Hi everyone! After reading the reviews, I'm thinking I may write the bonus scene I've been tossing around in my head, but it's going to be some time because I'm working on another book for summer. (I'll start posting that as soon as I have enough chapters to know where it's going.) As it is, here's the last chapter which is actually an epilogue. Thank you so much for reading this and being so kind in your reviews. You are wonderful!

Epilogue:

Between John's and Wickham's confessions, the highwaymen were quickly caught. Young John Stewart was given the Church's mercy for his crimes. With the brand upon his thumb, he took up service in the Pemberley stables and became a fine judge of horseflesh. As for Wickham, whatever troubles he landed himself in across the ocean, they remained there, and the Darcys and Bennets paid him no further mind.

Misses Elizabeth and Jane Bennet were married before Christmas by special license on a crisp morning frosted with snow. Jane's gown was a light rose trimmed with lace, while Elizabeth's was light blue trimmed in silver.

A more joyful pair of brides could not be found in all of England.

Elizabeth took her sister's hand as they prepared to enter the church. "I never imagined I could have so much happiness, and to share it with you, Jane, my dearest sister!"

"It is a most blessed joy," Jane agreed, her eyes shining.

Col. Fitzwilliam offered felicitations to both ladies. He was due to return to the Spanish front in the spring, and his equanimity was tested supporting his cousin, who, leading up to the grand event, swung between joy and terror at the thought of marrying his love.

"Our aunt is in rare form," the colonel warned. "But her sense of propriety is such she will not embarrass you until the wedding breakfast, I hope."

"Keep her away from Lizzy. That woman is... overly proper!" For Jane, this was the most vicious condemnation.

Elizabeth, amused, said, "Fortunately, it does not matter to me how displeased she is with her niece's education."

"You have done a fine job with the child."

"I would have continued leading her studies, but Will insists we hire a new governess. One who speaks French. Perhaps I can learn. Eugenia has agreed to allow me to help interview future applicants." Elizabeth doubted any of her choices would please Lady Catherine, not that she much cared.

Rose stuck her head out the door. As a bridesmaid, she wore a white frock and straw bonnet adorned in winter leaves. "Come along. Everyone is waiting. And we will have orange cakes at the wedding breakfast!"

Elizabeth laughed. "Go on ahead, Rose, Colonel, and let them know we are coming."

Jane and Elizabeth held hands as they entered the church proper. Mary, also in white, began an intricate piece she had practiced diligently for this event. It was fortunate Jane and Elizabeth were married together, not only for their happiness but also due to the surplus of bridesmaids. In addition to Rose and Miss Georgiana, whom Elizabeth found to be a delight, there were the younger Bennet sisters, Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, much improved by superior company, rose to the occasion.

Mrs. Bennet, upon seeing her daughters, leaped to her feet. "How beautiful, my eldest daughters are wed at last! And to such wonderful gentleman!"

Mr. Bennet put his hand on his wife's arm and whispered in her ear. Mrs. Bennet gave him a sharp look but allowed her daughters to join their future husbands and follow, without interruption, the parson as he had them repeat the marital vows.

Mr. Darcy was nervous, and the emotion conveyed itself in stiff shoulders and a facade of blankness about his expression, though he could not take his eyes from Elizabeth. How had she ever thought him cold?

Mr. Darcy slipped the ring onto Elizabeth's finger. As she met his gaze, their future unfurled before her, a fortune of joy and love.

The End.

Thank you all for reading! I'm going to keep this entire story live here on ffnet through 4/20 at which point everything after Chapter 5 will still be moved to my website VioletKingAuthor DOT com. It will still be available to read for FREE through my website membership club. For my next book (and any bonus content on this one,) I'll be posting it first on my free website membership site and then 1-2 days later moving those chapters/stories here. So if you want to get first look at and to comment on my work before it's available here, pop over and join my membership club. It's *FREE*.

My complete, edited books are also available on your favorite online booksellers and, if you request them, via your digital library (if you want to support me that way too!)

Again, I am so grateful to everyone here for reading and commenting on my books in progress (and after they're done.) You make my work better and you keep me motivate to keep on keeping on. That is a gift beyond price and I hold you all in my heart.

Much Love!

Violet

PS: My next book (I'd promised to join this project themed book project with some other amazing Austen inspired authors last year) will be set in Brighton. And (if it follows the plot in my head) it will have sea bathing and smugglers!

PPS: Mr. Darcy's Charade needs some restructuring, which is beginning to come together in my mind. So once I'm finished with the Brighton project, I'll hopefully have put the enough worked out to go back to Spies! In short, Charade is taking a longer than planned, BUT it is not abandoned. Sometimes you just have to write your way around a problem, lol!