Chapter Thirty Six: One Final Surprise

So it was that the magic of Pemberly and the beauty of summer brought much joy to the first year of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam's life together. Connections had been made, forgiveness give, and attachments to great acquaintance formed in the short time.

As the summer drew to a close and the happiness of everyone was overly exaggerated among all of the high grounds and parlors of the county, the departure of many of the guests had started to arrive. On the last night, that the party would be together as one large group, Elizabeth and Darcy put on a small ball for all of the happy couples that had come to reside in their home.

The Bennett young ladies would be returning to Hertfordshire with their parents to begin preparations for their own weddings and gentlemen that had stolen their hearts would be welcomed into the county. Jane and Bingley would also be returning to facilitate the engagements and be highly instrumental in planning to have Mary and Kitty married from Longbourn. The Darcy's had also vowed some assistant as all of the engagements were formed at Pemberly and so Mr. Darcy put on the young ladies an allowance and their stop in London would bring to them all the joys of shopping for the highest fashions that would be available.

Lady Catherine, Anne and the Colonel would soon be returning to Kent but would find themselves, as Anne had wished, in the small town of Meryton to see her beloved friends married from home. She had become extremely excited with the prospects of the journey, and was invited to stay with the Bennett is the small house that she had showed such an interest in. Lady Catherine had been against the arrangements at first but knowing Anne's joy she could not help but be persuaded and even believed she would enjoy herself immensely as she knew she would be there to bring calmness to Mrs. Bennett. The announcement of the engagement between the Colonel and Anne came as a shock to some but a delightful surprise to most and Colonel Fitzwilliam was praised high and low for his match with his cousin and the fortune he would inherit. With the engagement came all the legalities and he would be taken off to Kent with the mother and daughter for a stay in Rosings.

Caroline Bingley would also be taken off to Kent, by request of Lady Catherine who had grown quite fond of the young woman. Lady Catherine insisted on the addition to their party by telling Caroline she would be in need of her own company as she would have to leave Anne and the Colonel to their courtship and that she knew several young men of wealth that she wished to put in Caroline's way.

"Why should all of the young people find happiness and not you, Caroline?" Lady Catherine asked as they sat together on that evening, "I must have you with me. Come to Kent and you will be left wanting nothing. I will introduce you to my high society, you will have many young gentlemen to visit you as my particular guest, and I will be very pleased with the companionship."

"It would be my honor," Caroline said and so the plot had been settled, "with such a heart felt appeal on your side, my lady, how could I refuse."

With such prospects Caroline agreed to the departure from Pemberly, and was quite excited to see the magnificent house at Rosings Park and all of the country of Kent. Lady Catherine had spoken so highly of her home, that Caroline had developed a keen interest in the place and the grandeur about it, so she was thoroughly settled on being entertained. Caroline remained the Lady's particular companion on their journey to Kent, and was pleased to be so highly esteemed by Lady Catherine Du Bourgh. So much so, that it did nothing good for her ego. It would be a pleasant break from all of the society she had been keeping, but she would be extremely pleased to return to Netherfield when the party journeyed into Hertfordshire for the weddings. Lady Catherine was pleased to have a level headed young woman as her companion, were Anne would be too busy with the wedding plans, and the joys of her friends.

Georgiana would be remaining at Pemberly as she had promised to be with Elizabeth and to continue seeing William and the Stewarts as often as was proper. The ladies of the Stewart party were significantly distressed by the arrival of the end of their outstanding summer society, and the prospects of the fall. Their joy was complete, however, in knowing that Georgiana would soon be their own sister, and they would be delighted to have her with them as often as possible.

As for Elizabeth and Darcy, they were unsure as to what they would do with such a quiet and empty house.

"How are we to bare it?" Elizabeth laughed, "Soon we will be alone, and left quite to our own destructions."

"It has only been three months since everyone has come to us, and you had not wanted to break the family peace." Darcy laughed.

"But it has gone by so fast and so much joy has come to all of us. I am sad to see it all come to an end," Elizabeth said.

"It is not an end, but a new beginning for many of our friends," Darcy said.

"Indeed it is," Elizabeth smiled.

The evening festivities were filled with dancing and singing. A sumptuous feast was laid out for the guests and Elizabeth and Darcy were praised for their accomplishments. When their dinner had ended, the music was silence, and the ball was coming to a close, Elizabeth and Darcy stood before their company to give their final speeches.

"We would like to thank you all for coming and sharing, with us, this magnificent summer," Darcy said.

"We would also like to give our congratulations once again to Captain Coplin and Miss. Bennett, Mr. Spencer and Miss. Catherine, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss. Du Bourgh and finally to Mr. Stewart and our dear Miss. Darcy," Elizabeth smiled, "we wish for you all of the happiness that Mr. Darcy and I have found in each other."

There was a large round of applause from all those gathered and a toast was raised to all the blissful couples.

"Finally we have our own announcement, of joy, to make," Darcy said as the noise settled once again.

"We are pleased to announce that Mr. Darcy and I are expecting our first child this coming January." Elizabeth smiled, and there was a rush of gasps and cheerful exclamations.

"Oh my dear, dear Lizzy," Mrs. Bennett cried.

"I am pleased to hear news of an heir," Lady Catherine said in her condescending manner.

"How long have you known," Kitty gasped.

"Long enough," Elizabeth laughed.

"And you did not tell anyone," Caroline gasped.

"We did not want it to take away from the joys that were anticipated here," Elizabeth said, "and now we feel it is a good time to tell you all and add to the joy. Keep us in your prayers as you leave us and we hope to see you all again when the baby arrives," she added.

"We will all have to come now," Anne exclaimed, "for how are you to travel in the next few months."

"We are not worried," Darcy said happily and will be present at all of the weddings.

"A grand child, Mr. Bennett, how lovely is this news," Mrs. Bennett shrieked as she fanned herself.

"Yes, my dear, and five daughters married," Mr. Bennett laughed.

"Oh Mr. Bennett God has been so good to us." Mrs. Bennett cried, and Lizzy and Jane could not help but laugh at their mother.

So it was that the magical summer at Pemberly came to an end. Great joy and anticipation had come over all that were gathered. Forgiveness was given, where forgiveness was do, but most of all, love blossomed and grew in the presence of all that had come to love and admire Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.

The End