A/N I have finally got round to writing and posting the next chapter of 'Eternity of Darkness'. Now this chapter may still be a work in progress, but I thought I'd post it, just so you can see what I'm working on. Please review and tell me what I'm doing right, and more importantly what I'm doing wrong. Many thanks. JessieRose.

Chapter Fourteen.

She returned home that night, quietly creeping in through the door so as not to disturb Tobias in his study. After her actions this morning she doubted he would be in a good mood. She was about to creep up the stairs, when voices from the front room attracted her attention.

". . . recognised it at once, the only valuable thing that remained." A voice said, she knew it instantly as the reverend Christopher's.

She moved a little closer and peered through the crack in the keyhole. She could only see a third of the room, in which she caught sight of Tobias sitting in his chair by the fire. There were two other figures, one must have been the reverend.

"You. . .seen it. . .?" Came a muffled voice, she could only make out the odd word. The speaker was someone she didn't recognise and clearly had their back to the door.

"Indeed, I have."

"When?"

"She showed it to me." Came the Reverend's reply. "It is rather a distinct stone, and everything else was gone, so easy to spot."

Tobias spoke for the first time. "Circumstantial evidence." He remarked, mildly.

"Sir, excuse me, I am not trying to accuse your daughter. . ."

"For the last time, she is not my child! And secondly no one would convict a fourteen year old because of this." She saw him shake his arm through the air.

"But. . .must. . .been there. . ." came the voice of the unknown man.

Her heart was thudding wickedly in her chest, and she had to step back from the door to calm herself down, causing her to miss Tobias's reply. She put her eye back to the key hole, and once more looked around the room.

Tobias was standing up, and pacing rather nervously. The reverend stood deathly still, and the unfamiliar man was not within her sights.

". . .are you going to do?"

The reverend shook his head. "I cannot believe it of Annamaria."

"Don't let appearances fool you, she is a devious girl."

"But that does not make her a thief. And to think I trusted her to watch Jack. . ."

"Who?" Tobias demanded quickly.

"Oh no one. . .my. . .cat."

Tobias's eyes did not leave his lying face. Annamaria was surprised that the reverend had not told the truth. He must have really loved that woman, if he was willing to cover up for Jack.

"I say we confront her. . ."

"Here, here, then we can clear up this whole rotten business."

At that second the door was pulled up, and dirty, scruffy Annamaria tumbled into the room. She looked up in fear and surprise at the shocked faces Tobias, the reverend and the stranger.

"Annamaria!" The reverend exclaimed.

Tobias smirked, nastily. "This is your niece, Mr Darlington."

Niece? For a few seconds Annamaria stayed on the floor, she had no incentive to get up, and was at that point very confused. And then it dawned on her, just who this man was. It was Roberto Darlington, the longed for boy who caused Harriet to be pushed out. She scrambled up.

He stared at her through his noble, fine eyes, judging on her appearance, and sullen expression. "Eavesdropping is not an occupation I would expect from a refined girl, such as yourself." He said.

Annamaria didn't reply. She was shocked. And here he was, a man who was supposed to be her family, whom she had never met before in her life. Here he was lecturing her on her behaviour. She smiled at the thought of what he would say if he met Jack.

She bowed her head slightly, and gazed at the door.

"I doubt you'll find her a very refined girl, Darlington. She neglected her schooling, and Harriet was never much of. . ."

Roberto held up his hand in a glamorous way to stop the tirade of insults from Tobias. It was clear by the expression on his face he thought himself better then everyone else standing in the room. The weak reverend hovered at the back somewhere, only interrupting occasionally, and when he dared.

"What are you doing here?" Annamaria demanded.

"Well you see child I got a piece of news this morning, brought to my attention by your esteemed guardian here." He said, referring to Tobias. "When you thieve from the church child, not only do you bring yourself to shame, but the rest of your family by your side."

She stepped back hurriedly. "I didn't thief nothing!"

He sighed. "I didn't thieve anything."

"This is hardly the time to be correcting her on her grammar." The reverend mumbled.

Roberto turned and stared at him, with a cruel smile on his twisted face. Annamaria found it hard to believe this man was related to Harriet and Samara, both who had seemed so gentle. He was malicious, years of being spoilt and petted by his parents had clearly gone to his head.

"I cannot abide bad grammar, it is a filthy habit, which should be stomped out. The truth is she is a thief." He grabbed her. "Now where are the. . .ah." He had spotted the chain around her neck, void of it's gems. His hand was cold against her bare skin, as he picked up the cross from her neck. "Missing something, are we?" He snatched it back. "This should be mine anyway, Harriet stole it from me."

Annamaria was about to retort, but no words could express the anger she felt. This man had ruined her mother's life, her parents would never have abandoned dear Harriet if Roberto hadn't taken her place.

"Let her explain, give her a chance to. . ."The reverend began.

"Where are the jewels you took?" Roberto demanded.

"I didn't take them!" I yelled.

"This suggests otherwise." He held out his hand, and it in was the missing firestone from her cross.

He grabbed her hand and refused to let go, she struggled against his pincer grip.

"You shall go to hell child, for what you have done." He said, almost solemnly. "But first you must return what you have taken!"

"I took. . .nothing." She said, trying to pull free.

"Then explain this." He sneered.

She took his cruel glance at the reverend as a chance of escape. She sunk her teeth deep into his skin, causing him to yell and let go. He stepped back cradling his hand whilst she ran from the house.

"You shall hang girl!" He shouted after her.

A/N So they think Annamaria's the thief…