To Lizzie's surprise she was greeted on her morning run the next day. Richard waved her down and she came to a halt.

"When you said you wanted to come with me sometime, I didn't expect it to be so soon."

"I don't plan to stay long. I just wanted to ask if we might call you Elise."

"Elise?" frowned Lizzie.

"I know it's strange, but my cousin and I want to avoid any trouble that might come your way of knowing us."

"I see."

Richard recognized the hidden tone, "It's not that we are ashamed or anything by knowing you, my aunt may think she knows you and let's just say your trip won't be long if she does."

"I'm not afraid of her."

"I'm not saying you should, but I'm also saying that not putting yourself out there much keeps you from being noticed." with a little smile he added, "It'd be a shame if you were to leave early and miss our walk."

"I think I understand."

"Great, I'll see you later then."

Richard gave a wave before running off. Lizzie returned the wave and when he was out of sight she dropped her hand.

She frowned. Since when did she have to hide herself, and when did she become a possible target for Mrs deBourge.

No, she would do what she wanted to. Richard was probably trying to help, but she didn't need his help.

When she returned to the house she saw that Richard was already there.

"I thought you were going back already."

"I was but then I figured what was the harm of us all going over together." he said with a friendly smile.

Lizzie smiled back before going to take a shower and getting dressed.

When she exited the bathroom she saw that Charlotte was waiting for her.

"What's going on?" began Charlotte.

"Heck if I know. I'm guessing he wants you to call me Elise too."
"Yeah."
Lizzie shook her head.

"You will do it though right." asked her best friend.

"I don't know what kind of joke they're playing or why I'm in any danger of being sent away. I haven't done anything wrong."

"Why don't you just go with it for now. We can decide what to do later."

"It's lying. I think that's worse."

"Maybe, I don't know. It's not like you'll see her again."

"Yeah but Ricky will be there."

"He'll be too busy talking about random junk trying to sound impressive to the adults."

"What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing, I just don't want you to leave me here by myself."

"I promise I won't."

"Lizzie." Charlotte warned.

"Don't worry. I won't be sent away if I can help it."

They all walked over together an hour later and were immediately greeted by Mrs deBourge.

"It's so good that you were able to come. I think company most important in every occasion. Your companion is a pretty sort of girl, Charlotte."

Lizzie wondered if she should take offense to that, but then dismissed it as the woman who just said things that normally offended people. Probably to show that they were inferior to her. She could deal with people like her.

"This isn't my companion so much as she is my best friend. This is Elise, she's a grade younger than me."

Lizzie wondered at her friend's introduction of her.

Not so much. What was that all about?

Charlotte was also using that sad excuse of a fake name.

No, she wouldn't be apart of it. Not for Richard or Charlotte. Not after that. So what if she got the boot, but she was sure she wouldn't.

"Elise is a good name and suits you well. Tell me Elise, do you have any siblings?"

Lizzie had almost missed the question in her musings and smiled. Time to have a little fun at everyone's expense. Her eyes twinkled.

"Yes I do, I'm the second of five girls. Elise is only a nickname. My real name is Elizabeth."

She heard Will's sharp intake of breath and wondered why he was in discomfort.

"That must be really unfortunate for your father." said Mrs deBourge.

"Yes, but my father finds humor in the chaos, and we're pretty close too."

Mrs deBourge nodded, "I myself was one of three girls. Do you play an instrument?"

Lizzie was surprised at the quick change in conversation but quickly recovered.

"Piano, but I'm pretty bad at it. I like sports better and run cross-country."

"I think exercise is very important in maintaining a healthy body and figure. It should never be neglected."

Lizzie smiled, Why were the others worried that this woman would hate her?

"You don't seem a day over thirteen. How old are you exactly?"

Lizzie wanted to laugh but she controlled herself, she heard this before but she always found it hilarious, "Sixteen. I have a summer birthday so I'm younger than most of the people in my class."

"To be able to look younger than your age can be a blessing in life. I remember when I looked like I was in my early teens when I was twenty." she said almost wistfully.

The older woman then turned and began talking to the Collins's, now finished with the interview. Lizzie guessed she passed the test.

She sat down and was soon joined by Richard. He whispered in her ear.

"I guess you didn't need our help."

"I guess not."

"I am surprise though, she seems to really like you."

"Are you sure that isn't worse." Lizzie laughed.

Richard smiled.

"Want to get out of here? I can show you around."

"I got a very detailed tour from Ricky the other day."

"But I can show you my secret spot."

She rose an eyebrow, "Okay"

The two got up and snuck out of the room.

He took her to the piano room and he sat down on the stool.

"This is your secret spot?" Lizzie laughed.

"I guess you got me. My actual secret spot is outdoors, but after you said you could play I can't help but want to hear you play."

"Could've just asked." she sat down beside him.

"Would you have come with me?"

"Probably not." Lizzie laughed. "What do you want me to play? Something easy though. I'm not going to whip out Mozart."

"Shoot, that's what I was going to request. What about Bach then?"

"Well if it's Bach." she gave him a little shove.

"Ok ok, play something you know. I'm sure anything you play is will be good."

Lizzie played a little a few rounds of Twinkle Little Stars to Richard's amusement and then Amazing Grace. The third song she chose was a song her mom had wrote when she was a piano teacher.

"I haven't heard this one before."

"My mom wrote this."

"She must be good."

"She was a piano teacher. Before we moved." Lizzie's smile wavered, thinking about how life used to be. She looked up and saw from the reflection on the piano that Will was right behind them.

She hoped he didn't hear their conversation.

"Did you follow us here to make fun of me? You will be disappointed to hear that I don't intimidate easily."

"Np, but I know you enough to understand you like to say things you don't believe yourself."

Lizzie frowned, What's he talking about?

"Apparently I'm shallow, Richard. So you can't take anything I say serious."

Did he hear what she said after all and was excusing her of lying?

She turned to fully look at her opponent, "So when I say that your cousin is cute…"

Richard erupted in laughter.

Will's face looked like he was about to blush, but then it changed to irritation.

"What else do you say about him? I would love to hear how he acts around strangers." Richard pleaded, "Though I can guess apart of it."

Lizzie smiled, perhaps she could give Richard another chance. He was willing to help her humiliate Will and that was always a good way to win her favor.

"Ready yourself for something pathetic. I first met your Will at a museum where he told me to shut up. Apparently art can come alive if you speak too loud."

"I remember seeing you there, but I didn't hear that part of the story."

"Next was when we were all at the Bingley's house where we played chess and only spoke twice to me. But I won the bet he issued so I was fine."

"Really? What kind of bet?"

"Who ever won the game has to do the other person a favor." Lizzie said with a smile towards Will.

"I never saw Will lose before in that game." Richard raised an eyebrow.

"I don't make a habit of losing." Will said gruffly.

"I'm pretty sure he wasn't playing to lose as chivalry, or at least I hope not."

Said Lizzie to Richard ignoring Will, "I do have to ask, why place a bet if you didn't expect to win?" She said turning to look at Will. "What were your plans if you did win? It must've been something great."

"Since I lost, I see no point in saying it."

"So have you used your favor?" Asked Richard.

"No, I'm still wondering what I should have him do."

"Maybe a date?" He suggested while sneaking a look at Will.

"No we already went on one. Talk about horrible. He actually tried to leave me behind and made fun of my sense of direction." Thinking back to that day made her think about the nice Will she ate with at Gino's. She quickly shook her thoughts from that. He was a two-face boy. The boy at Gino's was all an act.

Richard shook his head in disappointment.

"I think that requires a redo without using the bet."

"Oh no, don't torture me with such an idea. We had better not attempt another." Part of her was interested to see what that would look like, but she couldn't lose her conviction.

Suddenly they heard the booming voice of Mrs deBourge at the doorway.

"What are you all about? You should not leave unless told to, it is rude to go off on your own and abandon Anne, William."

Lizzie rose an eyebrow, Was there another girl in the room when they had entered?

Mrs deBourge had jumped on her so fast that she never got the chance to see who was there. She thought she saw someone sitting behind deBourge but she wasn't positive at the time.

They left a few minutes later.

Lizzie was able to see the girl, Anne. She looked almost as indifferent as Will when in company that she was convinced that they were siblings, or at least related.

That girl wouldn't be a great loss when they finally would be returning home.

A/N: A thousand pardons on not writing for so long. I got distracted with another story. I'll try to keep writing though. So unlike Darcy's POV I'll continue from the beginning of the day and through the aftermath. You'll get it when you read it. Thanks for reading as always.