do with her worry for the Gardiners, your Lordship," Digby answered. "But I think that she was also having nightmares, so aside from her lack of meals, she was also lacking sleep."

"Nightmares?"

"Yes, Colonel, Miss Lizzy usually acts subdued whenever she had a nightmare. It was how she was acting these past few days. You see, Miss Lizzy was usually more anxious around this time of year, especially near the nineteenth of November which is today."

The cousins nodded in understanding.

Elizabeth really did feel responsible for her brother's death, so much so that nightmares seemed like a natural occurrence by this time of year. Darcy wanted to march back inside and tell Elizabeth that it was not her fault over and over again until she believed him. It then occurred to him that it was Mrs Bennet's repeated blames and accusations that made Elizabeth believe her. Not for the first time that day, Darcy felt his ire rise at Mrs Bennet.

Forcing himself to calm down, he looked back at Digby. "Miss Elizabeth told me you are her friend. That means she listens to you?"

"Most times, yes."

"Then here's what I suggest you do."

-p&p-

About half an hour after the cousins' departure and mere moments after Elizabeth finished her meal, the Lucases came to call on her. This shouldn't really be surprising to Lizzy. Lady Lucas and Charlotte would often spend this day convincing her that her brother's death was not her fault. However, with many things on her mind these past few days, she had forgotten that the Lucas family would be coming.

"How are you, Eliza?" Charlotte asked, taking a seat beside her. "I am so sorry that I didn't get the chance to visit you last week. Blake, that is, Colonel Forster, invited me to meet his sister – who was visiting a friend near Meryton – earlier last week." Charlotte coloured a little and Lizzy couldn't help but smile at her friend. She couldn't believe that at one point, Charlotte had declared herself not a romantic.

"It is alright, Charlotte," Lizzy assured her. "I am happy for you. But tell me, how was your visit?"

For the next quarter of an hour, Charlotte told Elizabeth about Miss Forster who was a sensible woman of two and twenty and how they got along just fine. Elizabeth, in the middle of Charlotte's explanation, couldn't help but tease her friend and asked if Miss Forster would be an ideal sister. While Charlotte replied calmly that any woman would be lucky to have a sister like Miss Forster, the blush on her face told Elizabeth what she needed to know.

Their conversation about Miss Forster would have been longer but once Lizzy realised that they were ignoring everyone else, she was quick to remedy the situation by asking Lady Lucas how they have been this past week. Their conversation flowed from then on until Lady Lucas looked at her sternly. "You have stalled enough time on our conversations, Eliza. Now, tell us honestly, how have you been, dear?"

For the second time that day, Elizabeth found herself opening up. However, this time, it was not about her past but her nightmares.

Afterwards, John and Maria tried to lighten her mood by telling her different anecdotes that happened during their visit to Miss Forster for they had both accompanied their elder sister. Charlotte, on the other hand, gave Lizzy the new book that she had bought for her.

And while Lizzy did feel a little better because of the siblings' effort, Lady Lucas and Sir William were still not content. Glancing at each other, they made a silent agreement to write to Madeline and Edward Gardiner once they went home. The Gardiners might be protecting Eliza from outside forces but they could do nothing with Eliza's mind and emotions. There was only one way to help her...

It was time for Eliza to find out the truth.


[1] I don't know if the first aid we do now for unconscious people is used by people two hundred years ago but maybe some of them did. Anne was a sickly child so I think it's reasonable that she try the treatments she saw. Anyway, according to my research… if someone faints: Position the person on his or her back. If there are no injuries and the person is breathing, raise the person's legs above heart level — about 12 inches (30 centimetres) — if possible. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing.

Also, they don't have smelling salts because it's all at Longbourn for Mrs Bennet's nerves hahaha.


Poor Lizzy, she's an emotional mess. But she had to be or else she would not have opened up to the cousins this easily. Remember, Lizzy's been keeping her thoughts about her situation for so long, of course, she wasn't going to confide to someone with a level-headed mind – even if it were to Darcy and his cousins.

What do you think, seeing as the three cousins now know how the Bennets treated Lizzy? BTW, take note that Lizzy never mentioned her inheritance from her Grandmother. What about the odd expressions Anne and Richard got when they looked at the miniature of Lizzy's grandparents? Also, now you know why Mrs. Bennet hates Lizzy... or do you?

Tune in for the next chapter!


To PassinBy: I can't answer your questions without spoiling the story but the next chapters will answer your questions one by one. I like your theory. We'll see in the upcoming chapters if you're close to the truth or not ;)

To Colleen S: We'll see if Lizzy is going to stand up and say no to Mrs Bennet's demands in marrying Mr Collins or not, soon.

To Pp: I'm glad you love it and that you think my English is wonderful. My first language is Filipino.

To Els: I'm glad you love it :)

To Guest: I don't know whether to be flattered or offended that you think I managed to destroy one of the greatest female characters in literature, but Elizabeth's reasons for still caring about Jane will be revealed in the next chapters. I respect your opinion though and if you don't like the characters or this story because there's too much 'fake drama' then it's okay to stop reading. We all have our preferences and we are entitled to our own opinions. Also, I know that Darcy having a title wouldn't really keep them apart – nothing could keep Lizzy and Darcy apart – the thing is, it would make it harder for them. In the original, Darcy didn't even have a title and he still struggled to accept his love for Lizzy.