Jane sat down at her dressing table, all the awhile watching Lizzy sitting on the bed behind her. All of the pieces to Jane's wedding attire were laid out around the room, and Lizzy was sitting on the bed cradling Jane's wedding day bonnet. Jane finished brushing out her hair and turned to watch Lizzy reposition the satin ribbon on the delicate white bonnet. Jane knew that she would have to be open with her sister and hope that Lizzy would confide in her.

"Lizzy, I could not help to notice that you ate very little at dinner tonight." Jane paused for a moment and continued before Lizzy could offer a reply. "I have also sensed that your usual good humor has been missing of late. I want you to know that I too am feeling very saddened by the prospect of leaving my most cherished sister and friend, but I am comforted by the fact that Netherfield Park is close enough for us to see each other every day if you wished. Mr. Bingley has also expressed his wish that you remain close to me, and he has even reserved one of the finest rooms in the house as your permanent guest chamber; however if there is something else distressing you dear Lizzy please ease your burden and confide in me so I might assist you." Jane stopped her prepared speech and looked up at Lizzy.

"Jane I am the most wretched sister, here you are the night before your wedding fretting over me." Lizzy had moved off of the bed and sat at Jane's feet in front of the dressing table. "You are right my mode has been much changed but I am sure it is just from the excitement of the last few months. I am too much like Papa and change never seems to agree with me." Holding Jane's hand Lizzy continued "I am so happy for you that tomorrow marks the beginning of your future happiness as Mrs. Bingley. I could see just how much your future husband esteems you from his frequent glances across the dining table tonight." Lizzy smiled warmly at her sister as she moved from the floor to stand up.

"Lizzy I am relieved to hear that it is only the recent household commotion that has you bothered; I was beginning to feel that there was something else you might be suppressing." There was a slight hesitation in her voice as Jane continued. "Speaking of tonight's dinner party I too could not help looking around the table and especially at Mr. Darcy, he too seems to be out of spirits, I wonder if he is also feeling uneasy about all the recent changes."

At the sound of Mr. Darcy's name Lizzy had abruptly spun around from her task of turning down Jane's bed to look at her sister.

"Mr. Darcy you say. I had not noticed that he seemed out of spirits, but maybe you are right sweet Jane he too might be feeling the imminent loss of his closest friend." Lizzy hastily returned to her task of readying Jane's bed.

"Lizzy there is something else about tonight that I cannot stop myself from relaying to you." Jane too stood and walked over closer to the bed. "Throughout dinner and even in the parlour tonight I continued to catch Mr. Darcy watching you. Every time he would look away from you I noticed that he would take a deep breath and close his eyes, as if he was in pain. I do not believe that anyone else at the party noticed this extraordinary sequence of events but me." Jane watched Lizzy as both sisters sat down on top of the bed. "What do you make of this Lizzy?" Jane probed.

"Well we all know Mr. Darcy to be aloof when in society. Maybe he was feeling ill tonight. Or maybe I have done something to displease him." Lizzy continued. "Whatever the reason is I am sure that he will be in better spirits for tomorrow's wedding."

"I hope your right dear Lizzy, but I cannot believe that you have done something to displease anyone, let alone Mr. Darcy." Jane smiled sweetly as she finished.

"All this talk about tonight has reminded me that I have almost forgotten to complete my secret task." Lizzy moved off the bed and retrieved her shawl from the settee. "Your future husband has left you a surprise, and he has instructed me to present it to you only after Mama has retired for the evening." Looking back at a now beaming Jane on the bed, from the open door Lizzy finished. "I will be back in an instant."

Shutting the door between Jane and herself Lizzy paused for a moment and leaned herself up against the hallway wall. Taking a deep breath Lizzy spoke aloud in a whispered plea. "Mr. Darcy looking at me? After all that has happened." Hearing her mother's voice trickling out into the silent hallway jolted Lizzy back into reality.

Swiftly making her way quietly down the hallway and stairs to the kitchen, Lizzy found what she was looking for, the basket Mr. Bingley had entrusted her with before dinner had begun. Mr. Bingley had given strict orders not let Mrs. Bennet know of the gift until the morning and Lizzy could not help but empathize with her future brother-in-law's plea for help.

Removing the basket from its temporary hiding place Lizzy carried it to a nearby chair. Looking inside Lizzy could see that there were four boxes tucked neatly inside.

Before Lizzy returned back to Jane she was struck with an odd thought, maybe she should check to see if all was well with the gift. Lizzy could not help herself, especially since Miss Bingley was staring daggers at Jane all night. Obviously Miss Bingley was contemplating her life as the soon to be ex-head of her brother's great household. Lizzy knew that it would be up to her to check for poisonous snakes stowed away in the bridegroom's gift.

As she pulled the boxes out of their enclosure one in particular stood out to her. It was unlike the other gifts that were wrapped in white lace, this package was different. Lizzy's whole body began to tense up and she could feel her heart racing as she held this package in her hands. It was different from the others, wrapped in what she could only guess was a piece of dark forest green velvet; Lizzy gazed down at the gift. Attached to the gift was a small piece of parchment. Lizzy thought she was hallucinating because clear as day written on the parchment was her name not Jane's. Why thought Lizzy would Mr. Bingley give her a gift the night before his wedding.

Curiosity drove Lizzy to open the note inscribed to her. She sat dumfounded as she read the short message over a second time and then a third time.

Miss Elizabeth,

I am reminded of Shakespeare's quote, "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." When I saw this in London I could not help thinking how lovely it would look around your neck, please wear this tomorrow.

Yours humbly,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Standing up Lizzy continued to read the short message again and then aloud as she moved from the middle of the kitchen to the back window, and there in the starlight she opened the gift from Mr. Darcy.

In the still of the kitchen the diamond and emerald necklace sparkled and Lizzy was left wondering how she was ever going to get up the stairs let alone get through tomorrow.