Readers,

Hi, I've redone some scenes and moved a few things around. So if a scene seems familiar, it was likely in the last scene and I've moved it here. I hope this works a bit better. Thanks for reading. Happy holidays.

Grace

After Elizabeth Bennet spoke, Cousin Richard leaned back on the emerald loveseat in Lady Catherine's lesser sitting room, watching the small fire sputter and pop in the hearth.

"So, what you're telling me, Darcy," He turned to Elizabeth and pointed at her. "No–, you're Darcy, is that all this spring I have been dining, drinking, and on occasion, sleeping in the same room with none other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet, but in my cousin's Darcy's physical form?"

Darcy nodded, wincing a bit. "It sounds more ridiculous when said aloud."

A wry smile spread on Richard's lips. "Darcy, you have uttered many ridiculous thoughts with me in our lives, but this odd one is quite possibly the most outstanding one yet."

He laughed, play-punching what he assumed was Darcy's arm. "And you somehow got Miss Bennet to go along with your game. I know not how, but I am impressed! You both looked so serious. For a moment, you had me concerned. I thought perhaps Georgiana was ill. Well done. Now, enough funning; it is a very important moment: time for my brandy."

He stood, straightened his jacket and strolled to the liquor sideboard, where he poured a tumbler of brandy into a crystal glass.

Elizabeth's gaze met Darcy's. Of course he did not believe them. Who would? What could possbily convince him? Darcy gazed around the fine room for a moment. He snatched a pillow from the loveseat and sat down, clutching it to his chest.

"Richard," he said, not bothering anymore with formalities. "There are many events only you and Darcy would be privy to. Is that not so?"

The Colonel looked at Elizabeth and frowned. "Miss Bennet, do you mean to continue with this game?" he returned to his seat and sank into it. "Has Darcy revealed some boyhood secrets to you?"

"I have revealed nothing," Elizabeth said simply.

Richard looked with confusion from Elizabeth to Darcy. "Fine," Richard smiled gamely. "What has he told you?"

Darcy smiled sadly. "Nothing has been revealed because I am your cousin, Darcy. Ask me anything from our past if you cannot believe me."

"Very well," Richard took another healthy sip of his drink. "What occurred at Rosings at Easter, when we were 13 years of age?"

Darcy smiled now. "We were riding in the woods, and you fell from your mount and broke your ankle. You were very sour about it the rest of the stay."

Richard smiled back. "You would be sour too if you were bedbound for a fortnite at Rosings, although that is accurate." He took another sip of brandy. "Do you remember what caused my fall?"

"We were racing our horses like foolish boys, galloping along in a field. Lady Catherine had a new gelding we wished to test. You slipped off because you did not tie your saddle properly, I believe."

Richard shook his head, looking from Elizabeth to Darcy. "Most impressive! She sounds just like you."

Darcy scratched his head. "I am he. Do you truly think I would make up this fancy?"

"To toy with me, cousin, you would brook any river."

"Possibly, but I would not inconvenience Miss Bennet," Darcy said.

The Colonel stopped and peered at the person he thought was Elizabeth Bennet. "That is the most Darcyish thing you've said yet." He turned to looked at Darcy. "You have seemed out of sorts since I have found you weeks ago. I could not puzzle it out. It cannot be so." He shook his head. "It's not possible."

"Yet here we are," Elizabeth said.

"And that is something Darcy would never say," Richard said quietly. "You may stop now. Your game is starting to grow tiresome."

Darcy stood up. "Do you remember the name of Lady Catherine's gelding?"

"Miss Bennet, this is quite unnecessary."

"Do you?"

Richard rubbed his hand over his mouth and glanced up to the ceiling as if trying to recall. "It has been a very long time. Bleu Billy? King Corneus? I do not recall."

Darcy smiled. "Wood-Daemon. Very apt, I always thought."

Richard's eyes narrowed again. "I cannot believe you were told that detail."

"Do you remember?"

Richard shrugged. "That may have been the name of any of Aunt Catherine's horses, and Darcy likely have told you."

"Ask me something else," Darcy said, nodding.

"Your mother's maiden name?"

"Matlock."

"That is too simple. What is your mother's first name?"

Darcy blinked. "Georgiana, of course."

"An intelligent guess. What is my sister's name?"

Darcy smiled. "You do not have a sister."

Richard's smile faded a bit. "What year did our grandfather pass?"

"1793. Yellow fever."

"This is ridiculous. Everyone died of Yellow Fever in 1793. I do not care how many questions you answer; I'll not believe in a bewitchment tale. I know an elaborate jest when I see it, especially from you. I shall discover it yet. This is shameful, Darcy. Good night, Miss Bennet." Richard said, stalking out of the sitting room.

Darcy and Elizabeth were left looking at each other.

"Well," Elizabeth said.

Darcy started to smile. "He is upset. He left his brandy." He pointed to the half-drunk glass sweating on the table where the Colonel had been moments before.

Another moment later a footman opened the door, bowed to them both, quickly retrieving Richard's brandy glass. The footman moved to the door, bowed again to Darcy and slipped through the door.

Later, Darcy concocted an excuse to allow him to stay later at Rosings that evening. He told a footman to tell Charlotte he and Richard were playing card games with Anne.

"Do you think she'll believe that?" Darcy asked Elizabeth.

Elizabeth frowned. "I suppose she'll have no reason to disbelieve it, but she may find it out of character for me."

Darcy and Elizabeth walked swiftly down a long silent hall to Rosing's library, hoping none of Lady Catherine's staff might interrupt their plan. He had asked his cousin, Richard to join them, but he had not responded.

"We have to set this straight as soon as possible," Darcy said more to himself than to Elizabeth as they walked. She could see he was nervous and had to walk rapidly to keep up with her strides.

They entered the library without being seen. Elizabeth had the small white book of incantations tucked into her coat.

They found a small table away from the entrance and sat down. Elizabeth opened the book.

Darcy eyed the book as Elizabeth set it in front of him. "Hopefully, we can undo this ridiculousness as soon as humanly possible, and wake up as our correct selves tomorrow morning. Do you remember the page?" he asked.

"I believe so," she turned pages until Darcy took it from her and found the right page in an annoyingly Darcy way.

"We simply read it to each other? That is all we did the first time, correct?"

Darcy nodded. "Here it is." He pointed to the page. They both looked at the flourishing script.

"Should you read, or shall I?"

"Maybe we both should read?"

Darcy nodded and Elizabeth closed her eyes.

"I feel ridiculous," Darcy muttered. Elizabeth peeked a look at him through his surprisingly long lashes.

Finally he shut his eyes. Elizabeth studied him–or she studied him in her face. His jaw set strong. He inadvertently bit the inside of his lip as he began reading the incantation. Even in her familiar features, she could see him. Or the essence of him. Or perhaps she was imagining it. She shut her eyes and joined him.

"Nine knots upon this thread. Nine blessings upon thy head.

Blessings to take away thy pain. And to see anew a-gain."

Darcy's eyes fluttered open and they glanced around the room.

"Do you feel any different?" she whispered. He shook his head.

Nor did she. Despite herself, she glanced down, disappointed to see Darcy's coat and breeches still covering her body.

A moment later, a sound came from behind a large bookcase. Elizabeth froze, not breathing. She met Darcy's gaze.

Another sound, a swish of a book closing. That was not her imagination. Someone was in the library with them.

Then, light footsteps from around the corner. Darcy held a finger to his lips and nodded. He stood, went to the bookcase, waiting for whomever was approaching to find them. She thought it ridiculous that he–in her body–might try to protect her. Although it was kind of him to try.

A moment later, Anne de Bourgh with her lady's maid behind her, appeared from behind a bookcase. Remarkably, she was not in her wheeling chair at all, but stood straight and firm.

"Miss Bennet!" She said. "I thought I heard your voice. What a surprise to find you and Cousin Darcy here."

Darcy sagged in surprise. "Miss de Burghe! You are walking today! Which is marvelous."

Anne smiled slyly. "Some days I am strong." Her gaze fell to the book in Elizabeth's hand still on the table. "Pray what brings you to mother's library?"

Darcy frowned, speaking quickly. "I was seeking new reading material and I encountered Mr Darcy on my way here, so I accompanied him."

Anne's eyes warmed to him. "And what did you find in mother's collection, Darcy?"

"Scottish poetry," Elizabeth said, shrugging. "Nothing to signify."

"I know the books here well. Which one?" She stepped forward to view the book before Elizabeth quickly pulled it off the table.

"Nothing to signify."

Anne blinked. "Not that I was eavesdropping, but…might I view the title?"

Darcy stepped forward into Anne's path and tried to smile. "It is truly is nothing." Elizabeth could see sweat beading on his brow.

"I am more interested in poetry than you may know," Anne said, and an uneasy feeling unfolded in Elizabeth's stomach. Anne seemed far healthier than she had realized.

Anne reached down and grasped the book in Elizabeth's hand. For a moment, there was a silent battle between the two, but Anne won, pulling the book to her arms.

"Scottish Incantations," she read. "How fascinating. How did this book get here? I have not seen it before."

"It is from the Netherfield library in Hertfordshire," Darcy said. "I confess I brought it with me."

He is taking the blame from me, Elizabeth thought. The only trouble was he was her.

"Oh, are you interested in incantations?" Anne looked from Darcy to Elizabeth carefully. "It sounded as though you were reciting one just now. Not that I was eavesdropping. I could not help but hear."

"Yes, it was a great joke. It was a spell to grant Colonel Fitzwilliam luck in love. It was meant in fun," Elizabeth said.

Would Anne report back to her mother and have Darcy taken away for an unnatural interest in witchcraft?

Anne smiled again. "Darcy. I can assure you I mean you no harm. Might we discuss…certain expectations. Might you be so kind as to come by my apartment in a quarter of an hour? A talk is long due between us."

Elizabeth swallowed, glanced to Darcy, but nodded, unsure what else to do.

"What were you thinking?" Darcy said after Anne and her maid left the library.

"I don't see the harm in meeting her. I will not allow us to marry me off, I can assure you. And please do not speak to me like that."

Darcy chewed the inside of his lip, saying nothing.

"Have a care not to chew off my lip."

Darcy set his jaw in a very Darcyseque way. "I am sorry, I am simply out of my depth in these circumstances. You do not know this family as I do, Miss Bennet. Not everyone is as forthright and well-meaning as you."

Elizabeth was quiet. He thought her well-meaning? She walked to the corridor where Anne de Burghe's bed chamber lay.

Anne de Bourgh met her at her chamber door, seated in her chair with her lady's maid behind her. Her pale face shone around a halo of dark hair.

She smiled mildly. "Cousin Darcy," she said with more strength than Elizabeth expected. "I hoped you might indulge me. I apologize for the secrecy, but. I wish to talk without my mother's interference. A challenge my whole life, I'm afraid. But I will not take up too much of your evening, I promise that."

Elizabeth was intrigued. Curiosity burned in her chest and she wished to simply learn more. Darcy had claimed they were not engaged, but was it true?

Elizabeth nodded and she entered the outer room of her chamber. "May I push your chair?"

Anne shook her head. "Dawson is very attuned to my needs," she said, referring to her maid who followed behind. "But please follow."

When they reached Anne's apartment, her door was ajar and it was simple to enter inside without thinking it improper. Her room was tidy to the point of sterility, everything carefully laid out in its place. Elizabeth wondered about Anne's personal interests, but saw no evidence of them here.

Dawson wheeled Anne around so she was looking at Elizabeth. "This is as far as my mother even comes into my room," Anne said. "She is not fond of a sick room."

Elizabeth made a small "oh" sound without meaning to. Suddenly she felt sorry for Anne having Lady Catherine for a mother.

"Do come," Anne said, and Dawson wheeled her toward a large walled bookcase. Dawson grasped a wall sconce, lowering it, and the bookcase slid to the side. Dawson moved the bookcase quickly, and a then dark hall became visible. Elizabeth had heard of secret chambers in rooms, but she had never actually seen one. She stepped inside behind Anne and her maid.

"Does your mother know of this?" Elizabeth said as she took in the torch-lined hall.

The bookcase snapped closed behind them.

"Of course not, thank goodness," Anne said.

Ahead was a door. Dawson pulled a key out of her pocket, unlocked it and pushed Anne into the cozy room. Elizabeth stepped into warm, candlelight-lit room, which was smelled of a clean earthy scent, like a garden. In the corner, there was an overstuffed bookcase, a great table filled with flowers in all kinds of vases, dried herbs, apothecary bottles, baskets, books piled high, and several potted plants and ferns. Incense smoke wafted lazily through the air, making it hard to take in the room all at once. Behind the table was a burning fireplace and several chairs with pillows and fur rugs. Every single spot seemed taken up by something more wonderful than the last, whether it was a jar of polished stones or a fat, grey cat on the chair. Elizabeth was speechless. "What a wonderful room," she said finally, turning to Anne.

Anne rose fluidly out of the chair and threw off the shawl she had wrapped around her shoulders. She shook out her thick, dark hair and pinned it back with something that looked like a piece of shiny bone.

Anne smiled now, showing straight teeth, and looking quite different from the sickly girl in the chair Elizabeth had met earlier.

"But, how?" Elizabeth said.

Anne sighed. "I know you will not understand, Darcy. I was a sickly child, so I learned about herbs and medicines to keep health. An apothecary taught me much, as did other healers. When your mother is Lady Catherine, you learn life is easier if you appear sick and weak most of the time."

"My word!" Elizabeth was stunned. "So the chair is an affectation?"

Anne nodded. "I learned early to keep it to myself. Studying plants has a unfortunate tendency to be viewed as suspicious when done by women, even in these modern times." She lifted her eyebrows. "Can I offer you some tea? Dawson will pour us a cup."

Elizabeth nodded her head dumbly and sank into a nearby seat, struggling to take in the newfound information.

Anne's lady's maid crushed dried herbs and spices in a pot and poured hot water off the fireplace into it, letting it steep. Elizabeth watched as Dawson poured two steaming cups and set them down in front of them. When she looked up, Anne was watching her closely.

"There is something so different about you these days, Darcy. I cannot puzzle it out. You seem to have almost nothing of the boy I know from childhood."

Elizabeth felt her face grow hot and flush. "That was a long time ago," was all she could think to say.

"There is a real reason I have asked you here. I wished you to know I have no expectations for an understanding between us, despite how my mother speaks of me."

Elizabeth smiled at how self-composed the young woman in front of her was.

Anne shook her head. "Despite her best efforts, she will not live forever, and I will inherit Rosings Park. Then I shall live how I wish."

"Do you not want a family?" Elizabeth said and then regretted it. It was too invasive to ask.

Still, Anne smiled politely. "I am not like you, Darcy, bound by duty. I simply wish to be left alone to my plants and herbs. I can do far more good with the fortune than my mother did by spending it on carriages and gowns."

Elizabeth slipped her tea, which she found was quite delicious. "I am all astonishment."

"I wished you to understand that you are under no obligations."

"That is very kind of you."

"Now we may behave like true cousins and not grimace everytime we see one another."

"Thank you again," Elizabeth rose and returned through the dark hall and sterile bed chamber Anne used as her own. As she passed through, a looking glass on the opposite wall caught her attention, and she startled to see Darcy's tall reflection as she hurried by. A wild though arose in Elizabeth's head. Perhaps Anne might be more help than she originally realized.

Darcy could not believe Elizabeth's words.

"You are speaking of my cousin?" he stopped walking, wrapped in a lavender shawl before of a field of newly-blooming snow belles. "Anne de Bourgh? No. Impossible. Beyond comprehension," he shook his head as he resumed walking a trail along a woods at Rosings.

Elizabeth grinned, enjoying having knowledge Darcy did not. "It is the Lord's honest truth."

"You expect me to believe not only is Anne healthy, she does not wish to marry me, and lives in a secret room that her mother has never seen where she makes tinctures?'

"You cannot believe a woman would not wish to marry you?"

"No," he rolled his eyes. "That is not my meaning. I meant the rest is difficult to comprehend."

"Is it really so difficult, considering…?" she swept her hands over her tall, masculine frame."

He gave an aggrieved, Darcyish sigh. "I suppose not. And she told all this to you?"

"She told Darcy."

He finally nodded. "Do you think we might go to her with our…complication?"

"I am unsure, but she is decidedly different than I suspected. She is not an ally of her mother's, it seems.""Perhaps the time has come to confide in few people, for which I will need your help," Darcy said, his stomach uneasy at the thought.