“Now, then, tell me more about these two Bennet girls. How is it that two young ladies from one unknown family were able to ensnare two of the most eligible gentlemen in the kingdom?”
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fitzwilliam both protested at the word “ensnare,” of course, and then went on to enumerate the many virtues of their ladies.
***
Happy for all her maternal feelings was the day on which Mrs. Bennet witnessed the marriage of her two most deserving daughters. Jane and Elizabeth had asked all three of the youngerBennet girls to stand up with them, and the five of them resembled nothing so much as a bouquet of flowers, standing up at the altar together.
The guests included the Earl and Countess of Matlock; Mrs. Bennet was certain that never before or after would such notable guests attend a wedding in Meryton. Her husband had been briefly afraid that they would want to stay at Longbourn, which would have necessitated a good deal of redecorating, but happily for his purse, they stayed at Netherfield.
Mr. and Mrs. Collins had made the journey from Kent, despite protests from his patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Mr. Collins had been uncertain as to the wisdom of attending such a marriage, given that Mr. Darcy had been expected to marry Miss de Bourgh; but Mrs. Collins had pointed out that snubbing the Earl and Countess of Matlock by refusing to attend their son’s wedding could hardly be considered wise.
At the wedding breakfast, surrounded by well-wishers, Elizabeth Darcy stood beside Mr. Darcy, smiling so hard that her cheeks hurt. Suddenly, her new husband said, “Would you mind if I left you for a few minutes, dearest?”
“As long as you come right back,” she replied.
“I will always come right back,” he promised. She watched him as he sought out Mr. Collins – of all people! – for a private conversation. The two disappeared.
When Mr. Darcy returned to his wife’s side, she whispered, “Mr. Collins? What could you possibly have to discuss with him?” She nodded toward the man in question, who was now speaking excitedly with Mrs. Collins.
“I will tell you later,” he promised.
After the guests departed, Mr. Darcy asked Mr. Bennet if they might speak privately, with Elizabeth present, of course. Mr. Bennet raised his brows, but led the way to his study.
“Yes, Darcy?” he asked, once Darcy and Elizabeth were seated.
“Your daughter told me, some months ago, about the entail on Longbourn.”
Mr. Bennet’s brows drew together. “It is not something I enjoy discussing.”
“You need fear it no longer.” Mr. Darcy drew some papers from his coat pocket and gave them to Mr. Bennet.
Mr. Bennet studied the papers for ten minutes, in silence. He raised his eyes to Mr. Darcy’s and said, quietly, “I am not certain I understand.”
“I have purchased Mr. Collin’s interest in the property and transferred that interest to you. The entail is broken; you are free to bequeath the estate to whomever you wish.”
“But – but this must have cost a fortune!”
Mr. Darcy shrugged. “It does not signify.”
“Does not signify?!”
“No; I have given you a gift, yes, butyouhave givenmea gift beyond compare.” And the look he bestowed on his new wife rendered his meaning unmistakable. “The price was more than fair; he can purchase another estate if he so wishes, but not this one.”
“Darcy, I hardly know how to thank you.” Mr. Bennet’s voice was unsteady.
“You may thank me by visiting my library in Derbyshire as often as possible. It is not appreciated nearly as much as it deserves.”
Mr. Bennet rose and offered his hand; Darcy rose to take it. Elizabeth would later say that there were tears in the eyes of both men, but as her own eyes were wet, she could not swear to it.
Epilogue
It did not take long for Elizabeth to learn that life at Pemberley was, truly, very much like living in a fairytale. Yes, things went wrong. Crops failed, cottages burnt, tenants fell ill; but she spent her time and considerable energy making certain that everything possible was done to correct whatever had gone wrong. She had never desired great wealth, but she now learnt that it was satisfying indeed to have the resources to improve the lives of others. It was alsoverysatisfying to have access to the Pemberley library, and she often teased her husband by telling him that she would have accepted him immediately, had she known just how large and extensive a collection it was! She gave her husband five children: three boys and two girls.
The Bingleys purchased an estate, Brickhill Manor, a mere four-hour ride from Pemberley. Shortly thereafter, Mrs. Bingley was delivered of a baby girl with golden hair and dark eyes. As she was the spitting image of her mother, no-one ever thought her anything but Mr. Bingley’s child.
Some four months after the birth of her daughter, Georgiana began to think that the thing she had done with George Wickham – which she had not enjoyed at all! – might in fact beveryenjoyable if done with Charles. She could not possibly discuss it with him, of course, so instead she simply appeared in his bedroom one night dressed in something hermaid had designed for her. Thus, Charles Bingley’s patience was well rewarded. Nine months later, she gave him a son. He never regretted marrying Georgiana Darcy rather than Jane Bennet.
Like her sister, Jane Fitzwilliam produced five children – all boys. Mrs. Bennet thought the Lord must be whimsical indeed to have given her five daughters, but her daughter five sons! The Earl and Countess of Matlock visited Chestnut Creek frequently, as the Countess learnt to love the new Mrs. Fitzwilliam for her kind and gentle spirit.
