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C harlotte and Mrs. Gardiner stared at Elizabeth, shocked by her unexpected arrival. Before anyone could utter a word, Elizabeth threw herself into her aunt’s arms.

“I cannot believe you are here. I am so happy to see you,” she cried with joy and relief.

“I am truly sorry to hear what happened and so angry with your parents. How could they do this to you?” Mrs. Gardiner cried with equal emotion.

Charlotte did not intervene. She realized something was amiss with Elizabeth’s return, and Elizabeth fought hard and controlled her tears. All she wanted was answers from her aunt.

“How are you here?” she asked her aunt.

“I returned along with the children yesterday. There was a letter waiting for me from your friend, and I cannot explain how I felt understanding what transpired in Longbourn. Lizzy! I am truly sorry. We should not have trusted them.”

“I have been most anxious to see you since I learned the truth. Please tell me what happened to my mother and who my father is.”

“Whatever you heard from your parents is true. You were born to Edward’s youngest sister, Sarah.”

“Is she truly dead?”

“Yes! I am so sorry to say this,” Mrs. Gardiner said with regret.

“What about my father? They had so many accusations about my mother. They said she was unmarried when she was pregnant with me.”

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her niece with sadness.

“Lizzy, everything I say now is what I have learned from your uncle. Your grandfather, Mr. Stephen Gardiner, was an established tradesman in town. He raised his three children by himself, as your grandmother passed away soon after her youngest was born.”

Elizabeth listened with intent.

“Your mother, Sarah, was the youngest. Edward told me that his father adored her, and she was Edwards’s favorite sister too.

When your mother was around eighteen, your uncle left overseas to learn business.

She fell in love with someone in that period, and I do not know the particulars.

When he returned, your mother was already with a child.

She has refused to disclose who the father was and… ”

“So, she was never married?” Elizabeth asked with a quivering voice.

“That is what Edward told me, and unfortunately, she died after your birth. Your grandfather passed away within a month of her demise. Mrs. Bennet was carrying Jane around the same time, andthey offered to raise you as their own.”

“I do not understand. So, Jane is younger than me?”

“Yes, dear!”

“After Jane was born. They established themselves in Hertfordshire, where no one knew them, and it was easy for them to raise you as sisters. Edward was unmarried then; already burdened with the fallen business of your grandfather, he thought it was a wise decision as well. I am not revealing this out of pride, but your uncle bears the expenses for raising you, and your parents have not refused the money we sent to date.”

“You could have revealed this to me at some point,” Elizabeth said with sadness.

“It was done to protect you.”

“Protect me from the truth?”

“To give you a good life with a family, Lizzy, and I never realized they treated you so poorly. I am certain your uncle would be enraged.”

“Please tell me honestly. Did Uncle Gardiner detest my mother because of what she did? I know how my parents feel about her as they were vocal in their sentiments about her disgrace.”

“He felt betrayed. I must be honest. Her condition devasted him. As a brother, you could expect how he felt as she refused to reveal details about your father when she was alive, which angered him. But he sincerely wishes he had done things differently and been more supportive of her needs.”

Tears streamed down Elizabeth’s eyes.

It is true; I was born out of wedlock.

Charlotte held Elizabeth’s hand.

“Lizzy, please do not be upset,” she said, unable to bear her distress.

Elizabeth did not reply. She had always hoped her aunt and uncle would have answers to all the questions about her past, but the harsh reality was that the details her aunt revealed only affirmed everything her parents had said.

“So, this is the truth. Everything my parents said about my mother was true. Does he hate her too?” Elizabeth asked her aunt.

“What…what do you mean?” Mrs. Gardiner asked in confusion.

“Does Uncle Gardiner detest my mother, too? Does he hold her in contempt?”

Her aunt hesitated.

“He could not forgive her at that period. But after her demise, he does regret it. Lizzy, please come with me. I know Mrs. Davis has supported you genuinely, and I am indebted to her forever. But now, I am here, and you have us. I will write to your uncle immediately and request his presence. We must not let your parents get away with it.”

“I cannot go back. I thought they lied about everything, but I was wrong. The world can call my mother whatever it wants, but I cannot detest her. She must have had a reason to have kept the details about my father a secret.”

“I understand how you feel, and you must try to understand us; we always thought you were safe and happy in Longbourn. We never realized they treated you poorly, and you did not deserve it. I never imagined that they would stoop to such levels of orchestrating a compromise. I understand perfectly that they never thought of you as their own,” she said with guilt.

“Please come with me, Lizzy,” she begged.

“I am sorry, but I cannot. Please do not think I am upset with you. I have always looked up to you, and my affection for you and my uncle will never change. But now, I have chosen a life on my own accord and do not want to live a life dependent on anyone.”

“But we are not like your parents and have always loved you. We would never treat you like they did,” Mrs. Gardiner pleaded.

“I am well aware of that. I do not disregard your affection and concern for my well-being. But I must find my way in this world. You can call me stubborn, but I have too many scars to heal. Please understand why I made this decision,” she said with dejection.

“Lizzy, you asked your aunt many questions, and I want to ask you one. Why are you here?” Charlotte asked with concern.

Elizabeth stared at her friend, unable to reveal the truth in front of her aunt.

“I quit my employment with them. They wanted to find someone with more experience, and I understood their preference.”

Charlotte did not press her anymore.

“Do you think I can leave you without offering any kind of assistance? You think very ill of me, don’t you?” her aunt asked angrily.

“I have very high regard for you, and it is not that I do not trust you. I don’t want to find comfort anywhere.

I have known nothing but Longbourn in the past twenty years, and one day, there was nothing left for me there.

I cannot tell you how difficult it was to come to that decision within minutes and leave.

I feared everything and everyone in this world that night.

But now, I do not want to fear the world anymore. Please do not press me.”

“Your uncle will never allow it. Please stay with us for a few months, and you will change your mind.”

“I do not know what he can say to convince me to change my perspective. Please do not mistake me; give my love to my cousins.”

Her aunt tried to convince her as much as possible, and sensing Elizabeth’s stubbornness, she left without a choice.

“Charlotte, I am sorry to come here without an intimation. Until yesterday, I never thought I would quit employment there,” Elizabeth finally said to her friend after her aunt left.

Charlotte was silent for a few seconds.

“Was it, Mr. Brooks? Did he…” She asked with hesitation.

“Good heavens! No! It was not him,” Elizabeth cried with horror.

Elizabeth quickly related the previous night’s events, and Charlotte was enraged beyond measure.

“He must be punished for what he did. How dare they doubt your words? I will go there right away, along with my husband.”

Elizabeth stopped her.

“It is of no use, Charlotte. It is not worth your time.”

“This is why I asked you to stay here. See what has happened; what is the need for you to face all this?” her friend asked with irritation.

“I cannot shun the entire world because of one experience I had,” Elizabeth said.

“What about your aunt? She seemed very hurt about your denial.”

“My intention was not to hurt her, but I cannot live with them, Charlotte. I still feel there is something more to this story about my past. If my mother did not get married and did not disclose the identity of my father, there must be a reason for it. I cannot go to my uncle’s place because…”

“Because he never forgave her for her mistake.”

Elizabeth nodded in silence.

“Lizzy! I want to support your decision. But tell me you will stay here and not look for another employment.”

“I cannot; I need to find another position soon. I have no other choice but to trespass on your kindness until then,” she said and Charlotte chastised her for her words.

“All I want you to be is happy and safe. We are here to support you in all your endeavors, but I hope you will change your mind and consider staying here.”

Some days passed, and a letter arrived from Mary. Elizabeth understood from its contents that her aunt had paid a visit to Hertfordshire.

Dearest Lizzy,

I miss you so terribly, and I am unable to navigate my days without you here. There is no happiness, no insightful conversation, and nobody like you to comfort me. I am truly selfish to disclose my sadness when I cannot fathom what you are going through.

I hope your employers are kind and considerate. I truly pray for your safety and long for the day we can meet again. Sometimes, I am tempted to travel to town and meet you. But I do not want to give them the slightest hint about your whereabouts.

I will not mention anything about the behavior of our sisters and parents after your departure. I have nothing to say about them, and they are not worth discussing.