Elizabeth’s engagement to Mr. Darcy was the most astonishing event that Meryton had ever witnessed. his offence at the Meryton assembly the previous autumn, their mutual dislike, Elizabeth’s joyful and witty temper, and Mr. Darcy’s proud and arrogant nature made them the most unlikely couple in the world. And besides their personal traits, the difference in their situations in life separated them even further. While Jane and Mr. Bingley seemed perfectly suited to each other, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy seemed, to anyone acquainted with them, to be complete opposites. But they knew differently themselves. Long before he proposed, Elizabeth had known that Mr. Darcy was the man perfectly suited to her. As for him, all those months of struggle had proved his love was not just ardent but also deep and strong, ready to overcome any opposition, including hisown. But all those details that made their union a blissful one remained unknown to everyone else.
When she returned from her meeting with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth waited eagerly for him to speak to her father, who granted his blessing immediately. It was then Elizabeth’s turn to inform her mother and sisters, which she did in the privacy of her room.
Mrs. Bennet listened with indifference and complete puzzlement at first, gazing at Elizabeth incredulously. A proposal from Mr. Darcy sounded like a proposal from the Prince Regent himself, and she immediately dismissed it. But moments later, when Elizabeth insisted and mentioned her father had already granted his blessing, Mrs. Bennet collapsed on the bed, breathless, then jumped to her feet. Her cries of joy and disbelief shook the entire house, and she kept embracing and kissing Elizabeth, who was torn between laughter and mortification.
“Oh, my dear girl! Mr. Darcy! Who would believe it? But are you sure? Are you certain that he actually proposed? He wishes to marry you? Why would he? Oh no, do not ask him that! Engaged to Mr. Darcy? How is it possible? He is so tall and handsome and rich! I am sorry to say so, but Mr. Bingley is nothing to him, though Mr. Bingley is by far the best man who ever married a woman from Meryton!”
“I am quite sure, Mama. I believe Mr. Darcy is now with Papa and Uncle Gardiner.”
“Oh, do not let your father scare him away with his teasing! Mr. Darcy is not to be teased! Go and save him! Engaged to Mr. Darcy? That cannot be!”
Mrs. Bennet continued in the same manner for a long time, and Elizabeth only allowed her to join the gentlemen when she had calmed somewhat. Fortunately, as soon as she saw Mr.Darcy in person, Mrs. Bennet became shy, quiet, and perfectly behaved, at least for the rest of the day.
The news spread through Meryton with the speed of wildfire, shocking the entire neighbourhood, as well as the Netherfield party. For weeks, until that shocking engagement was sealed by a wedding, it was the main subject of conversation.
Georgiana Darcy was thrilled beyond measure by her brother’s engagement, embracing Elizabeth as a sister with all the affection of her gentle heart, forming a bond that promised to be heartfelt and lasting. Mr. Bingley’s joy was doubled by the pride that he could now call his best friend — the man whom he admired the most — his brother. Mr. Bingley’s sisters hardly said a word that day and those that followed, until they returned to London.
Mr. Bennet received a long letter from Mr. Collins, sharing the news of his expected heir, then expressing his and Lady Catherine’s disapproval of the outrageous engagement of Elizabeth to the illustrious Mr. Darcy, who they deemed to be too far above her. Mr. Bennet joyfully shared the letter with his future son-in-law; Mr. Darcy’s embarrassment and mumbled excuses on behalf of his aunt diverted Mr. Bennet exceedingly and provided the elder gentleman with reason to tease him for quite some time.
Mr. Bingley and Jane’s wedding was as beautiful as the two of them, as everybody agreed. And a month later, in the same church, Elizabeth Bennet became Mrs. Darcy, surrounded by her family and friends. Mrs. Bennet threatened to faint several times, but she gathered her strength to avoid upsetting Mr. Darcy. The ceremony was marked by quiet elegance and deep emotion, and when the couple emerged as husband and wife, the looks they exchanged spoke more eloquently than any words.
On Mr. Darcy’s side, Colonel Fitzwilliam attended the wedding, together with Georgiana.
After the ceremony, the Darcys removed to London for a fortnight, where they hoped to enjoy some privacy before settling at Pemberley. Georgiana, with thoughtful consideration, stayed with Lady Matlock and Miss de Bourgh so that the newly married couple might have the house to themselves.
On their wedding night, as they stood together in the mistress’s candlelit chamber, Mr. Darcy drew from a velvet case a set of exquisite jewels that had belonged to his mother.
“These jewels and many others are yours now, my dearest Elizabeth,” he said. “But there is something else I wish to give you — not as elegant but equally eloquent in describing my ardent love.”
Inside the box, was also a piece of paper — a letter to her, which said:
To my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.
She touched it with trembling hands, looking at him adoringly, then from under the pillow she pulled out another piece of paper.
“And this is for you, my dearest Mr. Darcy. Written last night, the last letter produced by Elizabeth Bennet. From now on, all letters to you will come from Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.”
As on the day of their engagement, neither of them read the letters at that very moment, as they knew their contents quite well.
Instead, he blew out all the candles in the room, then returned to her, his arms closing around his beloved wife. Elizabeth closed her eyes, holding her husband tightly and allowing her ardent love to finally overwhelm her.
Epilogue
Pemberley, five years later.
Five years had passed since the blessed day when Elizabeth Bennet became Mrs. Darcy, and Pemberley had never known greater felicity. Summer was the season when the whole family gathered once more beneath its noble roof, as had become their happy custom. Summer and the Christmas season were spent at Pemberley, as Mrs. Bennet reminded everyone at every opportunity.
The Gardiners were all present, their children now much grown, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, Lydia, and Mary — all close friends with Georgiana and none of them engaged to be married yet, despite their numerous suitors.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had married three years previously, joined the party with his wife, his parents, and his eldest brother’s family.
The former Anne de Bourgh was in attendance too, now a close friend of Elizabeth’s. She was utterly transformed from the frail young woman Elizabeth had first known in Kent into an elegant and admired figure in London society. Her health restored, she devoted herself to various charitable works with a quiet determination that won her universal respect. She had been courted by many gentlemen of rank and fortune, yet, to the astonishment of none who knew her well, she had chosen to marry Dr Rease. The union, born of genuine esteem and affection, had only deepened the long-standing breach with Lady Catherine, who still could not speak of it without indignation.
Jane and Mr. Bingley, with their two sweet children, had settled upon a fine estate just thirty miles from Pemberley. TheBingley sisters were occasionally invited to Pemberley too, but only when Jane’s gentle wishes inclined towards their company — a circumstance that occurred with pleasing infrequency.
After another joyful yet tiring dinner, Elizabeth went out to take a stroll before bed — a habit she continued and often shared with her husband. Darcy was somewhere in the house, with his steward, attending to some urgent business.
In the past five years of bliss, Elizabeth’s love, admiration, and respect for her husband had grown and enhanced every single day. Their felicity had been blessed with two beautiful children, a son of four years old and a daughter of only ten months.
