Chapter One

Lizzy and Will sat at the breakfast table, eating and conversing as was their usual morning ritual. Briggs came in, carrying that day's mail.

"Three letters for the master, and one for Mrs. Darcy!"

"For me? I wonder who could be sending me a letter? Oh! It is from Netherfield!" said Elizabeth, taking the letter and opening it.

Darcy watched his wife's face as she read the letter that he assumed was from his sister-in-law. But her face darkened, and soon tears came to her eyes. Darcy stood up and was at her side in an instant.

"My darling, what is the matter? Do tell!"

She hesitated.

"…Jane…" was all she said, holding out the letter. He took it and read the letter. It was from Bingley. There were blotches where Darcy presumed tears had fallen.

My dear sister-in-law,

I hardly know what to right. It is such a shock to all of us. It's your sister. She—That is…when I awoke this morning, she did not wake up. She wasn't breathing. So I called a doctor. He came as soon as he could…but there was nothing he could do. I need hardly tell you that we are feeling her loss very keenly here at Netherfield. I hardly know if we can carry on without her. I would be very much obliged I f Darcy and yourself would come as soon as you can.

Charles Bingley.

Darcy was shocked. He had not expected something so morbid. Jane. She had been closer to him than anyone in the world, save Elizabeth, Georgianna and Bingley. And now she was gone.

He knelt down next to his sobbing wife, and took her in his arms. She sobbed into his shoulder, tears soaking his cravat and collar.

"She was so young! She shouldn't have had to go! Poor Charles! He wont be able to cope without her! How shall I cope without her?"

Darcy only stroked her hair, and hushed her.

"My love? Shall I have the carriage brought out, so we can leave immediately?"

"We? Should I go alone? Don't you have business?"

"Not anymore. Now my sole concern is for you and the Bingley Family."

"Oh, Will! I don't deserve such a husband! And I didn't deserve such a sister either!" she broke into fresh sobs of sorrow.