It was a cold and dreary morning, early in August the weather matching the inhabitants of Longbourn. Mr Bennet had just returned with Mr Gardiner, after leaving his coats with the servants, he joined his wife and children in the drawing-room, after his brother-in-law took his leave he sat himself in his armchair he called for his son, little Tommy Bennet came running and crushed his face into his father's chest, Mr Bennet wrapped an arm around his son.
"Papa I missed you this morning"
Mr Bennet sighed and pulled his son up onto his lap, looking about the room for the first time, he saw his two daughters sat together hand in hand on the love seat, Elizabeth was looking at her father with dejected eyes, Jane had her eyes downcast to her feet, Elizabeth squeezed her sister's hand.
"How was it Papa?"
Mr Bennet offered his favourite daughter a wistful smile, cleared his throat at looked at his wife. Whose attention was solely on her clasped hands with tears running down her pale cheeks?
"As well as could have been expected Lizzy, Sir Lucas sends his condolences"
Mr Bennet watched his wife rise from her chair and walk slowly out of the room, soon after he deposited his son on the floor.
"Off to the nursery, my boy"
Mr Bennet led his son out of the room to join his wife, Jane walked over to the window watching the rain fall.
"Is it not fitting, the weather matches our sorrow"
Elizabeth joined her sister and linked her arm with her sisters.
"Yes, even god weeps for us on this summer's day"
The girls stood together watching the heavens pour. Elizabeth leaned her head on her sisters should, recalling all that led to this mournful day.