[for Jane]

[bennetsister]

Even though it had been days since receiving Mr. Darcy's letter, Elizabeth could not stop thinking about it. It weighed on her mind throughout the day as she went about her business, exploring the island and all its exotic beauty, and at night when sleep eluded her, and nearly every moment in between. Dr. Chase's words, too, were at the forefront

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[bennet_beauty]

Jane had been out in the front of the home during the daylight hours of the day and she sat, gardening out weeds and planting new species, wiping the sweat of her brow. Stuart was working and she did think to keep a lovely household, having even tidied and decorated Lizzy's room (which was, in months time, to be shared with the child).

When she saw her sister return, she rested upon her heels and waited, her bonnet shading her visage from the sun.

[bennetsister]

Elizabeth sat down beside her sister and managed a smile for her. "Do let me help you," she said earnestly. She thought that some useful employment was just what she needed at the moment. "You should not be doing so much in the hot sun."

[bennet_beauty]

"I assure you," Jane spoke, her tone even, but if one was accustomed to the rise and fall of Jane's timbre, a happiness could be traced. "You do become accustomed to the weather." She had a smudge of dirt upon her cheek, but eased it off with a lick of her thumb.

She regarded her sister with great happiness. "May I say, Lizzy, that I am yet relieved to have you here."

[bennetsister]

"I am very glad to be here," said Elizabeth fondly. "For the thought of missing so many important things makes me quite sad indeed."

Mr. Darcy's letter still felt very heavy in her pocket, and the rustle of it against her skirts as she settled more comfortably on the ground reminding her -- as if she could forget! -- of what she so desperately wanted to speak about with Jane. "I do not think I could bear being here if you were not here," she said. "For many reasons."