The whole of Longbourn was in an uproar the morning of Miss Jane Bennet's wedding, but in her usual fashion Jane did not show the world a hint of her anxiety or unease.

Mrs. Bennet on the other hand could not stop gushing over Jane's newly disclosed wedding gifts, and Elizabeth could have sworn that last night a prankster must have replaced Jane's real gifts with the crown jewels.

"Lizzy can you believe what generosity. What kindness." Mrs. Bennet cooed all the while focusing her attention not on the bride but on the pearl earrings and bracelet that sat on the bureau. "Jane has found the best husband; he is so lavish, so giving, she will be sure never to want for anything."

"Yes Mama, Mr. Bingley's gifts are very beautiful, but I think Jane is the real treasure." Elizabeth said while securing the new pearl necklace around the bride's neck.

Jane looked up at her sister and smiled. "Thank you Lizzy."

"Hurry Jane we must not be late, God help us all if Mr. Bingley catches a cold and dies before you can wed him!" Still ranting about her future son-in-law's good nature Mrs. Bennet hurried from the room to ready the father of the bride.

"Lizzy. I cannot believe today is finally here. I feel like I do not deserve this much happiness."

"Don't be silly Jane you deserve all the happiness in the world." Lizzy continued while putting the finishing touches on Jane's hair. "You will be the most beautiful bride the county has seen and I am sure that Mr. Bingley will see nothing other than your loveliness today." Lizzy stood back from Jane to admire the bride and turning towards the bureau went in search of Mr. Bingley's final two gifts to hand over to her sister.

"Lizzy you look beautiful yourself. You were right to select that emerald muslin for your new dress, the color suits you well." Securing her new earrings and bracelet preoccupied Jane from seeing the look of shock creeping upon Lizzy's face.

"Emerald! Emerald muslin!" Lizzy thought to herself

For the past hour Lizzy had been too busy preparing Jane to remember the necklace that sat hidden in her father's study. Taking an opportunity to recompose herself; Lizzy went to the nearby window to breathe the fresh air.

"Lizzy you never told me what took you so long to return upstairs last night. I long had given up on your reappearance." Jane said will fastening her bonnet.

Laughing uneasily Lizzy replied, "Silly me I forgot where Mr. Bingley had hidden the surprise, but after a while of searching I located it in the kitchen."

"That's odd Lizzy last night at dinner I could have sworn Mr. Darcy ducked into the kitchen, but I thought this a preposterous illusion." Jane shook her head.

Speaking to herself inside her own subconscious Lizzy began a turbulent battle. "What should I do, should I tell Jane, what will she think of me, should I get the necklace and return it to Mr. Darcy?" Shaking her head. "Yes that's it I should get the necklace, bring it to the wedding, and then return it to him." Looking out of the window Lizzy began to see reality. "He will never accept it back! Horrible man he probably will desire to know why I did not wear it. He must know that I cannot accept this gift after everything that has happened!" Rubbing her temple Lizzy continued her private battle, "After everything that has transpired with his Aunt and the letters and now that necklace…"

"Lizzy are you alright?" Jane said a look of concern forming on her face.

"Yes, Jane I am perfectly well, just making sure we have everything ready for the church." Clutching the wedding bouquets Lizzy met Jane at the entryway to their bedroom. Kissing her sister on the hand Jane led the way down the hallway to the waiting Bennets.

On the day of her sister's wedding Lizzy could not rid herself of a feeling of total gloom. How on earth would she ever be able to make it through this day when she knew Mr. Darcy would be so close at hand?

Heading out from Longbourn Lizzy could not help hearing her mother's continued compliments of Mr. Bingley, "Maybe one day my Lizzy a young gentleman will take a fancy in you and buy you a beautiful strand of pearls like Jane's."

If Mrs. Bennet only knew what was sitting in her husband's study silently taunting Lizzy as she made her way to the church.