This is the final chapter of this story. There will be an epilogue of the future, but this is the ending to this part of their lives. I am so happy that you have all enjoyed it and stuck through to the end, and I hope it does not disappoint. I have rewritten it twice since yesterday, which is why it was not posted until now. I just wanted to get it exactly right, but as always, that is open to interpretation and if you don't like it, I absolutely respect that. Thank you to wosedwew and other reviewers who have pointed out historical inaccuracies which I have been quietly correcting along the way. I love all of you so much, and I cannot tell you how much of a positive impact this has had on my friend. She did not know I was posting it to the internet, only that I was writing it, in case it met a negative reception, but about two days ago I showed her. She was blown away, and wants everyone to know how incredibly supportive this has been for her, and she hopes it has helped or at least eased one other person's burden. She sends her love, as I do mine. Enjoy.
Lady T
Lady Catherine's voice echoed around the room, affecting each individual differently. Elizabeth's reaction was one of shock, plain and simple. Her jaw dropped and she shook her head numbly as Darcy reacted by slipping his hand into hers and stepping semi in front of her protectively. Jane was gripping hold of Bingley's arm and both of them were staring between Lady Catherine and Lizzie as though expecting at any moment for a brawl to begin. Charlotte, who had been huddling guiltily behind the Lady trying to subdue her equally enraged husband, suddenly straightened. She locked eyes with Lizzie and shook her head almost imperceptibly – begging her not to enter into this fight. Mrs Bennet fainted immediately in a flurry of noise, and the Colonel and Mr Bennet had to set about carrying her to the closest lounge chair, but neither were immersed in the task and kept looking back as they moved. This all happened in five, slow, agonising seconds, and then Lady Catherine looked to her nephew.
"Mr Darcy? What do you mean by this… this… affectation?" Lady Catherine said incredulously as she saw Darcy's hand in his fiancé's. Darcy barely heard her.
"What did you just call Miss Bennet?" He asked darkly. Lizzie moved quickly around him and placed herself between him and his aunt. She placed both of her hands on his chest and tried to catch his eye but he was still glaring over her head.
"Darcy, think of what you are doing, do not start a fight with your aunt! I'm sure we can settle this rationally." Elizabeth tried.
"I'll thank you to stay out of family business, Miss Bennet, and remove your hands from my nephew." The woman responded offensively and Darcy glanced nervously down at Lizzie, hoping she was not too affected by his relative's rudeness. She smiled back up at him with a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Pondering it further, I was incorrect – argue away my love." Lizzie stepped aside and Darcy found himself more in love with the woman now than he ever had been before. Lady Catherine did not miss the affectionate referral and her eyes bulged. Fortunately, she was not the only person who noticed. Mr Bennet stepped forward and grinned from ear to ear. He put his arm around Lizzie's shoulder comfortingly before taking his place next to Darcy.
"Lady Catherine, it is a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure," Mr Bennet began, "Unfortunately, I cannot revel in this pleasure, as from the moment of our acquaintance, you have condescended most remarkably," he glanced at Mr Collins, "to single out my daughter for your contempt. I am sure I cannot think of a reason for such censure, and so am inclined to believe that no such reason exists."
"Ah, so it is you that she has learnt these cunning ways from, is it?"
"And what cunning would that be Madam?" Mr Bennet adopted a lively, curious air, and Jane and Bingley hid their smiles behind their hands.
"The devious ways in which you have tutored your daughters to deceive men into believing themselves in love." Lady Catherine said, and Jane and Bingley were no longer smiling.
"Ah, those! Of course, yes, everyone knows the Bennets are famous for their ability to keep men – that is why I have a house still filled with all my children and your Mr Collins is not married to my Lizzie – it is their crafty wiles of entrapment." Mr Bennet said loftily and Elizabeth snorted.
Lady Catherine did not find it so amusing, and turned to her nephew.
"Do you intend to make an offer of marriage to Miss Bennet, Mr Darcy?" She asked, derisively side-stepping Elizabeth.
Darcy drew himself up to his full height, towered over his aunt, and in a loud, clear voice for the entire room to hear, he simply said, "No."
Mr Bennet and the Colonel looked deeply disappointed and somewhat angry, and Jane and Bingley looked like someone had just told them of a death in the family. Caroline reached for Georgiana's hand, but no-one took their eyes off the destruction happening before them.
Lady Catherine seemed to relax, and she rolled a little on her heels, "Good. Now Miss Bennet, you ought to know, that I am not to be trifled with. But however insincere you may choose to be, you shall not find me so. My character has ever been celebrated for its sincerity and frankness, and in a cause of such moment as this, I shall certainly not depart from it. In fact I shall endeavour to be as frank as possible."
"As will I." Darcy said, and her ladyship rounded on him sharply.
"What is it now Mr Darcy?"
"I find I may have caused some confusion with my earlier answer to your question."
"Do you mean to tell me that you will propose marriage to Miss Bennet?!" Her ladyship started to turn a horrid shade of purple and Elizabeth suddenly felt incredibly sorry for the pale creature next to Charlotte.
"Not at all, your ladyship. It would not be possible. I mean to announce that I have already asked Miss Bennet, and she has agreed to be my wife." Darcy declared, and Jane and Bingley rushed forward excitedly. Jane bounded at Elizabeth and grabbed her in a bear hug, being careful not to push her ribs too hard. Bingley shook Darcy's hand while he congratulated him, and then stood on the other side to Mr Bennet. Now the three men, although a little brighter in countenance, looked as though they were preparing for war. Colonel Fitzwilliam fell into step beside them as well, and the women moved forward together. All of them faced Lady Catherine de Bourgh with a disdain so strong it was almost a living entity, and the woman was furious.
She opened her mouth, "Fitzwilliam Darcy I demand that you recant this proposal at once! This goes directly against the wishes of society, of myself, and even of your mother! This woman is entirely unsuitable for a man of your station! There are rumours that she has taken up particular friendships with militia men, and her family has no money, no connections, and no standing. Are the fields of Pemberley to be thus polluted?"
"Polluted? I hardly believe so." Darcy said, barely concealing his rage as he reminded himself that his aunt knew nothing of what had happened.
Lady Catherine rounded on Elizabeth, "You have no regard, then, for the honour and credit of my nephew! Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not consider that a connection with you must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody? You are then resolved to have him?"
"I am resolute. I am unyielding in my decision to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness and the happiness of those I love, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me. Neither duty, nor gratitude, nor society have any possible claim on me, in the present instance. No principle of either would be violated by my marriage with Mr. Darcy. And with regard to the indignation of the world, I find I am loathe to care. Society has never meant anything to me, nor has riches or standing, and despite what you may believe, I love your nephew for the man he is, not for the property he owns or the company he keeps." Elizabeth retorted and she glimpsed Darcy's loving eyes turned on her from across the room.
"Well! I have never been so insulted in my life. That Darcy would make an offer to you is the worst offence I have faith he is capable of, and I take my leave of you all. I send no congratulations or well-wishes. I am most seriously displeased!" Lady Catherine turned and walked from the room all the way back to her carriage, where she waited to the rest of her party to join her.
Mr Collins moved to follow but Charlotte stamped hard on his toes to keep him there, and he avoided eye contact with everyone in the room as his wife offered her congratulations.
"Oh, I am so sorry Lizzie! Jane and Mrs Bennet have been writing to me to keep me informed of your health as I have been occupied at Rosings and unable to visit. Mr Collins was very curious and I informed him of your illness and your recovery at Pemberley. Mr Collins thought it would be an interesting anecdote to share at the dinner table yesterday evening and Lady Catherine demanded to see the letters Jane and your mother had sent! When I refused, my husband… my husband found it within his rights to retrieve them himself and present them to her ladyship. Of course they mentioned your particular attachment to Mr Darcy, and she flew into a rage and this morning ordered us all here!" Charlotte looked miserable and Elizabeth hugged her tight.
"Charlotte I have missed you so! Never you mind what Lady Catherine believes – she was bound to find out eventually, even if she hadn't seen your letters – she would never have endorsed such an engagement."
"As well she shouldn't!" Mr Collins spouted and Charlotte grimaced.
"Mr Collins, please-"
"No, Mrs Collins, I cannot be silent! Her ladyship has professed her displeasure and I must follow her example. This engagement is a horrid blight and I must speak my mind on the dangers of entering into such an arrangement with Miss Bennet."
"Dangers?" Mr Bennet asked, "Mr Collins did you not propose to my daughter?"
Collins fiddled with his collar and turned up his nose, "Yes, and I soon realised the error of my decision and turned my attentions elsewhere."
"Because she refused you." Mr Bennet said, and Darcy coughed to hide the surprised laughter he felt rising within him. Of course she had refused Mr Collins.
"Mr Bennet, I find that implication to be –"
"True?" Jane offered, and Bingley chortled.
"That is entirely –"
"Mr Collins, everyone in this rooms knows it to be fact. I accepted your proposal knowing that it had been offered to my friend the day before. I own that I did not much mind her rejection of you at the time, and found it completely within my temperament to say yes." Charlotte said quietly, and Mr Collins spluttered and stuttered and then he crossed his arms.
"And what of Wickham?" He asked.
"Excuse me?" Darcy said dangerously.
"In the letters the women mention that the reason for Miss Bennet's sickly state was an attack by Wickham."
"Yes."
"And do you not think it odd that an unprovoked man would attack a respectable woman?"
"Are you implying that my daughter provoked him!?" Mr Bennet cried.
At the same time, Darcy yelled, "Are you implying that my fiancé is not a respectable woman!?"
"I am simply asking the question." Mr Collins stated, and realised too late his mistake.
"How dare you." The two men said as one. Collins stepped back awkwardly but now the Colonel was behind him and Caroline and Charles were on his other side.
"What kind of respectable man makes such terrible insinuations about a lady without knowing anything of a situation?" Caroline spat.
"Does this imply that Jane is unworthy of my attentions simply by association?" Bingley added.
"Do you really believe you are on the right and just side of this discussion Mr Collins?" The Colonel asked menacingly and Collins gulped.
"Now, gentlemen, ladies, I was simply proffering the possible –"
"Mr Collins, I wonder that you consider yourself welcome here? Remove that assumption. Leave these grounds immediately, return to her ladyship's carriage, and this discussion will progress no further." Darcy ordered and Collins spun on his heel and left the room, still trying to maintain an air of haughty indifference, despite the sweat on his brow.
"Oh Lizzie I'm so sorry!" Charlotte said and Elizabeth shook her head.
"The only thing I am sorry for is letting you marry that odious man. What must he be like to spend a lifetime with?" Lizzie asked bitterly.
"Not nearly so horrible as spending a lifetime under the watchful shadow of your mother." A silky voice rose from behind the group. Anne de Bough was standing up straighter and her face was more determined than Elizabeth had ever seen it. To this moment she was not even sure she had heard Anne speak two words in conversation, but now she spoke with conviction, "I am truly happy for you cousin. You have found a woman worthy of standing by your side and you did not allow my mother to bend your will to suit her own. She never asked either of us for consent to marry each other, and I find that though I have never disliked your company at Rosings, I do not and never have wished to marry you." Anne beamed up at Darcy and he reached for his fiancé, kissing the back of her head as he drew her close, his hand on her shoulder as she faced Miss de Bourgh, "And you, Miss Bennet, were always kind to me during your visit to Rosings. I have never been good at making friends, largely due to lack of experience, but I do so wish I will become yours. I am deeply apologetic for the behaviour of my mother, but once her ladyship sets her mind to an opinion she will not be swayed. She will change her mind after a while, of her own accord, because she cannot bear ill will for so long as to affect her relationships in society so very drastically. Once your engagement has been announced and the wedding day is set, she will sing a different tune. In the meantime, I give you my deepest congratulations and apologies, and must beg my leave of you before Lady Catherine disowns me as well."
"If she did, you would be very welcome here." Lizzie said and quickly looked to Darcy for approval; it wasn't her property yet. He nodded and turned to Charlotte.
"You too, Mrs Collins. Anytime you feel you need a break from higher society, Pemberley has many peaceful rooms in which people may rest, recuperate, read and relax." He smiled reassuringly at the two women and Charlotte embraced Elizabeth once more before both of them disappeared outside and the carriage could be heard drawing away from Pemberley.
"Goodness. That was an eventful afternoon." Mr Bennet remarked, and finally the conversation turned to happier things.
"Eliza, Mr Darcy, congratulations!" Caroline was the first to say the actual words, "Jane and I were convinced it was never going to happen!"
Darcy looked confused but Lizzie shot him a look that said she would explain later as Mrs Bennet rose dramatically from the couch.
"Lizzie, did I hear all of that correctly? Are you to be married to Mr Darcy? And not an hour after Jane's pairing with Bingley? Oh, God has been very good to us Mr Bennet!" Her enthusiasm was going to be painful, Lizzie knew that already, but Darcy was ill-prepared for the relentless, obsessive Mrs Bennet in store for them.
"Ah, yes Mama, Darcy proposed not half an hour ago." Lizzie said, and Mrs Bennet clapped her hands together and started loudly proclaiming that she knew from the start of their acquaintance that they secretly loved each other and the room collectively rolled their eyes and nodded along.
"Oh Jane, I am so very happy." Lizzie said, truly meaning it for the first time in a long time.
"As am I Lizzie. Oh is it possible for one person to feel so much joy?"
"I do not know. I feel I can hardly bear my own. You will be the happiest woman in the world, save only me." Elizabeth said and they laughed as their parents congratulated the two men and Georgiana stood in the corner trying to contain her excitement. When her turn to offer her good wishes arose, she couldn't even think of how to put it into words and simply grinned so powerfully she thought her face might split in two, and luckily Darcy and Elizabeth already understood just how thrilled she was.
Word made its way around Pemberley until every living being under its roof knew of the engagements. Footmen and maids and cooks and butlers alike approached Elizabeth to tell her how happy they were upon hearing the news, and she bore it all with grace and poise, but she was exhausted.
Her whole day had been a whirlwind of emotion, and found that all she could think about was being held carefully in her future husband's arms while he kissed her passionately. It had been such the polar opposite to Wickham; Darcy had taken such care to avoid shifting her ribs in the way he held her, and had kissed her gently, letting her make the decisions. She so wished for their wedding night, for the man she loved to erase every terrible memory of Wickham and replace them with new ones. She thought of nothing else all evening, even during dinner, and then Mr Bennet looked up cheekily.
"I suppose there is no point in offering myself as a chaperone now that you are engaged. No late nights spent alone in my daughter's room now that she is well, however." He said, and Darcy paled.
"Of course! I would expect nothing less." He said stiffly, and didn't speak for the remainder of the meal. Elizabeth, who was sitting beside him, took pity on him and brushed past her father's mischievous remark in an offhand way.
"Papa, what will you and Mama do now that your two sensible daughters have left home?" She asked, and Mr Bennet sobered immediately.
"I shall confine myself to my study and never see the light of day again." He said sharply and everyone laughed, although Darcy seemed a little reluctant to join.
After dinner, Jane and Bingley took one lounge in the study and Elizabeth led Darcy to the other, despite his clear discomfort. Everyone else gathered around the piano as Georgiana and Mary played a duet. While the party was distracted, Lizzie leaned over to her fiancé and tilted her head towards him.
"Darcy?"
"Hmm?" Darcy responded, avoiding her eyes.
"Darcy, my father was just teasing," She sighed and shot her father a look that he couldn't see, "Papa does so like to torment those he loves. I seem to be the only person immune to his comments, but I implore to take it as the joke he meant it. Do not react – if you do you will be no better than my mother, who delights in being offended by his teasing ways."
Darcy's eyes widened slightly as he tried to hide the horror he felt at being compared to Mrs Bennet. Lizzie laughed at his distress and steered the conversation towards her present concern.
"Now, my love, how long would you prefer our engagement be? Six months? A year?"
Darcy growled almost imperceptibly, deep and low in his throat, and Lizzie knew it was for her benefit alone, "Do not speak of such lengths of time, Elizabeth. It tortures me to think of it."
Elizabeth laughed but she couldn't get the tiny noise from her head. She shook it clear and smiled, slipping her hand into his, "How long do you suggest then? A shorter engagement? Or perhaps you meant a longer period in which to let the world settle for the idea? Two years perhaps?"
Darcy rumbled again but did not answer and she rested her head on his shoulder and let his warmth emanate through her. Soon she found herself getting sleepy and within moments she had drifted off against him, humming softly to herself.
Fitzwilliam Darcy looked down at his future wife as she slowly sunk into oblivion and his heart sung sonnets to his mind. He couldn't help but reveal that smile that he reserved only for her, even when she could not see, as he kissed her forehead.
When they were to retire, being the last remaining people in the room, he woke her with Shakespeare's 119th Sonnet.
"Ruined love when it is built anew, grows fairer than at first, more strong, far greater. So I return rebuked to my content, and gain by ills thrice more than I have spent."
Elizabeth sat up and yawned, "The words of Shakespeare are beautiful my love, but tell me something true – speak from your own heart – do not use borrowed phrases."
"Shall I compare thee to a raging flame?" Darcy began and Lizzie looked up at him adoringly, "Thou art more than simply fire, and though rough winds hath shaken thy blaze, mine eyes still see a powerful spark flickering within. Thy shall not be extinguished by the actions of another, nor by the disagreement of society to accept your light." He drew breath to continue but Lizzie kissed his cheek and he flushed, "And some other such nonsense." He finished lamely and she laughed.
He closed his eyes and let the mirth wash over him. Oh how he loved to hear her laughter. How he loved to see her smile. How he loved her, all of her, right down to the tips of her toes. Even when utterly broken he could still see the woman he loved beneath the weight of everything. Now she had pulled herself from the rubble and shaken off so much of the weight. He pondered it as she laughed, and he considered it as they walked arm in arm up the stairs. Finally, as he bowed to her and kissed her chastely, he realised why her recovery had seemed so fast.
He had been the first to take on the weight. She took it back from him, but when she did, some of it was left on his shoulders, and was so less for her to bear. Then Georgiana shared the load, and then Jane. The Gardiners had taken some of the burden with them across the country back to London. Colonel Fitzwilliam had taken it and channelled it into his hunt for Wickham. Mr Bennet and Caroline had borne it nobly, doing their best to do what they knew would distract her from the encumbrance. Even those who did not know the full story: Charles, Lydia, Kitty, Mary, Mrs Bennet, Charlotte, Agatha Reynolds and others had taken parts of the load.
And he knew that as the heavy toll from one man's actions was passed around, with each person it left a little bit of itself behind, and a little more, and a little more, until finally, Elizabeth Bennet no longer had to carry any of the weight alone. It had spread out over everyone who loved her until they all stood, keeping the mass from crushing her. It was through the strength of her love for her family, and their love for her, that she had survived the ordeal, and it would be through this love that she would continue to heal. Even on her worst days, she would have someone – even if that person was not present with her, or she felt utterly alone – Darcy knew that she would never fail to pull through, because someone out there loved Elizabeth Bennet. And right now, he wanted to be the man who showed her that she would always and forever be loved, and that she would never in his eyes be damaged goods or tainted in any way. From the moment she had turned up at Netherfield with mud halfway up her dress and her bonnet falling down, he had loved her with his whole heart, despite his effort not to. She couldn't convince him of her failure if she tried. But every now and then he glimpsed the uncertainty behind her eyes and felt incapable of fixing it; she was the only person who had the power to recover that part of herself which she had lost – everyone else could only help. So as he stepped out into the corridor, he suddenly stopped and looped his arm back around his waist. He looked deeply into her eyes and then pressed his forehead to hers. They stayed that way for a long moment, just enjoying each other's company, and then he pulled back.
"I love you, Elizabeth Bennet."
"I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy."
"I love you more than the sum of your parts and more than any words could possibly explain. I love you with everything I have, and I offer it all to you. I adore you. I love you Elizabeth Bennet. On your worst days I will love you, and through the hardest of times."
Elizabeth gazed at him curiously, "I know, I feel the same way." She said softly and he shook his head.
"I just… I need you to hear the words and understand them completely. I need you to remember this moment whenever you believe you are not good enough. I love you, Elizabeth Bennet. Do not ever again convince yourself that I do not. I love you."
Elizabeth looked up at the man she had chosen and knew that even if she could have picked any man in the world, she would have chosen Fitzwilliam Darcy. She could not let him get away with baring his heart to her without a little fun, however.
"So… so you are saying then, that you expect our engagement will run quite a while? Three years, perhaps?" Lizzie teased, but Darcy kissed her and she forgot any jokes she may have made. She was going to be fine. Somehow, someday, she would be able to wake up in the morning and say that she was okay. Today had not been that day, and neither would tomorrow. But someday she would be strong enough to see the light shining through in everything she did.
When they broke apart, Lizzie looked at the man she had fallen so hard for and smiled serenely, quipping Shakespeare, "Some people are so poor that all they have is money." They broke apart and Darcy stepped away to return to his chambers, but as he walked down the darkened hallway he heard her whisper her own phrase, "But we are so rich even the stars could not fault us."