Back at Longbourn Lizzy lay sleeping in the window seat of her father's study. There she laid sprawled out clutching Darcy's necklace in her hand, her face still spotted with dried tears from the previous night.
It was still early in the morning, as the sun began to soak into the room, bouncing off of her father's books and trinkets.
Lizzy began to stir but before rising she held the necklace into the sunlight.
The emeralds and diamonds glistened in the sun.
Sitting up slightly she thought about how her life would be if she were to marry Mr. Darcy.
Visions of Pemberley and London hung in her mind. How would she ever learn to live that life?
"Now you are getting ahead of yourself Lizzy! He just fled the house yesterday to escape you and now you are concerning yourself with how life would be as Mrs. Darcy." Lizzy said out loud scolding herself for thinking of the future.
Lizzy knew she would have to deal with today before she dealt with the rest of her life.
Sitting up, necklace still in hand, Lizzy heard someone approaching the study. She prayed it was just Hill off to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, but when the doorknob began to turn her hopes were dashed.
Mr. Bennet entered his private sanctuary, not expecting to see anyone, let alone his daughter staring back at him shocked that he was there, in his own room.
Mr. Bennet was not concerned that his daughter was in his study, he was more alarmed with what she held in her hand.
The sun was still working its magic as Mr. Bennet entered and Darcy's gift now shone brighter than before, and right in the direction of the doorway.
"Lizzy what is that you are holding my dear?" As he spoke Mr. Bennet moved deeper into the room.
It was too late to hide it, Lizzy thought, her father had seen the necklace, and now he wanted an explanation.
"Papa, I can explain…"
Before Lizzy could continue, Mr. Bennet raised his hand.
"Wait, do you hear that? It could not be horses this early in the morning." Mr. Bennet continued to listen to the distant sound of hooves that were coming nearer to the house. "I do believe we have a visitor."
Mr. Bennet turned from Lizzy and began to walk down the hallway towards the front entrance of the house, his favourite daughter following behind him closely.