Chapter 26: Confrontation between Siblings

Days after the Twelfth Night Ball, Elizabeth searched out Anne, who still resided with her family. She found her in the library, once again.

"Anne."

"Elizabeth."

Elizabeth sat down, not close but close enough to converse with Anne. "Anne, I have wondered about something for years and years, and I do know that you do not like me, or I you very much."

"Get to the point, please." Anne replied.

"I will. How come you hated me so? I never did anything to you."

Anne looked at Elizabeth, how could she not know? "I did not hate you from the start, I will admit to that. But as the years passed, and Papa showered you in attention and love, he never spared me a single glance. It was like you were the heir and son he always wanted, except you were a girl. I slowly began resenting you for that, and resent Papa as well, and while Mama did shower me in praise and attention, I also wanted Papa's attention."

"But…? I am sure that there must be more to that story than a resentment of favoritism. Our discord goes deeper than that." Elizabeth replied careful with her words, she wanted answers to old questions, she had thought about for years.

Anne gave her a silencing glance, though it was a little more half-hearted than normal, "It does goes deeper. The final straw for me was likely the whole instant bond you had with Darcy, even if you could barely remember him back then. He too had an instant bond to you, and on top the betrothal contract was for you and Darcy, and not Darcy and I, even if I was the eldest and should be married before my younger sister. I hate you for that alone."

"Anne… I, I never wanted you to hate me; it was Papa and Mr. Darcy who made the betrothal contract. I never knew of it until Papa died and I began living with Uncle and Aunt Fitzwilliam. I will not deny that William and I have a bond of mutual feelings between us, which has only deepened the last year or so." Elizabeth explained. "All I wanted was for my sister to love me, and get a little affection from my mother. Instead all I got was beatings and distain from you and our mother." Her tone had changed to hard and unflinching.

Anne looked at her, Elizabeth had grown up that much was certain, and she had seen how content and happy Darcy and Elizabeth were in each other's company. It had made her question their childhood, though she hated her younger sister, she had observed how Elizabeth had changed from years ago. "Even if I do hate you, I can see that you have changed these many months, our Uncle and Aunt has been good to you."

Elizabeth looked a little surprised at Anne, "They have been very good to me, and our family is wonderful." Tears filled her eyes, though they were mostly happy tears, even if she missed Richard exceedingly much.

Anne said nothing in response but let Elizabeth get control of her feelings again. Just then Jane appeared in the doorway, and said, "Elizabeth, your mother wants a word with you."

Elizabeth quickly rose, looked back at Anne and nodded, and left to follow Jane.

Anne looked after them, and she had to admit that it was brave of Elizabeth to ask those questions, and she was surprised at herself for having answered them so controlled, though she would probably forever dislike her sister a lot, she could maybe tolerate her to a degree. After all, she knew that they would likely not be in company much. Elizabeth had even afforded her a modicum of respect, before she left by nodding at her. Maybe it was time to change, and get to know her sister.

Elizabeth walked with Jane upstairs, "Did you talk with her?" Jane questioned.

"Surprisingly yes, and though she will likely always hate me, and I will most likely not like her much either, I got some answers I needed. We even managed to be civilized while talking and did not fight. Though that does not change the fact, that I do not want to keep company with her much, or that I will invite her to my home in the future. But I think we both can manage to behave civilized if we have to now. We will see how she acts from now on." Elizabeth responded.

"I am very proud of you, Lizzie! This is the first step to healing the old wounds you have." Jane replied.

"I know, Jane. Anne's role has been taken by my sister's and you and your sisters."

Same evening

Elizabeth sat at her desk ready to write her favorite brother,

Matlock Lake House
10th of January 1812
Derbyshire

Dear Rich,

You will never believe me, but I actually sat down and had a civil conversation with Anne today. I asked her why she hated me, and I got most of the answers I have needed for so many years. It all started as jealousy over the favoritism Papa (Uncle Lewis) showed me when Anne and I were children, it evolved into hatred when I was the one who was betrothed to Will, but also because Will and I had an instant bond with each other, which I am sure you know have deepened the last year or so. Anne and I will likely never like each other, but I do believe we can face each other without making a scene in the future. As Jane said, "It is the first step to healing the old wounds you have." She is right, it did put some things right so I can start healing. Though I do think I will always bear a certain amount of resentment for her standing silently on the side when she knew I was being beaten. Well, it is in the past.

It has been no more than four days since you left and I miss you terribly Rich, I miss my brother. I know that William also misses you, you make him laugh and act as the young and caring man he truly is, and not the responsible and at times serious man he acts like – though I do appreciate both of those sides of him. You have a different relationship with him, than Max, Mr. Bingley and even his old school friends have with him – you are his brother, just as you are mine.

How are you? Have you set sail from Britain yet? Have you arrived safely to Copenhagen? I do not know if you will receive my letter before or after you reach Copenhagen, but I just want you to know that I miss you, and I hope to hear from you before too long.

Do be careful and take care of yourself, Rich! I am already looking forward to having you home once more. I am to send you everybody's love and greetings. We all miss you. Do remember to write us once in a while so we know how you get on in Copenhagen.

All my love
your sister
Elizabeth

Elizabeth closed the letter and addressed it to their London residence, to be forwarded to Richard if he had left already.

Several days later, January 17th

Elizabeth and Jane arrived down to breakfast, when a footman came into the room and delivered a letter to her father. "News Father? From Richard?" Elizabeth questioned.

"No, but news it is indeed from our friend in the navy. Commander Wentworth." He replied with a smile.

"Will you not read it out loud so we can hear what he has to say?"

He looked at her, smiled at her indulgently and opened the letter and read;

Malta, Valetta
December 31st 1811

Dear Earl & Countess Matlock & Family

Since we were last in contact, I have gotten hold of an English newspaper and seen the announcements of several weddings of your children; I do offer my congratulations on their nuptials. I also have it on good authority that your youngest, Lady Elizabeth is also to be married, or is engaged to be married. I do offer my deepest congratulations on the match; I hope she will be very happy.

My own course is clear for now, my ship is getting ready for a longer trip to Asia, so this will likely be the last letter I can get to Britain. The crew and I will at least be away from all the trouble that is brewing continuously in Europe. I hope that your family will take care of each other, until I maybe can be lucky enough to see you again, someday.

Respectfully
Commander Frederick Wentworth