Elizabeth and Darcy did take the Bingley's up on their offer to stay at Netherfield; that first night the two couples dined together and spoke of plans to visit Pemberley. Mr. Bingley even went so far as to say that he would like to buy an estate no more than forty miles from Derbyshire and leave Netherfield for the rest of the Bennet's, in the event of Mr. Bennet's passing. He had already made an offer on the house and grounds while Darcy was away. All agreed that keeping the Bennet's in Hertfordshire was a good idea indeed.
Before the couples retired for the evening, Jane pulled her sister aside.
"Our aunt was right." she said, not looking at all shy or embarrassed, "it can be quite enjoyable!"
"Why, sister, you shock me. Whatever happened to the girl that hid behind her hand?" Lizzy teased.
Jane gave Lizzy a knowing smile, but said nothing.
Mr. Bingley gave the Darcy's two rooms on the opposite wing of the house from where he and Jane were. Once alone, Mr. Darcy not only told, but showed Mrs. Darcy how much he loved and adored her. After some initial embarrassment, Lizzy was surprised to find out she very much enjoyed being close to her husband. It amazed her that such a strong man could be so gentle. It made her cry when he told her how beautiful she was; for upon seeing him, she had thought the same thing.
The Bingley's left the next day for their honeymoon, and the Darcy's stayed on at Netherfield another two days before beginning their journey to London, and then on to Pemberley.
Richard escorted Miss Darcy and Kitty to Pemberley; for Mr. Darcy had asked her if she would like to go to keep Georgiana company for a few weeks, and Kitty wholeheartedly agreed.
Epilogue-One year later
Mr. Wickham met his end not on the battlefield in Newcastle but because he dallied with the daughter of very big and strong man. George had not given up his taste for young ladies and found himself looking at the wrong end of a pistol at dawn. Although Lydia had not wished him dead, she was not sorry to see him go; for he had long since stopped being "her dear Wickham." Between his constantly smelling of drink; and his habit of flirting with other women, even in her presence; and the fact that she never got to do any of those things or go to any of those places that she had dreamed of; it had been a sorry life, indeed. A widow at seventeen, she returned to Longbourn, a little wiser and a little colder.
Thankfully by the time she came back, Miss Kitty was long on her way to becoming a fine young lady; no longer given to fits of giggles or gossip. Kitty had caught the attention of a few young men in Darcy's circle; a fact that did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Bennet and so the girl was encouraged to spend as much time at Pemberley as she were able. Kitty and Georgiana were thick as thieves and decided that when the time came for such a thing they would very much like to have a double wedding just like Jane and Lizzy did.
Mary's life took on more diversions, as she spent countless hours traveling between sisters and she found that she welcomed the opportunity to do something other than constantly read or play the pianoforte.
Mr. Bingley made good on his decision to purchase Netherfield for the Bennet's, complete with all the staff at their disposal. Mrs. Bennet boasted of the generosity of her fine son in law to all the neighbors. Jane and Charles bought an estate not far from Derbyshire; close enough to travel in a days time, but not so close as to be a bother; although Elizabeth and Darcy would never think of them that way.
Mr. Bennet did not at first wish to leave Longbourn, but eventually the size of the library and the availability of better places at Netherfield in which to escape from Mrs. Bennet, changed his mind.
Charlotte gave Mr. Collins a son; which delighted the man to no end. In his child he found a captive audience that loved him unconditionally; and did not judge him or act as if he were nothing.
Miss Bingley had never hoped to marry for love and so was not disappointed when a wealthy older gentleman came to call. She allowed him, his dalliances, and he allowed her, hers. She had also never wished for children and was not disappointed in that regard, either.
And as for Lizzy and Darcy, one year later still found them very much in love, still acting like newlyweds, still making new discoveries about one another.
Elizabeth never did tell Jane the real story of her engagement; and after awhile all parties in the know, forgot about it too. The couple were so happy, that it was hard to remember that it was not always so; or at least, that it was not always so for Lizzy.
Well, there you have it. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this story for you, and I appreciate every single review, story alert, favorite story and favorite author emails that I received!! I got seriously addicted to coming home from my real job (the one that pays) and checking my email everyday to see if I got anything from !
I know that I left out Richard in the epilogue, but honestly I didn't feel I had anything to say for him---I'm sure he had a good life though.....
And I let Wickham die the way he did because I didn't want him to be a hero on the battlefield, but I realized something while writing for him....what was up w/him going after all these teenage girls?(Georgiana and Lydia). Wasn't he near Darcy's age? Kinda creepy, if you ask me.
I'm gonna miss writing this everyday, but at least now I can go back to reading the other stories and let someone else do the work! Thanks again for all the support, it kept me going, especially when I feared I wouldn't be able to write stuff exactly the way I wanted to. You all had faith in me and it spurred me on!