Jane shone with happiness.
Mr. Bingley seized Darcy’s hand and shook it so enthusiastically that Darcy was obliged to laugh.
“I knew it!” Bingley exclaimed. “I knew it from the moment you began bringing books to Mary.”
Jane embraced Elizabeth, whispering, “I am so very happy for you.”
Kitty clapped outright.
Lydia squealed and announced that she expected full recognition for services rendered.
Thomas and Toby launched themselves at Darcy simultaneously.
“We told you to hurry.”
“We saved you from Mr. Wilson.”
Darcy, with considerable dignity, accepted their embraces.
“You have been formidable allies.”
Mrs. Bennet kissed Elizabeth, then Darcy, then Elizabeth again.
“My dear children.”
Miss Bingley sat very straight upon the sofa, her smile so fixed that it scarcely appeared human.
“How delightful,” she said, each syllable polished to perfection.
Mrs. Hurst murmured her congratulations with rather more sincerity.
Mary, after consulting no authority whatsoever, declared that marriages founded upon mutual esteem and intellectual sympathy were the most likely to endure.
Mr. Bennet lowered himself into his favorite chair and surveyed the room with profound contentment. “Well,” he said, “I suppose the twins may now retire from public service.”
Thomas drew himself up. “Never.”
Toby nodded solemnly. “There are still weddings to organize.”
Lydia burst into laughter.
Of course, Mr. Bennet had known what his boys were doing! Elizabeth looked across the room to Darcy.
He stood surrounded by her family, her brothers clinging to his coat, her mother beaming, her father amused, her sisters radiant. He turned at that moment and met her eyes.
The expression in his face held no uncertainty now.
Only love. Only home. And Elizabeth, for the first time in her life, could look toward the future without the slightest desire to be anywhere else.
Epilogue
News of Elizabeth’s engagement had scarcely ceased to delight the household before Mr. Bingley, whose happiness seemed to increase with every additional marriage contemplated among those he loved, declared that Netherfield must host a ball to celebrate. Jane laughed and protested that one wedding at a time ought to satisfy even his generous enthusiasm, but her husband was not to be dissuaded. If Hertfordshire had rejoiced when he claimed Miss Bennet for his own, he insisted it should rejoice again when Mr. Darcy secured Miss Elizabeth. Invitations were issued at once, and within a sennight the neighborhood was in animated expectation of an evening that promised to honor not only two excellent matches, but the growing conviction that the gentlemen of Netherfield had contrived, most fortunately, to become part of the Bennet family.
By the time Netherfield gave its long-anticipated winter ball, the whole of Hertfordshire had accepted as fact what Thomas and Toby Bennet had been proclaiming for weeks.
Mr. Darcy was to marry their sister.
The twins regarded this not as a happy development, but as a successful campaign.
