Lizzy slowed her pace when she saw Charles Bingley standing in the middle of the lane leading back to the house.
Lizzy hoped that he had not been there long, for her tear soaked eyes would surely give her away.
Looking towards him Lizzy could sense an air of concern radiating off of Charles Bingley, as he stood fidgeting with his cravat.
Recognizing that it was too late to flee Lizzy surrendered herself to her fate and continued the journey until she stood in front of her sister's new husband.
Not wanting to break the awkward quiet, and still holding on to the hope that he would let her pass without a word, Lizzy stood uncertain of her next move.
Charles Bingley on the other hand, a commonly hesitant conversationalist, was eager to uncover the mystery surrounding his wedding day celebration.
Darcy's abrupt exodus and now Elizabeth's unusual behaviour were all too much for Bingley to stand! He had to discover the truth, for he did not want Jane's happy day to be disturbed. The task must fall to him, Bingley thought as he began to select his next words wisely, for he believed himself on the cusp of a great discovery.
Looking to Lizzy he began, all the while praying that Caroline or even worse Mrs. Bennet would not descend on top of them before he was finished.
"Miss Elizabeth, I apologize for invading your solitude, but I could not help feeling you were in need of assistance. I do hope you know that today marks not only my marriage to Jane but also our relationship as brother and sister." A sweet smile began to form on Bingley's nervous face as he continued. "I cannot tell you how happy I am to become a part of the Bennet family."
"I too am so honoured to welcome you to Longbourn as my brother, but please Mr. Bingley. Charles, Lizzy amended herself, do not worry about me. I am perfectly well." Lizzy replied with a curtsey as she endeavoured to walk by Charles Bingley.
Before Lizzy could make her way back to the house Bingley had once again pleasantly endeavoured to block her path.
"Elizabeth, as your new brother I want you to trust that I will always be willing to aide you in any matter or trial you find yourself in, please do not hesitate to call upon me in times of distress."
"Charles, I thank you again for your generosity but I find myself in no need of a rescuer at the present time. Pray, I beg your leave I have neglected Jane for far too long, and you your guests."
Still blocking the path to the house Charles continued his inquiry attempting not to dismay his wife's sister, but steadfast in his task to rectify whatever wrong had been dealt.
"Elizabeth I will accompany you back to the household if you are quite sure that nothing is amiss."
Frustration building up inside of her and her temper threatening to get the better of her Lizzy again looked to Charles Bingley to deliver her reply.
"Dear Charles, you truly are the kindest and best husband for Jane, and the finest brother I could have wished for. I thank you again for your worry, but I only needed a bit of fresh air, I dare say the celebration had sought to stifle my energy. I am feeling quite better now. Let us walk back to the house together." Lizzy smiled, confident that Charles would accept her reply as the truth.
Charles looked to Lizzy and hesitantly allowed her to walk by him as he followed her up the lane.
Looking up to the house Lizzy had thought she misheard Charles as he endeavoured to speak again.
Turning around she looked to her brother-in-law who had also stopped walking, and who was looking more worried and unsure than before.
"I am sorry Charles, but did you just speak to me. I am quite sure I missed your full declaration."
Looking right at her, Charles Bingley again repeated what Lizzy had not fully heard a moment earlier, or what she secretively wished she had not heard.
"I said Elizabeth, where did you put the necklace?" His face turning a crimson shade of red, Charles continued to hold the gaze he had locked on Lizzy.
"I beg your pardon. I do not know what you are speaking of Charles, do you mean the pearl necklace you bought Jane? I do believe she is wearing it."
Feeling her feeble walls crumbling around her, Lizzy felt stripped of her protected barrier. How on earth did Charles know that Mr. Darcy's gift, the emerald necklace, was mocking her from inside her father's study!
"No Elizabeth. Not the pearl necklace, the emerald one!"
Struggling to breath, Lizzy fought on hoping to hold her defences.
"The emerald necklace Charles? I am not sure what you are referring to."
"You know exactly what I am alluding to Elizabeth! I am now fully confident that you have been the thought preoccupying Darcy's mind for the past few months. I would also wager all of Netherfield that I am correct in my assumption that you are privy to the whereabouts of the necklace I saw in Darcy's quarters three days ago."
A tear began to form, followed by another and then another, till Lizzy could feel a cascade of emotion begin to rush down her checks.
Charles Bingley inched closer to Lizzy timidly placing his hand on her forearm.
"Elizabeth I fear it is time for you to be candid. My dear friend has fled this house, and now I find you moments ago presumably searching for his trace. Please I will ask you only once more is anything amiss!"
As Lizzy looked at Charles, with tears bathing her face, she suddenly began to feel weak with the darkness filling her mind, and as his words became inaudible and faded Lizzy found herself collapsing into her brother-in-law's arms!