It was on a bright day Elizabeth found herself in the attic looking for the black bombazine left over from when Grandma Bennet had passed away.
Her mother had always bemoaned being thrown in the hedgerows on her father's passing. But never had Elizabeth imagined that mama would be the first to go.
It was so sudden. Mrs. Bennet was her usual self, moving around the house as she planning a trip to Meryton to visit Aunt Phillips.
As they were waiting in drawing room, for the carriage to be readied, mama had moment gone pale and fainted.
Mr Jones was called, and he comfirmed that Mama was no more. It was a terrible shock.
Even Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had returned to London after the funeral.
She had never seen Papa so out of sorts. Both she and Jane had found him deep in his cups one evening. But thankfully he was handling himself tolerably well since then.
The house was eerily quiet, there was no silly squabbles between Lydia and Kitty. Mary was not playing the pianoforte. And dearest Jane was now bearing the burden of being the mistress of longbourn. She was taking care of all her younger sisters.
After Mr. Bingley's abrupt departure had left Jane heartbroken, to add such a thing on top of that, was just cruelty of fate.
Lizzy was hiding in the attic, it was very unlike her, but with the constant rain and the uncharacteristic stillness at Longbourne left her unsettled.
Elizabeth hid in the attic to get away from the overwhelming silence of the house. The attic was a warm place, filled with old toys and unused furniture, it was full of memories.
Jane made her way towards the attic, knowing she would find Lizzy there.
She saw Elizabeth sitting on the truck near the window. The weather was beautiful with warm sunlight pouring life into the trees, so in contrast to the stifling atmosphere in the house.
" Lizzy dearest, Lydia is so young, you should not take words to heart." Jane said trying to get Elizabeth out of her current mood.
" I know Jane, I know she is upset. But Jane, I am more angry with myself. Even Mary and Kitty agreed with Lydia… they were right, I am not a good elder sister to them", Elizabeth cried out.
Jane cried, " Lizzy, I feel awful, I am as guilty. I was supposed to look after them, being the eldest it was my responsibility . They were right, it always has been both of us, you are my best friend lizzy, and my confidante, I have lost touch with my younger sisters."
Lizzy, "Oh Jane!" Elizabeth stood up and wrapped her arms around Jane "You are my best friend and confidante too! But, we may have ignored our younger sisters a bit , I think" Elizabeth said with a sad smile on her face.
" We will do everything we can for them. Without Mama it is going to be very hard for them", Jane said with determination in her voice.
"And Papa too, I have never seen him so out of humour. I guess Papa did love mama in his own way" Elizabeth sighed.
Elizabeth smiled and hooked her arm with Jane's, almost back to her self, hastily jumped up and declared , " I am terribly starved, I will ask Hill to send some tea for us ",
"Lizzy, watch your steps, we don't want you to fall" Jane laughed and exclaimed.
Lizzy turned to face Jane and smiled, "Oh Jane , I have not fallen in more than a year now!"
The next they knew Elizabeth had taken Jane down with her, and both were lying tangled on the dusty sheets covering the numerous objects in the attic.
Lizzy laughed out loud , " Oh Lord, it seems I spoke too soon!"
Jane however was looking at a small wooden trunk, which had dislodged due to their fall.
It was made of polished wood, the lid had detailed engraving. A symbol crafted with precious stones surounded by delicate gold work sat in the centre.
Lizzy turned and saw where Jane was looking at the soft glow surrounding the trunk , she reached out and brought the small trunk near her and looked at Jane's eyes burning with curiosity. A shaky breath escaped her stretching out her hand to feel the glimmering stone. Jane gasped and held Lizzy's hand.